Trine students selected for AHEC Scholars Program

FORT WAYNE — Eight students from Trine University’s Dr. Earl D. and Melanie N. Brooks College of Health Professions have been selected for a two-year program focused on caring for underserved populations in urban and rural settings.

Doctor of Physical Therapy students Jennifer Barrera of Chicago, Grace Meara of St. Louis, Brianna Medcalf of Memphis, Indiana, Marissa Morales of Winfield, Indiana, and Jessica Westphal of Fulton, Ohio, and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies students Olivia Creevy of Zeeland, Michigan, Tatym Plath of Perrinton, Michigan, and Cassidy Stanage of Crown Point, Indiana, will be part of the Indiana AHEC Scholars program.

“The selection of these outstanding students to the AHEC Scholars program shows their commitment to becoming healthcare leaders dedicated to serving rural and underserved communities,” said Max Baumgartner, Ph.D., PT, chair of Trine’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. “The scholarship program perfectly fits Trine University's mission to prepare students to succeed, lead and serve.”

Sponsored by the Indiana AHEC Network, the Scholars program is a part of a national initiative to prepare tomorrow’s health professionals to become leaders in interprofessional, transformative practice who serve those who need it the most.

The competitive program is designed specifically for individuals who possess a strong drive to provide care to those living in rural and medically underserved communities across Indiana. It is designed to improve a health professions student’s practice readiness skillset.

Over the two-year program, AHEC Scholars complete in a mix of online training and community-based learning in rural and underserved communities throughout the state, with a focus on rural and urban health care and caring for underserved populations. Through these experiences, students train side-by-side with healthcare professionals and community members.

These experiences emphasize the integration of eight core topics: Behavioral Health Integration; Cultural Competency and Humility; Interprofessional Practice; Practice Transformation; Social Determinants of Health; Connecting Communities and Supporting Health Professionals; Virtual Learning and Telehealth; and Current/Emerging Issues.

For more information about the AHEC Scholars Program, contact ahecsch@iupui.edu.

About the Indiana AHEC Network

Indiana AHEC Network’s mission is to improve health by recruiting, educating and retaining health care professionals in underserved communities. We work to enhance access to quality health care, primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals through community/academic educational partnerships.