Big Bend AHEC Scholars
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Big Bend Area Health and Education Center announces this year’s selection for the AHEC Scholars Program
Please join us in congratulating the 24 students who have been selected to represent the Big Bend Area for the 2022-2024 AHEC Scholars Program. These students were chosen from over 400 statewide applicants!

Are you a health professions student that is interested in supplementing your education by gaining knowledge and experience in underserved and/or rural communities? Do you want to feel empowered? If so, the AHEC Scholars Program is for YOU!
Program Components
The Florida AHEC scholars program will provide students with interprofessional learning opportunities focused on building the skills and competencies needed to help transform primary and patient care, especially in under-served communities.
Program duration is two years. Each year includes 40 hours community-based, experiential, or clinical training and 40 hours of didactic online education.
The Scholars Program is nationally recognized and only 150 students in the state of Florida are able to join this elite program.
Applicable disciplines include, but are not limited to: Medicine, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, & Social Work.

Questions?
If you have any questions about the qualifications please contact Kristen Aguirre:
850.224.1177
JOIN
degree-seeking health professions students (clinical and non-clinical) who want to work with under-served populations
Learn
through online modules about topics that are transforming healthcare like: behavioral and mental health, social determinants of health, quality improvement, cultural competency, and more
Serve
medically underserved and at-risk populations through community-based experiential learning assignments
Gain
experience working in interdisciplinary teams and developing professionally through mentoring, networking, and certificate programs
Receive
$500 stipend per year and recognition upon program completion
“Being able to participate in training with these other health care fields really allowed me to get a different view of what currently affects our community from a health care perspective. By expanding my perspective and views will allow me to treat and assist my patients better and in a more holistic way. ”
– Lawrence Farve, AHEC Scholar
“The AHEC Scholar Program is important because it gives you first-hand experience working in an inter-professional team before you join the working force. Inter-professional education is very important to help you learn the value of working as a team and listening to each professions opinion to optimize care for the patient.”
–Nestle Ciftci, AHEC Scholar
Student Eligibility
The Florida AHEC Scholar Program is open to students in disciplines that support primary healthcare services delivery in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Only 150 students across the state of Florida are selected to become AHEC Scholars. Applicants must be enrolled in a health discipline degree that is at least two years in length.
Applicable disciplines include, but are not limited to: Medicine, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy, & Social Work. If you have questions about qualifications, please contact our office.
Participants must also have access to a computer and reliable transportation.
Apply Today
Student Benefits
Networking and mentoring opportunities
Participate in community-based service-learning
Professional development
Become a member of statewide associations
Receive a $500 stipend annually ($1,000 total)
Supplemental learning experiences
Contact Us Today to Get involved
Special Thanks To Our Partners
Florida State University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Keiser University
Tallahassee Community College