To enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through community/academic partnerships.

Health , Public Health

Ahec grant addresses critical health professional workforce needs and improves south dakotans' health status, including access to essential primary medical care. This will occur primarily by linking higher education, and specific health profession programs with rural and underserved communities. Ahec also works to build a network to link and bridge k-12 schools, healthcare professionals and organizations to encourage students to pursue healthcare careers. the rural experiences for health professions student program (rehps) provides the framework to place first year medical students, physician assistant students, pharmacy students and advance practice nursing students into rural and frontier communities. The goal of the rehps program is to increase the number of physicians, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in rural and frontier communities of south dakota. the health workforce usa program provides a platform for colleges, vocational schools, and certification programs to reach students interested in healthcare careers. other program service accomplishments include the k-12, disaster training day, cna institute, hpv/nao, ppv, scrubs management, and va conference.