AHEC Organizes Summer Academies to Empower Students in Healthcare
The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program has announced its upcoming summer academies, designed to provide high school students with an immersive experience in the healthcare field. These academies will be held in June and are open to students entering grades 9 through 12.
AHEC Summer Academies
The AHEC Summer Academies offer a variety of tracks, including: *
Pre-Med Academy:
Explores the medical field, clinical skills, and the college and medical school application process. *
Pre-Dental Academy:
Immerses students in dentistry, patient care, and dental terminology. *
Pre-Nursing Academy:
Introduces the nursing profession, patient care, and healthcare ethics. *
Rural Health Academy:
Focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of providing healthcare in rural communities. *
Public Health Academy:
Examines the principles of public health, disease prevention, and health promotion.
Benefits of AHEC Summer Academies
Participating in an AHEC Summer Academy provides numerous benefits for students, including: * Exposure to healthcare professionals and real-world healthcare settings * Hands-on experience in clinical skills and patient care * Guidance from experienced mentors and advisors * Exploration of different healthcare careers * Enhancement of college and career readiness skills
Eligibility and Application
To be eligible for an AHEC Summer Academy, students must be entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall of 2023. Applications are now open and can be found on the AHEC website.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the AHEC Summer Academies is
Friday, April 21, 2023
.
Contact Information
For more information about the AHEC Summer Academies, please contact your local AHEC center or visit the AHEC website at [AHEC website link].
Empowering the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
The AHEC Summer Academies are an exceptional opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience and knowledge in the healthcare field. By participating in these academies, students can develop their passion for healthcare, prepare for future healthcare careers, and ultimately contribute to the well-being of their communities.The Area Health Education Center hosts summer programs based on science and health for local youth.
The Area Health Education Center hosts summer programs based on science and health for local youth. The Area Health Education Center is hosting three summer programs for students in June: the AHEC College Academy, Junior Academy and Mini Academy – the latter ran from June 3 to 6 and was aimed at students between ninth and 12th grades. The College Academy was a four-day event held at the AHEC offices, located at 1505 Calle Del Norte, Suite 403, with a health career trip to San Antonio on the final day. AHEC Director Dr. Julie Bazan said the College Academy is a valuable program that has a positive impact in the community, especially among youth, such as high school students who are beginning to explore career options. “It is designed to introduce our youth to numerous careers in healthcare, and provides support and guidance to help students pursue their dreams,” Bazan said. “This program supports our mission to increase the number of providers in our region.” The College Academy consisted of different activities for different days, based on science and health topics such as physics and biology. One day, students explored the principles of kinetics and speed and how motion and forces are the fundamental building blocks of the universe, while on another they learned about marine biology by examining the intricate anatomy of a squid. While the academies are educational in nature, Bazan said they also offer students the opportunity to socialize and bond with each other through their group and pair activities – such as building their own Bristlebots and racing them – and to take into account their mental health. ++ through creative art. “It wasn’t just about speed and tracks,” Bazan said. “We took a moment to breathe and focus on our mental well-being. With brushes in hand, students were able to express their creativity and find peace in our painting activity, highlighting the therapeutic power of art.” Bazan said the academies provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, improve their leadership skills and learn about different career paths – while also having the opportunity to earn community service hours, win awards and explore STEM-related topics as they discuss ideas and network with other students. According to Bazan, AHEC conducted research on the value of these programs by surveying AHEC alumni and was pleased with the results. She said that 90% of students who participated in these programs go on to enroll in higher education institutions, and for the remaining 10% who do not, it is due to non-academic reasons such as financial constraints. “The 90%+ of students enrolled in higher education were asked to identify the program that had the most impact on their educational plans,” Bazan said. “49%+ indicated it was the AHEC College Academy. “AHEC continues to motivate, inspire and expose students from all walks of life to plan their educational journey and explore the numerous healthcare careers and higher education opportunities.” The AHEC Junior Academy will be held June 17-19 for students between sixth and eighth grades, and the AHEC Mini Academy will be held June 24-27 for students in fourth and fifth grades. Both programs will also take place at the AHEC office, include a field trip and are free. Seats are filled, but if you would like to sign up for a waitlist, interested parties can call 956-712-0037 or email [email protected].
AHEC+ is hosting virtual and in-person Summer Academies for high school students interested in exploring healthcare careers. The academies will be held in June and offer students the opportunity to learn about different healthcare professions, gain hands-on experience, and network with healthcare professionals. The virtual academy will be held from June 12-16 and will offer students the opportunity to learn about a variety of healthcare topics, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and patient care. Students will also participate in virtual simulations and hear from guest speakers who are working in the healthcare field. The in-person academies will be held from June 19-23 at various locations throughout the state. Students will have the opportunity to learn about different healthcare professions, participate in hands-on activities, and shadow healthcare professionals. Both the virtual and in-person academies are free to attend. Students who are interested in participating in the academies can apply online at the AHEC+ website.
