Alabama high school students explore medical careers at UAB

A local health education nonprofit educates high school students on professional opportunities within rural health care.

rnicuThe University of Alabama at Birmingham is partnering with the East Central Alabama Area Health Education Center to provide high school students from seven counties with an in-depth look into health care professions.

The 32 high school students participating in the first annual Health and Education Training Summer Program will tour the UAB School of Dentistry, Women and Infants Center, and School of Health Professions on Friday, June 17.

Students will take an in-depth look at career paths in the health care industry that range from certificate programs to doctoral programs, including nursing, radiologic technologist, primary care, dentistry, physical therapy and many more.

UAB family nurse practitioner students, Deanna Jackson, Elizabeth Fuller Sanders, Tim Watkins and Allison Jacobs, volunteered throughout the week as part of their scholarly project.

The AHEC focuses on enhancing access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals through community/academic educational partnerships. The enrichment program educates students on the career opportunities for health care professionals in rural settings and the advantages of pursuing jobs in rural areas in Alabama.

  • June 17