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Our Four Core Program Areas 

Strengthening the Health Workforce Across East Texas 

At Texas AHEC East, we are committed to improving health care access and outcomes in high-needs communities by developing a skilled, diverse, and community-connected health workforce. We do this through four key program areas that span the full continuum of workforce development, from early student engagement to ongoing professional support. 

4 Main Program Areas

Our Impact Across East Texas 

Texas AHEC East operates across 100 counties through a network of eight regional centers, serving a diverse population of over 18 million people. Our integrated program model helps ensure that health workforce development is local, sustainable, and responsive to the real needs of communities. 

1. Health Careers Promotion & Preparation (Pipeline Programs) 

Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Professionals 

Our pipeline programs focus on introducing students, especially those from rural and high-needs communities, to careers in health care. Through school visits, hands-on summer camps, mentoring, and career exploration activities, we help students visualize a future in health professions and guide them through the academic steps to get there. 

Key offerings include: 

  • Health career fairs and classroom presentations 

  • Summer health career camps 

  • Mentorship by healthcare professionals 

  • College and career readiness workshops 

  • Targeted outreach to underrepresented student populations 

2. Community-Based Experiential Training (CBET) 

Hands-On Learning in Real-World Healthcare Settings 

Texas AHEC East partners with universities, health systems, and community clinics to provide clinical training opportunities for health professions students. These experiences place students in rural and high-needs communities, where they gain firsthand knowledge of community-based care and often discover a passion for serving in these settings long-term. 

What students gain: 

  • Clinical rotations in primary care and rural health settings 

  • Interprofessional learning environments 

  • Exposure to health disparities and social determinants of health 

  • Opportunities to build cultural competence and empathy 

3. Professional Education & Support (Continuing Education) 

Supporting Lifelong Learning for Health Professionals 

To help healthcare professionals stay current and effective, Texas AHEC East offers continuing education (CE) opportunities for a wide range of disciplines. We provide accessible, accredited training that supports licensure, certification, and skill development, with a focus on rural health, cultural competence, and emerging public health issues. 

Continuing education offerings include: 

  • Online and in-person CE workshops 

  • Webinars on timely health topics 

  • CEUs for nurses, social workers, CHWs, and other professionals 

  • Specialty topics like behavioral health, diabetes care, and telehealth 

4. Community Health & Development 

Building Healthier Communities from the Ground Up 

Beyond workforce training, we collaborate directly with communities to address local health challenges and promote wellness. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we support initiatives that improve health literacy and access to care, 

Initiatives include: 

  • Community health worker (CHW) training and support 

  • Health literacy and outreach programs 

  • Partnerships with local health coalitions and schools 

  • Projects targeting chronic disease prevention and healthy living