San Francisco AHEC
AHEC Scholars Program
The Area HEalth education Center (AHEC) Scholars Journey
Established in 2018, the AHEC Scholars Program expands students’ knowledge in healthcare and community health by exposing them to key components of public health practice in community health settings. AHEC Scholars become more well-rounded healthcare professionals focused on addressing the needs of under-served patients.
The AHEC Scholars in Community Health Program provides a 2-year interdisciplinary curriculum designed for students who are currently enrolled and entering the last two years of a health professions program.
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Program components
Community-Oriented Online Didactic Training - 40 Hours Per Year
AHEC Scholars’ Curriculum covers 6 core topic areas: Inter-Professional Education; Behavioral Health Integration; Social Determinants of Health; Cultural Competency; Practice Transformation; and Current & Emerging Health Issues through 9 online Modules carefully designed by the California AHEC, academic partners, and local community health centers, hospitals, and consortia.
AHEC Scholars apply the knowledge gained to their existing academic coursework and future professional experiences.
Clinical and Community Experiential Hours - 40 Hours Per Year
AHEC Scholars are required to identify and support a local public health, healthcare, or social services organization during their participation with the AHEC Scholars Program. The SFCCC AHEC Program Director provides guidance and suggestions for which organizations the AHEC Scholar may want to earn their hours with.
Prior organizations that Scholars have volunteered, interned, or worked with include, but are not limited to: UCSF Medical Center, HealthRIGHT 360, Homeless Prenatal Program, Berkeley Free Clinic, and more.
Community-Based Health Project - 10 Hours Across 2 Years
Together with their Community Organization Partner, college, or other partner, AHEC Scholars plan, design, and implement a Community Project to target and address a specific community health need.
The SFCCC AHEC Program Director works with Scholars to develop and approve appropriate and enriching community projects based on scholars’ professional interests - each Project is unique!
past AHEC scholar Community-Based Health projects include:
Organizing a free blood pressure screening event at Ohlone College to screen students and faculty for high blood pressure and providing health education resources on managing blood pressure and communicating concerns to primary care providers.
Creating an educational brochure for Homeless Prenatal Program communicating the importance of nutrition rich in specific vitamins and nutrients for expecting mothers experiencing homelessness.
Helping to organize and coordinate a patient health fair for homeless patients served by the Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, researching and recruiting other community service organizations to join, conducting outreach to patients and community, and compiling resource materials to disseminate at the fair.