Omaha AHEC was established in its current iteration at UNO in June 2019. Thank you to all of our community partners and fellow AHECs across Nebraska who continue to help advance our mission of connecting students to health careers, health professionals to their communities, and communities to better health!

Congratulations to our Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP) Scholars graduates! Seniors Nia Acharya, Eh-Mo Khaing, Winnie Ladu, Annie Nguyen, and Josh Oarhe graduated with honors and UHOP stoles at UNO's Spring Commencement Ceremony on May 17.

Nia Acharya graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School. She will be receiving her bachelor's degree in Molecular & Biomedical Biology with minors in chemistry and medical humanities.

"UHOP has not just been a program for me–it's given me friends that I can call family and a support system I can rely on for the rest of my life. If I'm grateful for one experience throughout my college career, it's UHOP."

Eh-Mo Khaing graduated from Omaha Central High School. She will be receiving her bachelor's degree in Molecular & Biomedical Biology with minors in chemistry and medical humanities.

"Throughout my undergraduate career, UHOP has been a backbone of stability. As an eldest daughter and first-generation college student, college was a trying experience. Knowing that I had the UHOP community with exceptional advisors and a supportive cohort has made this experience one to remember."

Winnie Ladu graduated from Omaha Benson High School. She will be receiving her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience with minors in chemistry and medical humanities.

"I am honored to be able to call myself a UHOP scholar! This program provided me with necessary guidance and structure to best prepare me for medical school. It was through UHOP and UNO Pre-Medicine that I learned of my potential as a student and a future provider. I also learned the value of a cohort, and I am thankful that the program allowed me to work alongside like-minded scholars."

Annie Nguyen graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School. She will be receiving her bachelor's degree in Molecular & Biomedical Biology with minors in chemistry, medical humanities, and public health.

“UHOP has helped me realize my potential and grow my passions. I am grateful for the unconditional support I have been given throughout my journey."

Josh Oarhe graduated from Elkhorn South High School. He will be receiving his bachelor's degree in Molecular & Biomedical Biology with minors in chemistry, medical humanities, and psychology.

"The UHOP scholarship has meant so much to me. It has given me a family at the university. I've been surrounded by fellow students that share my passion for medicine and faculty that has done so much to ensure my success. I will forever be grateful for the UHOP community."

The purpose of UHOP is to enhance the healthcare workforce serving medically underserved populations in urban Nebraska by identifying and preparing qualified students to enter and succeed in health professions training. This scholarship is available to qualifying high school seniors who have been accepted to UNO. The UHOP Program currently offers spots for students seeking a career in medicine.

For more information, a full list of requirements, program commitments, and the application link, please check out the UHOP webpage below.

AHEC Scholar Graduate Highlight: Josseline Vasquez

What motivated you to join the AHEC Scholars Program?

I was motivated to apply to the AHEC Scholars program because it was an amazing opportunity to take to be part of something important outside of school. All the benefits that came with joining were also appealing to me not only do I get to expand my knowledge, but I also get the opportunity to expand my resume once I graduate. 



Tell us a little bit about your time in the AHEC Scholars Program.

I love being part of the AHEC Scholars, I have attended multiple workshops and I have learned a lot from them. So far I have learned stuff that is not taught in school, but it still ties back to my profession as a healthcare worker. I am looking forward to attending more workshops, also getting my Mental Health First Aid certificate, and getting my certificate of completion. 

How do you anticipate you will use the skills, knowledge, and other lessons learned during the AHEC Scholars Program in your professional practice?

Everything I have learned strengthens me as a person and as a professional to be able to provide exceptional care to patients. 

Would you encourage other health professions students to join the AHEC Scholars Program?



I would encourage other health professions students to join the AHEC Scholars Program because it is an amazing opportunity to keep learning outside of school hours.

Nebraska School Health Conference: June 9-11

The 40th Annual Nebraska School Health Conference will be held June 9-11 in Kearney, Nebraska. This event is hosted by Children's Nebraska, and organized by the Nebraska School Nurses Association (NSNA) and Central Nebraska School Nurses Association (CNSNA).

Nebraska AHEC Centers across the state will be supporting the NSHC this year hosting two Emergency Response breakout sessions. These are to be led by Wendy Wells, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, West Nebraska Division, Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center (NP-AHEC) Education Coordinator.

To check out the conference's schedule and other featured workshops, click here.

May: Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). Established in 1949, this month-long observance was started by Mental Health America to increase awareness and promote comfortability surrounding discussions of mental health. There are many misconceptions about who is affected by mental health issues, how it affects someone, and what living with a mental health disorder looks like. According to the SAMHSA website, in 2020 approximately 1 in 5 American adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year, and 1 in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness.

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States. It is our hope that with continued discussions around mental health through observances like this people are empowered to ask for help and seek the care they need.

For more information on MHAM and resources on how to lead the discussion on mental health, please see the links below.

RELEVANT CEU ALERT: The Omaha AHEC in collaboration with the Grace Abbott Training and Supervision Academy will host a Continuing Education event on July 19 (11 AM - 1 PM CDT) about morale, retention, and satisfaction in the workplace, especially for health and mental health professionals practicing in underserved areas.

Learn more here & Register here!

June: Men's Health Month

June is Men's Health Month, a time to remind men of the importance of addressing their health issues and what they can be doing to lead the charge on their health journeys. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OASH), men die an average of 5 years earlier than women, and are at a higher risk for heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. In a survey by Cleveland Clinic from 2023, they found that 44% of men do not get a yearly physical, 44% do not take care of their mental health, and 65% of men say they are hesitant to seek professional help for mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

This June, Omaha AHEC urges men to take care of their health needs, including preparing nutritious, balanced meals, scheduling a check-up if they haven't done so already, and completing regular screenings and self-exams. By empowering men and boys, together we can foster long-term well-being and disease prevention.

July 21, 2024 marks Zero HIV Stigma Day. A joint initiative of NAZ and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) this day serves to unite communities and organizations to raise awareness on taking action against HIV stigma. The observance of Zero HIV Stigma Day was chosen as the birth and death date of Prudence Nobantu Mabele, the first woman in South Africa to disclose her HIV status and a fierce advocate who set a precedent for all people living with HIV to talk about their status openly.

HIV stigma and discrimination have detrimental impacts on those affected by HIV, reinforcing misinformation and negative stereotypes, while hindering access to necessary resources like prevention, testing, and community support. If you are in need of such resources in the Omaha area, please click here for free access to the care you need through Nebraska AIDS Project.

To learn more about HIV stigma and discrimination, and how to talk about HIV with loved ones, please see below for the CDC's guide.

Omaha AHEC Opportunities!

AHEC Scholars Applications:

The AHEC Scholars Program will begin accepting applications August 1, 2024. This program is part of a national initiative that prepares health profession students who want to serve in rural or urban underserved areas. Taking place over two years, you will gain lifetime connections with health professionals in a variety of disciplines, and elevate your credentials as an emergent health care leader. This program is offered at no cost to you, and select AHEC Scholars may be eligible for a stipend.

Hear what one of our AHEC Scholars Kate Gusse, UNMC Radiography, has to say about the program:

"I would strongly encourage other health professions to be a part of the AHEC Scholars Program. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about resources that are available to in the scholars' specific communities while expanding their interprofessional relationships by engaging with fellow scholars, AHEC staff, and the speakers brought in to present."

For more information on the AHEC Scholars Program, please complete the interest form on the Program Page:

Omaha AHEC Pharmacy Job Shadowing:

Omaha AHEC is offering pharmacy shadowing opportunities this summer in partnership with Walgreens. To be considered for shadowing, please fill out the following application form: