Big Country Area Health Education Center

On this National Rural Health Day, at the Big Country AHEC, we are proud to honor and celebrate our rural healthcare providers and community partners who go above and beyond to ensure access to quality care in rural communities. Today, we want to spotlight the work and resilience of Anson General Hospital District, Anson, TX and it’s CEO, Ted Matthews, a dedicated leader and valued Texas rural health champion. Across Texas, 27 rural hospitals have been forced to close their doors, leaving communities without essential healthcare services. Last year, Anson General Hospital was nearly added to that devastating list. But under the leadership of Ted, that fate was avoided. Ted did everything in his power to ensure Anson General Hospital remained a vital resource for the community. His determination led the hospital to become the second in the nation to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). This innovative model preserves access to 24-hour emergency care, which Ted says is constantly in demand, ensuring critical healthcare services remain available for the people who need them most. The unwavering leadership of Ted Matthews, along with the dedication of the hospital staff and board of directors, exemplifies what can be achieved when we commit to innovative solutions that meet the needs of our communities. We are proud to celebrate their resilience and groundbreaking achievements in the face of immense challenges. Watch the video to learn more about Ted’s journey and how Anson General Hospital is leading the way for rural healthcare in Texas. Thank you Ted and Anson General Hospital District for all that you do! #RuralHealthMatters #RuralHealthHeroes #PowerOfRural #RuralEmergencyHospital #TexasRuralHealth Special thanks to Shan Patel for capturing this incredible story.

Celebrating our fellow West Texas AHEC partner sister centers today with Texas Rural Health Association and fellow rural health champions! What a great honor it is to celebrate along side you, Permian Basin AHEC. Great event and congratulations!

Inspiring Future Healthcare Professionals at the Hendrick Healthcare Academy Fall Expo! Today, we were thrilled to participate in the Hendrick Healthcare Academy Fall Expo, helping introduce high school students to exciting healthcare career paths! Students explored opportunities with regional colleges and gained firsthand insights from Hendrick Health professionals about the diverse roles within healthcare. At every event, we proudly share our Health Opportunities in Texas Career Catalog (Texas H.O.T. Jobs) and “Find Your Own Path” stickers. This catalog provides valuable information on in-demand careers, required skills, and education pathways to help students chart a course toward their future in healthcare. Explore the catalog here: https://lnkd.in/gZ2sK4rp It’s always inspiring to see so many young people eager to make a difference! #HealthcareCareers #FindYourOwnPath #TexasHOTJobs Great work Hendrick Health!

?? Exciting News from the Big Country AHEC and Region 14! This week, we welcomed 40 new CNA students from 11 rural schools as part of our PACE Partners Advancing Career Education Initiative. These students have taken a significant step forward by completing their BLS/CPR certification. We're proud to support their journey in healthcare! PACE is the first of its kind in Texas. A hybrid CNA program, Powered by Region 14 the Big Country Area Health Education Center, Hendrick Health and Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas. This collaborative aims to support regional school districts and high school students to equip them with essential healthcare skills and knowledge, ultimately enabling them to pursue careers in the healthcare industry while addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the region. National AHEC Organization #CareerEducation #HealthcareHeroes #BLSCPR #BigCountry #RuralDevelopment

Had a good time connecting with students today at the WOW Youth Expo sharing our West Texas Health Opportunities in Texas Career Catalog and exploring healthcare career pathways. We were also excited to support and highlight the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, giving students in the Big Countey Area a hands-on experience through virtual reality CNA and healthcare clinic simulations. #RuralHealth #HealthcareCareers #WorkforceDevelopment

Thank you, Texas Rural Health Association!

We're excited to invite you to a complimentary conference recognizing the expertise of our Allied Health Industry Partners. This event offers a great opportunity to network with professionals and students, while also showcasing the allied health programs at Texas State Technical College particularly in rural West Texas. Check out the attached flyer and use the QR code to register for the Empowering Rural West Texas Allied Health Conference. Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gDmSN8dE

Sign up now:? https://lnkd.in/g94b3Vxk

Thank you to MobileOp4 for their showcase yesterday and allowing us the opportunity to help share their unique innovation for rural health care. We appreciate all who took the time to come and see all that can be accomplished with MobileOp4. For inquiries about how to access this system for your region, hospital, or other needs, you can email [email protected] or click the link here: https://www.mobileop4.com/ You can also watch their informational video here: https://lnkd.in/gwM5wbuw

RSVP for this event at the West Central Texas Council of Governments on June 26th?between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM to showcase MobileOp4 Technologies where they will be set demonstrating their new emergency flex space which provides an innovative solution for emergencies and healthcare delivery for rural and underserved communities. ? Join us in a come-and-go presentation of this unique, effective, and cost friendly way to expand access to healthcare. To RSVP, scan the QR code and fill out the form linked. For more information, check out the flyer below and watch the video at this link:?https://lnkd.in/g-5qPwME?