The Nebraska Area Health Education Center Scholars Program, based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, recently graduated 58 students.
The two-year program, part of a national initiative, prepares health professions students to serve in rural and urban underserved areas of the state.
The 2024 class of AHEC Scholars includes health professions students in such fields as community health, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing and radiological technician programs. The graduates represent health profession programs at Bryan College of Health Sciences, Clarkson College, Northeast Community College, Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology, Union Adventist University, UNMC and Western Nebraska Community College.
During the program, students engage with a variety of health professionals, community leaders and potential employers. They gain insight into health care issues, cultural and environmental factors, as well as community resources in Nebraska to better understand future patients and communities they will serve.
The AHEC Scholars Program is a part of the Nebraska AHEC Program, which is based in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine. Scholars are supported by five regional AHECs across the state: Omaha, Northern in Norfolk, Central in Kearney, Panhandle in Scottsbluff and Southeast in Lincoln.
The following are the 2024 graduates from the Panhandle:
Bryan College of Health Sciences, Nursing Program: Kelanna Lovell, of Rushville.
Clarkson College, Radiologic Technician Program: Billi Alvarado, of Alliance.
Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology, Radiologic Technician Program: Evelyn Anderson-Saenz, of Gering.
College of Medicine, Medicine Program: Llicel Rodriguez, of Scottsbluff.