Draft:Piedmont AHEC

The  Piedmont AHEC (Area Health Education Center) is one of nine North Carolina AHEC regional centers and part of The National AHEC Program. The Piedmont AHEC serves healthcare professionals in N.C. in an eight-county region, including Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Montgomery, Orange, Randolph, and Rockingham, by providing information resources to both practicing healthcare professionals and students.

The Piedmont AHEC provides educational programs and information services targeted toward the following:
 * Improving the distribution and retention of healthcare providers, with a particular emphasis on primary care and prevention
 * Improving the diversity and cultural competence of the healthcare workforce in all health disciplines
 * Enhancing the quality of care and improving healthcare outcomes
 * Addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities and populations

Mission
The mission of Piedmont AHEC is to provide and support educational activities and services focusing on primary care in rural communities and those with less access to resources - to "Recruit, Train, and Retain" the workforce needed to create a healthier North Carolina.

History
In 1971, Congress funded the development of the AHEC system as a national strategy to improve the supply, distribution, retention, and quality of primary care and other health practitioners in medically under-served areas.

On July 1, 1974, Greensboro AHEC was established as part of the federally-funded Area Health Education Centers Program. It was founded at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital through an affiliation with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, serving six counties (Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, and Montgomery). Leonard James Rabold, MD, was appointed the first director on November 1, 1974.

In 1992, Orange and Chatham counties were added to the Greensboro AHEC region.

In the News
December 30, 2020 - Fellowship Enhances Training for Advanced Practice Providers

April 10, 2022 - John Edward Jenkins, MD, and Dereck DeLeon, M.D.: School-based virtual clinics offer innovative solutions in our Schools

July 25, 2022 - HPU’s Nursing Program Awarded Grant to Treat Underserved Communities

November 9, 2022 - Elon School of Health Sciences hosts experiential learning activity on treating cardiovascular conditions

February 1, 2023 - the name changed from Greensboro AHEC to Piedmont AHEC to reflect the eight-county regions being served.

March 2, 2023 - N.C. A&T, Cone Health Bolster Education, Research, Workforce Development Collaborations

N.C. A&T and Cone Health expand existing partnership for clinical education, research, and workforce development