Omaha Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Omaha AHEC: Growing the Healthcare Workforce Omaha Needs
The Omaha Area Health Education Center (AHEC), established in 2019 and housed at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is Nebraska’s only urban AHEC. We strengthen Nebraska’s healthcare workforce by connecting education, training, and community partnerships to improve access to care in medically underserved communities.
Serving Douglas and Sarpy Counties, Omaha AHEC supports the development of future and current healthcare professionals at every stage of their careers. From introducing high school students to health professions and supporting college and professional students in their training to connecting practicing healthcare professionals with community needs, we help build a workforce prepared to serve the people and communities who need it most.
Omaha AHEC is part of the Nebraska AHEC Program, a statewide network of regional centers working to connect students to health careers, healthcare professionals to communities, and communities to better health. Through education, experiential learning, and partnerships with academic institutions and community organizations, AHECs help address healthcare workforce needs and prepare professionals to serve rural and medically underserved areas across Nebraska.
Opportunities
UNO Pre-Health Symposium: Explore Your Future in Healthcare
Sponsored by Omaha AHEC, the UNO Pre-Health Symposium (PHS) connects high school and college students with opportunities across healthcare, human services, and STEM. Through career exploration, interactive sessions, and connections with academic programs and healthcare professionals, students can discover career pathways, learn about educational opportunities, and take the next step toward a future in health.
Save the Date! The Pre-Health Symposium returns Thursday, April 8, 2027, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Milo Bail Student Center. Additional details, including registration and event programming, will be announced soon.
Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP): A Pathway to Service in Medicine
The purpose of the Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP) is to enhance the healthcare workforce serving medically underserved populations in urban Nebraska by identifying and preparing qualified students to enter and succeed in health professions training. Through a partnership among UNO, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and Omaha AHEC, UHOP supports students as they prepare for careers in medicine and develop a deeper understanding of the healthcare needs of medically underserved communities in Urban Nebraska.
Eligible UHOP scholars receive a full-tuition scholarship to UNO and, upon meeting established academic and admission requirements, a conditional guaranteed pathway to the UNMC College of Medicine. Beyond financial support, the program emphasizes academic preparation, mentorship, clinical exposure, and community engagement to help develop future physicians prepared to serve medically underserved communities urban Nebraska.
Applications are open September 15 to January 17.
UNO Pre-Health Professionals Club: Supporting Future Healthcare Professionals
Omaha AHEC supports and collaborates with the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Pre-Health Professionals Club (PHPC), providing opportunities for students interested in healthcare careers to explore their interests, build professional skills, and connect with others pursuing similar paths.
PHPC helps UNO students prepare for successful careers in healthcare through career exploration, professional development, academic support, community engagement, and meaningful connections with fellow pre-health students. The club fosters a supportive environment where students can learn about healthcare professions, strengthen their preparation for professional programs, and take steps toward becoming the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Nebraska AHEC Scholars Program: Preparing Nebraska's Future Healthcare Workforce
Resources
Take the First Step: Omaha AHEC Job Shadowing Guide
Finding healthcare professionals to shadow and navigating the process can feel overwhelming, especially when you're just getting started. Omaha AHEC created Job Shadowing 101 to help students explore opportunities and approach the experience with confidence.
This practical guide covers common job shadowing expectations and guidelines, a list of healthcare organizations and programs that offer opportunities to the public, and tips for making the most of your shadowing experience. Whether you're exploring healthcare careers for the first time or looking to gain firsthand insight into a profession, this resource can help you get started.
Stay Connected with Omaha AHEC: Quarterly Newsletters
Stay informed about healthcare career opportunities, educational resources, and what's happening across the Omaha healthcare community. The Omaha AHEC newsletter brings you student opportunities, healthcare career resources, continuing education events, AHEC Scholars updates, recaps of our programs and partnerships, health awareness highlights, and more.Whether you're exploring a future in healthcare, advancing your professional development, or supporting a stronger healthcare workforce, there's something for you.
Sign up to stay connected, discover new opportunities, and see how Omaha AHEC is making a difference in our communities.
Follow Along With Us! Join Our Social Media Pages
Stay connected with Omaha AHEC on Facebook and Instagram for the latest healthcare career opportunities, student resources, upcoming events, AHEC Scholars updates, community partnerships, and highlights from our programs and activities.
See what we're working on, discover opportunities to get involved, and follow along as we help strengthen Nebraska's healthcare workforce.