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.
FEATURED PROJECTS & PROGRAMS
NEWS & Stories
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.
Dr. Corrie Whitmore, an associate professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences, and her team at UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services are celebrating the recent publication of a new article. The paper, which was published in the Dec. 2025 issue of Nursing for Women’s Health, offers a framework and actionable strategies for nurses to improve communication and patient experience in discussions around substance use and contraception.
School of Social Work Assistant Professor Amana Mbise and ISER Research Assistant Professor Nathan West are exploring the relationships that Black barbershops play in men's health. Their community-based research prioritizes the lived experiences of the men they talk to, and is revealing how barbershops function not just as grooming spaces, but as social and cultural hubs.
Philippe Amstislavski, a scientist with a passion for sustainable innovation, is pioneering the use of mycelium insulation to help Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s remote communities combat extreme cold and climate change.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us:
Fax: (907) 786-6573
Email: uaa_ahec@alaska.edu
UAA Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce
1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 250
Anchorage, AK 99508
Mailing Address:
UAA Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce
3211 Providence Drive, BOC3-250
Anchorage, AK 99508
