Background

The Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is a private, non-profit, 501(C) 3 organization, which became operational in 1997. Governed by a 16 person Board of Directors, AHEC services the nine counties comprising Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

AHEC’s goal is to increase the number of health care providers who provide services in rural and underserved areas and eliminate health disparities among diverse populations of the Eastern Shore by providing and coordinating programs that improve the health status of all. In the face of rapidly changing demographics in the region, AHEC leverages federal, state and local resources to support health careers promotion, health professions student rotations in underserved rural communities, continuing education, and community health promotion activities.

Since 1997, Eastern Shore AHEC has achieved important impacts in the region: significant increase in rural rotation site development with 162 participating preceptors; 17,000 health professionals participated in the Continuing Education program; delivery of health careers educational activities for 63,000 K-12 students; development of a rural oral health outreach program that has increased access to oral health services to over 35,000 low-income children; conducted interdisciplinary training for 800 health professions students in geriatric settings; 16,000 interlibrary loans have been fulfilled; and 1,869 participants have successfully completed Aging Simulation Sensitivity Training since 2005.

Mission

ESAHEC provides educational resources and support through equitable community-based activities and services in order to recruit, retain and train health care professionals on the Eastern Shore by way of collaborative and innovative partnerships.

Vision

We envision service and provider expansion covering Maryland’s Eastern Shore while promoting healthy communities and a well-trained health workforce in underserved areas.

Core Values

Diversity
The Eastern Shore’s provider diversity should be a mirror of the patients being served.

Collaboration
Collaboration with community-based organizations and academic institutions is essential to patient care improvement and provider engagement.

Innovation
Innovation starts in rural and underserved areas, and aids in successful programs and new ideas.

Integrity & Accountability
ESAHEC staff operate and execute all activities with integrity and accountability through accurate and transparent reporting methods.

Professionalism
ESAHEC staff remain professional and provide ethical and equitable opportunities through work efforts.