2005 Program | Application :: pdf :: Word doc | Frequently Asked Questions

In partnership with communities across the state, AHEC has coordinated the award winning Wisconsin Express program for the past eight years. This program gives health professions students a unique opportunity to become immersed in Wisconsin's diverse communities and cultures, while they explore health care delivery in medically underserved areas and learn from students in other disciplines.

The week-long program is held annually in May. It begins with a one-day interactive workshop that focuses on interdisciplinary, culturally competent health care delivery and the policies and issues that affect access to health care. The workshop lays the groundwork for the community experience.

For the next four days, mixed discipline teams of students live and work in one of the host communities. Past hosts have been rural, American Indian, Hmong, Latino, and multicultural urban communities. While at the sites, students learn about culture, resources, and health care by participating in community events, meeting with community leaders, and interacting with local clinicians. At the conclusion of the week, the student teams reconvene to reflect on what they learned in their community sites and share their experiences with the other teams.

After participating in the program, students have reported feeling better prepared to make decisions about their future careers and where they might like to practice their professions. In addition, they have enjoyed the chance to work with students from other disciplines and experience being a member of an interdisciplinary team.

All students enrolled in health professions programs throughout the state's public and private colleges and universities are welcome to apply. In past years students have come from physical therapy, medicine, pharmacy, nursing (all levels), nutritional science, social work, physician assistant programs and more. The application period begins in late January and runs through March.