Alaska's AHEC Scholars Program Kicks Off a New Year with a Holistic Approach to Healthcare

by Jessica Degnan  |   

  • AHEC Scholars Check-in desk
    UAA student checks in at the registration table for AHEC Scholars Kickoff at Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Traditional healer demonstration
    Yaari Walker, Tribal Healer, demonstrates one of her tribal healing techniques on a UAA student who volunteered during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Spencer Toft
    Spencer Toft, AHEC Scholars Education Coordinator, smiling before his presentation about the AHEC Scholars program at UAA Commons 106 for AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Seated students listening and smiling
    UAA students attending the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Two participants smiling and greeting each other with oustretched arms
    Naomi Digitaki, Yukon-Kuskokwim AHEC Center Director, chats with a student about the AHEC Scholars program and her Yukon-Kuskokwim regional AHEC. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Smiling participants and host at a registration table
    Summer Walker, UAA Health Promotion & Wellness, chats with UAA students about educational programs designed to promote health and well-being at UAA Commons 106 at the AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • A woman holding up an AHEC swag bag
    UAA student wins a raffle prize of an AHEC Scholars tote bag at UAA Commons 106 during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Ian McCarthy smiling at an attendee
    Ian McCarthy, ACRH-HW K-12 Education Coordinator, answers questions about different career exploration opportunities ACRH-HW provides during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Olivia Bridges
    Olivia Bridges, Southwest AHEC Director presents information about her region and the different opportunities available to AHEC Scholars during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff at UAA Commons 106 on September 29, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • Student holding up a prize she won
    UAA student wins a raffle prize of an AHEC Scholars hat at UAA Commons 106 during the AHEC Scholars Kickoff on September 29th, 2023. (Photo by Jessica Degnan/UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)

The Alaska’s Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Kickoff marks the start of a new year for our Scholars! On September 29, 2023, fifty-two UAA student attendees interested in the AHEC Scholars program had the opportunity to make new friends with like-minded classmates and meet Alaska’s AHEC Regional Center Directors, other AHEC staff, and Yaari Walker, a tribal healer.

"It was great to see our western medically trained students and our guest, Yaari Walker, discussing ways to unite efforts and work towards creating a holistic approach to healthcare for all” says Spencer Toft, ACRH-HW’s AHEC Scholars Education Coordinator.

AHEC Scholars is a two-year program designed to supplement and broaden a student’s health care training. Each year, students are required to complete 40 hours of classroom or online training and another 40 hours of community-based learning (CBEL) in the field. The Scholarshave the opportunity to complete their CBEL in a rural community or with urban underserved populations in Alaska. 

AHEC Scholars is a program administered by UAA’s Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW) To learn more visit our website or contact Spencer Toft at satoft@alaska.edu.

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