PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is resuming its in-person Health Scholars' Program in collaboration with Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. 

 

The program is for allied health students (including nursing, physical therapist assistants, respiratory care, and community health workers) interested in supplementing their education by gaining additional knowledge and experience in addressing local community needs. 

 

"There are many reasons to take advantage of the Health Scholars' Program," says AHEC Center Director, Sheila Dargie. "The opportunity to work with professionals outside the traditional classroom, the networking, and the interdisciplinary skills that support patient-centered care can really elevate a student resume for graduate school applications or job opportunities.  We are also always looking for presenters, learning opportunities and internships in the community"

 

Students currently enrolled in a health degree or certificate program have until September 14 to sign up for the program which is offered free through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), USDHHS and administered through the MassAHEC Network, a program of UMass Medical School. Berkshire AHEC is a member of the MassAHEC Network.

 

Over the course of a year, students experience 40 hours of hands-on service learning and 40 hours of lectures on a wide variety of healthcare topics including social determinants of health, behavioral health integration, and emerging trends. By working in the community, students develop an awareness of the economic and cultural barriers in health care delivery and have a better understanding of the complex needs of rural and underserved communities. 

 

Area Health Education Centers were created by Congress 50 years ago, following explosive population growth after WW2 (the Baby Boom) that led to a concern there wouldn't be enough healthcare workers to care for everyone, especially in rural areas. AHECs work to expand the number of healthcare providers in rural communities, through education opportunities and connections to the community. 

 

Through Berkshire AHEC's Health Scholars' Program in collaboration with BCC, students have access to internships and job placement, providing an important pipeline for area healthcare providers. According to 1Berkshire, healthcare is the largest industry sector and cluster in the county by the number of employees, representing nearly 13.5 percent of all jobs. 

 

Because Berkshire AHEC often works behind the scenes, many may not be familiar with this critical organization that touches many lives. Said one student, "The program provided an outside perspective of medicine, which was not entirely clear in the classroom. Discussion of social injustice in medicine in terms of race, wealth, zip code, and sexual identity put the meaning of my schooling into context."

 

The Health Scholars' Program runs bi-monthly from September 2021 through May 2022 on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The program may transition online depending on CDC COVID guidelines. For more information call (413) 842-5160 or visit berkshireahec.org.