National AHEC Organization (Alachua, FL)

The National AHEC Organization (NAO) unites a network of more than 300 Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), state program offices and regional centers across US territories to expand access to quality healthcare in underserved areas.   

The AHEC Scholars Program prepares students to serve effectively in rural and underserved communities. Healthcare Career pathway programs offer mentoring, virtual reality (VR) experiences and internships that cultivate interest in healthcare professions. Additionally, AHECs facilitated over 30,947 clinical rotations in 2024, 85 percent of which occurred in medically underserved communities.   

NAO supports these initiatives by increasing funding opportunities through national grants, coordinating technical assistance and fostering peer learning among AHECs. Through these efforts, NAO strengthens local capacity to recruit, train and retain healthcare professionals. By developing a more diverse, culturally competent and community-connected workforce, NAO ensures equitable access to healthcare across the nation’s most vulnerable regions.