Message from the Director
Our mission of the MAHEC Program is to improve the health of all Marylanders, by recruiting, training, and retaining a qualified and diverse health workforce in underserved areas.
For more than 45 years, the Maryland AHEC Program has provided comprehensive clinical education and training for undergraduate medical students and residents, as well as for students from the other University of Maryland, Baltimore health profession schools.
MAHEC activities promote increased numbers of physicians and other health care professionals, encourage the development of health care facilities, provide multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary training for health professionals, and increase capabilities for the existing program of graduate and continuing medical education and health training. Our main goal is to improve access to basic health care by linking local community groups with the resources of the University of Maryland, Baltimore through its various health professions training programs. The Maryland AHEC Program Office also provides technical assistance to policymakers, especially related to healthcare workforce issues.
There are three AHEC Regional Centers in Maryland that together provide statewide coverage. By partnering with community organizations we are able to provide efficient, effective and flexible services that meet local needs. Our strengths are not limited to:
- Strong community relationships, collaborations, and partners, which include health professionals, academia, healthcare facilities, and other community-based organizations
- Extremely dedicated, competent staff
- Knowledge of Maryland's workforce needs, health disparities, and economic and social challenges
- Experience in creating a health professions "pipeline" encouraging students to consider health profession careers in our communities.
On behalf of the MAHEC family, we invite you to learn more about what we do collaboratively with other like-minded, service-driven healthcare leaders who look to improve health disparities within Maryland.
Katherine Jacobson, MD, FAAFP
Program Director, Maryland Area Health Education Center
Assistant Professor
Director of Medical Student Education
Department of Family and Community Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine