The Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC)

09/05/2025

CNYAHEC invites you to a free, in-person, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification Training for Older Adults. MHFA is an evidence-based training program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that teaches individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.

📍 Location: 2877 County Route 17 Williamstown, NY 13493

📅 Date(s): W. 10/1/25, Th.10/2/25
*Must attend both dates*

🕒 Time: 8:00am - 12:30pm

🥪 Free Lunch & Refreshments! ☕

This immersive and inclusive workshop is perfect for healthcare professionals, educators, community advocates, and human service workers..

What You’ll Gain:

✔️ Expanded knowledge of the signs, symptoms, & risk factors of mental and behavioral health challenges.

✔️ Identify appropriate professionals and self-help resources.

✔️ Increase confidence in & likelihood to help an individual in distress.

✔️ Increased mental wellbeing.

🔗 Reserve your spot now – space is limited!

09/02/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Anna Mann!

Anna Mann is from Gibson Island, MD originally. She grew up in a culturally diverse home with parents from The Netherlands and Peru. Ever since high school She has been interested in public and global health. Since then, Anna received a BS in Biology and Latin American, Latino & Iberian Studies from the University of Richmond. She is currently pursuing a combined MD/MPH degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University. In conjunction with my degree, she has a micro credential from The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST) and continue to explore her passions for public health, rural health, and reproductive health. She has done global health work in Peru, Ecuador, and Thailand and hopes to continue this in her future career. In the greater Syracuse area, Anna has worked closely with the Rahma Free Health Clinic, Eastern Farm Workers Association, Upstate outpatient pharmacy services, and The Nappi Center for International Health. Her current research and interests include yoga and mindfulness, reproductive health and justice, chronic pelvic pain, substance use disorder and harm reduction in the ED setting and beyond, and rural and underserved access to and utilization of medications.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

09/02/2025

Join us for a FREE health webinar on Literacy: A Pillar of Public Health 🔹

📅 Wednesday, September 10th | 12:00 PM EST
🎙️ Presented by Tarja Parssinen & Andy Aligne, MD
🩺 Earn Free CE Credits

Gain valuable insights on the importance of literacy as a social determinant of health.

📍 Register now: https://conta.cc/4p3fkvx

Want to sign up for all the webinars in the "Building Better Health" series? Follow this link! https://conta.cc/4oY4mHz

Join 70M+ creators and sell, share & curate everything you do online. One bio link—your Linktree—brings it all together for your audience.

08/28/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Kristin Ratliff!

Kristin Ratliff is a third-year medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She grew up in Cooperstown, NY and attended Amherst College where she majored in mathematics. After college, Kristin worked in clinical research and special education. She is interested in pursuing pediatrics after graduating medical school.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

08/27/2025

Join us this Sunday for
International Overdose Awareness Day!
🗓 Sunday, August 31, 2025 • 3–6 PM EDT
📍 Neighborhood Transformation Center, 314 West Church Street, Elmira, NY

Join us for an afternoon of:
-Free Narcan training
-Overdose education
-Local harm reduction resources
-A memorial space for reflection
-Music, art & storytelling
-Light refreshments

Follow this link to learn more: https://conta.cc/4fToOFs

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we gather in Elmira—and around the world—as one big family to take action.

08/27/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Rachel Milone!

Rachel Milone is a third-year medical student at Upstate Medical University committed to becoming a primary care physician serving underserved and marginalized communities. Originally from the North Country region, she is passionate about rural health, addiction medicine, and addressing social determinants of health through preventative care and public health leadership.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

08/25/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Jason Oppong!

Jason Oppong is a P4 pharmacy student at Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Although he is still considering his options post pharmacy school, he knows that he wants to pursue either a residency or a fellowship. Throughout his time in pharmacy school, Jason was a pharmacy intern at both Rite Aid and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Both of these internships allowed him to build upon his retail and hospital experiences.

He is truly grateful to have gotten to be an AHEC Scholar because it was through this program that he was really able to understand the different circumstances and situations patients may be dealing with that we don't always think about. Because of this, he knows that whatever path I take within pharmacy, his one goal is to be a trusted healthcare professional who supports all his patients as best as he can, whether that is directly or indirectly.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

08/22/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Abigail Elkins!

Abigail Elkins is a Physician Assistant who recently graduated from Le Moyne College with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She has accepted a position in Emergency Medicine, where she will begin her clinical career providing care in high-acuity, fast-paced settings.

Driven by a strong commitment to improving healthcare access in underserved areas, Abigail has a particular interest in rural medicine. Her goal is to combine her training in emergency care with a broader mission of addressing health disparities in rural communities. She brings to her practice a dedication to culturally competent care, including conversational Spanish skills that help her connect with diverse patient populations.

As a recipient of a rural health scholarship, She is eager to contribute meaningfully to the communities she serves — not only by delivering high-quality care but also by advocating for long-term health equity and sustainability in rural healthcare systems

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

08/21/2025

It was a pleasure to host this MASH Camp with Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center, Inc.. and St. James Hospital!

08/21/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Hunter Dean!

Hunter Dean is currently a medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University. He grew up in Canton, NY where Hunter worked as an EMT for Canton Fire and Rescue for 5 years. During this same time, he attended St. Lawrence University majoring in biochemistry and working for the collegiate EMS system as well and eventually was the director of the program. He is interested in pursuing a career as an emergency medicine physician after graduating medical school and am planning on practicing in a rural area similar to where he was raised.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/

08/20/2025

The NYS AHEC webinar series is back!

This seasons theme is "Building Better Health" Keep your eyes out on our free upcoming trainings. Follow this link to sign up early! https://linktr.ee/AHECeducate_NY

08/20/2025

✨ As we close out another incredible year of the AHEC Scholars program, we’re excited to spotlight the amazing individuals who have completed their journey with us!

🩺 Today’s feature: Meghan K. Muñoz!

Megan is a graduate of the Physician Assistant program at Le Moyne College, where she has completed diverse clinical rotations with a particular interest in emergency medicine and surgical care. She is passionate about evidence-based practice, patient education, and advocating for accessible, high-quality healthcare. Meghan will be starting her career as a Physician Assistant in orthopedic trauma surgery at Upstate University Hospital in October 2025.

Want to learn more about what it means to be an AHEC Scholar? 👉 https://cnyahec.org/ahec-scholars-new/