What the AHEC is happening?

Volume 8 | February 2024

Indiana state legislators and AHEC connect at

Moving Health Workforce Forward

The inaugural "AHEC Moving Health Workforce Forward" event was held at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis on February 1st. It was a huge success!

Legislators from around the state engaged with our nine regional AHEC centers. Center directors, students involved in AHEC programming, and other staff participated in the event. It was a great opportunity for legislators to learn what's happening in their counties, how AHEC is impacting their communities, and how AHEC can help them positively impact the healthcare workforce in the state.

State and Federal Loan Repayment options -

Informational Webinar on February 15th

Loan repayment options exist for those of you practicing or getting ready to practice in health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and within certain disciplines. Now is your chance to learn more!

Please join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, February 15th at 7 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. CT. Our presenters will discuss both the Indiana State Loan Repayment Program (IN-SLRP) and programs available through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).

Guests:

Gabby Long

Office of Primary Care Manager, Division of Chronic Disease, Primary Care, and Rural Health

Indiana Department of Health

Celida Egües

Bureau of Health Workforce - Division of Regional Operations

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The Indiana State Loan Repayment Program (IN-SLRP) awards practitioners in approved disciplines up to $20,000 to be used towards outstanding student loans, dependent on two years of service at a practice site located in a HPSA in Indiana. After completion of the program, practitioners can reapply one additional time, serving a total of 4 years of service in exchange for up to $40,000 in loan repayment. Applications are being accepted now. Click here to learn more about eligibility and the application process..

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) supports thousands of primary care medical, dental, and behavioral health students through grants/awards in the form of school loan repayment and scholarships. You may be able to receive financial support in the form of tuition reimbursement, payment for tuition and eligible fees, an annual payment for other reasonable education costs, and monthly stipends for living expenses while in your educational training program. Click here to learn more.

Year 1 and Year 2 Scholars with South Central Indiana (SCI) AHEC completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training presented by IU Health. Through this 8 hour training, students obtain a 3 year certificate in YMHFA. Hands-on scenarios help participants understand how to help those who are struggling with mental health in their roles as future health professionals.

The Metropolitan Indiana Central Indianapolis (MICI) AHEC, hosted by University of Indianapolis, celebrated 13 graduates from their Community Health Workers (CHW) program last month. Community Health Workers advocate for individuals and community health needs, as described here by one of the participants: "I feel that having my certification as a CHW empowers me to be a better advocate for the clients I serve with the knowledge I obtained from the class. The collaboration and discussions gave me a deeper understanding of how CHWs fit into many human service fields and are the connectors for helping people in need." A new cohort begins in February 2024.

Each Fall, Community Health Students at Purdue Northwest volunteer to perform hearing screenings alongside their instructor. Northwest Indiana (NWI) AHEC proudly supports these students by purchasing newer audiometers as well as paying for the yearly calibrations of the equipment. Each semester they complete over 200 hearing screens on 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th grade students, completing "engagement hours" for their course and assisting schools who don't always have appropriate staffing for this state requirement.

Southwest Indiana (SWI) AHEC was contacted by an IUSM-Evansville student in late summer 2023 about the possibility of medical students partnering with AHEC to offer education on the cardiovascular system, as well as a heart dissection activity to 8^th graders. The seed for this idea was planted when this medical student did a similar activity as an undergraduate with West Central Indiana (WCI) AHEC. With coordination and support from Southwest Indiana AHEC, eleven medical students worked with 106 eighth graders from three schools to learn about the heart and conduct dissections in the Fall of 2023.

Nearly 150 local high schoolers interested in health careers competed in the 2024 "Healthcare Clash on the Wabash" Friday, February 2nd. West Central Indiana (WCI) AHEC partnered with Ivy Tech Terre Haute to put on this mock healthcare competition that aims to prepare the students for a statewide HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) competition in April. The event includes various events and opportunities to test knowledge on one of multiple topics for which the students prepared.

Jalysa King, Outreach Manager for the Indiana AHEC Network Office within IU School of Medicine, has been named a finalist for 2024 Indy's Best and Brightest. The program was created by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana to recognize up and coming talent and the next generation of leaders in our community. Finalists are judged on professional accomplishments and leadership qualities.

Congratulations Jalysa!