The Northern Arizona AHEC (NAHEC) is part of the national and Arizona state AHEC system. NAHEC is one of five regional AHECs in Arizona, with the state program office being located at the Arizona Health Sciences Center at the University of Arizona. NAHEC is unique among AHECs in that its parent organization is a community health center -- North Country HealthCare, based in Flagstaff with nine satellite clinics across northern Arizona. In 1996, NAHEC merged with the Flagstaff Community Free Clinic and became North Country Community Health Center (name change has since changed), which led to an organizational mission that embraces primary care, teaching/training, and outreach programs. Pre-established AHEC relationships with academic institutions quickly led to North Country’s reputation as a progressive teaching and training organization. NAHEC and North Country are non-profit 501(c)3 organizations governed by a Board of Directors.
Through a 20-year track record of providing health professions education and direct services, the Northern Arizona Area Health Education Center (NAHEC) serves as a critically important leader in addressing the health needs of its vast service area. The mission of NAHEC is to improve the supply and distribution of health professionals, with an emphasis on primary care, public health, community-based, interprofessional, culturally reinforcing services and education. Through partnering with community health centers, Indian Health Service hospitals, regional medical centers, healthcare organizations, high schools, community colleges, universities, workforce and economic development, and other community based organizations throughout its service region and the state as a whole.
