SEAHEC Receives NAO “Excellence for Community Programs” Award

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SEAHEC Healthy Farms CHWs bring asthma, lead education to their community

The National AHEC Organization (NAO) Center of Excellence for Community Programs has awarded the Southeast Arizona Area Health Education Center’s Healthy Farms program for our work with the Winchester Heights community in northern Cochise County. NAO recognized SEAHEC for our unique model of community development that incorporates training for health professions students into a community health worker driven model for improving rural health and safety in marginalized communities. The Healthy Farms program hosts students and helps them conduct health related community service projects which provide much needed expertise to community health workers and their neighbors who are trying to solve persistent public health issues, often with no funding or infrastructure. Continue reading

SEAHEC Recognized for Inspiring Rural Health Program

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Healthy Farms CHWs Certify in CPR

On Thursday Aug 1, 2019 the Arizona Rural Health Association recognized SEAHEC’s Healthy Farms Program for our work with the Winchester Heights community. SEAHEC Executive Director Gail Emrick accepted the award at the Arizona Rural Health Conference in Flagstaff.

SEAHEC has developed a community health worker driven development model that can be adapted by other rural border communities. Public health outcomes are closely linked to infrastructure.  People who live in substandard housing with old plumbing are likely to face health risks, such as contaminated drinking water, or life threatening fires. If communities have no space for assembly, or a mechanism for managing resources, the likelihood of developing public health supporting infrastructure is slim. By helping people establish key infrastructure that fosters civic engagement, communities can gain the  momentum they need overcome long standing barriers to health and safety. 

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AHEC Scholars Program Gathers Speed in Arizona, Nationally

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2020 AHEC Scholars Mariana Felix & Francisco Javier Romo

“Participating as a “SEAHEC Scholar” was one of the highlights of my graduate experience! I got to do hands-on, real-world work with students from many different health disciplines, as well as SEAHEC staff, local experts, and high school youth. SEAHEC taught us that when different health professions pool their expertise, they can tackle a problem from multiple angles at once – this can be a powerful strategy for improving community health. Health is definitely a team sport, and it was such a privilege to work and learn with this team!”

Micaela de la Rosa, MPH / MPA student, University of Arizona Continue reading