Health Careers Programs

The Upstate AHEC Health Careers Program (formerly the Student Development & Diversity Program) works to increase the number of students entering the health professions in South Carolina. Emphasis is placed on underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students in order to address the current disparities in our state’s health professions workforce and in the health status of the populations we serve.

Activities offered through Upstate AHEC’s Health Careers Program are designed to develop culturally competent, resilient, academically proficient and self-confident future health care leaders.

For further information please contact LaToya Dodson, Health Careers Program Coordinator.

AHEC ALUMNI NEEDED

Upstate AHEC is looking for past members of its student programs. If you’ve ever participated in the South Carolina Association of Future Health Professionals, the AHEC Student Development and Diversity Program (SDDP), the Health Careers Academy (HCA) or any other healthcare career club in high school or college, we want to hear about it.

HCP OPPORTUNITIES

Health Careers Academy (HCA)
Upstate AHEC’s Health Careers Academy (HCA) is a four year, interactive, academic based program designed to encourage and prepare high school students to enter health careers.

South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Summer Institute
The Summer Institute provides a four day residential opportunity for high school and college students interested in a health professions career.  The annual Institute experience takes place on a college campus, the site is rotated yearly between AHEC Center regions.

South Carolina AHEC Future Health Professionals Academy
The annual Future Health Professionals Academy is a one week summer program designed to better prepare minority and disadvantaged students for acceptance into South Carolina nursing and dental training programs.

Annual Biomedical Symposium
Each year, AHEC collaborates with the Minority Health Professions Foundation to enable a select group of Upstate students to attend the Annual Biomedical Symposium. For three days, Symposium participants attend sessions and go on tours related to health career topics, participate in discussions with world-renowned health professionals, and network with students from around the country. Past Symposiums have been held in Atlanta, Houston and Orlando.