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This is What We Do

Connecting Students to Careers, Professionals to Communities, and Communities to Better Health

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Our philosophy
By making efforts to develop the primary care workforce, we ultimately aim to address the health care disparities that are prevalent across people of different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses.
MIssion
We strive to open doors to better health in underserved communities through education, outreach, and career opportunities.
Our Commitment
Is to our partners and students is key to our success. We make it a point our health Career awareness programs are inclusive and provide opportunities for careers in the health fields.

IMG 42221 2The AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program was developed by Congress in 1971. The goal of this federally funded program is to improve health care access through the training, recruitment, and retention of diverse health professionals who are committed to helping underserved populations. By applying academic medicine resources, the AHEC program aims to contribute to addressing local community health needs.

The way they are structured, AHECs can be flexible and creative when adapting national health initiatives to the particular needs of the nation’s most vulnerable communities. Most AHEC programs receive both state and federal funding. Today, 54 AHEC programs with more than 200 centers operate in almost every state, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, and Micronesia. At present, AHECs work collaboratively with approximately 120 medical schools and 600 nursing and allied health schools to improve health for underserved and underrepresented populations.

The imbalance in the quality of health and access to health care across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups is reflected in racial and ethnic disparities in health status. It is also evident in the underrepresentation of disadvantaged and minority individuals in the health care workforce.

AHECs play an important role in correcting these inequities and strengthening the nation’s health care safety net. Through community-based training programs, AHEC creates and trains a diverse workforce of health care professionals and inspires them to practice in communities that need them the most.

In 1995, the Connecticut General Assembly established the Connecticut AHEC Program. The program received its initial federal funding from the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 1997. Southwestern AHEC, Inc. was then established in 1998 as a center at Housatonic Community College to serve southern Fairfield and New Haven counties. With federal funding set to decrease in 2002, Southwestern AHEC, Inc. moved to Sacred Heart University for the purpose of seeking other funding sources and to become a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization. In January of 2006, Southwestern AHEC, Inc. left Sacred Heart University to reconfigure and implement its 501(c)(3) status.

Since 2010 we’ve been working with amazing community health organizations to create meaningful impact and compelling experiences for the future health workforce.

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Southwestern AHEC, Inc. has been serving the community as a nonprofit organization for a long time. We are proud to say that our success is built on strong, collaborative partnerships that enhance our commitment to improving the health of our communities.

5 Research Dr 2nd floor
Shelton, CT 06484

(203) 372-5503
info@swctahec.org

Monday - Friday
8:30 - 5:00 EST

© 2023 Southwestern AHEC.