This past Fall, the Alabama Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network announced its partnership with Troy University’s Dothan campus as the new home for the Wiregrass Region AHEC Center. This center will serve 15 counties in southeast Alabama, stretching from Montgomery to Houston County.
With more than 300 AHEC centers across the country, about one-fifth are university-based, a structure that enhances visibility and provides unique opportunities for community impact.
Pre-Health Advisor, Janet Gatson, described the challenge of students leaving the area to pursue opportunities in larger cities with more access to specialists.
“At least a third of the students I work with leave this area to practice in bigger cities, where they can work with professionals in their desired specialties,” Gatson said. “With this new center, I hope to see more students stay and grow here, improving rural communities’ access to better healthcare.”
“With Troy as a partner for this new center, we are able to recruit from a large pool of students passionate about healthcare and connect them with professionals in the field to train locally,” said Ian McFadden, executive director of the Wiregrass Alabama AHEC. “Our goal is to have these students train here because that increases the likelihood they will choose to work here, strengthening the healthcare workforce in our community.”
The Wiregrass Region AHEC collaborates with colleges and universities to identify students in designated healthcare disciplines for its Scholars Program. Throughout the year, program director Shelly Olive engages with these students, helping them gain hands-on experience while addressing the needs of underserved areas.
“The Scholars Program began many years ago and provides students in healthcare fields with a unique opportunity to receive practical training while delivering care in their communities,” Olive said. “It’s an invaluable experience that benefits both the students and the residents of these counties.”
As the Wiregrass Region AHEC embarks on this new chapter, its partnership with Troy University is expected to create a lasting impact. By cultivating a pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals dedicated to serving Alabama’s rural and underserved areas, this collaboration ensures a healthier future for the Wiregrass community.
