The AHEC Scholars program is designed for health professions students who want extra training in working with underserved, rural, and urban communities.
Students complete their normal degree program (nursing, medicine, public health, behavioral health, pharmacy, dentistry, allied health, etc.) but also take part in two years of additional, hands-on learning and interdisciplinary experiences.
Being an AHEC Scholar can give you a competitive edge both during school and in your career, because it adds targeted experience, training, and professional connections that most health professions students don’t get in their standard curriculum.
Career & Resume Boost
- Nationally recognized certificate that signals you’ve had specialized training in rural and underserved healthcare.
- Shows future employers you’ve developed interprofessional teamwork skills and can adapt to diverse patient populations.
- Enhances applications for residencies, fellowships, and competitive jobs.
Extra Hands-On Experience
- Real-world clinical or community placements in rural or underserved areas.
- Experience with telehealth, behavioral health integration, and practice transformation—topics in high demand across healthcare.
- Builds confidence working outside of traditional hospital settings.
Interprofessional Networking
- You learn and train alongside students from multiple health disciplines—nursing, medicine, public health, pharmacy, social work, dental hygiene, etc.
- Access to mentors who are working professionals in rural and underserved communities.
- Connections often lead to job offers or collaborative projects later.
Specialized Training Topics
- Social determinants of health
- Cultural competency & working with diverse populations
- Behavioral health & integration into primary care
- Current & emerging health issues (opioid epidemic, maternal health, infectious diseases)
Applications for COHORT 9 are now open!
For more information on AHEC Scholars and how to apply, find your Colorado AHEC regional office by clicking on the map below.
Northeastern Colorado Corresponding Counties:
Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Yuma, Washington, Phillips, Sedgwick, Logan, Morgan, Weld, Larimer, Jackson.
Coordinator Contact:
Erika Greenberg: egreenberg@cahec.org
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Corresponding Counties:
Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Elbert, Park, Teller, El Paso.
Coordinator Contact:
Cindy Fernandez: cindy@frhealth.org
Corresponding Counties
Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Mesa, Delta, Pitkin, Lake, Montrose, Gunnison, Chaffee.
Coordinator Contact:
Stacy Matte: scholars@wcahec.org
Corresponding Counties:
San Miguel, Ouray, Hinsdale, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta.
Coordinator Contact:
Dyllon Mills: Dyllon.Mills@swcahec.org
Corresponding Counties:
Saguache, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla.
Coordinator Contact:
Nakayla Werner: nakayla@slvahec.org
Coordinator Contact:
Lisa Lucero: lisa@slvahec.org
Corresponding County:
Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers, Huerfano, Las Animas, Baca.
Coordinator Contact:
Janeel Valdez: janeel.valdez@secahec.org