Next Steps is for college students that attend Universities and Community Colleges in our service area. Next Steps works with the pre-health science student associations and the career development departments to provide healthcare career and education exploration for interested college students. This program helps bridge the gap in the path between high school and professional-level education for all students interested in healthcare careers. OPAHEC works to provide activities and opportunities to bring healthcare employers and health science students together in a professional relationship.

These Activities include:

First Aid & CPR Training: OPAHEC will schedule one course per term. By providing students the opportunity to become certified to provide First Aid and BLS/CPR they are able to care for individuals in need of assistance. Contact our office to register to participate.

Healthcare Career Days: These programs are currently on hold and will be updated as new opportunities arise.

Job Shadow Opportunities: These programs are currently on hold and will be updated as new opportunities arise. OPAHEC in cooperation with OHSU nursing school, COMP-NW, and Providence hospital will provide opportunities for prospective students to learn about the healthcare field through tours, interactive simulation labs, and surgical viewings.

Service Learning Opportunities: OPAHEC staff will encourage members of the club to complete service learning activities. By engaging in their communities, students will be able to connect to future employer and learn about the area.

Program activities connect students directly to healthcare providers and employers. This connection helps students with their future planning, which is an essential part of improving student resiliency and academic focus.

Currently serving Oregon State University, and Western Oregon University and community colleges program events and opportunities are available to students enrolled in all post-secondary programs statewide.

Next Steps

AHEC Scholars is national program grant funded through the Health Resource & Services Administration (HRSA). The program is intended for health profession students who are serious about pursuing careers with rural and/or underserved communities after graduation. This innovative program will enroll 75 – 125 students annually from multiple universities and academic programs in Oregon. AHEC Scholars students will be instructed in concepts of Interprofessional Education (IPE), patient safety, social determinates of health, behavioral health integration, cultural competency, and practice transformation in a series of in-person and/or web-based didactic sessions designed to enhance their understanding of rural and underserved health care. Additionally, AHEC Scholars students will have the opportunity to complete community-based experiential training at rural and/or urban underserved sites across the state. In other words, AHEC Scholars presents a unique opportunity for a student to fulfill their degree requirements with an emphasis on rural and underserved health.

AHEC Scholars is a 2 year program and students must commit to being in the program for 2 years. Entry point into program is dependent upon each student’s school/program with the exit point at graduation/completion of your degree. A Kick-Off event for each new cohort will be held in September to mark the start of each year of AHEC Scholars.

Prerequisites:

Students must be enrolled in a health professions training program and be in good academic standing. Students must complete an AHEC Scholars application indicating their interest in and experience with rural and underserved populations and communities. Students who are accepted into the program will be notified by the Oregon AHEC Program Office.

Contacts:

Curt Stilp, Ed.D., PA-C

Director, Oregon AHEC

503-494-4639

stilpc@ohsu.edu

Linda Martin, MEd

AHEC Scholars Education Coordinator

541-220-3197

martili@ohsu.edu

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U77HP03052, Model State Supported Area Health Education Centers.