Who we are
AHEC West is the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center, part of the national AHEC network established to build health workforce capacity in rural and underserved areas. We serve a tri-state region spanning Western Maryland, southwestern Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — communities where the gap between workforce need and workforce availability is most acute.
Our training programs are rooted in the specific realities of Appalachian health — the rural geography, the workforce shortages, the disproportionate burden of behavioral health challenges, and the communities that are navigating recovery, chronic illness, and social determinants every day.
We connect health professionals, students, and community organizations with the training and resources they need to deliver equitable, culturally responsive care. Our online programs are designed for the workforce on the front lines — practical, accredited, and built around real-world impact.