Prospective Students
Do you have an interest in developing a practice that includes a broad range of clinical and procedural skills? Interested in learning more about the breadth and depth of primary care practice? Think you might like to practice in a rural or small town community or serve a vulnerable population? Looking for more opportunities to develop hands-on clinical skills, and explore health care delivery through site visits and discussions with providers who work in various settings?
If so, you should apply to the Mass AHEC Scholars! This interdisciplinary learning experience offers a mix of academic, experiential and social events.
We understand that students’ academic schedules are quite vigorous, so we offer a varied calendar of events on weekdays, weeknights, and weekends, as well as activities that can be completed remotely. MassAHEC Scholars is approved as an Optional Enrichment Elective for Years 1 and 2 and offers leadership opportunities in Year 2; mentoring and connections for electives continues in Years 3 and 4.
Student feedback:
… Being able to provide care for my community and develop longitudinal, lifelong relationships with my patients has become my utmost priority. I finally found people who share similar values and goals, and I hope that together we can continue to improve rural medicine …
… Working with my Longitudinal Preceptor (LPP) has been one of the most enriching aspects of the program - taught me to tailor my interviews to the patient population to better address their needs - taught me the importance of interprofessional teamwork and integrating behavioral health into primary care - observing how she collaborates with other healthcare professionals has emphasized the significance of a team-based approach ...
… Coming into medical school, I wanted my career as a physician to address the healthcare disparities that exist in different demographic areas. Seeing the various healthcare disparities present in rural America, I hope to work in an environment in which I would be able to address and subsequently mitigate these disparities ...
… Meeting so many people who have dedicated their life to this [urban] work, I have gained confidence, perspective, and inspiration for what my future may look like ...
Who is eligible to apply:
Medical students: First year students
Graduate nursing students: GEP1, GEP2 and DNP Nurse Practitioner students before the start of clinical year
Requirements for optional enrichment elective credit:
- Seminars and skills sessions, retreats, workshops [40 hours total each year]
- Must attend 7 MassAHEC designed sessions in Year 1, 4 in Year 2 (minimum)
- Can integrate other electives and Interest Groups to achieve the total number of hours
- Longitudinal Preceptor, Worcester Free Clinic and other clinical experiences [40 hours total each year]
- All levels of patient acuity, acute to ongoing care,
- Engage in complex care involving behavioral and social determinants of health
- Broad experiences that form the basis for practice in any specialty
- Opportunities for summer community health experiences
- Population health research opportunities
- Possible presentation/publication with potential for financial support to attend
- Student leadership opportunities
Method of Evaluation: Records of student participation and student feedback. At the end of the year, students participate in an evaluation of the year's programming.
