03/05/2026
Oceans Behavioral Hospital – Amarillo is proud to support and contribute to the Panhandle Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
Pictured are Panhandle AHEC Advisory Board members Texas State Representative-Elect Dr. Holly Jeffreys with West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), Don Nicholson with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Jim Womack with Oceans Behavioral Hospital- Amarillo, Lee Gibbons with DSHS, Brenda Talamantes with Amarillo College, Shawn Moore with Pampa Independent School District, Joni Stone with WTAMU, Melissa Burns with Amarillo College, and Stephanie Loya with WTAMU.
These dedicated leaders from healthcare, regional services, and the community meet quarterly to guide AHEC’s mission: addressing severe rural healthcare shortages by training, recruiting, and retaining health professionals.
AHEC boosts the workforce through partnerships with schools, supporting clinical training in underserved areas, and offering continuing education to improve access to care across the state. Their support drives programs like high school health career training, AHEC Scholars stipends, and continuing education for professionals serving rural areas. Learn more: https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/ahec/index.html
Want to get involved? Email pahec@wtamu.edu
To learn more about Oceans Amarillo, visit oceansamarillo.com