NW PA AHEC

NW PA AHEC The Northwest Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (NWPA AHEC) is a non-profit organization comm

Big congratulations are in order for Autumn Peterson! 🎉Autumn graduated from Slippery Rock University's Physician Assist...
06/11/2026

Big congratulations are in order for Autumn Peterson! 🎉

Autumn graduated from Slippery Rock University's Physician Assistant Program this past May, and we couldn't be prouder to have had her as an AHEC Scholar. She’s hitting the ground running and starting her career as a PA-C in urgent care, serving the rural community of Titusville, PA.

We are so excited to see the incredible impact you’re going to make for patients in Titusville, Autumn. Thank you for your dedication to rural health, and best of luck as you start this next chapter! 🩺✨

You don’t need a medical degree to support someone going through a mental health challenge. Just like traditional first ...
06/09/2026

You don’t need a medical degree to support someone going through a mental health challenge. Just like traditional first aid, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) gives you the basic, actionable tools to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance use crises.

In our communities, having everyday people—teachers, neighbors, coworkers, and leaders—trained in MHFA means help is available long before a situation becomes an emergency.

Our next training cohorts are opening up. Learn how to approach a difficult conversation with confidence and connect someone to the right resources.

Get certified with us. Head to nwpaahec.org to view upcoming dates and secure your spot today.

NorthwestPA

In honor of it being June, here’s a sun safety refresher! A pretty common misconception around here is that if it’s over...
06/01/2026

In honor of it being June, here’s a sun safety refresher! A pretty common misconception around here is that if it’s overcast or you’re just hanging out in the shade, you’re completely safe from the sun. The reality is that up to 80% of UV rays can pass straight through cloud cover.

Whether you're working outdoors, landscaping, or hitting a local trail this weekend, remembering to throw on broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is a quick habit that makes a massive difference for your long-term skin health. Play it safe this summer.

You might have seen us talking a lot about our CHW training programs lately, but what exactly does a Community Health Wo...
05/29/2026

You might have seen us talking a lot about our CHW training programs lately, but what exactly does a Community Health Worker do?

Essentially, CHWs are the ultimate bridge between local communities and the healthcare system. They live right in the neighborhoods they serve, helping folks navigate everything from finding a local doctor to accessing food, housing, and insurance resources.

In a 15-county region like ours, where healthcare can sometimes feel miles away, CHWs are on the ground making sure no one falls through the cracks.

Want to learn how you can get certified? Head to our link in bio to check out our upcoming training cohorts!

Please join us in giving a huge welcome to our new Center Director, Hannah Haynie! 🩺Hannah brings an incredible backgrou...
05/28/2026

Please join us in giving a huge welcome to our new Center Director, Hannah Haynie! 🩺

Hannah brings an incredible background in public health and a genuine passion for community workforce development to our team. She holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Health Psychology, and is currently finishing up her Ph.D. in Medical and Mental Health Sociology. Before coming to us, she spent years building her expertise by managing grants, running a Student-Run Free Clinic, and most recently serving as the Director of Clinical Education Outreach at LECOM.

For Hannah, taking on our 15-county region is a privilege because she truly believes workforce development is about people first. Rather than just filling positions, her focus is on investing in individuals who will turn around and serve their own home communities. As she steps into her first year, she is entirely focused on strengthening our partnerships and long-term sustainability so we can keep building a strong, local healthcare ecosystem from the ground up.

When she isn't busy running the center, Hannah leads with a collaborative, empathetic approach, and loves spending her free time outdoors or tracking down a great iced coffee.

We are so excited to have her leading the team. Welcome, Hannah! 🥳

The CORE+ Rotation with PA AHEC is more than just a clinical requirement—it’s an immersion into the heart of community h...
05/14/2026

The CORE+ Rotation with PA AHEC is more than just a clinical requirement—it’s an immersion into the heart of community health.

Gain hands-on experience in primary care while spending 10% of your time engaging with local leaders, organizations, and the unique ecosystems that support rural and underserved populations.

Why choose CORE+?
✅ Practical experience in resource-limited environments.
✅ Mentorship from seasoned primary care clinicians.
✅ Real-world projects that tackle healthcare delivery challenges.
✅ Deepen your understanding of population-based care.

Step out of the classroom and into the community. Apply today to start your journey toward becoming a leader in rural health! 🩺🌲

Shape the future of Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce! 🤝PA AHEC is looking for dedicated clinicians to host CORE+ Rota...
05/14/2026

Shape the future of Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce! 🤝

PA AHEC is looking for dedicated clinicians to host CORE+ Rotation students. By becoming a preceptor, you’re not just teaching—you’re inspiring the next generation to serve rural and underserved communities.

Benefits of being a CORE+ Preceptor:
🔹 Recruit fresh talent to your practice.
🔹 Share your expertise in primary care and population management.
🔹 Connect students with your local community. 🔹 Receive ongoing support and resources from the PA AHEC team.

Help us bridge the gap in rural healthcare access. Join the CORE+ network today! 🩺✨

Visit our website to learn more about the application process.

We loved being on-site for the Healthcare in Action Expo at Penn State DuBois in April! 🩺💙It was a privilege to assist W...
05/11/2026

We loved being on-site for the Healthcare in Action Expo at Penn State DuBois in April! 🩺💙

It was a privilege to assist Workforce Solutions for North Central PA in planning this event and to see their vision for regional career exploration come to life. Approximately 120 students and chaperones stepped beyond the classroom to dive into hands-on healthcare experiences, exploring in-demand careers right here in our region.

From pharmacy simulations and examining cardiac anatomy to practicing in the simulation lab, these students showed us that the future of healthcare is in great hands! 🌟

What a day! 🙌 Last Wednesday, April 29th, the Healthcare in Action Expo brought regional career exploration to life in B...
05/06/2026

What a day! 🙌 Last Wednesday, April 29th, the Healthcare in Action Expo brought regional career exploration to life in Bradford and Coudersport.

Students had the incredible opportunity to observe a live Watchman ablation surgical procedure at the Marilyn Horne Building, gaining real-world insight into advanced cardiac care. They also participated in engaging round-robin sessions with local healthcare providers to explore a wide range of career pathways.

We want to extend a big thank you to Workforce Solutions for North Central PA for their incredible work in organizing this expo. It was an honor to assist their team and work alongside our amazing partners to bring these careers to life and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals! 🩺✨

04/30/2026

🦷 Healthcare Career Spotlight: Dental Assistant

Want to get into healthcare quickly and work hands-on with patients? Becoming a dental assistant could be your path 👇

😁 What do dental assistants do?
Dental assistants support dentists during procedures, prepare tools and equipment, take X-rays (in some roles), and help patients feel comfortable during their visit.

🎓 What education do you need?
✔️ Short-term training program (often under 1 year) or on-the-job training
✔️ Some positions may require certification

💙 Why does it matter?
Dental assistants are in demand in NEPA and play a key role in keeping dental offices running smoothly while helping patients get the care they need.

✨ It’s a great entry point into healthcare—and a stepping stone to careers like dental hygienist or dentist!

Address

8425 Peach Street
Erie, PA
16509

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