Health Careers Program

The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program (formerly the Student Development & Diversity Program) works to increase the number of students entering the health professions in South Carolina.  Emphasis is placed on underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students in order to address disparities in the health professions workforce.

Areas of Focus:

South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy

The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy is a health career exploration experience for high school students. Activities demonstrating the use of communications, math and science make up the curriculum specifically designed for future health professions students of South Carolina.

Academy Fellows are selected to participate in four years of programming in sessions filled with activities that promote academic success, career development and personal growth. One-on-one mentoring and parental involvement are major components of the Academy.  Completion of the South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy prepares participants for the academic challenge of pre-health training programs. 

Opportunities for Participants

Academic Scholarship
Standardized Test Preparation
Health Professions Shadowing
Career Interest Inventory
Mentoring
Pre-Health Skills Building
Hands on Clinical Skills Training
Health Professions Certification
Summer Internships and/or Pre-College Credit
State and National Conference Participation
College and University visits
High School Credit
.... And Much More

The application for the 2008 Health Careers Academy can be downloaded HERE.


Summer Employment and Enrichment Programs

The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Summer Institute provides an intensive, residential educational experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in a health professions career. The four-day event includes activities and interactive sessions on academic and career planning, resource development and basic health skills training. Sessions are facilitated by health care practitioners and educators.  At the conclusion of the Leadership Institute, a five-week summer program is facilitated by each regional AHEC site. Programs vary by region and may include academic enrichment workshops, college level course instruction, internships in health care offices or facilities or health professions training. Applications are available by contacting your regional HCP Coordinator.

The South Carolina AHEC Nursing Career Academy and Dental Career Academy are designed to increase the acceptance, retention, and graduation rates of under-represented minority and disadvantaged students to nursing and dental training programs in South Carolina.  The Academies are conducted in collaboration with the MUSC College of Nursing, College of Dental Medicine and Project EXPORT and are generally held the first week of June. Twenty undergraduate students are accepted for Academy. 

Applications are available for download: 2008 Nursing Academy Application and 2008 Dental Academy Application.

All applications should include a completed Release Form. The deadline to submit applications is April 6, 2008.


Special Initiatives

The Health Career Education Resources in South Carolina website is an electronic database that contains information about agencies and organizations that support the preparation of minorities and under-served residents of South Carolina who are interested in exploring or pursuing professions of health care. The website is made possible through the support of the Duke Endowment. Access the HCER website at http://ahec.library.musc.edu/hcer/.

South Carolina Diversity Coalitions have been formed in each of the four AHEC regions.  Each coalition is establishing goals, objectives, implementation strategies and outcome measures for collaborative programs designed to increase the number of minority students who choose to enter careers in health care.  Coalition membership includes representatives from health care professions, hospitals, educational programs, faith-based organizations, business, industries and others.  Established in 2005, the coalitions are financially supported by a grant from The Duke Endowment. To learn more, visit the following websites:

Lowcountry Coalition: www.lowcountryrc.org
Mid-Carolina Coalition: www.midcarolinarc.org
Pee Dee Coalition: www.peedeerc.net
Upstate Coalition: www.upstaterc.org

The Teach-the-Teacher Academy is an instructional program for middle and high school educators designed to promote health career advocacy. This Academy provides instructional tools and information educators can utilize when working with students who are interested in health care careers. By providing current information and activities designed to increase support for health career guidance and advice to students, the Teach-the-Teacher Academy empowers teachers, counselors, and the career development facilitators to guide students’ decision making and career planning. Activities include:

• Shadowing a variety of health care providers in area health care settings.
• Receiving basic information regarding requirements for health care careers. including prerequisites for college, personality traits needed, employment areas, levels of education and training needed, duties of specialty areas and job outlook.
• Interacting with other subject teachers.
  

To apply online for one of the 2008 Teach-the-Teacher Academy sessions, click here or download a registration brochure here.

Publications & Resources