Northeast Kentucky AHEC

Northeast Kentucky AHEC The NEKY AHEC is one of eight regional centers in Kentucky that has a mission of enhancing access to quality health care in rural and underserved areas.

The Northeast AHEC serves a 17-county region of Northeastern Kentucky. This region, which sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is in many ways an underserved area of the state. Fourteen of our seventeen counties are designated as Appalachian counties, Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) and/or Medically Underserved Populations (MUP). These counties include: Bath, Boyd, Carter, Clark, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Powell, Robertson, Rowan.

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re proud to highlight Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Continuing Educa...
03/26/2026

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re proud to highlight Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Continuing Education division—supporting the ongoing growth and excellence of our region’s health care workforce.

Our Continuing Education team is dedicated to providing high-quality, relevant learning opportunities for health care professionals across our 17-county service area. As accredited providers of Continuing Medical Education (CME) through the Kentucky Medical Association and Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education , we offer opportunities for physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and many other professionals to stay current in their fields. Through collaboration with various licensing boards, we’re also able to support continuing education across a wide range of disciplines, including social workers, clinical alcohol and drug counselors, community health workers, and more.

We’re excited to continue this work with upcoming events like:

> EMS Education Day (April 21) – a hands-on learning opportunity designed to support and strengthen the skills of emergency medical services professionals. Register here: neahec.org/april-ems-education

> Spring Pharmacy Symposium (May 29) – a focused educational event offering pharmacists and pharmacy technicians the latest updates and best practices in the field. Register here: neahec.org/sps-registration-2026

Through every course, training, and event, our goal remains the same: to ensure health care providers in our region have access to the knowledge and resources they need to deliver the highest quality care.

To learn more about our CE division, visit our website: https://www.neahec.org/continuing-education

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re highlighting Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Student Services divis...
03/25/2026

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re highlighting Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Student Services division and the incredible impact they make in supporting future health care professionals across our region.

Our Student Services team is dedicated to helping students succeed on their journey to becoming skilled health professionals, especially in rural communities. Each year, we coordinate more than 1,200 clinical rotations across our 17-county service area—providing hands-on, real-world experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers in healthcare.

Beyond clinical training, we focus on connection. Students are encouraged to engage with the communities they serve and even mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals through our Health Careers programs, creating a powerful, full-circle pipeline of support and inspiration.



The photos shared here highlight just a portion of our 2025 experiences, events, and partnerships that made this work possible. From clinical placements to community engagement, these moments reflect the heart of what we do. In 2025 alone, our Student Services team helped place 936 students and coordinated 1,223 clinical rotations!

We’re also proud to celebrate the dedicated preceptors who guide and mentor our students each year through our annual Preceptor Recognition Celebration, honoring those who go above and beyond to shape the future of healthcare.

At the Northeast AHEC, our students are at the center of everything we do—and we’re committed to ensuring they have the support, experience, and connections they need to thrive.

To learn more about our Student Services division, visit our website: https://www.neahec.org/student-services

Join us for EMS Education Day on April 21 in Morehead! A full day of hands-on learning, critical updates, and continuing...
03/25/2026

Join us for EMS Education Day on April 21 in Morehead! A full day of hands-on learning, critical updates, and continuing education for EMS and healthcare professionals. 🚑

For more information, contact Michelle Brown @ michelle.brown@uky.edu or megan.mcneal@uky.edu

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re shining a light on Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Health Careers P...
03/24/2026

As we continue celebrating National AHEC Week, today we’re shining a light on Northeast Kentucky AHEC’s Health Careers Promotion division—an essential part of our mission to build a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce across our region.

Focused on high school students and those pursuing health careers at the post-secondary level, this division plays a key role in inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities, we’re helping students discover their path and equipping them with the tools to succeed.

Our high school programs introduce students to healthcare careers early on:

- CHASE (Careers in Health Advanced Summer Experience) offers immersive, two-day summer camps where students engage with healthcare professionals and hands-on activities.

- CHARGE High School supports aspiring nursing students with shadowing, skill-building, and college preparation resources.

- Rural Health Scholars prepares motivated students for entry into health career training programs while strengthening college readiness.

- Appalachian ROOTS connects students interested in oral health careers with hands-on learning, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities.

- HOW is an annual event hosted every March in Morehead, Kentucky, where high school students from across our 17-county service region come together to participate in this dynamic, hands-on career exploration experience.

At the undergraduate level, our programs provide deeper, career-focused experiences:

- AHEC Scholars is a nationally recognized, two-year program focused on rural and underserved care, combining classroom learning with real-world training.

- CHARGE College supports nursing students with academic resources, professional development, and financial assistance.

- Kentucky Rural Health Association Student Chapter offers leadership, service, and networking opportunities to prepare students for professional programs.

- STEPS (Successful Training and Educating Pre-medical Students) helps pre-med students prepare for medical school through MCAT prep, mentorship, and hands-on experiences.

- SHIP (Summer Health Internship Program) places students in paid internships with local health organizations, providing meaningful, community-based experience.

Through each of these programs, Northeast Kentucky AHEC is committed to growing our own—supporting students from interest to career and helping ensure a healthier future for the communities we serve.

Explore these programs more and view applications at our website: https://www.neahec.org/health-careers-promotion

Today marks the beginning of National AHEC Week—a time to celebrate the impact of Area Health Education Centers across t...
03/23/2026

Today marks the beginning of National AHEC Week—a time to celebrate the impact of Area Health Education Centers across the country and the vital role they play in strengthening our healthcare workforce.

At the Northeast Kentucky AHEC, we’re proud to support students, providers, and communities throughout our region by expanding access to education, training, and career pathways in healthcare. From introducing young people to health careers to supporting continuing education for current professionals, our work is rooted in building a healthier, more connected future for our region.

Throughout this week, we’ll be highlighting each of our divisions and the programs and people that make our mission possible. Join us as we celebrate the power of community-based education and the difference it makes every day!

Happy First Day of Spring! As the season of growth and new beginnings arrives, it’s the perfect time to share our upcomi...
03/20/2026

Happy First Day of Spring! As the season of growth and new beginnings arrives, it’s the perfect time to share our upcoming virtual Spring Pharmacy Symposium.
The Northeast Kentucky AHEC will be hosting our Spring Pharmacy Symposium on Friday, May 29, 2026!

Accredited with ACPE for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, this symposium is a great opportunity to network, learn, and share knowledge with peers across the region. Pharmacists will be presenting on a wide range of relevant and timely topics. Register here now: https://form.jotform.com/260745796625167

Host Site applications for the 2026 Northeast Kentucky AHEC SHIP program are now open. The Summer Health Internship Prog...
03/20/2026

Host Site applications for the 2026 Northeast Kentucky AHEC SHIP program are now open.

The Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP) provides undergraduate health professions students with paid six-week internships in local health-focused organizations in the hope of increasing the likelihood those students ultimately will work in the region. Undergraduate health care professional students who are attending college or have a permanent address within NE KY AHEC’s 17 county service area are eligible to apply for SHIP.

Some key host site benefits include:
• Receiving an internship student at no cost to the host site
• Receiving assistance with various daily tasks, such as health programming and community outreach projects
• Assisting our region’s students in gaining a new perspective on rural health care
Internships will begin late May/early June 2026. Interested host sites can apply here: https://www.jotform.com/211324140818042

Host site applications close April 15, 2026. For more information, please visit https://www.neahec.org/health-careers-promotion/ship. For any questions, please contact Lakyn Newcomb, Health Careers Coordinator at Lakyn.Newcomb@uky.edu or via phone at 606-783-6787.

Student applications for the 2026 Northeast Kentucky AHEC SHIP program are now open.The Summer Health Internship Program...
03/19/2026

Student applications for the 2026 Northeast Kentucky AHEC SHIP program are now open.

The Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP) provides undergraduate health professions students with paid 6-week internships in local health-focused organizations with the goal of encouraging participants to ultimately work in the region. Undergraduate health care professional students who are attending college or have a permanent address within NE KY AHEC’s 17 county service area are eligible to apply for SHIP.

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/240285123783153

For more information, please visit https://www.neahec.org/health-careers-promotion/ship. Student applications will close on April 15, 2026. For any questions, please contact Lakyn Newcomb, Health Careers Coordinator at Lakyn.Newcomb@uky.edu or via phone at 606-783-6787.

The CHARGE college program at Northeast AHEC is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. CHARGE for c...
03/19/2026

The CHARGE college program at Northeast AHEC is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

CHARGE for collegiate nursing students is an applicant-based program designed for students currently enrolled in a nursing program. It provides additional resources to help students succeed. Educational opportunities such as study resources, compassionate care skills practice, workshop meetings with potential employers, and resume writing will be given to all participants. Additionally, CHARGE for Collegiate Nursing Students will provide a stipend to all active participants to assist with various financial stressors students may face when enrolled in a nursing program. All students who complete the program will have the option to receive NCLEX prep through the Princeton Review.

Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now OPEN! Applications will close May 31, 2026.

More Information and applicant requirements: https://www.neahec.org/health-careers-promotion/charge/charge-for-collegiate-nursing-program-students

To apply: https://form.jotform.com/231084584450152

For any questions, please contact Lakyn Newcomb, Health Careers Coordinator at Lakyn.Newcomb@uky.edu or via phone at 606-783-6787.

The Rural Health Scholars application deadline has been extended!The Rural Health Scholars Program (RHS) is a competitiv...
03/19/2026

The Rural Health Scholars application deadline has been extended!

The Rural Health Scholars Program (RHS) is a competitive applicant program that helps prepare students for entry into a health career training program at any post-secondary institution. Additionally, the RHS program helps to strengthen a student's application for college or vocational school and assists in making decisions regarding the types of health career programs available. The program is also open to all high school sophomores in the region.

Applications are now open until Aprill 30th, 2026!

To apply, visit: https://www.jotform.com/NortheastKYAHEC/rhs-28

For more information contact: Hannah Little, Health Careers Coordinator
Hannah.Little@uky.edu
(606) 783-6786

The CHARGE high school program at Northeast AHEC is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.CHARGE fo...
03/19/2026

The CHARGE high school program at Northeast AHEC is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.

CHARGE for High School students was developed for high school juniors and seniors interested in a nursing career. CHARGE is an applicant-based program that allows students to receive additional opportunities based around achieving their goals of a career in nursing. Opportunities, such as job shadowing, study skills, care skills practice, and introductions to the various careers within the nursing field are given to all who are accepted into the program. Additionally, CHARGE for High School students helps strengthen a student’s application for college or vocational nursing programs and assists all students in the decision-making process regarding what career paths within the nursing field they have accessible to them. All students who complete the program will have the option to receive SAT prep through the Princeton Review.

Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now OPEN! Applications will close May 1, 2026.

More Information and applicant requirements: https://www.neahec.org/health-careers-promotion/charge/charge-for-high-school-students

To apply: https://form.jotform.com/231084765231150

For any questions, please contact Lakyn Newcomb, Health Careers Coordinator at Lakyn.Newcomb@uky.edu or via phone at 606-783-6787.

That’s a wrap on HOW 2026! 🎉The Health Opportunities Workshop (HOW) 2026 brought together high school students from acro...
03/16/2026

That’s a wrap on HOW 2026! 🎉

The Health Opportunities Workshop (HOW) 2026 brought together high school students from across Northeast Kentucky for a full day of exploration, connection, and hands-on learning. Students had the opportunity to engage with colleges, universities, and professional programs while discovering the many pathways available within the health professions.

From interactive demonstrations to meaningful conversations with educators and health professionals, the day was filled with opportunities for students to learn more about what a future in health care could look like.

Thank you to all of the exhibitors, educators, and students who helped make this year’s event such a success. Check out some highlights from the day below! 🩺🏥

Address

316 W. Second Street Suite 203
Morehead, KY
40351

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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