About Us

Welcome to Area L AHEC

OUR MISSION

To meet the health and health workforce needs of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties by providing educational programs and services that bridge academic institutions and communities to improve the health of the people of North Carolina with a focus on underserved populations.

Our vision

To lead the transformation of healthcare education and services in our region.

Our Core Values

Collaboration

Integrity

Quality

Innovation

OUR HISTORY

North Carolina was the first AHEC Program in the United States.  The North Carolina AHEC Program evolved from national and state concerns with the supply, distribution, retention and quality of health professionals.  In 1970, a report from the Carnegie Commission recommended the development of a nationwide system of Area Health Education Centers.  The AHEC program was developed by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to under-served populations. The North Carolina program began in 1972 with three AHEC regions under a federal AHEC contract with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.  Area L AHEC in Rocky Mount, North Carolina was one of the original three.  By 1975, a total of nine AHECs were operational in North Carolina.

OUR ORGANIZATION

Area L AHEC is governed by a fifteen-member Board of Trustees representing the area consortium hospitals and counties. The president of Area L AHEC serves as the Board’s management leader and chief executive officer.  Area leaders serve on a regional advisory committee and meet with the AHEC Board and president to address healthcare issues. The regional education bases for Area L AHEC are ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount, and Wilson Medical Center in Wilson.