Alaska's AHEC Scholars Program Kicks Off a New Year with a Holistic Approach to Healthcare
by Jessica Degnan |
UAA student checks in at the registration table for AHEC Scholars Kickoff at Commons
106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural
Health & Health Workforce)
Yaari Walker, Tribal Healer, demonstrates one of her tribal healing techniques on
a UAA student who volunteered during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106
on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural Health
& Health Workforce)
Spencer Toft, AHEC Scholars Education Coordinator, smiling before his presentation
about the AHEC Scholars program at UAA Commons 106 for AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September
29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
UAA students attending the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106 on September 29,
2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
Naomi Digitaki, Yukon-Kuskokwim AHEC Center Director, chats with a student about the
AHEC Scholars program and her Yukon-Kuskokwim regional AHEC. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA
Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
Summer Walker, UAA Health Promotion & Wellness, chats with UAA students about educational
programs designed to promote health and well-being at UAA Commons 106 at the AHEC
Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center
for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
UAA student wins a raffle prize of an AHEC Scholars tote bag at UAA Commons 106 during
the AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska
Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
Ian McCarthy, ACRH-HW K-12 Education Coordinator, answers questions about different
career exploration opportunities ACRH-HW provides during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff
at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center
for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
Olivia Bridges, Southwest AHEC Director presents information about her region and
the different opportunities available to AHEC Scholars during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff
at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center
for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
UAA student wins a raffle prize of an AHEC Scholars hat at UAA Commons 106 during
the AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska
Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
The Alaska’s Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Kickoff marks the start of a new year for our Scholars! On September 29,
2023, fifty-two UAA student attendees interested in the AHEC Scholars program had
the opportunity to make new friends with like-minded classmates and meet Alaska’s
AHEC Regional Center Directors, other AHEC staff, and Yaari Walker, a tribal healer.
"It was great to see our western medically trained students and our guest, Yaari Walker,
discussing ways to unite efforts and work towards creating a holistic approach to
healthcare for all” says Spencer Toft, ACRH-HW’s AHEC Scholars Education Coordinator.
AHEC Scholars is a two-year program designed to supplement and broaden a student’s health care
training. Each year, students are required to complete 40 hours of classroom or online
training and another 40 hours of community-based learning (CBEL) in the field. The
Scholarshave the opportunity to complete their CBEL in a rural community or with urban
underserved populations in Alaska.