Purchase Area Health Education Center - AHEC

05/29/2026

This week kicks off our summer Rural Community Health Scholars and Health Professions Program. Both programs give pre-health students experiences of what it’s like to practice medicine in a rural area. This week we started the program with shadowing, harm reduction training, Mental Health First Aid and other activities in the Purchase Area.

Our Rural Community Health Scholars are: Ava Slack, Andrea Escudero, Claire Austin, Fletcher Riney, Rachel McClung, Isabelle Washburn, and Sawyer Collins. These students are undergraduate students studying pre-medicine or pre-physician assistant.

Our Health Professions Program participants are: Anna Litsinger and Victoria Swafford. They are undergraduate students studying pre-occupational therapy.

05/28/2026

Purchase AHEC is proud to be joining forces with others in serving our local community!

Mark your calendar for the Alpha Cares Community Health & Wellness Fair, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in partnership with Baptist Health Paducah and Mercy Health.

Stop by for free health screenings, educational resources, and expert insight from local physicians, including radiation oncologist Raymond Wynn, MC, FACR.

📅 Friday, June 19
🕚 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Washington Street Baptist Church (721 Washington Street, Paducah, KY 42003)

Open to the public — bring a friend and take a step toward better health!

05/27/2026

Preceptor Spotlight! We would like to recognize Dr. Jason Lorch from Four Rivers Internal Medicine Pllc. Dr. Lorch precepts medical students from UPike KYCOM, and we recently awarded him one of our Community-Based Faculty Development Grants for his outstanding work as a teacher and preceptor. Our Clinical Education Coordinator, Janeen Winters, stopped by Dr. Lorch's clinic recently to present him with his award. Thank you to Dr. Lorch and the staff at Four Rivers Internal Medicine for supporting our AHEC mission and teaching the next generation of physicians!.

05/26/2026

Today was orientation for our summer 2026 CHARGE student! We are so excited for Natalie and can’t wait to work together these next 4 weeks! 👩‍⚕️🩺

05/14/2026

Preceptor Spotlight! We would like to recognize Dr. Joyce Hughes, from Village Medical - Murray, KY. Dr. Hughes frequently precepts medical students from UKCOM and UPike KYCOM, and we recently awarded her one of our Community-Based Faculty Development Grants for her outstanding work as a teacher and preceptor. We stopped by to see her this week to deliver her award and thank her for all her hard work. Pictured with Dr. Joyce Hughes (middle) are her amazing Nurses, Whitney White (left) and Harley Joyce (right). Thank you, Dr. Hughes and the staff at Village Medical, for supporting our AHEC mission and teaching the next generation of medical providers!

05/11/2026

Last week, Purchase AHEC was excited to celebrate with Murray State University students who are headed onto the next chapter of their medical career journey! From dental school to phyical therapy; we couldn't be more proud of their achievements and can't wait to see where this new chapter takes them!

05/07/2026

We are so excited to see one of our former AHEC Scholars thriving in their health career jounrey! Congrats, Sarah!!!

05/07/2026

Last week, at our Letters From Home Celebration Event the Purchase AHEC staff was excited to celebrate Murray State Graduates who are on their way to MEDICAL SCHOOL! Congrats! We can't wait to see where this chapter takes you!

Thank you to all who attended and our special guests who spoke at the event.

05/02/2026

We were honored to have KY State Rep. Kim Holloway speak at our Letters from Home Celebration Event. We have six students from Murray State going to medical school in the fall. The future is bright in rural health!

I spent last evening at MSU, celebrating six 2026 graduates who are headed to medical school, including one future physician from Graves County!

Kennedy Lamb (second from left) is headed to UK College of Medicine at Bowling Green. Accepted into the early assurance program because of academic excellence and strong support from her professors, Kennedy will graduate with a 4.0 and a major in Chemistry. She plans to pursue a specialty in anesthesiology.

The annual Letters from Home Celebration recognizes students who participate in the Purchase AHEC program. The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program works to improve access to quality healthcare across the state, especially in rural and underserved communities.

By partnering with universities, healthcare providers, and local organizations, AHEC helps train future healthcare professionals, supports current providers through education and resources, and encourages students to pursue careers in health fields. Through outreach programs and community engagement, AHEC is focused on building a stronger healthcare workforce and improving overall health outcomes for Kentuckians.

Congratulations to Kennedy on her achievement. Thank you to MSU for including me in this event for the second year and for inviting me to address these young people and their families.

04/29/2026

Saying goodbye to our wonderful intern, Haliyah!

Thank you for your incredible contribution during the spring term! Thank you for bringing so much energy to our team! From tackling school presentations to participating in Advocacy Day, your motivation and energy has been inspiring.

We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can't wait to see where your career takes you! Best of luck in all you do!