What is Southcentral AHEC?
Building Alaska’s health workforce Through partnership, experiential learning, and diverse education pathways
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1971, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are a network of programs and centers in the United States designed to improve access to healthcare and address healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Southcentral AHEC, hosted by Alaska Pacific University, is one of six regional centers sponsored by the Alaska AHEC program office at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Southcentral AHEC program develops and enhances education and training networks within communities, academic institutions and community-based organizations. Southcentral AHEC partners with academic institutions (University of Alaska, University of Washington, WWAMI schools, etc.), health care facilities, private practices and school districts to provide the following services:
AHEC Programs
Engage: Engaging youth and adults by providing educational hands-on activities, camps, and events exploring and preparing for healthcare careers and opportunities in Alaska.
Train: Training health professions students for practice in rural and underserved communities by targeting all disciplines from certificate to doctoral programs and working with health facilities and providers across the state to provide community-based experiential learning opportunities. We offer health-related degrees, such as Health Science or Nursing, with a special emphasis on cultural awareness, which is unique amongst higher education institutions in the state.
Retain: Recruiting and retaining a high-quality healthcare workforce in Alaska by providing access to continuing education, resiliency, and loan repayment opportunities. The ultimate goal is to stabilize the healthcare workforce to meet the needs of Alaska.
Strong Partnerships Across Alaska
At APU, meaningful partnerships are at the heart of how we serve communities across the state. Through close collaboration with healthcare organizations, universities, tribal partners, government agencies, and local community groups, APU helps strengthen educational opportunities, workforce development, and access to care throughout Alaska.
These partnerships make it possible to expand hands-on learning experiences, support rural workforce pathways, and connect students with communities where their skills are needed most. Together, we are helping build a more resilient and community-centered future for Alaska while supporting the unique needs of rural and underserved regions across the state.
Alaska AHEC Centers Map
AHEC Director
Tammy Choromanski
Southcentral Area Health Education Center Director
907-564-8243
Email
Tammy Choromanski serves as the Director of the Southcentral Area Health Education Center (SC AHEC) at Alaska Pacific University. Tammy previously directed SC AHEC at the Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA), and with her transition into this new role, SC AHEC has moved with her to APU. In this position, Tammy leads efforts to strengthen healthcare education and workforce development across Southcentral Alaska, from Talkeetna to Kodiak. Tammy holds a Master of Public Health, a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science and a Bachelor of Medical Technology, all from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She brings extensive experience in public health, research, and medical technology. Prior to her AHEC leadership, Tammy served more than 14 years at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), where she focused on community-based research, disease prevention, and culturally responsive care. At SC AHEC, Tammy works closely with healthcare providers and community partners to expand access to healthcare careers—particularly in rural and underserved areas. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, fishing, and camping, as well as reading and painting with family and friends.