Nevada Area Health Education Center

Nevada Area Health Education Center

Established by Congress in 1971, the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program was created to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce dedicated to serving underserved populations. With a network spanning nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, 46 AHEC programs and over 261 centers collaborate with approximately 120 medical schools and 600 nursing and allied health institutions to address local and regional healthcare challenges. The strength of AHEC lies in its ability to adapt national initiatives to meet the distinct needs of communities across the country.

As part of the national effort, each AHEC is a member of the National AHEC Organization (NAO), which acts as the central branch supporting collaboration, innovation, and shared learning across the entire AHEC network.

Nevada AHEC Program

Nevada AHEC was established by the Nevada Legislature in 1987 and received further authorization in 2003. With offices in Reno, Las Vegas, and Elko, Nevada AHEC provides statewide services to all counties, focusing on bridging healthcare gaps in rural, frontier, and underserved urban areas. Through interdisciplinary education—combining coursework, clinical training, and community-based fieldwork—students delve into subjects such as rural health disparities, cultural competency, and innovative solutions for low-resource settings. Participation helps shape the future of healthcare access for Nevada's most vulnerable populations.

Mission Statement

The Nevada AHEC Program is committed to strengthening Nevada’s healthcare workforce by preparing future providers to serve rural, frontier, and underserved urban communities. Through specialized training, immersive experiences, and community engagement, the program works to reduce disparities, improve patient outcomes, and cultivate culturally competent professionals equipped for Nevada’s unique healthcare landscape.

Nevada AHEC Centers

The Nevada AHEC Program comprises three regional centers:

Together, these centers expand education and training opportunities while advancing the program's mission to serve Nevada’s diverse communities through K-12 programming, Student Ambassador initiatives, and the Nevada AHEC Scholars Program.