熊猫在线视频 AHEC Celebrates 20 Years of Impact with Legislative Citation

by Kevin Bennett  |   

  • The 熊猫在线视频 Area Health Education Center (AHEC) team gathered to celebrate receiving a Legislative Citation from the 熊猫在线视频 Legislature, honoring 20 years of dedicated work. The recognition celebrates AHEC鈥檚 crucial role in strengthening the state鈥檚 health care workforce and promoting health equity across 熊猫在线视频. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
    The 熊猫在线视频 Area Health Education Center (AHEC) team gathered to celebrate receiving a Legislative Citation from the 熊猫在线视频 Legislature, honoring 20 years of dedicated work. The recognition celebrates AHEC鈥檚 crucial role in strengthening the state鈥檚 health care workforce and promoting health equity across 熊猫在线视频. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • 熊猫在线视频 AHEC Director Gloria Burnett addresses attendees, reflecting on two decades of impact. The anniversary event highlighted AHEC鈥檚 enduring commitment to providing quality health education and building the next generation of health care leaders in 熊猫在线视频. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
    熊猫在线视频 AHEC Director Gloria Burnett addresses attendees, reflecting on two decades of impact. The anniversary event highlighted AHEC鈥檚 enduring commitment to providing quality health education and building the next generation of health care leaders in 熊猫在线视频. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • A close look at the Legislative Citation formally presented to the 熊猫在线视频 Area Health Education Center. The document acknowledges AHEC鈥檚 success in engaging students and advancing programs vital to 熊猫在线视频's rural and urban health communities. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
    A close look at the Legislative Citation formally presented to the 熊猫在线视频 Area Health Education Center. The document acknowledges AHEC鈥檚 success in engaging students and advancing programs vital to 熊猫在线视频's rural and urban health communities. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
  • A truly 熊猫在线视频n surprise. A moose stopped by the 熊猫在线视频 campus to peek in on the 熊猫在线视频 AHEC 20th Anniversary celebration. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)
    A truly 熊猫在线视频n surprise. A moose stopped by the 熊猫在线视频 campus to peek in on the 熊猫在线视频 AHEC 20th Anniversary celebration. (Photo by Kevin Bennett, UAA 熊猫在线视频 Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce)

Oct. 3, 2025, was a big day for the 熊猫在线视频 Area Health Education Center (AHEC), which is proudly housed within the UAA College of Health! AHEC marked its 20th anniversary with a special legislative citation from the 熊猫在线视频 State Legislature鈥攁 well-deserved recognition for two decades of crucial work.

This citation isn't just a piece of paper; it honors the center鈥檚 tireless dedication to strengthening 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 health workforce, especially in rural and underserved communities. It highlights 熊猫在线视频 AHEC's ongoing commitment to improving health care access for all 熊猫在线视频ns.

鈥淎s we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 熊猫在线视频 AHEC, we must also recognize and acknowledge the dire need for advocacy for continued support,鈥 said Gloria Burnett, Director of the 熊猫在线视频 AHEC Program. 鈥淎HECs are federally funded and in jeopardy of reductions or elimination. As we reflect on the success, longevity, and community impact of the AHEC, it is now more important than ever to respond to calls of action for the continuation of the AHEC to meet 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 health workforce needs for future generations.鈥


Two Decades of Making a Difference

The citation commemorates the program鈥檚 founding in 2005 and its significant, sustained impact on our state鈥檚 health system. As the citation notes, 熊猫在线视频 AHEC plays a critical role in addressing health workforce shortages by providing essential training opportunities and supporting community-based health initiatives.

Over the years, AHEC has built powerful partnerships with hospitals, schools, Tribal organizations, and community groups. These collaborations are essential for creating viable pathways for students and professionals in health careers across the state.


AHEC鈥檚 Three Pillars of Success

熊猫在线视频 AHEC鈥檚 success is built on three core pillars that guide its programming:

ENGAGE: Health Careers 鈥 Inspiring young 熊猫在线视频ns and community members to explore health professions through health camps, classroom presentations, and job shadowing. These programs give students hands-on experience and early exposure to vital careers like medicine, nursing, allied health, and behavioral health.

TRAIN: Health Professionals 鈥 Offering crucial clinical placements and training opportunities directly within rural and underserved areas. This equips health professionals with the practical skills, experience, and cultural understanding necessary to serve all of 熊猫在线视频's diverse communities effectively.

RETAIN: Health Workforce 鈥 Supporting health professionals throughout their careers via continuing education, mentorship, and professional development. By providing these resources, AHEC helps maintain a sustainable, resilient workforce that can meet 熊猫在线视频's unique challenges.


A True 熊猫在线视频n Celebration

The legislative citation ceremony was a joyful and memorable occasion. Staff, dedicated community partners, and healthcare professionals gathered to celebrate this major milestone.

Looking back, 熊猫在线视频 AHEC has helped thousands of students explore health careers and supported hundreds of health professionals and organizations in some of our most remote regions. This recognition is a powerful testament to the dedication of AHEC staff, its regional partners, and the communities that make this work possible.

It underscores the program鈥檚 ongoing mission: to strengthen 熊猫在线视频鈥檚 health workforce today and for the future鈥攅nsuring every 熊猫在线视频n has access to quality care.

In a moment that only 熊猫在线视频 could deliver, a moose appeared to "congratulate" the team!

Want to be part of the solution? Learn more about the great work 熊猫在线视频 AHEC is doing at .