Welcome to the NorthWest Area Health Education Center.
The AHEC mission is to enhance access to healthcare by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through community- academic educational partnerships. The Area Health Education Center Program was created by Congress in 1971 to encourage medical schools to increase the number of medical students, residents, and allied health students to be trained in underserved regions. A combination of federal, state and local funds makes possible regional AHEC centers around the country. As catalysts AHECs collaborate with academic institutions, local healthcare providers and community organizations to educate and improve health, health careers and healthcare services. AHEC staff provide health promotion and disease prevention programs especially where there are severe and persistent shortages in the healthcare workforce.
The NorthWest AHEC Region
The NorthWest AHEC program targets urban and rural underserved regions in Jefferson County, including Carroll, Henry, Trimble, Spencer, Oldham, Shelby, and Bullitt counties.
Since the summer of 1999, over six thousand elementary, middle and high school students in Louisville have participated in a variety of activities introducing the numerous careers in the health care field. These activities include classroom presentations, health fairs, after school and summer programs.
One of the Northwest AHEC's most intensive efforts is the Health Careers Adventure Program (HCAP), which includes a four week summer enrichment component for students in grades 6-12 who want to pursue a health career. Each summer approximately 80 students improve their academic skills in biology, math, chemistry and reading/writing classes and enjoy field trips to observe health professionals at work. During the school year, after school and Saturday programs include tutoring, volunteer activities, and special speakers.