Student part of statewide healthcare initiative

RANDOLPH - A Randolph student graduated as part of a national initiative to prepare health profession students to serve in rural and urban underserved areas.

Caitlin Lemmons, Randolph, graduated from the Nebraska Area Health Education Center Scholars Program through the College Of Pharmacy.

She is one of 50 other students who took part in the two-year program.

The 2023 class of AHEC Scholars includes health professions students in dentistry, nursing, paramedic, pharmacy, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, physician assistant, medicine, radiologic technology and speech therapy. The graduates represent health profession programs at Central Community College, Northeast Community College, Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology, Southeast Community College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Western Nebraska Community College.

During the two-year program, students engaged with a variety of health professionals, community leaders and potential employers.

They gained insight into health care issues, cultural and environmental factors, and community resources in Nebraska to better understand future patients and communities they will serve.

The AHEC Scholars Program is a part of the Nebraska AHEC Program, which is based in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine.

The program is designed to continue working with rural and underserved communities across the state through five AHEC centers.