Alexx is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at the OHSU School of Medicine.

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: I chose to become an AHEC Scholar because it provided a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the physical and mental health needs of Oregonians, as well as the barriers they face in accessing health care. As Oregon is my home, I have always felt a strong desire to contribute to my community in a meaningful way as a physician assistant. This program has also offered numerous opportunities for networking, scholarships, and resources that assist with career development and debt reduction. I highly recommend this program to any student interested in exploring rural health care, understanding the unique challenges and rewards it offers, and seeking personal and professional growth opportunities.

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: My first clinical rotation was in the rural emergency department in Florence, Oregon. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this experience was the opportunity to be immersed in the fast-paced environment alongside an exceptional team of health care professionals. The close-knit nature of the department fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration, not only among colleagues but also with patients. This rotation provided valuable one-on-one learning experiences related to medical knowledge, interdisciplinary teamwork, and the local community. Exploring the Florence dunes, enjoying fresh seafood, and taking evening walks through the ocean mist were wonderful complements to my time there. I am eagerly anticipating my next rural rotation in Klamath Falls.

Aubrey is a student in the MD Program at the OHSU School of Medicine. 

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: I chose to become an AHEC scholar for various reasons, but especially because I care about rural populations. While serving as a full-time missionary in Iowa between 2013-2015, I was exposed to the many barriers these populations face in trying to access health care. As a type 1 diabetic, I personally had to travel nearly 100 miles and multiple hours to see an endocrinologist. I couldn't help but notice rural immigrant populations in particular seemed to be at an extreme disadvantage when trying to access care. In Iowa, I did my best to translate for some Spanish-speaking patients in a few different hospitals and a WIC clinic, but knew they deserved much better. This ignited a passion within in me for rural health. When I discovered the AHEC program and the opportunities it provides for students regarding extended rural rotations, primary care loan forgiveness and no high-stakes service contract, applying was a no-brainer. I would highly recommend other students look seriously at AHEC who have any interest in rural health, beautiful geographical locations, underserved populations and opportunities for loan forgiveness.

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: One of the highlights of my medical training has been working at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) near Pendleton, OR. Thanks to my husband's remote job and extended family members living in Pendleton, we were able to relocate to Eastern Oregon with our 1-year-old son for 12 weeks in the summer 2023. Working at Yellowhawk was such a privilege and learning more about the tribes we were serving was not only moving but opened my eyes to some of the health disparities facing American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Through Yellowhawk I discovered the power of the primary care medical home model and developed a scholarly project around the many ways this has benefited patients with diabetes on the CTUIR. I am honored to be presenting this project at the Oregon Rural Health Conference this year—without AHEC this would have never happened. We rounded out this rotation by attending the famous Pendleton Round-Up which was ridiculously fun and also helped me learn much more about the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla tribes.

Q: Do you have plans to work in a rural area after finishing medical school and residency? 

A: Unlike most AHEC scholars who are going into Family Medicine, I am applying to Internal Medicine residency programs this year. I have a deep interest in cardiology and, if I pursue this, will have an additional 3 years of cardiology fellowship following residency. No matter the path I end up taking, serving rural populations will remain a top priority whether that means living in a rural area full-time or traveling to reach them on a regular basis. The family presence and history of Pendleton have made this location a serious contender as my family, and I make some big decisions over the next few years!

Holli is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at the OHSU School of Medicine.

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: I chose to become an AHEC Scholar because of my strong connection to rural Oregon, where I find both living and working deeply fulfilling. Though I was born in Portland, much of my time has been spent in Eastern Oregon, and after graduating from Oregon Health and Science University's (OHSU) Physician Assistant program in 2025, I am excited to return to practice as a PA in that region. Before joining OHSU’s PA program, I consistently heard positive feedback about the AHEC program and how it effectively prepares students to serve as health care providers in rural areas. Even though I am only in my second rotation, my experience as an AHEC Scholar has already given me invaluable insights into rural communities and has provided me with essential skills and knowledge for serving these communities. I highly recommend becoming an AHEC Scholar, especially for those passionate about working in rural health care after graduation

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: I may be a bit biased in my response, as I've only had two rotations so far, both in the same place — Enterprise, OR — but I have absolutely loved my time here and am genuinely sad that it's coming to an end. The providers I've had the privilege to work with have been incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and generous with their insights. The patients have been equally amazing, understanding my need to learn and welcoming me as part of their care team. Outside of the clinic, I've been fortunate to have wonderful roommates from OHSU and other institutions, and I've had the chance to explore the beautiful outdoors that Eastern Oregon has to offer. This experience has truly been unforgettable, and I will miss it dearly!

Kassandra graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at the OHSU School of Medicine in 2024.

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: Going into PA school, I knew I wanted to work in an underserved community like the one I grew up in. I applied to be an AHEC Scholar because I wanted access to more training/curriculum — the eight core topic areas (interprofessional education, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, connecting communities and supporting health professionals, virtual learning and telehealth and current and emerging health issues) provided broad didactic training that expanded my knowledge base as a future health care provider. I completed training in every topic area and especially enjoyed being able to create my own experience and focus on areas of interest to me such as social and community context in health care, substance use disorder, prevention/health promotion, access to health care and mental/behavioral health to name a few. The experience was invaluable. I gained access to training I would not have otherwise had access to and met some great people along the way. I would absolutely recommend becoming an AHEC Scholar to other students!

Q: What was your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: My favorite rural rotation was in Fairbanks, Alaska at Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC). TCC is an Alaska Native non-profit clinic that serves 39 villages and 37 federally recognized tribes. The clinic has a holistic view on medicine — in addition to physical health, they also focus on mental health, management of natural resources, food resources, public safety, community planning and transportation. This was my only experience rotating at a Native clinic and I felt very privileged to be welcomed to learn at TCC with open arms. During my month in Alaska, I practiced medicine and also heavily focused on cultural humility and learning about the tribes, customs and culture of the region. I was able to attend the TCC Annual Convention and Full Board of Directors Meeting which happens once a year. During the convention, Tribal delegates traveled to Fairbanks to honor elders and community members and have discussions and panels around topics such as cancer care and prevention, justice as a tool for community healing and tribal infrastructure and innovation, among others.

I would not have been able to afford the experience of traveling to Alaska for a rotation without the help of the AHEC scholars fund, which allowed me to purchase my flight and a winter jacket. Being from Texas originally, I did not have a jacket for the -20 °F weather when I arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. I learned so much from my preceptors and the patients and left forever changed.

Q: Where are you practicing now? Do you plan to practice in a rural area again?

A: I will start at a clinic in Southern Oregon called La Clinica in late October as an Advanced Practice Provider Primary Care Resident. I am so excited to have the opportunity to complete the 1-year residency to continue building my knowledge base and growing as I start my first year of practice as a physician assistant.

I am not sure where I will be practicing after I complete the year residency at La Clinica, but I know that I plan to continue working in underserved communities.

Kimberly is a student in the Nurse Practitioner Program at OHSU.

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A:  I chose to become an AHEC Scholar for the opportunities and connection to various learning experiences. AHEC provides a weekly newsletter that makes me aware of events and educational opportunities of interest to my practice and future goals of working in a rural location. It also connects me to other AHEC Scholars from diverse professional practice programs that I have connected with and learned from. The yearly scholarships allowed me to attend a fantastic rural conference and get my Wilderness Medicine Training. I would highly recommend participating in this program to any student with an interest in rural practice!  The educational resources alone are top-notch! The connection and networking have been very beneficial. 

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: Family medicine in a small rural community has been my favorite location. I love providing care to generations within a single-family unit and promoting their health and well-being. I appreciate the teamwork and connection among providers in a smaller community. It really demonstrates the dedication the providers have for living and working in a rural community.

Lauren is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at OHSU.

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: I chose to become an AHEC Scholar because I knew I wanted to practice rural medicine, and I was looking for a way to better understand Oregon-specific resources and organizations that serve these communities. The AHEC program offers a unique blend of didactic learning and hands-on experiences that complement my medical education, making it more comprehensive and relevant to rural health needs. The weekly didactics provided by Kate Hubbard are not only thorough and thought-provoking but also keep me engaged and connected during the demanding hours of medical training. I would highly recommend the AHEC program to any student considering a career in rural medicine, as it provides invaluable insights and a supportive learning environment tailored to our future practice needs.

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: Although I’ve only completed one rural medicine rotation so far, it left a profound impact on me. I spent my rotation in Coquille, Oregon, working at the Family Medicine Clinic and occasionally at the local hospital. What made this experience truly special was the abundance of learning opportunities, the warm reception from patients who were enthusiastic about having students involved in their care, and the strong sense of community connection I felt. I was deeply moved by the relationships I built and the hands-on experience I gained, which reaffirmed my commitment to serving in rural areas. It was a rotation I was genuinely sad to leave, and it solidified my passion for rural medicine.

Leeza is a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Oregon State University-Cascades. 

Q: Why did you choose to become an AHEC Scholar? Would you recommend it to other students?

A: Growing up, I experienced firsthand how barriers to medical access can impact so much more than physical health. When I was first introduced to the AHEC Scholar program, I discovered an opportunity to not only learn more about health disparities in rural and underserved communities like the one I grew up in, but also a pathway to connect with others who were eager to address these disparities from a very tangible perspective. Being an AHEC Scholar has been a launch pad for me to flexibly explore educational opportunities beyond what I would have independently, with a broader scope that encompasses social, environmental, political, and personal health factors. It has helped me develop a deeper understanding of how to integrate the biopsychosocial model into patient-centered care with both cultural humility and a greater appreciation for the incredible communities we care for.

For any student who is passionate about helping others heal in a holistic, evidence-based manner that goes beyond our current healthcare system, and for those with a deep desire to serve underserved populations and address health disparities, I would strongly recommend the AHEC Scholars program. While I recognize that being a full-time student in a rigorous medical program is its own unique and time-consuming challenge, I believe each of us has the ability to stretch our bandwidth and push ourselves beyond what we think we are capable of. I challenge every student to use this program as an opportunity to stretch their mind, commit to learning, and connect with other likeminded healthcare professionals so we can improve healthcare delivery for the communities that need it most.

Q: What has been your favorite rural rotation and why?

A: This summer I had the opportunity to work as a student physical therapist in a small outpatient orthopedic clinic (in Sunriver). What I thought would be a typical orthopedic rotation turned into an incredible experience as I got to know my patients and the community. Old and new clients would frequently stop in just to say "hi" if they were passing through the neighborhood, I was welcomed warmly by every person I met, and even received invitations to community events and neighborhood get-togethers just five minutes after meeting someone new! However, what impacted me most was recognizing there was still a strong need for medical access in this vibrant community.

Many patients came into the clinic with advanced mobility issues and chronic pain that could have been managed earlier with proper care, but they had delayed treatment due to the lack of nearby healthcare services. I encountered patients who had to travel long distances or wait weeks for appointments, leading to worsened symptoms and prolonged recovery times. I saw firsthand how physical therapy became less of an orthopedic medical appointment, and much more of a holistic healthcare approach. Our role was not just to provide PT, but to find resources for those without medical access, address concerns or provide education for the medically complex patients who had not received the care they needed, and offer emotional support to those struggling.

All my didactic hours of learning through the AHEC Scholars program came to life before my eyes, allowing me to be more present with the needs of my patients, collaborating with them to create a healthcare strategy that fit their culture, beliefs, community, and resources. It was a rotation that both challenged and inspired me to hold onto my passion for learning so I can deliver high-quality, compassionate care for every patient I treat.