Veterans’ Healthcare Based Community Health Immersion Program

The VetsCare: Veteran Health and Wellness Community Health Immersion program was developed for Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to address healthcare
challenges faced by veterans in Wisconsin. Veterans often experience higher rates of trauma and mental health struggles, and limited access to care, particularly in rural areas. This program aims to improve healthcare access and advocacy for veterans while providing hands-on experiential learning for student participants entering the health professions workforce.

An expanded program offering not only address a critical gap in Wisconsin AHECs Community Health Immersion program offering but also orients them to meet healthcare workforce shortage needs by preparing and engaging students to work with the growing veteran population. This program initiative also provides insight on veterans’ struggles accessing care.

Offering an additional immersion through the Community Health Immersion program at Wisconsin AHEC will establish the organization as a state program of excellence in offering a wider variety of experiential learning opportunities for students across the state interested in developing themselves as culturally competent and capable future healthcare providers.