Iowa AHEC Program receives $1.5 million grant to recruit, retain health care workforce

DES MOINES, IA (09/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Des Moines University and The University of Iowa are pleased to announce the receipt of a one-year grant award in the amount of $1.5 million to support the statewide Iowa Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program.

The Iowa AHEC Program offers a statewide system of programs and activities to recruit and retain Iowa's health care workforce through quality health career exploration, health profession student training and health care professional education. Funding is provided from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) and will be used to support the operation of six regional AHECs.

AHEC programs are federal initiatives developed by Congress in 1972 to streamline the process of educating and employing people in the health care field. Des Moines University's College of Osteopathic Medicine and the University of Iowa health sciences colleges led the coordination of one application for continued federal grant support.

"The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University is extremely pleased to work with the College of Nursing at The University of Iowa to support our Iowa AHEC Program," said Kendall Reed, D.O., dean and professor of surgery, DMU College of Osteopathic Medicine. "This partnership represents the first major collaborative effort between our institutions and has the potential to have significant, long-lasting health care benefits to our state."

"A distinctive feature of this AHEC program is its capacity to bring together the collective resources of two preeminent institutions. Both universities are dedicated to preparing the health care workforce to meet the health promotion and primary care needs of Iowans," said Rita Frantz, Kelting dean and professor, UI College of Nursing. "The University of Iowa College of Nursing is pleased to partner with Des Moines University in this collaborative effort."

Since its inception in 2007, the Iowa AHEC Program has provided programs and activities to more than 8,500 students. For more information about the Iowa AHEC Program, visit www.iowaahec.org.

About Des Moines University

Des Moines University is the only private medical school in Iowa, offering graduate-level, professional degree programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, health care administration, anatomy, biomedical sciences and public health. Founded in 1898, the institution offers superior academics in a collaborative environment. DMU students' pass rate on national examinations and board certifications is consistently higher than the national average and the rates at similar institutions.

About The University of Iowa College of Nursing

Renowned faculty, advanced clinical experiences and a tradition of innovative leadership have led to The University of Iowa College of Nursing's ranking as one of the best nursing programs in the nation. Our graduates are sought after as highly skilled professionals who have received a rigorous education of the highest quality.

Established in 1898, the UI College of Nursing actively supports the recognition of nursing as a profession of leaders, scientists and researchers. For more information, go to www.nursing.uiowa.edu.