Ballad Health seeks applicants for Tennessee AHEC Scholars Program to strengthen rural healthcare workforce

Ballad Health has been named the East Tennessee Area Health Education Center (AHEC), which will allow undergraduate and graduate-level health professions students to expand their clinical experience and training opportunities. The initiative is made possible through a federally supported program managed by Meharry Medical College and funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

As part of the designation, Ballad Health is recruiting a new cohort of health professions students for the Tennessee AHEC Scholars Program. The two-year program is designed to prepare future healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, culturally competent care to rural and underserved communities across Tennessee.

The program seeks to recruit 15 students currently enrolled in eligible health professions programs in Tennessee, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, social work, physician assistant studies, public health, psychology, nutrition and pharmacy. Students from additional health disciplines may also be eligible. Students entering the final two years of their training are encouraged to apply. Medical, dental and pharmacy students may enroll during years one through three of their programs.

Participants will complete 40 hours of didactic training and 40 hours of clinical training annually, with many educational components available online. Students who complete the program will receive a $1,000 stipend each year, totaling $2,000 over the two-year program.

“We’re honored the Tennessee AHEC Scholars Program has selected Ballad Health as the East Tennessee Area Health Education Center,” said Dr. Matthew Loos, Ballad Health's chief academic officer. “This opportunity will strengthen the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on learning, mentorship and community-based training that will shape the future of healthcare in our region.”

The Tennessee AHEC Scholars Program promotes a coordinated approach to education and workforce development. The curriculum emphasizes cultural competency, healthcare access and patient-centered care, particularly for rural, underserved and underrepresented populations.

Through the program, students will gain:

• Opportunities to participate in training programs designed for providers in federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics and community health centers across Tennessee.
• Increased understanding of factors contributing to misunderstandings and mistrust between providers and patients.
• Greater awareness of health disparities and the complex causes and solutions associated with improving health outcomes.
• Skills to communicate effectively across cultures, languages and literacy levels.
• Information about loan repayment programs and healthcare career opportunities in Tennessee.

The program aligns with Ballad Health’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and expanding access to care throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

With the cohort beginning in fall 2026, the application deadline for the program is Sept. 14, 2026. Students interested in applying for the Tennessee AHEC Scholars Program can email academics@balladhealth.org for more information.