Southeastern West Virginia Area Health Education Center (SEWVAHEC)

Mission

The Southeastern West Virginia Area Health Education Center (SEWVAHEC) advocates for quality primary and preventative health care delivery to rural and underserved populations. Through academic and community collaboration, we work to improve the distribution of health care professionals where they are needed the most.

SEWVAHEC serves Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers and Webster counties.

Our Focus Areas

The Southeastern West Virginia AHEC is dedicated to strengthening the region’s health workforce by focusing on five key areas: building a robust educational pipeline, providing high-quality continuing education, promoting inter-professional training, offering immersive rural experiences, and supporting the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals.

Objectives

West Virginia Area Health Education Centers logo

The West Virginia AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars Program

The AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars Program (AHEC Scholars) is a two-year, robust, nationwide, supplemental training program carried out by Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) at the local, regional, and state levels. The goal of the West Virginia AHEC Scholars Program is to enhance the training and education of West Virginia’s top health profession students. The program emphasizes building an inclusive and competent healthcare workforce, especially for rural and underserved communities, by offering both classroom-based instruction and hands-on learning experiences. To apply or for more information, use the following link: West Virginia AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars.

Educational Pipeline Programs

Health care professionals from rural communities are more likely to return to those communities to provide care when they complete their education. For that reason, SEWVAHEC works with high schools in rural and underserved areas to educate students about health care careers and training.

Students around a humanoid simulation robot, one holds out simulation baby robot to simulation mother.
Class room of students look forward while sitting at long tables.

Continuing Education

Health care professionals require lifelong training and education. SEWVAHEC develops quality continuing education opportunities for professionals in rural and underserved communities. Not only does this training improve patient care, but the CME events provide enhanced collaboration and support within the rural medical community.

Inter-professional Training

SEWVAHEC works within underserved communities to provide seamless integration of graduate training programs in primary care with state-supported undergraduate health professions training programs. Efforts include inter-professional team rotations comprised of medical residents and representatives from other health disciplines (nursing, pharmacy, dental, and allied health services).

Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment and retention efforts match community needs with uniquely-trained health professionals who have received inter-professional training and who embrace the values and quality of life provided by rural and underserved communities.