The AHEC Preceptorship Program is sponsored by the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program and is open to M1 and M2 students during their summer break. All students enrolled in the Rural Loan Scholarship Program are required to do one Rural Preceptorship as part of their curriculum. A class meeting is held in early January to distribute the Rural Preceptorship guidelines. In the meantime, talk to the current M2 and M3's about their experiences with a Rural Preceptorship, the physician they worked with, and the community. These are 4-week Family Medicine Preceptorships for M1 students with M2's selecting a 2, 3 or 4-week preceptorship. M1 students may also elect an 8-week Service Learning Preceptorship, which combines learning about clinical practice while working on a health-related project in the community. Each student receives a stipend of $400 per week. Housing and meals may be available at some sites. M1 and M2 students may also choose to serve as Assistant Directors for an AHEC-sponsored M*A*S*H or CHAMPS summer Program. For more information or if you have questions about either preceptorship program or M*A*S*H or CHAMPS Assistant Director Program, please contact the AHEC Office at 501-686-5260.

The AHEC in conjunction with the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (DFPM) provides the required Family Medicine Clerkship. Between 80-85% of the junior students are assigned to an AHEC in El Dorado, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, Texarkana, Pine Bluff or Fort Smith for this experience. The clerkship focuses on the outpatient management of medical problems commonly encountered by family physicians. Information about the clerkship can be found on the DFPM website.

AHECs offer Electives, Primary Care Selectives and Acting Internships for senior medical students. The AHEC electives augment the existing UAMS medical education experience by providing students an opportunity to observe and participate in various aspects of private practice as it exists in a community and private hospital setting. Information about the available rotations may be found on the UAMS College of Medicine website. Visiting students who are matriculating at an LCME accredited medical school or a school of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and who are actively progressing toward an M.D. or D.O. degree at that school are eligible to participate in AHEC rotations.  Guidelines for prospective visiting medical students are on the COM website. 

If you have questions about medical student programs, please contact the Education and Training Division at 501-686-5260.