In 1971, the AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program was developed by the U.S. Congress to recruit, train and retain a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations.

Today, there are 56 AHEC programs operating in almost every state and the District of Columbia. The AHEC programs partner with medical, nursing and allied health schools to improve the health of underserved and under-represented communities.

There are two Area Health Education Centers in Washington. Western Washington AHEC has been operating since 1988. The AHEC of Eastern Washington is part of the WSU Extension. Visit site.

WWAHEC is funded through a mixture of public and private funding sources. A large portion of our operating budget is provided by the Washington State Department of Health.

Clinics interested in using VRP-insured volunteers must provide health care services for low-income patients regardless of their ability to pay and must be approved by WWAHEC. More information is available here.

The Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP) provides opportunities for University of Washington students between the first and second years of medical school to be placed with a preceptor in a rural or underserved clinical site in western Washington. More information is available here.

For additional student opportunities please contact Renee Fullerton, program coordinator, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In 2010, the Washington state legislature eliminated funding for Project H.O.P.E., which meant no student placements for 2011. Fortunately, not all hope was lost as WWAHEC was able to secure funding that allowed us to place three high school students in Project H.O.P.E. internships during Summer 2011. Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, GCI ConnectMD, the Washington State Department of Health and WWAHEC board members all provided funding to allow us to place students this summer. Two of the students will be at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital and one at a dental clinic in King County. WWAHEC continues to seek funding that will allow us to continue the program in 2012. If funding becomes available, we will make an announcement, accept applications and place students as funds allow. Click here if you would like to make a donation to support Project H.O.P.E.