Western Colorado AHEC Recognized by Colorado Rural Health Center as this Month’s Featured Member

Denver, Colo – Western Colorado Area Health Education Center (WCAHEC) is a non-profit organization located in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Coke Ovens, Gunnison, CO

Grand Junction is the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope, and serves as a hub for transportation and shipping between Denver and Salt Lake City. The name Grand Junction relates to the junction of the Colorado River and the Gunnison River. The area remains one of Colorado’s largest food producers, including peaches, pears, cherries and corn – and is known as Colorado’s wine country, for the more than 20 wineries located in the region.

WCAHEC is one of six Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) in Colorado, and provides important services to the rural healthcare community. The mission of Western Colorado AHEC is to promote healthier communities through health care quality improvement and education and to improve access to health care in underserved areas. Established in 1978, WCAHEC provides services to thirteen counties on Colorado’s Western Slope.

The demographics of Western Colorado AHEC are quite interesting. Based on information found on WCAHEC’s website, approximately twelve hospitals are in the Western Colorado AHEC region, and nine of the thirteen counties in the region are classified as whole or partial HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area) counties. Eight counties are classified as whole or partial MUA (Medically Underserved Area) counties.

As a CRHC member, Western Colorado AHEC helps students find rotations and learn more about rural medicine. The Colorado Provider Recruitment (CPR) – a nonprofit rural recruitment program at Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) – works with all AHECs, which exemplify best practices regarding students interested in rural health. WCAHEC is committed to improving the quality and distribution of healthcare providers throughout its region in partnership with institutions of higher learning and other schools throughout Colorado communities.

CRHC is proud to recognize WCAHEC as this month’s featured member for their efforts enhancing health and healthcare delivery in rural Colorado communities. To learn more about WCAHEC, visit http://www.wcahec.org/home.html.

About Colorado Rural Health Center

The Colorado Rural Health Center was established in 1991 as Colorado’s State Office of Rural Health. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, CRHC’s serves dual roles as the State Office of Rural Health with the mission of assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues; and as the State Rural Health Association, advocating for policy change to ensure that rural Coloradoans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the highest quality. For more information visit www.coruralhealth.org, call 303-832-7493, or call toll free 800-851-6782 from rural Colorado.

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