Detroit, MI – The Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC), a program of Wayne State University, has selected the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) to manage its Southeast Regional Center. In this capacity, GDAHC will identify community needs, implement initiatives introducing K-12 students to health careers, coordinate training and development programs for health sciences students and professionals, and assist with fund development in nine counties: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne.

“The Michigan Area Health Education Center is excited about our new partnership with the Greater Detroit Area Health Council. This collaboration will facilitate the development of programs, practices and partnerships that will positively impact the delivery of primary care services in communities throughout Michigan,” said Valerie M. Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the MI-AHEC grant.

“In a very competitive selection process, the Greater Detroit Area Health Council demonstrated a strong commitment to and clear understanding of the mission, vision and goals of the Michigan AHEC program,” said Barbara K. Redman, Ph.D., dean of the Wayne State University College of Nursing and co-principal investigator of the MI-AHEC grant. “GDAHC has demonstrated an ability to leverage its relationships, resources and reputation to improve access to care. We are confident this experience will help us accomplish our objectives as we work to meet the needs of underserved populations in southeastern Michigan and throughout the state.”

“We are thrilled to serve as hosting partner of the Southeast Regional Center. This alliance between GDAHC and MI-AHEC is a good fit because we are both committed to creating a healthier, stronger Michigan by expanding access to quality health care,” said Kate Kohn-Parrott, GDAHC president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to working with MI-AHEC and its partners to ensure it is recognized as the go-to organization for ideas and initiatives related to transforming primary care throughout our state.”

Established in 2010 by Wayne State University, MI-AHEC strengthens Michigan’s health care workforce by recruiting, training and retaining health professionals committed to increasing access to primary care. Through a statewide network of regional centers, MI-AHEC prepares underrepresented and disadvantaged youth for health care careers, promotes clinical training opportunities for students in shortage areas and provides continuing education programs for health professionals. Congress created the national AHEC program in 1971.

Founded in 1944 as the Detroit Hospital Council, GDAHC has served southeastern Michigan for 69 years. Dedicated to the cost-effective allocation, management and use of health care resources, the organization seeks to develop strong, strategic partnerships that improve the quality of and increase access to health care. To learn more, visit http://www.gdahc.org.

MI-AHEC is funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, The Kresge Foundation and Wayne State University. Academic partners include Wayne State University’s College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Medicine and the School of Social Work; the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry; Central Michigan University College of Medicine; Western Michigan University School of Medicine; and Northern Michigan University. For more information, visit http://miahec.wayne.edu.