“Participating in the AHEC Scholars program has been both a rewarding and educational experience. I look forward to our monthly meetings because it's a time where we learn and discuss current, real life issues that are going on in our community. Over the past year I've also had the opportunity to work with the opioid response team at AHEC. I am forever grateful for this opportunity because I've broadened my knowledge on the opioid crisis and what we, as health care providers, can do to promote harm reduction in those with opioid use disorders. I look forward to implementing the things I've learned into my practice as a future OBGYN to better care for pregnant women with opioid use disorders.”

"Being an AHEC Scholar has simply been an amazing experience. The projects that we get to be a part of really allowed me to interact with many professionals and people from different communities. The Opioid Education project was amazing as it allowed me to work with a diverse group of people to present to the youth of the counties that we work with and educate them on the reality of the Opioid Epidemic in the US while allowing me to learn more about their communities. Everyone that I have met through the program has left a mark on me and, as an international student, being able to have this experience will most certainly help shape the way that I work, understand and interact with the American population as a physician and as a person."

"Becoming a part of AHEC I have become more aware of the challenges a lot of patients face when trying to access health care. This has allowed me to be more culturally sensitive and competent and to effectively communicate with patients at the level they feel comfortable with. Being educated on these topics is crucial to eliminate the health care disparities faced by many ethnic and racial groups and to increase favorable outcomes."

“I am so thankful for being a part of the AHEC Scholars program because it has supplemented my education on issues faced by medically disadvantaged communities, given me access to resources to better serve patients that I can share with colleagues, and connected me with other students at neighboring schools that equally value this opportunity and are invigorated to make changes to make healthcare more equitable for all.”