Northern West Virginia Area Health Education Center

Nationally, Area Health Education Centers were created by U.S. Congress in 1971 to connect the resources of university health science centers with local planning, educational and clinical resources. AHEC works to support community-based education for health professions students, provide continuing education for health professionals, and provide/support programs for K-16 students that prepare students for possible careers in the health professions. Today, this network of health-related institutions provides multidisciplinary educational services to students, faculty and local practitioners.

At Northern West Virginia Area Health Education Center, we train, recruit, and retain healthcare professionals in the counties of Braxton, Brooke, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Hancock, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel, Wirt, and Wood.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What programs do you offer?

For High School students, we offer the Moving Onward and Upward program. Participants will complete 100 hours of shadowing to get hands-on experience.

For Health Professions students, we offer the 2 year Rural Community Health Scholars Program in which participants will complete 1 Rural Immersion Experience, 80 hours of didactic education, and 80 hours of community-based experiential or clinical training

For Health Professionals, we offer Continuing Education credits.

What are the benefits of the student programs?

Both provide hands-on training, learning experiences and stipends upon completion! Both MOU and the RCH programs provide education not typically available in school settings. The RCH Scholars Program further allows for inter-professional collaboration, network building, and more!

Transforming WV Health Education Together