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AHEC Scholars is a nationwide certificate program for students in health professions programs who are interested in enhancing their interprofessional skills in rural and undeserved settings. AHEC Scholars focuses on eight core topic areas that enhance the knowledge of every health student, regardless of profession. 

Core Topic Areas

core topic areas

What is an AHEC Scholar?

The AHEC Scholars Program is a two-year commitment for students who are passionate about making a difference. We bring together students from various disciplines, including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, and public health, to learn how to provide high-quality, team-based care in the communities that need it most.

Program Pillars

Our curriculum is built around eight core focus areas defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), ensuring our graduates are ready for the modern workforce:

  • Interprofessional Education: Training in collaborative, team-based care models

  • Behavioral Health Integration: Strategies for incorporating mental health services into primary care

  • Social Determinants of Health: Understanding the social and economic factors that impact community wellness

  • Virtual Learning & Telehealth: Leveraging technology to expand healthcare access across Montana’s remote regions

  • Connecting Communities & Supporting Health Professionals: Strengthening the link between clinical practice and community resources

  • Cultural Competency: Providing effective, respectful care to all of Montana’s populations

  • Practice Transformation: Navigating quality improvement and new models of healthcare delivery

  • Current and Emerging Health Issues: Staying ahead of the curve on evolving public health challenges