About Utah AHEC

For those of us who work with future health professionals, inspiration is never too far. The biggest source of energy for us at the UT AHEC is to work with students, parents and those who support them, in finding their way to health careers that will make an enormous difference to them, but also to the State and nation. Dreams for a better future are necessarily dreams for a better Utah, and a better United States. The state of the health workforce faces shortage challenges of this most precious resource, with most occupations experiencing a shortfall. If we investigate the professionals that will focus on work with under-supported populations, the deficit is even steeper. The unrealized potential of populations with low availability of resources is a loss for all of us, even if not a member of said populations. Investments in students from all backgrounds, of opportunities, attention, time, love and of course funding, will be a commitment to healthier prospects, a check from our present to our future. We look to be part of future health professional’s lives, from helping parents to support their children who want to pursue careers (short, long or anywhere in between), to mentoring students who find themselves wondering if they belong in a dental school classroom. There are so many messages that condition us to not ask for help, or mentoring, or advice, or a welcoming smile, that we often lose students to a hesitation to be seen and heard, to speak up even when it’s hard, and to request support. At every level, and with every one of our programs, this is what we strive to do. Won’t you join us, as a collaborator, partner, supporter, or participant? We invite you to review the opportunities the Utah AHEC has prepared, and to become part of our work. We cannot do it without you.

All the best, Dr. Lopez