MassAHEC Rural and Urban Health Scholars

MassAHEC Scholars’ Mission:

v  To identify and nurture the interest of medical, nursing, and other health profession students who see the need for structural changes that advance equity and who would like to pursue a career serving patients who are most in need of care. 

v  To help students acquire the skills and develop the attitudes necessary to become effective clinicians and advocates.

v  To expose students to the important linkages between clinical practice, advocacy, and public health to develop healthy communities. 

v  To foster relationships among student Scholars and introduce them to others in the medical, public health, and governmental sectors who are working for systemic changes needed to advance health and social justice.

About the MassAHEC Network:

The MassAHEC Network is a statewide program hosted by the UMass Chan Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. MassAHEC aims to develop a strong, collaborative approach to address healthcare workforce needs by nurturing the interest of health professions students in primary care, care of vulnerable and diverse populations, and future practice in rural and urban underserved areas. 

The MassAHEC Network has six centers across Massachusetts.  Each center partners with local educational and health care providers to respond to the workforce needs of their community. 

v  Berkshire AHEC  - serving western Massachusetts

v  Baystate Franklin AHEC hosted by Baystate Franklin Medical Center – serving the Pioneer Valley

v  Central MA AHEC – hosted by the Center for Health Impact, serving central Massachusetts

v  Merrimack Valley AHEC – hosted by the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, serving the north shore

v  Boston AHEC hosted by the Boston Public Health Commission, serving the Boston area

v  Cape and Islands AHEC hosted by Outer Cape Health Services serving the Cape and Islands and southern Massachusetts 

AHEC is a national program funded by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration. UMass Chan Medical School has hosted the MassAHEC Network since 1977.  MassAHEC is a member of the National AHEC Organization.