What is it?
Wisconsin Express is a weeklong immersion experience for health professions students in one of Wisconsin’s diverse communities and is coordinated and supported by the Wisconsin Area Health Education Center
What is the Wisconsin Area Health Education Center (AHEC)?
AHEC, a statewide federal program, has a mission to improve access to primary care in medically underserved areas of the state through education of health professions students and practicing health professionals, and through collaborative efforts between academic programs and local communities. The Wisconsin AHEC system consists of a statewide program office affiliated with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and four private non-profit regional centers located around the state.
Who can participate?
Students enrolled in a variety of health professions programs throughout the state’s public and private colleges and universities are welcome. In the past students have come from physical therapy, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, nutritional science, social work, physician assistant programs and others.
Where are the communities students will explore?
Sites are located in various rural and urban medically underserved* communities around the state. They are typically clinics, community health centers, and hospitals that welcome interaction with students and appreciate the importance of increasing access to health care for the communities they serve. Each group of students has a Site Coordinator, who arranges their accommodations, plans the itinerary, and facilitates the scheduled activities.
What is the purpose?
The purpose of Wisconsin Express is to provide health professions students a chance to see health care delivery in medically underserved and culturally diverse communities, to interact with local health care providers and community residents, and to learn in teams with other health professions students.
What can students expect to learn?
Students can acquire different skills, knowledge, and attitudes, depending on their experience, goals, and interests. They learn about the variety of services available, the way interdisciplinary teams of health professionals can work together, innovations practiced by professionals in areas with limited resources, etc. After participating in the program, many participants have reported feeling better prepared to make decisions about their future careers and where they might like to practice.
Who coordinates activities in the sites?
Site Coordinators working with each of the participating communities will be the primary contact persons after site assignments are complete in early April. They plan itineraries and accompany groups to all activities.
When will I know the itinerary for my site?
Your site coordinator will send you itineraries for your assigned site in early May.
When and where does Wisconsin Express take place?
Meets annually in May, typically, the week before Memorial Day
Wisconsin Express begins on Monday morning in your community site with an interactive workshop intended as an introduction to the community experience. Student teams spend Tuesday through Friday in their communities. Activities vary but may include presentations from community residents, participation in community activities, visits to community agencies and resources, interactions with local health care professionals, interactive learning exercises or group projects. Each group gathers Thursday evening or Friday morning to reflect on, evaluate and conclude the experience.
How much will Wisconsin Express cost me?
Although Wisconsin AHEC covers the majority of the cost of your participation, we do ask each participant to pay a fee of $50.00. In the past, housing has been shared hotel rooms, bed and breakfasts, or apartments maintained by a community organization. In addition to housing, AHEC covers workshop fees and instructional materials. You may be responsible for some of your meals. Each site varies in availability of grocery stores, restaurants, and kitchen facilities. You will receive more details from your Site Coordinator.
How do I travel to the site?
AHEC will provide transportation within your assigned site. You will have to arrange travel to your site. Site coordinators will contact and confirm transportation arrangements with students.
What should I wear?
Dress varies somewhat from site to site. Generally speaking, you might be most comfortable dressed as you would be in a professional clinic setting, but your Site Coordinator will provide specific information regarding what you should pack to wear for the week’s activities.
What is an underserved community?
The term “medically underserved communities” is generally used to describe geographic areas and populations with inadequate access to health care services. There are several measures used to determine whether or not a community is underserved. The simplest formula is the ratio of primary care physicians to total population (e.g. 1:3500). More complex formulas incorporate other indicators of access to health care, such as the number of physicians or dentists who will accept Medicaid (a program that helps pay for medically necessary medical services for needy and low-income persons. It uses state and federal government money.), the percentage of population over age 65, the percentage of populations living on an income below the poverty level, etc. Communities designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), Medically Underserved Population (MUP), or Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) are eligible for state and federal programs intended to improve access to primary health care.
