AHEC Relationships

• National AHEC Organization
• National Rural Health Association

Department of Health/Statewide Office of Rural Health

AHEC at WSU Spokane has collaborated with the Department of Health since its inception in 1985. A more formal relationship was established in 1991 with the implementation of the Statewide Office of Rural Health, linking the Office of Community and Rural Health, the two Washington Area Health Education Centers, Washington State University, and the University of Washington School of Medicine. This unique national model has served as a catalyst for a variety of programs including Recruitment and Retention, Rural Health System Development Grants, Community-based Recruitment and Retention Grants, and the Washington Health Professions Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program.

Relationships between AHEC and other departments in DOH support regional and local projects related to the Public Health Improvement Plan, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, Community Health Assessments, and development of the new Center for the Advancement of Community Health at WSU Spokane.

An important activity supported jointly by the statewide Office of Rural Health partners and the Washington Rural Health Association is the Annual Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference, which brings together national, regional and state experts in rural health to meet with community health providers, hospital administrators and board members, government agency staff, and consumers around the critical issues of rural health care and access.

WWAMI / University of Washington School of Medicine

WSU has been part of the University of Washington WWAMI Medical Student Training network since 1972. In 1987, the two universities established a new collaborative relationship around the Area Health Education Center Program that provides a wide range of health professions education, research, and outreach activities to rural and underserved communities in eastern Washington. AHEC is an integral part of the health science programs at the WSU Spokane campus and relates to several other academic and research departments, in addition to the office of the campus dean.

Programs linking the two universities include:

• Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program for first year medical students
• Health Careers Ambassador Program, which connects the AHEC with local community career counselors
• Community Health Services Development Program, which provides technical assistance to communities and providers

Washington Rural Health Association

The Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA) was founded to provide a forum for diverse groups and individuals interested in rural health. AHEC at WSU Spokane took an active part in establishing the WRHA and has functioned as the central office for the association almost since its inception. AHEC staff have served in leadership positions for the association and have helped it to establish a sound base in eastern Washington communities.

An important activity, supported jointly by the Washington Rural Health Association and the SWORH partners, is the Annual Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference. This conference provides a meeting place for national, regional, and state experts in rural health and community health providers, hospital administrators, hospital board members, government agency staff, and consumers around the critical issues of rural health care and access.