Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce
Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
The Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW) is dedicated to strengthening
Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s health workforce, with a focus on rural communities and addressing workforce
shortages. The Center oversees various programs, including the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Area Health
Education Centers (AHEC), which operate through six regional community-based centers
across the state. As part of the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°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.
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 Â鶹ÎÞÂë°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.
In January 2026, students from the College of Health showcased their public health research at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Public Health Association Summit’s annual poster session. Their projects spanned topics ranging from food security to environmental contamination, contributing valuable insights that help shape the evolving conversation around Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s public health landscape.
Almost half of UAA students have experienced food insecurity. UAA offers several resources to combat hunger and food insecurity, including the Seawolf Food Pantry, which supplies non-perishable foods, as well as three-day emergency food support.
