Your Waco AHEC Monthly Update

Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) East – Waco Region is committed to improving the health of rural and underserved communities in our 18 county service area. Waco AHEC is hosted at Waco Family Medicine. Waco AHEC works to increase the number of trained professionals to work in underrepresented areas. We host pipeline programs for students interested in medicine and offer hands-on clinical training experiences. We engage the community by providing health education events and collaborating with various organizations.

TL;DR

CHAMPs Year-Long Scholars kicked off, welcoming 23 students to our first cohort!
Future Docs launch, and accepting applications through September 30th. Apply Here
Join us Friday, September 26th at 1 PM for Mix it Up: The Field of Infection Prevention & Control, discussing the truths and myths of what happens in the healthcare setting here.
We are able to provide AHEC discounted test prep materials via The Princeton Review. Check out our website to get yours today!

Did You Know?

We’re excited to share about one of our new programs, Future Docs!

AHEC Future Docs

Thanks to generous support from the Boston Scientific Foundation, this new initiative helps undergraduate juniors and seniors—especially from underserved backgrounds—prepare for medical school through:

MCAT prep resources (discounted Princeton Review MCAT Course)
Personalized mock interviews
One-on-one application advising
Personal statement workshops
Job shadowing with local physicians
Ongoing mentorship and community support

Whether you're just beginning to plan or actively applying to med school, Future Docs is here to guide and empower you.

Apply by September 30th!

Apply Here

Events

Friday, September 26th 12 PM- 1 PM | Mix It Up: Infection Prevention and Control

Join us for The Field of Infection Prevention and Control: Truths and Myths

Welcome to the last Mix It Up of 2025! Dr. Kayla Ruch from the Texas Public Health Epidemic Institute will be sharing with us the on-the-ground challenges of her work, as well as the path she's taken to get here. Infection prevention has become an increasingly large focus in the national health spotlight, and there are a lot of misconceptions on best practices. Join us to learn more, ask questions, and grow in your studies.

AHEC Scholars who are seeking hours may request verification for this hour lunch and learn. Community members and health professionals are welcome to join

Register Here

Tuesday, October 21st 12 PM- 1 PM | Free Resume Workshop

ATS, CV, and more, oh my! Job hunting in the LinkedIn era can feel overwhelming, but fortunately we’re here to help. Join us for a job preparation session on Zoom during lunch or dinner for accountability and expert advice.

Register Here

Wednesday, October 29th 12 PM- 1 PM | Rural Health Book Club

Join us in reading "The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Scholars may earn up to two hours in credit for participating in this book club session, one by reading the book, and the second by attending to chat!

Open to all, and community members welcome!

More information on the Rural Health Book Club can be found by clicking here.

Calendar Hold Here

The Latest With Us

CHAMPS Year-Long Scholars Orientation

We officially welcomed 23 students into our CHAMPs Scholars cohort representing 10 high schools across McLennan County!

Orientation was the first step in a our journey focused on:

College Preparation
Test Prep & STEM Academic Support
Health Career Exposure
Student Success

AHEC FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATE

FY 25–26 Funding Secured: Late last week, HHS released the remaining 24% of AHEC federal funding for the period September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026. This means that all AHEC programs are now fully funded for the year—a welcome development in these uncertain times.

Looking Ahead to FY 26–27: The House Appropriations Committee has joined the Senate in recommending level funding for AHEC at $47 million in the FY 26–27 budget (September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027). Having AHEC included in both chambers’ bills is an important win given today’s political landscape.

We Are Part of the National AHEC Network: The National AHEC Organization (NAO) represents a network of more than 300 program offices and centers, serving over 85% of U.S. counties.

Congress created the AHEC program in 1971 to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations. Today, AHECs remain vital in bridging academic medicine with community health needs, developing innovative workforce programs like AHEC Scholars, and preparing a diverse healthcare workforce ready to deliver culturally competent, high-quality, team-based care, with emphasis on rural and underserved communities.

Future Docs Recruitment Underway

We presented at Baylor University MAPS, discussing the Future Docs program. This program is designed for undergraduate juniors and seniors preparing to pursue MD or DO pathways and planning to take the MCAT between Fall 2025–Summer 2026. If your organization or class would like to hear more, please let us know & we’d be glad to come speak with you!

Speaker Spotlight

Kayla E. Ruch, PhD, MPH, CPH, HACP, CIC

Senior Instructional Developer for Infection Prevention and Control, Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI)

Dr. Kayla Ruch is a seasoned expert in infection prevention and control with a deep commitment to enhancing healthcare safety across diverse settings. She develops and delivers specialized training programs for healthcare professionals, with a strong focus on rural and underserved communities.

She holds a PhD in Epidemiology and an MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, with a concentration in infection prevention and control practices in healthcare environments. She is certified in Infection Control (CIC), Public Health (CPH), and Healthcare Accreditation (HACP), providing her with a comprehensive perspective on advancing healthcare safety. Dr. Ruch’s professional experience includes leading infection prevention efforts during acute health crises such as COVID-19 and Mpox across acute-care, long-term care, and skilled nursing facilities in Texas, New York City, and California. These experiences enriched her expertise in collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to implement robust prevention strategies under high-pressure conditions.

Her research centers on improving occupational health and patient outcomes through education and workforce development and reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and. She lectures nationally on advanced infection prevention topics and is deeply committed to mentoring MPH students and novice infection prevention professionals, helping shape the next generation of public health leaders.

Get Involved

AHEC Scholars

Our two-year program is tailored for current health professions students seeking additional training and hands-on, team-based clinical experiences in rural and underserved communities.

This nationally recognized program, funded by AHEC and HRSA, provides:
- Specialized training to engage with diverse populations.
- A requirement of 40 didactic hours and 40 experiential hours per year. While most didactic hours are fulfilled through your course credit, we offer a few experiential opportunities to complement your training.
- Conference Presentation & Publication Awards for Texas AHEC Scholars of up to $500.
  - For current scholars, reach out to learn more and for application link.
- A $1,500 stipend upon successful completion of the program.
Click Here to Learn More & Apply Here

Clinical Placements, Shadowing & Internships

Waco AHEC places students into clinical rotations, shadowing, and internships.

We primarily work with:
- Undergraduate students
- Nurse practitioner students
- Physician assistant students
Students are placed with healthcare providers across 13 clinics of Waco Family Medicine, gaining hands-on experience in Family Medicine, Women's Health, and Pediatrics.
Public Health students may also complete a supervised internship at Waco AHEC, earning academic credit and professional experience here.
Apply for a Clinical Experience here

CHAMPS Camp & CHAMPS Year-long

CHAMPS (Careers in Health and Medicine Program) introduces high school students to health careers through our immersive summer camp. Hands-on labs, shadowing, simulation training, and career exploration set the stage for success.

Email Meagan.Melocik@wacofamilymedicine.org to learn more or set up a presentation and Learn More Here

Building on camp, and open to students who have participated in CHAMPS camp, the CHAMPS Year-Long Program (September–May) offers students monthly college prep workshops, STEM tutoring, job shadowing, and more. Attend 7+ events to qualify for the Advanced Track at next summer’s CHAMPS camp.

Future Docs

For undergraduate juniors and seniors, especially from underserved backgrounds, this program offers free MCAT prep, mock interviews, personal statement workshops, shadowing, and mentorship to help prepare for medical school. Program runs October through March.

Applications close September 30th, Apply Here.

Resources

Health Opportunities in Texas (H.O.T.) Jobs Manual

Interested in healthcare job opportunities, this resource provides all the career options and requirements: H.O.T. Jobs Manual
- Available in English and Spanish
Email us for a physical copy of the manual at ahec@wacofamilymedicine.org

AHEC Discounted Test Prep via The Princeton Review

AHEC discounted offerings, reach out to Meagan.Melocik@wacofamilymedicine.org with any questions.
Available for purchase on our website now!

Test Prep

September Observances

We encourage you to learn more about these important health observances and share them with your community. We’ll be highlighting several in our social media feeds throughout the month.

Healthy Aging Month: Celebrating ways older adults can stay active, healthy, and independent as they age.
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month: Raising awareness about childhood obesity and promoting healthy habits for kids and teens.
National Recovery Month: Highlighting the stories of those in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders and connecting people with support resources.
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Increasing understanding of sickle cell disease, encouraging screening, and supporting affected individuals and families.
National Food Safety Education Month: Promoting safe food handling practices to prevent foodborne illness at home and in the community.
National Fruits & Veggies Month: Encouraging everyone to eat more fruits and vegetables with the “Have a Plant” message.
National Prostate Health Month: Raising awareness of prostate cancer and other prostate health concerns, with a focus on screening and early detection.
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Supporting research, awareness, and advocacy efforts for children and families facing pediatric cancers.
World Alzheimer’s Month: Spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and encouraging community support for those affected.
National Suicide Prevention Month (Sept 7–13: Suicide Prevention Week; Sept 10: World Suicide Prevention Day): Focusing on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and the importance of connecting people to help.
World Patient Safety Day (Sept 17): Promoting global action to improve safety in healthcare and reduce preventable harm.
World Rabies Day (Sept 28): Highlighting the importance of rabies prevention through education and vaccination.
World Heart Day (Sept 29): Promoting heart health through awareness, education, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Contact Us

Ashely Bearden (she/her) Executive Director: Ashley.Bearden@txaheceast.org

Meagan GarMelo (she/her) Program Coordinator: Meagan.Melocik@txaheceast.org

Morris (all pronouns) Program Specialist: Caelie.Morris@txaheceast.org