A Rural Healthcare Profession
Providing the Technology and Support to Ensure Success

A sense of professional isolation is often encountered by health care providers in medically underserved areas. Access to professional development and continuing education opportunities is many times compromised, especially for rural providers.  In a world of ever-changing technology and health care, access to information is vital for providers and patients. 

NAHEC works with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's), Community Health Centers and Migrant clinics to assess the technological needs of the health professionals working in their clinics.  NAHEC is also in the process of developing continuing education programs for the northern Michigan region.  It is their hope to help health care professionals stay current in their fields, assure high-quality care and meet state licensing requirements.  By removing the barriers that contribute to professional isolation, recruitment and retention of quality health care providers is improved.

Technology Through collaborative efforts with other organizations, NAHEC strives to assist clinics by providing up-to-date equipment such as computers and teleconferencing equipment.  In conjunction with the Upper Peninsula Telehealth Network (UPTN) and the Rural Emergency Medical Education Consortium (REMEC), NAHEC has also assisted in the bridging of network communications.  Recruitment and Retention As recruitment and retention of health professionals continues to be a challenge in rural and medically underserved areas in Northern Michigan, NAHEC collects information on needs in the region and is currently developing programs to assist with employment needs.  A Regional Skills Alliance has been formed to collaborate and combine efforts to confront the health professional shortage.   Retention efforts are also being developed.  Conferences, information on continuing education, medical advances, and professional development opportunities are supported and being developed by NAHEC.