Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce
Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
The Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW) is dedicated to strengthening
Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æâ€™s health workforce, with a focus on rural communities and addressing workforce
shortages. The Center oversees various programs, including the Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ Area Health
Education Centers (AHEC), which operate through six regional community-based centers
across the state. As part of the Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ's role as the state's
health campus, the Center supports health program planning, community partnerships,
and intercampus collaboration. It provides a statewide framework to support health
workforce development, from career exploration and training to continuing education.
In May 2026, the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (CAAS) proudly co-sponsored the Pathways to Recovery Conference hosted by the State of Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æâ€™s Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention (OSMAP).
Monica Roe has built a remarkable career that bridges rural health care and children’s literature, drawing on her decade of experience as a physical therapist in remote Âé¶¹ÎÞÂë°æ. Now completing her Master of Public Health at UAA, she explores disability, community resilience, and access through both research and storytelling. Her journey highlights the power of curiosity, mentorship, and embracing unexpected opportunities.
Tara Schmidt is an alumna of the Division of Population Health Sciences Master of Public Health program. In this spotlight, she reflects on how her time at UAA shaped her career path—from the relationships that opened doors and guided her forward to the unexpected milestones.
Division of Population Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Britteny Howell recently published two new studies that investigates the relationship between aging and mental health. Her research seeks to explore gaps in existing literature about how the experience of aging is shape by factors like social context, culture, activities, beliefs, environment, and more.