Charlotte AHEC Scholars Program

About AHEC Scholars

As part of the NC AHEC Scholars program, the Charlotte AHEC Scholars Program recruits, trains, and supports a diverse group of students enrolled in health professions programs across an 8 county region (Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Union) in North Carolina. Together these students create an interdisciplinary team of health professionals devoted to the transformation of health care in North Carolina. We seek individuals who are committed to improving health and health care, devoted to community service, and interested in improving their own skills and in working with other professionals in team-based care.

With an emphasis on underrepresented minorities, rural, and first-generation college students, the Charlotte AHEC Scholars Program aims to improve the diversity and distribution of all health professions and support health systems transformation across the state. Each class of Charlotte AHEC Scholars represents a variety of health professions and institutions across the Charlotte AHEC Region.

Selected applicants participate in a 2-year educational program and may receive an $2,000 travel expense subsidy ($1,000 per year, subject to academic or institutional approval). Each AHEC Scholar will receive a NC AHEC Scholars Certificate, setting them apart from other students in an increasingly competitive environment. Selected scholars will meet students and faculty from academic institutions throughout the region and state. Scholars will be a part of a network of healthcare leaders and students, creating an invaluable opportunity to expand their network and support future career goals.

Scholars will participate in both experiential and didactic learning opportunities that will explore topics such as:

Interprofessional Education
Behavioral Health Integration
Social Determinants of Health
Cultural Competency
Practice Transformation
Current and Emerging Health Issues

Program Eligibility

Must be currently enrolled in a college-level health professions education training program in Charlotte AHEC Region by August 31
Reliable access to Wi-Fi
Must have access to reliable transportation
Eligible to work inside the United States

Scholar Responsibilities

Must be committed to the AHEC Scholars Program for a total of 2 years.
Complete 40 hours of didactic training each year of the program.
Complete 40 hours of experiential training each year of the program.
Must complete all required assignments.
Scholars are expected to attend the following dates for didactic instruction:
2023–2024 Didactic Instruction Schedule In Person
- September 16, 2023
- October 21, 2023
- November 18, 2023
- February 16 - 18, 2024 (NC AHEC Scholars Symposium)
- March 16, 2024
Experiential learning will occur in Spring of each year

Benefits

Scholars will receive $2,000 allowance ($1,000 per year) to offset expenses.
Scholars will have opportunities to engage and network with thought leaders in health administration, public health, medicine, academia, etc.
Scholars will be better positioned to work with diverse patients in rural and/or underserved communities.
Network with like-minded students that want to make a difference in healthcare.

Must be currently enrolled in a college-level health professions education training program in Charlotte AHEC Region by August 31

Click Here for a List of Accepted Programs for the NC AHEC Scholars Program

2023 AHEC Scholars Application
A completed application will include the following materials:
- AHEC Scholars Application
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Copy of Official Transcript (Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will accept an unofficial transcript at this time. However, an official transcript could be requested prior to acceptance)
- Additional information may be required upon selection such as:
  - Background Check to be completed by Charlotte AHEC
  - Immunization Records Upon Selection (Mandatory for clinical learning)
  - All students, including students in fully online programs, are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they do not receive a medical or religious exemption
Application Deadline: May 31, 2023

Important Dates for Applicants

Deadline: May 31, 2023
Notification of Acceptance: August 1, 2023
Orientation: September 16, 2023

Liberty Anderson: NC A&T State University; Nursing
Phillip Bell: Wingate University School of Pharmacy; Pharmacy
Matthew Brown: Queens University of Charlotte; Nursing
Myla Cunningham: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Health Systems Management
Dabreon Davis: Queens University of Charlotte; Public Health
Emily Dickinson: Pfeiffer University; Physician Assistant
Claire Dundon: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Master of Health Administration
Sarah Anne Hart: Wingate University; Occupational Therapy
Lisa Insixiengmay: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Health Systems Management
Keira Isom: Wingate University School of Pharmacy; Pharmacy
Juan Sebastian Marin: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Public Health
Kira Martin: Wingate University School of Pharmacy; Pharmacy
Kade McCulloch: Davidson College; Public Health
Haley Minier: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Public Health
Morgan Pate: University of North Carolina Charlotte; Master of Health Administration
Madison Pavlovsky: Queens University; Health Science - Bioscience
Savanah Perrini: Wingate University; Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Quentin Powell: Spalding University; Doctor in Social Work
Alisha Woodside: Wingate University; Occupational Therapy

Michelle Boyd, MS, CSSGB, CDP: Director, Health Careers, Diversity & Quality Education; Charlotte AHEC; michelle.boyd@AtriumHealth.org
Paulina Crass, BA, CSSGB: Education Specialist; Charlotte AHEC; Paulina.Crass@AtriumHealth.org
Joann Spaleta, FACHE, CDP, MBA, MHA: Executive Director, Charlotte AHEC; Assistant Vice President, Atrium Health; Joann.Spaleta@AtriumHealth.org

Apryl A. Alexander, Psy.D.: Metrolina Distinguished Scholar of Health & Public Policy
Associate Professor; Department of Public Health Sciences | UNC Charlotte
Jasmine Ballard: Director – Administrative, Levine Cancer Institute; Atrium Health
Shawana Burnette: Nurse Manager; Atrium Health
Manuel Campbell: Clinic Director of Levine Children's Specialty Centers; Atrium Health
Lisa Dinkins, PharmD, BCACP: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Associate Professor of Pharmacy; Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Lienne Edwards, PhD, RN: Associate Profesor Emeritus; UNCC School of Nursing
Andrea Ellis, MHA: Senior Project Manager, Integration Management Office; Atrium Health
Vicki Gardin, PharmD: Network Clinical Pharmacist; Atrium Health
Brandon F. Jones, PharmD, MBA: Pharmacist; Atrium Health
Patricia Koplas: PT and Health Advisor; Queens University of Charlotte
Karen Linyard, DBA, MBA, LPN: Project Manager, Operations Performance Improvement; Atrium Health Medical Group
Vondra Love: Senior HR Consultant; Atrium Health
Andrea Phronebarger: Professor; Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Layla McCall Stafford, PT, DPT, M.Ed, ATC, LAT: Physical Therapist; Atrium Health at Home University City
Lynn Sanders MSN, RN, OCN, NE-BC: Administrative Director, Department of Hematology, LCI Bone Marrow Transplant Administration; Atrium Health
Michael Thompson, MS, DrPH: Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences
Director, MHA Program
Acting Director, Academy for Population Health Innovation; UNC Charlotte
Naomi West, PharmD, MBA: Assistant Vice President; Atrium Health
Sheila Wright, MSN, RN: Coordinator Mecklenburg/York Counties Faith Community Health Ministry; Atrium Health