South Piedmont AHEC Health Careers Impact

The South Piedmont AHEC Difference

Where are They Now?

As part of our mission to improve the geographic distribution, retention, and quality of health care providers throughout the state, South Piedmont AHEC develops initiatives that introduce pre-college youth and more recently college students to the vast array of health care professions. We have been actively engaged in this work since 1996 and would like to share a few updates on the students that have matriculated through our program.

Feature Stories

Christiana Ajewole
Position:
PGY 3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident
Boston Medical Center
College:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Wake Forest School of Medicine (post baccalaureate)
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
High School:
Garinger High School
Charlotte, NC

Impact: South Piedmont HEROES exposed me to the breadth and depth of the medical field and helped me to hone in on the aspect of health care I wanted to focus on. It was also instrumental in showing me different types of higher education and see black and brown students achieving at the university level. It has also allowed me to give back to my community and mentor those who are interested in health careers.

Alicia Collins
Position:
Registered Nurse
Atrium Health
College:
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Carolinas College of Health Sciences, Charlotte, NC
High School:
Hawthorne High School
Charlotte, NC

Impact: South Piedmont AHEC HEROES was my first real glimpse into the amazing world of healthcare...just as a student. Through this program, I was able to learn about many different avenues one can take into a healthcare career.

The connections I made years ago while in the program helped me to confidently take the first step to obtaining a healthcare position and still help me to thrive in my dream role.

Sophie Holiday
Position:
Health Physicist
Medical Safety and Events Assessment Branch
Division of Materials Safety, Security, State and Tribal Programs
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
College:
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC
High School:
West Charlotte Senior High School
Charlotte, NC

Impact: The South Piedmont AHEC HEROES Program provided me with the opportunity to learn about various medical professions.

I dreamt of becoming a cardiologist, which morphed into a nuclear cardiologist, but soon discovered that sharp objects (needles) were not my forte. If it had not been for this program, I never would have considered pursuing a non-practicing (physician) profession that still allowed me to maintain my level of love and interest for the medical field. The program also connected me with the SEMS/SHOTS program held at NC A&T University in 2007, where I would eventually marry the love of my life.

Zaneta Harris, RN
Position:
Registered Nurse
Cone Health
Instructor
UNC Greensboro
College:
Gardner-Webb
Boiling Springs, NC
High School:
Victory Christian Center
Charlotte, NC

Impact: The South Piedmont AHEC program has had a positive impact on my decision to work in the Healthcare field.

By providing opportunities for exposure to different career availabilities to having Project Uplift at Chapel Hill so we could get a glimpse of life as a Collegiate student the program always strived to cause us to dream big and aim even higher. I am thankful for the ability to participate in the South Piedmont AHEC program and my families involvement in making a dream a reality.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Have an Impact Story?

We want to hear from you. Have you or your child participated in one or more of our programs and want to give us an update? If so, email the program director, Michelle Boyd, at michelle.boyd@atriumhealth.org