The national AHEC program was established in 1971 through legislation under the U.S. Public Health Services Act, to improve the supply, distribution, diversity, and quality of the healthcare workforce, and increase access to healthcare in medically underserved areas. The AHEC theme is “Connecting students to careers, professionals to communities and communities to better health”. There are currently more than 50 AHEC programs with 224 centers in 47 states.
On October 1, 1985, the Montana AHEC was implemented. The program office for the Montana Area Health Education Center/Office of Rural Health is located on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman. In September 2007, under new rules allowing Colleges of Nursing to apply for AHEC grants, the MSU College of Nursing applied and was awarded a grant to establish four regional AHEC offices in Montana in addition to the Bozeman Program Office. In year one, the South Central Regional office was set up in Dillon under the auspices of the Montana Hospital Association and the Eastern Regional AHEC office was located in Billings at RiverStone Health. In year two the Western MT Regional AHEC was established in Missoula at the University of Montana. The fourth and last regional center will be established in the north central region in September 2009. While every office has the overall focus mentioned above, each regional office has its own emphasis as well.
The EMT AHEC has many innovative projects structured around the mission of increasing the quality and accessibility of healthcare throughout the region. One such project is a pipeline program called REACH (Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare). The first REACH Camp is scheduled for Saturday, June 27th in Billings. Junior High students will participate in hands-on activities, designed to engage them in the varied healthcare careers available, as well as provide information on the education requirements, schooling options, salaries, and excellent job marketability. REACH will take place at the MSU-Billings, College of Technology.
State-wide recruitment of healthcare providers to rural and underserved areas is another focus. The recruitment efforts are multi-pronged with such activities as attendance at national recruitment fairs, establishment of relationships with healthcare training programs and their students, assisting with placement of healthcare/medical students for practical training opportunities in Montana communities and assisting with matches between facilities and potential candidates.
The EMT AHEC would like to honor and recognize Advisory Council members, during National AHEC Week, for their commitment and support with the establishment and continued growth of the regional office: Margaret Barnes, MD, Billings; Jenni Bigback, MD, Billings; Mandy Braaten, Billings; Larry Brence, Miles City; Connie Burnelle, Billings; Carl Castles, Billings; Dorothy Coslet, Billings; Jennifer Donovan, Billings; Scott Duke, Glendive; Nancy Hansen, Circle; Bill Hodges, Hardin; Tom James, MD, Billings; Scot Mitchell, Harlowtown; Deb Peters, Billings; John Poole, Colstrip; Kay Schwartz, Billings; Debra Slagel, Lewistown; Richard Troyer, Crow Agency; Diane Wetsit, Crow Agency; and Paul Wheeler, Baker.
In honor of National AHEC Week, three certificates of recognition were awarded in the eastern region: Dr. Renee Crichlow, MD, for putting in the many extra hours sharing her medical expertise, as physician coordinator for the Billings WWAMI Track Office; Ann Thompson and Karissa Hughes, research students, in recognition of their willingness to volunteer their time, energy and creativity to help establish a pipeline for elementary age students to learn about healthcare careers. Ann and Karissa selflessly assisted in establishing and performing The Great Hospital Adventure to hundreds of 2nd grade student in School District #2. We are grateful for Ann and Karissa for their commitment and dedication.
AHECs are aspiring to gain recognition throughout the state in order to build meaningful relationships with local healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and community organizations. They aim to make great strides in improving the overall quality of healthcare throughout the state and throughout the nation.
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Our Mission...
To enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals through community/ academic educational partnerships.
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The AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations. Grants to fund AHECs were always made to the medical school(s) within the states. The only exception to this has been the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSM). In this case, the federal government provided funding to the UWSM to start AHECs in Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho—all partners in the Regional WWAMI program.
On October 1, 1985, the Montana AHEC was implemented. The program office for the Montana Area Health Education Center/Office of Rural Health is located on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman. In September 2007, under new rules allowing Colleges of Nursing to apply for AHEC grants, the MSU College of Nursing applied and was awarded a grant to establish four regional AHEC offices in Montana in addition to the Bozeman Program Office. In year one, the South Central Regional office was set up in Dillon under the auspices of the Montana Hospital Association and the Eastern Regional AHEC office was located in Billings at RiverStone Health. In year two the Western MT Regional AHEC was established in Missoula at the University of Montana. In year three, the North Central Regional AHEC will be set up. Each region will have a director/program manager, establish a regional advisory council and develop healthcare workforce strategies for their region.
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