The Iowa AHEC Program is a network of five regional area health education centers focused on improving the quality and availability of healthcare in Iowa’s rural and underserved areas. Each regional AHEC is established locally and designed to address and respond to the healthcare needs and individual challenges of the local community. The mission of the Iowa AHEC Program is to enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through community and academic educational partnerships.

What We Do

Area health education centers develop programming specific to the needs of their service areas in order to address regional health issues and increase workforce. They accomplish this by organizing activities   to foster student interest in health careers, setting up clinical experiences in rural and underserved areas for health professions students, and offering continuing education courses to practicing health professionals. To find out more about what AHEC can do for you, contact the regional center in your area.

Who We Serve

Iowa is served by five regional AHEC programs, all coordinated through the University of Iowa program office.

• Central Iowa AHEC – In partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Central Iowa AHEC serves eight counties.
• Northeast Iowa AHEC – Based out of Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Northeast Iowa AHEC covers a 25-county area.
• Northwest Iowa AHEC – Located at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, IA, Northwest Iowa AHEC serves 23 counties.
• Southeast Iowa AHEC – Serves 18 counties across the state; regional office location will be established in 2013.
• Southwest Iowa AHEC – Serves 25 counties across the state; regional office location will be established in 2013.