Alabama AHEC Network

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from Alabama AHEC!

No tricks here—just treats for the future of healthcare!

Whether you’re dressing up as a doctor, dentist, or disease detective, we’re celebrating all the spooky-smart students, preceptors, and professionals who make Alabama’s healthcare pipeline stronger every day.

Stay safe, stay spooky, and don’t forget to brush after all that candy!

10/27/2025

The Alabama AHEC Network was proud to sponsor the Rural Primary Care Summit, held on Thursday, October 23rd. This impactful event brought together leaders, legislators, physicians, and healthcare experts from across the state to discuss how we can strengthen access to primary care in rural Alabama.

Dr. Becky Reamey, Executive Director of the Alabama AHEC Network, served as a panelist on Panel 1: Building Alabama’s Rural Health Workforce, where she shared insights on how AHEC is actively working to recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals in under-resourced areas.

She was joined by an outstanding panel of experts and partners:
• David Bramm, MD, FAAFP – UAB Huntsville & NAAHEC Board
• Joseph Coppiano, MD – UAB CU²RE Program
• Sameera Davuluri, MD – UAB Family Medicine
• Drake Lavender, MD, FAAFP – UA Rural Programs
• Lacy Smith, MD, FAAFP – Cahaba-UAB Residency
• Sen. April Weaver – Vice Chair, Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility Committee

The summit was hosted in partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Alabama AHEC Network, MASA, and AAFP, and featured powerful conversations on funding models, policy, and collaborative strategies to build a healthier rural Alabama.

Department of Family and Community Medicine

10/22/2025

On October 17th, Wiregrass Alabama AHEC, partnering with UAB Dentistry Dothan, brought the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Pathways to Smiles program to Abbeville High School AL —with 17 enthusiastic students from both Abbeville and Headland High School diving into the world of dental careers!

From hands-on learning like dental model crafting to exploring oral hygiene and dental professions, students got an up-close look at what it takes to make a smile healthy.

Another step in inspiring the next generation of rural healthcare professionals!

Thank you to our educators, Bennett Tucker, DMD, Amy Cooper, RDH, and Ashanty Rivers, RDA, for engaging with this bright wiregrass students!

Department of Family and Community Medicine UAB Heersink School of Medicine

10/22/2025

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

We’re kicking off Primary Care Week with Primary Care Research Day in the UAB ALGEN Lobby (701 19th St. S.) from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM!

UAB Medical students — swing by the AHEC Scholars table and meet Dr. Chip Tucker, DMD, East Central Alabama AHEC Scholars Coordinator, to learn how you can get involved in the Alabama AHEC Scholars Program.

This program gives you:
Hands-on experience in rural & under-resourced communities
Interprofessional training with students across health professions
Career-building opportunities that help you stand out for residency

Come grab lunch, check out student research, and celebrate primary care with us!

Department of Family and Community Medicine UAB Heersink School of Medicine

10/01/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Early detection saves lives—and access matters.

Alabama AHEC stands with patients, survivors, healthcare providers, and communities across our state in raising awareness and increasing access to lifesaving care.

If you're in Alabama and need support, screening, or resources, check out these trusted programs:

🔹 Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP) – Offers free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests to eligible women. Learn more: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/bandc

🔹 Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center – Provides support, navigation, and empowerment services for survivors and caregivers: https://forgeon.org

🔹 Joy to Life Foundation – Partners with ADPH to fund free mammograms for under-resourced women: https://joytolife.org

This month, wear pink, schedule your mammogram, and encourage others to do the same—especially in our rural and medically under-resourced communities. Together, we’re working toward a healthier Alabama.

09/30/2025

Paulisha Holt (Program Office) and Shernita Taylor (Delta Alabama AHEC) attended the Southeast Community Health Worker Summit in Lexington, KY, to help shape Alabama’s growing CHW network.

With no formal certification process in the state, AHEC is leading the charge—starting with North Alabama AHEC’s Young Adult CHW Program, which trains high school students to serve their communities and explore health careers.

Building this model statewide could bridge critical gaps in care and inspire the next generation of healthcare workers.

09/09/2025

Jackson County friends! 🌟 Come see us at the Jackson County Resource Fair on Sept. 17 from 9am–12pm at the Kevin Dukes Career & Innovation Academy (29727 US-72, Hollywood). Local vendors will be on hand to share valuable resources available to Jackson County residents. We’d love to see you there!

07/21/2025

Wiregrass Alabama AHEC, in partnership with Southeast Health and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, hosted “Rural Health Outreach: Provider Education on Lupus” on July 18 in Dothan, AL.

Funded by a grant from the American College of Rheumatology, this CME-accredited session began with opening remarks from Dr. James Jones, Dean of ACOM, who emphasized the importance of preparing providers to meet the unique needs of rural communities. Dr. Ian McFadden, Director of Wiregrass Alabama AHEC, followed with a welcome and introduction for featured speaker Dr. Ariail Schmitz.

Dr. Schmitz delivered an outstanding educational session, offering evidence-based insights and practical guidance for improving lupus care in underserved areas.

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Schmitz for her impactful presentation, and to all who joined us—both in person and virtually—for your commitment to advancing rural health in Alabama.

Watch the WTVY News 4 coverage of the session: https://www.wtvy.com/2025/07/18/wiregrass-ahec-acom-partner-address-rural-healthcare-lupus-care/

Department of Family and Community Medicine

07/11/2025

Wiregrass Alabama AHEC, in partnership with Southeast Health and Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, invites you to a free, in-person educational session focused on improving lupus care in rural communities.

Rheumatology Conference: Rural Health Outreach – Provider Education on Lupus
Presented by: Ariail Schmitz, DO
Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 12:00–2:00 PM CST
Location: Team-Based Learning Center, 445 Health Sciences Blvd., Dothan, AL
Virtual attendance available | Lunch provided

This session, part of the American College of Rheumatology's national initiative, is designed for primary care providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical students, and other healthcare professionals committed to improving rural health outcomes.

Earn up to 1.5 CME credits (AMA PRA Category 1 & AOA 1A)
Accredited by the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Register here: https://www.alahec.org/cale.../wiregrassruralhealthoutreach/

Department of Family and Community Medicine