History of DC AHEC

DC Area Health Education Center (DC AHEC) was created in 1999 as a partnership between a community-based advocacy and policy organization and four area academic health centers. It was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, through a grant for Basic/Core AHEC Programs. 

The impetus behind the founding of DC AHEC was driven by a shortage of culturally competent and responsive health care professionals, which was contributing to some of the nation’s lowest health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations in Washington, DC.

Our mission then, as it is now, is to improve the health status of disadvantaged residents in the District of Columbia through the spirit of effective partnerships and collaborations.

Today, we are a community-based, community-driven health action organization serving DC's medically vulnerable residents.

DC AHEC serves as a bridge between the community and the health care delivery system. We believe that consumers should be the drivers of the health care system, and as such, we work to empower residents to be fully involved in improving their health status. DC AHEC is recognized for our work in empowering residents in communities across the city. We continuously work on building our base of strategic collaborations at all levels.

We are committed to:

• Strengthening the health care workforce by broadening youth access to educational opportunities that foster and interest in health care professions
• Expanding opportunities to teach health care access and navigation through various interactive models
• Advancing and developing community-based partnerships that transform the quality of primary and preventive care