Promoting Health for the Underserved
A part of WSU Extension, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) of Eastern Washington works with university and community allies to promote health and wellness for underserved and at-risk populations through research, education, and community development.
It belongs to a network of AHEC organizations throughout the United States that focuses on health professions education and training, as well as the recruitment and retention of health care providers.
Mission
To promote health and wellness for underserved and at-risk populations through research, education, and community development. AHEC brochure (PDF).
Research & Evaluation
A primary focus of AHEC in eastern Washington is research and evaluation for area health and wellness programs. An outreach unit of the health science programs at WSU Spokane, AHEC faculty and staff conduct research to:
- Foster long-term success in early learning and K–12 education,
- Evaluate mental and behavioral programs, and
- Build understanding of the lasting effects of traumatic childhood experiences. (Read more about Complex Trauma.)
Community Development & Capacity Building
AHEC is actively involved in helping area communities develop their capacity to provide health services to their residents—especially those who are underserved and/or at risk. AHEC works to:
- Build strong rural health systems,
- Recruit and retain quality health care providers, and
- Work with community leaders and stakeholders to improve existing programs, especially those addressing issues surrounding at-risk youth and K–12 capacity-building.
Education & Training
Enhancing the professional education opportunities for health care providers is a key mission of AHEC. Specifically, AHEC works to:
- Engage health care providers of tomorrow by providing hands-on experiences to students in rural and underserved areas,
- Offer continuing education for health care providers and educators, and
- Train health and education providers on how to deal with childhood trauma and behavioral health challenges.
Health Care Resource Guide
The 2008 edition of the Health Care Resource Guide, for health care providers serving the underserved and uninsured of Spokane County, is now available.
- Computer screen version (PDF)
- Version to print , fold, and staple into a handbook (PDF)
To provide updated or additional information, please contact us and refer to this brochure.
The Spokane Medical Clinics Committee and the Area Health Education Center of Eastern Washington provide the brochure as a service.
Publications
- Nursing Scholarship and Financial Aid Guide - no current edition is available at this time. Please visit the Health Workforce Information Center for an extensive listing of scholarships and loan programs.
- About AHEC (PDF brochure)
2010 Conferences
Stier Lectures in Medicine
Hidden Stresses &
Your Health
February 26, 2010
8th NW Regional
Critical Access Hospital Conference
March 23, 2010
23rd NW Regional
Rural Health Conference
March 24-25,
2010
From Hope to
Resilience
April 7 - 8, 2010
27th
Primary
Care Update
April 30 - May 1, 2010
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Contact us
Telephone: 509.358.7640
Fax: 509.358.7647
E-mail: ahec@wsu.edu
AHEC of E. WA
PO Box 1495
Spokane, WA, 99210-1495
