Pathways
One of our goals is to expand the pathway of students entering the healthcare professions. Our programs are designed to spark interest, deepen understanding, and inspire students to pursue these vital careers, shaping a stronger and more representative healthcare workforce.
​
High school Pathway Programs range from afterschool programs to research opportunities to summer camps, and are open to students in Erie and Niagara Counties. We also offer custom programming based on student or school needs.
​
The College and Graduate level Pathway Programs consist of hotspotting teams, community-based rotations for health profession students, and internships. These programs connect aspiring healthcare professionals with real-world opportunities, bridging the gap between education and meaningful careers.
"Erie Niagara AHEC has helped me solidify what I want to pursue as a career. From visiting research labs to understanding how medical school works, my love for the healthcare field has grown immensely. I appreciate everything this opportunity has brought forth."
Muhsinah, Pathways and AHEC Scholars Participant
"I believe that this program is sculpting me to be the type of health professional I want to become. It has given me real-world experience in engaging patients and how to go about providing effective intervention."
Kofi, AHEC Scholar
AHEC Scholars
The NYS AHEC Scholars Program is a two-year, interdisciplinary hot-spotting program in which a group of health profession students work with high-cost, high-needs patients to address their social and health obstacles. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, and more!
Now recruiting for Cohort 7
Must be enrolled in an allied health professions program and be graduating in 2026.
Note: You MUST have a 300-600 word Personal Statement and a Letter of Recommendation at the time of applying.
​
(The contact information of your Recommender will be accepted if you do not have the Letter of Recommendation.)
SEPA
Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center works with the Metagenomics Education Partnership and the University at Buffalo to provide health career exposure activities to high school students participating in the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program.
Through this program, high school science teachers are trained and work with their students to sequence the genetic composition of microbial communities found in our local waterways. This project promotes the role of genomics education in workforce development!
PATCH
The Providers and Teens Communicating for Health (PATCH) program strives to bring youth voices into important adolescent health conversations while providing the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to be drivers of change in their community. THEY are the ones who can provide authentic insight into the concerns, ideas, and preferences of their generation. Our Teen Educators facilitate workshops for fellow teens and healthcare providers in pursuit of this goal.
​
Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center is the Site Coordinator of PATCH for HOPE Buffalo. For questions or to schedule a workshop, contact ohorton@en-ahec.org
EMIM
The Empowering & Mentoring in Medicine (EMIM) program offers a 6-week immersive curriculum to explore advanced careers in healthcare. Through admissions planning, career discovery, shadowing experiences, building tours, and interactive activities, participants gain valuable insights and hands-on exposure to the medical field. Focused on rising Juniors and Seniors, EMIM is designed to inspire and equip future healthcare providers, this program helps high school students take meaningful steps toward their goals.
SWAG
Students With Academic Goals (SWAG) is an 8-week pathways program for junior and senior high school student-athletes interested in pursuing careers in medicine, healthcare, and wellness. SWAG provides students with meaningful skill-building experiences through sessions including, but not limited to, careers in sports medicine, harm reduction training, CPR & basic first aid, mental health awareness, and healthy relationships. Student-athletes also cultivate essential character traits such as self-confidence, resilience, dedication, and effective time management.
