To kick off the fall, the Maine CUP AHEC Scholars Program welcomed new 2023-2024 scholars. With more than 100 applicants, we successfully admitted and oriented 54 new Scholars into our sixth cohort from a variety of health professions programs from UNE, Tufts Medical School, and MCD Global. We’re excited to welcome Community Health Workers into the AHEC Scholars program for the first time as well, thanks to a partnership with MCD Global.
Newly admitted AHEC Scholars attended a Community Partner Boot Camp in September where they met with community organizations to learn about resources, programming, and opportunities to volunteer. They also received hands-on training to administer vaccinations, conduct hearing and vision screenings for elementary school students, and apply fluoride varnish to pediatric patients.
As for second-year Scholars, they are busy planning and preparing for the annual Maine AHEC Case Competition, with presentations to be held on November 11th.
Lastly, our Northern and Eastern AHEC Centers organized and hosted their first Rural Health Immersions for a group of our Scholars in early October. The RHI was hosted in Penobscot County, where scholars got to participate in various activities. They got to tour/visit the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, attend NA meetings at the Bangor Area Recovery Network, host a panel tour with high school students, participate in a community activity, and much more. Thank you to the Northern and Eastern AHEC Centers for putting together transformative experiences for our Scholars!
