Area Health Education Centers
Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
Welcome to the Office of Community Health Partnership Programs and the UTRGV Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. The UTRGV AHEC Program develops and strengthens education and training networks across Rio Grande Valley (RGV) communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. These efforts support health workforce development and improve access to high-quality health care in rural and underserved communities.
Mission
The mission of the UTRGV AHEC Program is to strengthen health professions education, community-based training, and partnerships throughout the RGV. Through UTRGV AHEC centers in Rio Grande City, Brownsville, and San Carlos, the program prepares students and health professionals to work in interprofessional teams and supports the delivery of patient-centered care in rural and underserved communities.
UTRGV students enrolled in health professions programs can enhance their education and gain community-based experience in rural and underserved communities through the UTRGV AHEC Scholars Program.
Our AHEC Centers
The UTRGV AHEC network includes three community-based primary care clinics located in Rio Grande City, Brownsville, and San Carlos. The centers help expand access to primary and preventive health care while also serving as community-based training sites for UTRGV students and medical residents.
Through collaboration with UT Health RGV, the centers provide primary care services that may include family medicine, internal medicine, gynecology, podiatric medicine, care for acute and chronic conditions, health screenings, physical examinations, and preventive care.
Serving Our Community
Our collaboration with UT Health RGV provides students from the UTRGV School of Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Social Work, and College of Health Professions with community-based education and training opportunities alongside interprofessional teams serving South Texas communities.
Impact
- Improve access to primary and preventive health care in rural and underserved areas of the Rio Grande Valley.
- Develop and strengthen education and training networks among South Texas communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.
- Prepare students from the UTRGV School of Medicine and other health professions programs to understand and address social drivers of health and health
- Support the recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse health workforce prepared to serve rural and underserved communities.
UTRGV AHEC Program activities are supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and by the UTRGV School of Medicine.