Project Connect is a Train the Trainer program. The network will invite twenty five health care professionals, hospital staff, and community leaders to attend a four hour workshop and networking luncheon. Domestic Violence prevention will be the topic for discussion and training. "Project Connect" is a program funded through the Arizona Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The state's five AHEC members were written into a grant proposal to facilitate this training for each of the centers and their communities. The statewide effort to prevent Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault joins the national campaign to decrease the incidence of domestic violence and to bring awareness and education for prevention to the nation's communities. On March 24th, the Arizona Rural Women's Health Network held a Collaborative Leadership day-long workshop for its members. Jennie Mullins, a facilitator for a Collaborative Leadership will focus on one characteristic of this model: "Building Trust". The day is in preparation for the network's presentation at the National Cooperative of Health Network's annual conference held this year in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rural health networks, from across the United States, will come together for a four-day workshop offering plenary and breakout sessions for sustaining successful health networks. The Office of Rural Health's Interim Director, Alison Hughes, will give a warm Arizona welcome to more than 150 participants at this year's conference. Please visit the link to this opportunity; we hope you will register for this event.

Rural America's doctor and nurse shortage gave rise to an innovative idea. The US government established an organization called Area Health Education Center or AHEC to introduce healthcare students to rural communities in the hope that medical students would decide to take root in rural America. AHEC is sponsored by each state's school of medicine and in Arizona the University of Arizona, School of Medicine funds AHEC. AHEC was designed to promote interest in rural communities among physicians, PA's, nurses and all types of healthcare workers. It accomplishes this by offering free housing to medical students willing to do internships, externships and preceptorships (required for graduation) in rural American towns and villages. Each state is divided into four or five areas, and each area has its own AHEC 'branch'. For example, the AHEC in northern Arizona is called 'NAHEC', and eastern Arizona's AHEC branch is called 'EAHEC' for Eastern Area Health Education Center. The AHEC branches also introduce rotating medical students to people within the community by having the students volunteer in health fairs. In this way, students are able to reach out to community members and talk and work with them on their projects. This endeavor allows medical students to forge relationships with the town's people and to get acquainted with life in rural towns. As a 4th year medical student rotating in Globe, I can attest to the significance of this experience. The community opened its arms to medical students and has training. "Project Connect" is a program funded through the Arizona Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The state's five AHEC members were written into a grant proposal to facilitate this training for each of the centers and their communities. The statewide effort to prevent Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault joins the national campaign to decrease the incidence of domestic violence and to bring awareness and education for prevention to the nation's communities. On March 24th, the Arizona Rural Women's Health Network held a Collaborative Leadership day-long workshop for its members. Jennie Mullins, a facilitator for a Collaborative Leadership will focus on one characteristic of this model: "Building Trust". The day is in preparation for the network's presentation at the National Cooperative of Health Network's annual conference held this year in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rural health networks, from across the United States, will come together for a four-day workshop offering plenary and breakout sessions for sustaining successful health networks. The Office of Rural Health's Interim Director, Alison Hughes, will give a warm Arizona welcome to more than 150 participants at this year's conference. Please visit the link to this opportunity; we hope you will register for this event. Article By Jane Romero

Kimberly Ziebert is one of six students Midwestern students who have worked with preceptors, Dr. Booth and Dr. Decanay. All of the students have expressed appreciation for EAHEC's providing housing and the opportunity to work with these OB/GYN's for their rural rotation experience. A common response to what they liked best about their experiences in their rural rotation is the advantage of hands on, first assistance status for birthing babies, counseling young mothers on nutrition and expectations for motherhood, and minor surgical procedures for females. In urban rotations, the medical students are just "one of many"; however, the rural rotations allow students to touch human tissue sometimes for the first time. This experience is invaluable for students who can integrate their classroom learning and apply it to the real world of people who have physical and emotional responses to medical procedures. "It's a lot different than practicing surgical knots on oranges"! The most recent student, Joanna Woo, stated that a one hundred year old woman was one of her favorite patients during her rotation. The compassion and quality of care shown by her preceptor for this spunky lady was the deciding factor for what Joanna wants to declare as her focus for her medical profession. This patient had experienced discomfort for the last "too many" years. Since the medical office staff and the student could support the physical lifting of this patient, a diagnosis for exact treatment allowed a prescription that brought comfort for the first time. "That would never have happened in an urban setting. Those staffs are way too detached and busy to take the time needed to show this kind of care for a one hundred year old lady." Not only has she decided to pursue women's health, but she also decided that rural Arizona would be a perfect location to practice medicine. "When Dr. Booth gently placed her hands over mine and guided a new baby into this world, I knew I had found my passion and purpose in medicine", stated Joanna.

Thanks to EAHEC, Payson is approved for its first program this fall. Girls on the Run, for ages 8-10, will be hosted by Julia Randall Elementary; Girls on Track, for ages 11 and 12 will be hosted by the Payson Middle School. Fundraising and sponsorship opportunities are available to support this girl empowerment program. Payson's first fundraising event will be a film festival held at the Rim Country Golf Club on the Summer Solstice, June 21st. All funds support scholarships for students needing assistance and materials necessary to run the program. Globe, Miami and San Carlos areas will have the opportunity to add programs in their areas by fall of 2012. Please check out this link to learn more about this exciting opportunity for the girls in Payson. http://www.gotrcoconino.org