Programs

The AHEC Program and its four regional centers are part of the fabric of governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations that work together to find creative ways to address some of the most intractable challenges facing the health care workforce. The AHEC Program is based at the University of Connecticut Health Center and is implemented through four regional centers located in the Middlebury, Hartford, Jewett City, and Bridgeport.

Connecticut AHEC outcomes in FY 2009:

Health careers recruitment:

• 3,794 students in grades K - 12 received services thru AHEC in FY 09
• 3,114 of these students were from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds
• 4,492 students in grades K-16 participates in an AHEC sponsored event
• 1,241 students participated in more intensive AHEC health career programs (over 20 hours)
• 2,470 teachers and guidance counselors participated in an AHEC activity

Continuing education:

• 106 continuing education programs sponsored or co-sponsored by Connecticut AHEC with over 6,000 participants

Program Title	Brief Description	Overview Flyer
Clinical Career Day	The purpose of this event is to introduce high school students to the many opportunities for careers in health care. Students have the opportunity to attend break-out sessions in specific disciplines for an overview and detailed information of the discipline. They also have the opportunity to visit interactive, hands-on booths, such as Dental Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy in order to collect information and learn more about the opportunities available to them.
Collegiate Health Service Corps (CHSC)	Prepares college level health professions students to volunteer in settings that serve marginalized populations while increasing the volunteer’s awareness of careers in health care delivery and public health. The Connecticut colleges and universities currently participating in the CHSC include Quinnebaug Valley Community College, Three Rivers Community College, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, Central, Eastern Southern and Western Connecticut State Universities.	Overview Flyer
Continuous Quality Improvement Deans’ Symposium	Residents and third-year medical students present research projects related to continuous quality improvement. Faculty and staff of the UConn Health Center attend a luncheon and dinner with discussions by field experts.
Health Occupations and Technology (H.O.T.) Careers in Connecticut	A comprehensive resource for middle and high school students and adults that provides information on 22 health career categories with over 80 health occupations in Connecticut. The guide includes basic descriptions, academic and training requirements, places of employment, employment trends, licensure/certification, and salary ranges.	Overview Flyer
Medical Interpretation Training Program	The program is comprised of 48- 54 classroom hours, providing an introduction to the basic skills used during the triadic interview. The curriculum uses topics such as interpreting skills, code of ethics, triadic and cross-cultural communication skills, medical terminology and professional protocols utilizing role playing.  A program to “train-the-trainer” is being developed and implemented to expand the resources of medical interpreters in the state.  To date, 56 fluent native, heritage and second language speakers have been trained as interpreters.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)	As ambassadors of the NHSC, Connecticut AHEC staff assists in the recruitment efforts and provides support services for NHSC applicants. In 2006, three NHSC scholars were named from UConn School of Medicine.
National Primary Care Week	Observed by UConn Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing as well as Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program with daily luncheon seminars, community outreach activities, hands-on clinical opportunities, dinners and retreats.
UConn Migrant Farm Worker Medical and Dental Clinics	Since 1998, the clinics have provided free medical and dental screenings and health education to migrant farm workers throughout the state of Connecticut. Since 2005, a health promoter at each farm has been identified and trained to provide basic health care information and to monitor blood pressure of farm workers for continuity of care.
Urban Service Track	Provides a cohort of students from the UConn Schools of Pharmacy, Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Nursing with a set of interprofessional and mentorship experiences designed to heighten awareness of the challenges and unique opportunities of health care careers in urban areas.
Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC)	The YHSC mobilizes diverse high school student trained to provide volunteer service in health care agencies.  Since 2007, over 19,000 hours of volunteer service have been performed by more than 700 Connecticut high school students.  NWCTAHEC implements the YHSC nationwide through the national network of AHEC centers.  1,677 high school students across the nation have completed over 48,000 hours of volunteer service	Overview Flyer
View more programs (PDF).