What is AHEC?

Through the Rural Health Education Network Office, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) applied for and received federal funding to establish Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in Nebraska. UNMC received its first AHEC funding from the Division of State, Community and Public Health within the Bureau of Health Professions under the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) in September 2001 as part of the National AHEC Organization.

The Nebraska AHEC Program is based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is implemented through five regional centers; four rural centers located in Kearney, Norfolk, Scottsbluff, and Crete areas, as well as one urban center located in Omaha. Regional centers enable AHEC to carry out local programs with efficiency and provide statewide local services to deliver high quality, efficient, effective and flexible services that meet local needs of all 93 counties in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Area Health Education Center Network works throughout Nebraska to improve access to basic healthcare by linking local community groups with the resources of UNMC and other health professions training programs. Thus, AHEC improves access to healthcare by:

  • Working with Nebraska's public schools to provide health career programs for grades 9-12.
  • Developing and supporting community training opportunities for health professions students.
  • Providing continuing education that improves the care received by vulnerable populations.
  • Partnering with community organizations to address local health issues.