As the pool of qualified workers shrinks and populations age, the healthcare industry faces a critical workforce shortage. Additionally, as the job market becomes more competitive, hospitals, healthcare providers and educational institutions are realizing the need to market health professions to young people who are making decisions about their future.

Eastern AHEC, along with many other agencies across the region, has established early workforce development programs to encourage today's youth to consider health careers. Five such programs in the Eastern AHEC region include:

Rural Health Scholars Internship Program
This program, which serves Bertie, Hertford, Gates, Perquimans and Chowan counties, provides high school juniors, from disadvantaged backgrounds, a paid internship experience in their home communities. Participants are required to complete a 10 week internship and also develop professional relationships with practitioners in their communities and discover the various local health care workforce needs and opportunities that are available.

Ventures into Health Careers Institute
The Institute serves Eastern AHEC's 23 counties. It targets highly motivated ninth grade minority youth and is designed to introduce students to the various careers and opportunities in the health fields. Students observe health professionals at the work site and attend seminars and workshops, with emphasis on math, science and communication skills, that help prepare them for health careers.

Personal development and self-awareness activities are included in the program. Students live on the ECU campus for the 2 week program. The supervised residential format provides an opportunity for students to experience campus life outside the classroom and introduces them to the university setting.

Twenty ninth-grade minority students are selected each year. To qualify, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a recommendation of school counselor or teacher, an interest in health careers and a written essay. The program is supported by the Brody School of Medicine, School of Allied Health Sciences and the School of Nursing at East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, Pitt County Memorial Hospital and the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program.

Health Careers Awareness Programs
A Health Careers Awareness Programs are held to increase the awareness among educators of opportunities and changes in health careers. Practical information to guide students in making appropriate educational decisions is provided. The program targets public school administrators, educators and counselors representing middle and high schools. For more information on the above three programs, please contact Eastern AHEC, 252.744.5231.

The Health Science Academy
A new public-private partnership will explore the development of a health science academy in Pitt County. The partnership includes the Pitt-Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Pitt County Schools, University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, East Carolina University and its Division of Health Sciences, Pitt Community College and Eastern AHEC.

The initial focus is to help students by enhancing their math and science skills along with increasing their exposure to health careers. The academy will spark interest in health careers through enhanced mentoring, shadowing of health professionals, apprenticeship and internship programs. For more information, please contact Randy Collier at the Pitt County Schools, 252.830.4200 or visit the Health Sciences Academy web site.