The Education and Training Division of the Center for Rural Health, in conjunction with the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, supports the six AHEC Family Medicine Residency Programs. The fully accredited AHEC residency programs help to improve the supply and distribution of family physicians throughout the state by providing high quality community-based training.   

In the summer between the freshmen and sophomore years of school, UAMS medical students may elect to complete a 4-week family medicine preceptorship  or an 8-week service learning preceptorship coordinated by the AHEC Program. Family physicians from communities all across the state volunteer each summer to provide one of the first clinical training opportunities for students. Sophomore students may also apply for a special 2-week preceptorship coordinated by the AHEC Pine Bluff in association with its affiliated hospital, Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

Along with the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (DFPM), the AHEC residency programs serve as sites for a required 4-week family medicine clerkship for UAMS medical students, which focuses on the outpatient management of medical problems commonly encountered by family physicians. Senior medical students from UAMS and other LCME-accredited schools may elect to complete rotations through the AHEC programs including Primary Care Selectives, Acting Internships and a number of elective rotations in all primary care specialties and most medical subspecialties.

The AHEC Program, along with Arkansas Farm Bureau, sponsors the UAMS Rural Medicine Student Leadership Association (RMSLA). The students in RMSLA are committed to future rural practice in a primary care specialty. RMSLA provides educational sessions on topics related to the students’ future goals to prepare and support them during medical school. The UAMS Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) is also sponsored by the AHEC in conjunction with the DFPM and the Arkansas Academy of Family Physicians.  

Rotations may also be arranged for students from the UAMS Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing. AHECs also offer accredited programs or clinical practicum in several health related professions. Distance education in Radiologic Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Information Management, Respiratory Care, Medical Technology, Nuclear Medicine and Dental Hygiene is available through the AHEC program at various locations around the state.

In order to generate interest in health careers, the AHEC sponsors the Medical Application of Science for Health (M*A*S*H) Program for senior high school students and the Community Health Applied to Medical Public Service (CHAMPS) Program for junior high school students. 

Contact the Education and Training Division of the Center for Rural Health for more information about these programs.