Mega Doctor News
Rio Grande Valley, Texas – The UTRGV School of Medicine continues its mission to close gaps in access to health care and expand educational opportunities for its students with its three Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).
On Thursday, Oct. 4, the School of Medicine will celebrate the opening of its AHEC at the Bob Clark Community Center in Cameron County.
The School of Medicine previously opened a center in La Victoria in Starr County. A third grand opening is being planned for San Carlos in Hidalgo County.
The UTRGV School of Medicine last fall received a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration to develop the three AHECS, which are intended to:
- Help increase access to primary health care in rural and underserved areas.
- Develop and enhance education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.
- Teach medical and students in other health-related disciplines about the social determinants of health and health disparities.
The AHECS will include primary health care centers operated by professional healthcare staff, faculty and students of the School of Medicine, School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions.
The School of Medicine, School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions will develop curriculum for students that will include offering credit for their work in the clinic and will develop a pipeline program through which high school students interested in healthcare-related fields can receive training.
The three AHEC facilities are being developed in partnership with the three counties and the county commissioner in the precinct in which the AHEC is located.
