Nationwide, health professions students are making a difference as AHEC Scholars of Distinction, building greater understanding of the health needs of people living in rural and underserved communities and developing the skills to work toward social justice through health equity.
Learn more about the National AHEC Scholar program.
AHEC Scholars programs differ by state, reflecting the range of health disparities and social determinants of health in different regions. New Hampshire’s AHEC Scholar of Distinction Program, New Hampshire AHEC Health Equity Scholars (NH AHEC HE Scholars), responds to the identified health needs of New Hampshire’s rural and underserved populations.
Guided by the expertise of the statewide New Hampshire AHEC network (located at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice), the North Country Health Consortium, and Lamprey Health Care in southern New Hampshire, NH AHEC HE Scholars explore first-hand population health issues and disparities for those experiencing poverty, living in extreme rural environments, coping with a substance use disorder, or facing health care barriers on account of linguistic or cultural differences.
Why become a NH AHEC HE Scholar?
While rooted in New Hampshire, the NH AHEC HE Scholars program offers exposure to social justice issues in health care that impact the entire nation. Scholars have the opportunity to shadow health professionals, volunteer for community organizations, participate in interprofessional learning experiences, and learn through targeted curricula aimed at broadening their understanding of some of the barriers to health equity.
Our scholars can deepen their experience and knowledge about…
- The impact of individual and population factors on health and health care, including economic stability, education, social and community context, and neighborhood and built environments.
- The role of health providers in addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health, particularly for rural and underserved communities.
- The role of cultural competence in the design and delivery of health care.
- The health challenges posed by substance use conditions and how to approach them.
- The importance of interprofessional, team-based, patient-centered models of care.
Scholars may hone skills and connections that will influence their future careers through…
- Opportunities to research and investigate issues of interest, with potential for presentation at Scholars events
- Exposure through the NH AHEC HE Scholars website
- Connection to career opportunities through an AHEC network that spans 85% of US counties.