The HPV Immunization Education Project is a five year collaborative project between the National AHEC office and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The project is aimed at improving the national HPV immunization rates of through improved clinician training and understanding of the vaccine. Throughout the tri-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, we work to connect with providers, healthcare professionals, and health facilities that deal directly with HPV

Throughout the school year, Scenic Rivers AHEC staff member, Bob Matysik visited 26 schools across the region providing important career exploration information, and connecting concepts from anatomy and physiology courses to careers like physical therapy. Teachers and counselors work with Bob to meet the interests of their students and provide information and activities, not easily available elsewhere, about careers like public health or topics such as ethics in healthcare. O

The AHEConnect program matches high school students with a college student and professional mentor. This spring we rolled out a new change to the program that allows college students to also be matched with a professional mentor. This program is designed to provide insights into the educational path and career experiences of various healthcare professions. Mentors and mentees meet a minimum of two times during the school year (in person, via Skype, or on the phone) to discuss

Serving as the treasurer of the Scenic Rivers AHEC board of directors, Mari Freiberg has been a long-time advocate of our organization. Mari has been with us since the beginning in 2009, and has served as the board chair from 2009 to 2015. Mari is also the CEO of Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers (SBCHC), and works with the SBCHC's board to lead the overall strategic direction of the organizatoin with the mission to deliver patient-centered primary care supporting health