Northern Vermont AHEC

04/30/2026

Our Step Up to Health Careers participants are more than halfway through the program, and the past few weeks have marked a shift from classroom learning to time spent inside two of our partner hospitals.

At North Country Hospital, participants got a closer look at the day-to-day realities of hospital work. They explored the importance of HIPAA - especially in ACCESS roles - applied infection control practices in EVS, and learned how biomedical waste is managed safely. Time in the Emergency Department highlighted the pace of the work and the reality that patients often arrive scared, in pain, or unsure - and every role plays a part in how they’re cared for.

At NVRH, participants built on that experience, exploring many of the same areas - HIPAA, EVS, and ER registration - while also touring departments across the hospital. They met staff they’ll be working alongside during their job shadow experiences and spoke with the head of talent acquisition about what their path into healthcare could look like after completing the program.

These visits are where things start to feel real - where participants move from learning about healthcare to actually seeing it, and where they might fit within it.

More to come as this cohort continues their journey.

04/20/2026

A fitting time to share this spotlight - recognizing Occupational Therapy Month and Neurodiversity Celebration Month and the impact of OT in everyday life.
Check out the spotlight on the VTHealthCareers blog: https://vthealthcareers.org/otspotlightnadiayala/

What stands out most about occupational therapy isn’t always something you can easily measure - it’s the quiet, steady shifts that make daily life feel more possible. Sometimes it’s a child who can focus a little longer, a student who feels less overwhelmed, or an adult moving through the day with a bit more calm, coordination, and confidence.

In a place like Vermont, that kind of work feels especially personal - rooted in community and in the everyday moments that shape how people live, learn, and grow.

During Occupational Therapy Month and Neurodiversity Celebration Month, it feels especially meaningful to share this spotlight on Nadia Yala of Flow Therapy Vermont and the work she’s building here. Her practice supports neurodivergent individuals and families in ways that are grounded in connection, regulation, and real life - not just what happens in a clinical setting, but what actually makes daily life feel more possible.

A reminder that healthcare isn’t always about big, visible moments. Sometimes it’s something both simple and profound: helping people feel safer, calmer, and more capable in their everyday lives.

Check out the spotlight: https://vthealthcareers.org/otspotlightnadiayala/

04/09/2026

The Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) needs your help! Please LIKE and SHARE to show your support.

Vermont’s primary care workforce challenges are not new - but the solutions require sustained, strategic investment.

This recent piece from VTDigger highlights an important truth: strengthening our healthcare system depends on supporting the programs that train, connect, and retain the people who make care possible.

That work doesn’t begin at the point of hire. It starts much earlier.

Across Vermont, AHEC programs are helping build a long-term workforce strategy by connecting students, especially those in rural and underserved communities, to healthcare careers. Over the past five years alone, more than 20,000 students have participated in AHEC programming, with 76% coming from rural communities.

This early pipeline work matters. When students are given the chance to explore, connect with professionals, and see themselves reflected in this work, it changes what feels possible. That’s how we grow our own workforce.

However, much of the funding that supports this work has not yet been fully reinstated in Vermont’s budget.

Investments in programs such are VT AHEC's are not just about addressing today’s shortages - they are about building a sustainable, locally rooted healthcare workforce for the future. And that kind of impact depends on sustained investment - not just once, but consistent, continued support.

Read the full VTDigger article:
https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/08/if-vermont-is-going-to-scale-up-primary-care-health-advocates-say-this-one-funding-priority-is-crucial/

The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Southern Vermont AHEC Vermont Department of Health Governor Phil Scott

The House-approved budget for next fiscal year gives scholarship and loan repayment programs more money than the governor originally proposed, but many worry it will not be enough.

03/27/2026

For many healthcare professionals across Vermont, AHEC programs were an early step in their journey.

Students begin exploring healthcare careers through programs like MedQuest, HERO, and GIV. Over time, some go on to pursue education and training in health-related fields, internships, mentorship opportunities, and professional practice.

Every student’s journey looks different, but the goal remains the same: helping Vermonters discover opportunities in healthcare and supporting them as they grow into the professionals our communities need.

This week we’ve highlighted just a few of the ways AHEC programs support the healthcare workforce pipeline - from early career exploration to supporting practicing professionals.

Across Vermont and across the country, AHEC programs help connect students, educators, healthcare providers, and communities to strengthen access to care.

Thank you to the students, alumni, mentors, educators, and partners who make this work possible.


The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Southern Vermont AHEC National AHEC Organization

03/27/2026

The Vermont AHEC Network is showing up where decisions are made.

Yesterday, we were at the State House connecting with legislators to share how AHEC programs are strengthening Vermont’s healthcare workforce - from early pipeline experiences that spark interest, such as hands-on Stop the Bleed demonstrations - to training and supporting providers across the state.

Each conversation was a chance to highlight what’s possible with opportunities of early exposure, meaningful pathways, and the support in pursuing careers in healthcare.

Because investing in AHEC isn’t just about programs - it’s about ensuring every Vermont community has access to the care it needs.


The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Southern Vermont AHEC National AHEC Organization

03/26/2026

AHEC programs continue supporting healthcare professionals throughout their careers.

Through loan repayment programs, continuing education opportunities, workforce recruitment initiatives, and rural clinical rotations, AHEC helps strengthen the healthcare workforce across Vermont.

These efforts help ensure that communities - especially rural communities - have access to the care they need and the professionals who provide it.


The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Southern Vermont AHEC National AHEC Organization

03/25/2026

For students pursuing healthcare degrees, AHEC programs provide opportunities to deepen their training, connect with mentors, and gain experience working with Vermont communities.

Programs like AHEC Scholars, HERO Mentors, C-SHIP internships, UVM PEP, and the Mimi Reardon Scholarship help support students as they prepare for careers in healthcare.

Medical students, health professions students, and community partners also play an important role as mentors, instructors, and collaborators - helping the next generation of healthcare professionals learn and grow.


The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont Southern Vermont AHEC National AHEC Organization

03/25/2026

03/24/2026

As students explore healthcare careers, some begin building the practical skills that allow them to enter the workforce and support their communities.

Programs like Step Up to Health Careers, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certifications, and Vermont Emergency First Responder (VEFR) training provide students with real-world knowledge and experience.

These opportunities allow students to gain valuable skills, connect with local emergency response teams, and begin contributing to the healthcare workforce while continuing their education.

03/23/2026

It’s Day 1 of National AHEC Week - and we’re starting at the very beginning.

For many students, interest in healthcare begins with early exposure - seeing the possibilities and meeting the people who do the work.

Programs like Health Careers Field Day, HERO mentoring, the Governor’s Institutes on Health and Medicine (GIV), MedQuest, and hands-on classroom workshops introduce students to the wide range of professions that make up the healthcare system.

Through hands-on activities, career exploration, and conversations with professionals, students begin imagining themselves in roles that support the health of their communities.

Southern Vermont AHEC The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont National AHEC Organization Governor's Institutes of VT

03/23/2026

Happy National AHEC Week!

Queue the trumpets!

We’re excited to celebrate National AHEC Week 2026 (March 23–27)! Over the next five days, get ready for a flurry of posts featuring articles, interviews, and testimonials that highlight the impact of AHEC programs across Vermont.

First up:
Check out the latest Health Talk article, “Thinking About Health Education,” by Southern Vermont AHEC Executive Director, Jennifer Scott. Recently published in the Rutland Herald and Times Argus, this piece highlights powerful data showcasing the incredible work of Southern Vermont AHEC, Northern Vermont AHEC and the Office of Primary Care at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont.

Together, we continue to advance our mission: building and sustaining Vermont’s healthcare workforce.

Read the full article here:
https://www.rutlandherald.com/features/weekend_magazine/health-talk-thinking-about-health-education/article_476f3e03-3801-470d-b04a-f0dd82b9f203.html

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Vermont Health Careers Rutland Regional Medical Center National AHEC Organization Vermont Department of Health Community Health North Star Health Springfield Hospital, Inc. - VT Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Grace Cottage Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center UVM Health - Porter Medical Center

03/19/2026

Before we celebrate AHEC Week (March 23–27), it’s worth pausing to look at the work happening behind the scenes all year long.

This is how Vermont builds a healthcare workforce-through connection, opportunity, and long-term investment in people and communities.

You can learn more about the VT AHEC Network's Impact across the state and why next week is so important: https://nvtahec.org/celebrating-ahec-week-2026/

Southern Vermont AHEC The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont National AHEC Organization