Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center

11/20/2025

When you explore rural communities across our region, you'll find the heart and soul of Southwest Louisiana. But we can't take these communities for granted - especially when it comes to healthcare.

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, we are especially grateful for the Louisiana Rural Health Association, the Louisiana Primary Care Association and other stakeholders working to bring care to our rural communities.

At SWLAHEC, we are working to strengthen and sustain SWLA's healthcare workforce so that these rural communities can thrive long into the future. So, whether you live in Leesville or Lake Arthur (or any of the dozens of small towns in between), know that SWLAHEC is working to support YOU! Learn more about us: SWLAHEC.org

11/19/2025

Quitting to***co isn’t easy. It takes time and a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one.

Let the Great American Smokeout on November 20 start your journey toward a to***co-free life! https://bit.ly/46Gyw8m

11/18/2025

Did you know 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital don't survive, and often, it's because bystander CPR wasn't performed?

Cardiac arrests can happen anywhere--at home, work, on the field, or in your neighborhood. Your readiness can be the difference between life and death.

Join the American Heart Association at the Acadiana Heart Walk on Saturday, November 22, at the City Club River Ranch in Lafayette.

Together, we can train more people in lifesaving CPR, support vital research and create more lifesaving moments for everyone in our community. https://bit.ly/3LK6sfc

11/18/2025

“Service to others will continue to drive my purpose.”

Meet Vashaun Rodgers, BSN, RN, CPTC, whose two decades of involvement with Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SWLAHEC) in Lafayette, Louisiana, have shaped both his career and his commitment to community.

Vashaun has partnered with SWLAHEC in roles ranging from community outreach educator to president of the Board of Directors.

He supported HIV and STI prevention efforts across the Acadiana region and worked directly with teens through the “Be A Responsible Teen” (BART) program, helping equip young people with skills for healthier decision-making.

These experiences, he says, strengthened his belief in staying engaged locally and mentoring the next generation. They also reinforced the values he carries into his work today: advocacy, empathy, understanding, and education.

Vashaun sees AHECs as essential connectors, linking emerging health professionals with the communities that need them and supporting programs that improve care now while preparing the workforce for tomorrow.

Thank you, Vashaun, for your longstanding dedication to SWLAHEC and for investing in the young people of your community.

11/17/2025

REMINDER: Tune in to our upcoming webinar: "Advancing Rural Health: Revenue, Reimbursement & Community Health Worker Impact"

📅 Tuesday, November 18
🕐 1:00 p.m.
🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/48W28mB

11/15/2025

Reminder: If you're on Medicaid, you now have an opportunity to choose the plan that best fits your needs. YOU have a say in your health, so be sure to take action!

Learn more about Medicaid by visiting myplan.healthy.la.gov.

11/14/2025

Not next year. Not next month. NOW is the perfect time for you to quit to***co. You can take advantage of FREE resources!

To celebrate the Great American Smokeout, come see us on Thursday, November 20th from 10:30am - 2:00pm in St. Landry Parish as we "Smoke Meat, Not To***co." We're working with wonderful LOCAL markets and restaurants to spread the word about quit resources, cancer prevention and screening information.

🍗 Richard’s Soul Kitchen LLC
🍗 Ardoin’s Sausage Kitchen
🍗 Benny's Supermarket
🍗 Arpeggios Lounge & Event Center

Thank you to our partners for supporting this effort.

Quit With Us, Louisiana
Well-Ahead Louisiana
Healthy St. Landry
American Cancer Society
The Louisiana Campaign For To***co Free Living

11/13/2025

🫁 November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month! Allow this message to serve as your reminder to get screened. The American Lung Association has helpful information and resources. They also have Lung Health Navigators who can determine if you're eligible for a FREE screening. Eligibility includes:

✅ 50-80 years old
✅ 20-pack year smoking history
✅ Current smoker or quit within the last 15 years

Call a Lung Health Navigator for FREE one-on-one lung cancer screening support.

📱 844-ALA-LUNG (844-252-5864)

11/13/2025

We may be two weeks away from Thanksgiving, but it's not too early for us to tell you THANK YOU! We are so blessed to be a part of this vibrant and generous community.

Thank you to all of our partners across the region and state for your ongoing collaboration and support. SWLAHEC.org

11/12/2025

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 On this Veterans Day, we salute the men and women from Southwest Louisiana who have served our country in the armed forces. Thank you for your service!

11/10/2025

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic cancer is among the 10 most diagnosed cancers in Louisiana.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to prevent, diagnose or treat. Risk factors and symptoms are unfamiliar to most. And with no standard test to find pancreatic cancer early in the general population, it is often diagnosed late when fewer treatment options are available.

Let's raise awareness of this disease: https://bit.ly/48Tyc8I