New interprofessional health education program offered

A new program offered on NEOMED’s campus by Northeast Ohio Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) is being offered to help future health professionals better understand the needs of the underserved.

The AHEC Scholars Program will allow undergraduate students from partnering universities to experience health care professions in their communities and a taste of what medical school will look like. Scholars will focus on such timely topics as the social determinants of health, how behavioral health can be integrated into primary care, and cultural competency.

Through various activities and discussions, the program will engage students in current and emerging health issues such as how poverty impacts health; infant mortality; and opioid/substance abuse

According to Patti Thornborough, Northeast Ohio AHEC Regional Program director, “The AHEC Scholars Program is designed as a supplement to students’ existing health professionals program to learn interprofessional team-based education to areas that affect both urban and rural populations in underserved communities’ access to health care.”

Applications can be submitted by students who are beginning their last two years of undergraduate studies and attend one of the following universities: Cleveland State University, Kent State University Stark, Youngstown University or The University of Akron.

The program spans two years, with activities running from September through May. Participation in the AHEC Scholars Program is free.

To apply, visit neomed.edu/AHEC/scholars-program. For more information, contact Denise Mead at dmead@neomed.edu.