Inspiring the Next Generation of Rural Health Professionals in Downeast Maine
As we head into fall, we’re excited to share highlights from a vibrant season of learning, collaboration, and community connection across coastal Maine.
Rural Health Immersions
In May, Healthy Acadia, in our role as the Eastern Maine Area Health Education Center (AHEC), hosted seven University of New England (UNE) medical students and one dental student for a Rural Health Immersion experience. The group spent time in Downeast Maine exploring what it means to live and work in rural healthcare—listening, learning, and connecting with the people and organizations that make our region’s health system strong.
“Overall, this experience really strengthened my passion for serving where I’m most needed, and that definitely includes rural communities like Washington County.”
“The Harrington Family Center was definitely one of my favorite places that we went. I could definitely see myself coming back. The way that they manage and care so much about their patients...they genuinely want to do good for the community and for the patients that they serve.”
During their visit, students met with healthcare providers and community organizations throughout Washington County, including Aroostook Mental Health Center, Harrington Family Health Center, Calais Community Hospital, Maine Mobile Health, and Mano en Mano. Each visit offered valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges of delivering healthcare in rural settings.
A special presentation by Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response for the State of Maine, at the University of Maine at Machias, gave students an inside look at ongoing efforts to address substance use disorder and integrate recovery supports into Maine’s broader healthcare infrastructure.
Beyond healthcare sites, students also met with leaders and staff from the Community Caring Collaborative, Wabanaki Culture Center, Sunrise County Economic Council, and Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Restorative Harvest Garden. A visit to Safe Harbor Recovery Home in Machias offered a meaningful perspective on the importance of safe, healing spaces in supporting recovery and resilience.
Thank you for hosting our May 2025 RHI students!
We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our partners and community members who made this inspiring summer of AHEC programming possible:
Aroostook Mental Health Center
Calais Community Hospital
Community Caring Collaborative
Downeast Restorative Harvest Garden
Gordon Smith and GOIPF
Harrington Family Health Center
Lynn Mitchell and the Wabanaki Culture Center and Museum
Maine Mobile Health
Mano en Mano
Safe Harbor Recovery Home
Sunrise County Economic Council
University of Maine, Machias
Together, we’re helping to cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals dedicated to caring for Maine’s rural communities.
Pathways Programming: Summer Scrub Club
On July 9, the Harrington Family Health Center hosted 17 youth in grades 7–12 for Summer Scrub Club, a day-long health careers exploration event coordinated through Healthy Acadia’s Pathways Programming. Participants engaged in hands-on, skills-based workshops that covered CPR, Stop the Bleed, suturing, immunizations, and other relevant topics. Healthcare professionals from Harrington Family Health Center shared their expertise and encouragement, helping students explore pathways into healthcare professions. The event also provided time for students to build relationships with mentors and peers who share their interest in caring for others.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Harrington Family Health Center for their generous participation and support in inspiring the next generation of rural healthcare professionals.
To read the full Summer 2025 AHEC Report, as well as those from previous sessions, click here.
Launching in November: Health Career Exploration Program
The Health Career Exploration Program which runs through May 2025, is a great oppurtunity for high school students who are interested in healthcare. Through fun and interactive sessions throughout the year, students will explore career paths, build valuable skills, and connect with other students in their communities.
Students involved in the program will receive a $500 stipend in recognition of their time and effort. Spaces are still available! Scan the code in the flyer (right) more information and to apply.
Healthy Acadia has served as Maine’s Eastern Area Health Education Center (AHEC) since 2023. Our AHEC service area includes Washington, Hancock, Waldo, and Knox counties.
Maine AHECs provide community-based clinical training experiences to health professions students; encourage Maine youth to pursue careers in the health professions; offer training and continuing education programs to practicing health professionals; and develop public health approaches to address current and emerging community needs.
As part of this program, Healthy Acadia and community partners work together to create rural health immersion opportunities for health professions students to learn more about rural and underserved communities, including Rural Health Immersions (RHI) for Care for the Underserved Pathways (CUP) AHEC Scholars. and community-based experiential learning opportunities for non-CUP scholars.