Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island recently donated $17,500 to the Northern Rhode Island Area Health Education Center to create a scholarship for health interpreter and cultural sensitivity training. The scholarship was made available for individuals from designated Rhode Island organizations who participate in a medical interpreter training program.
The nationwide system of Area Health Education Centers was established to improve the supply, distribution, diversity and quality of the health work force, and increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas. The AHEC program is a long-term initiative that has focused on the relationship between university health-science centers and community health-service systems.
A member of the national association, The Northern R.I. AHEC has been in operation since April 2006 and is addressing issues specific to Northern Rhode Island. It is a part of the Rhode Island Area Health Education Network. Northern RI AHEC will administer the scholarship. •
