About Us

History  

   
The AHEC program was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations. St.Vincent Health was selected to sponsor MICI-AHEC in November 2006, becoming one of five regional centers affiliated with the Indiana AHEC Program Office. Today there are more than 180 AHECs in 46 states. Approximately 120 medical schools and 600 nursing and allied health schools work collaboratively with AHECs to improve health for underserved and under-represented populations.  
     
Indiana’s five regional AHECs include: Fort Wayne (affiliated with IPFW); Terre Haute (affiliated with Indiana State University); Bedford (affiliated with Hoosier Uplands); Gary (affiliated with Purdue Calumet); and Indianapolis.   

St.Vincent Health is the only provider-based AHEC sponsor in Indiana.

Mission/Objectives

The goal of the MICI-AHEC program is to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals through community/academic educational partnerships.

  
Outreach 

Improve knowledge and awareness among pre-college and college students, school counselors and parents in medically underserved communities of health professions career opportunities and resources, with particular emphasis on under-represented minority and disadvantaged pre-college and college students.

Clinical Exposure 

Increase exposure of health professions students to medically underserved communities and other health professions disciplines.

Access to Resources

Improve access to medical information and training resources for Health Professions Education and Continuing Education.

Continuing Education

Enhance continuing education programs to primary care health professionals serving in medically underserved communities, including interdisciplinary continuing education.

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Recruitment and Retention 

Improve the recruitment and retention of under-represented racial and ethnic minorities and educationally and economically disadvantaged students into Health Professions Training Programs.

Cultural Competence

Improve communication between providers and patients.