Since the mid-1990s, AHEC Community Health Immersion (formerly WI Express) has given undergraduate and graduate health profession students the unique opportunity to connect with communities and cultures of Wisconsin, exploring health care delivery and public health across the state. This well-known experience is now integrated into our AHEC Scholars program, and we invite students outside of the program to join our sessions as room allows.
2024-25 Community Health Immersions
Summer 2025 AHEC Community Health Immersions
Learn first-hand from community members and health practitioners in these multi-day, in-person Immersions.
Applications for Summer 2025 are open!
Apply HERE!
The application will close March 30th at 11:59pm.
Immersions marked with a * are currently full and accepting applications for the waitlist.
From Roots to Routes: The Immigrant Experience | Rock County/Beloit – May 12-14, 2025
Explore health disparities locally and globally while learning about health care programs and services available. With a focus on the immigrant/Latinx community, you will unearth barriers this population faces in rural and urban areas and gain a deeper understanding of the Latinx culture, history, and traditions. This Immersion begins on the morning of May 12 and concludes on the afternoon May 14.
From Native Roots to Evolving Tribal Healthcare | Menominee Nation – In-person May 16-17, 2025; Virtual TBD
Menominee Nation welcomes you! Expand your knowledge and understanding of 1 of the 11 federally recognized indigenous tribes in Wisconsin. This program is designed to provide you with an opportunity to become immersed in the Menominee community and culture. Explore health care and public health care delivery in rural areas and health-related tribal policy, all while learning with and from fellow students in differing health professions. During our two days together, we’ll be learning alongside content-expert presenters from Menominee Nation and other local community organizations. This Immersion runs in-person on May 16 & 17, 10 hours per day. There is additional virtual pre and post work to complete with a virtual live orientation the week of May 11th (exact date TBD).
*Natural and Alternative Medicine | Ashland – May 19-21, 2025
Have you ever thought about conducting medicine in a more holistic approach? Are you looking to be a provider that offers natural remedies and options before prescribing medications? If you answered yes to these questions, then this program is right for you! We will also be taking a look into midwifery and our Native American Culture regarding this topic. Join us in the beautiful Ashland, WI and learn from providers who look at the whole person and offer a more holistic approach. We stay at the stunning, Hotel Chequamagon that is located directly on Lake Superior. Take time during your downtime to explore the Northwoods! This Immersion begins on May 19 at 10:00am and concludes on May 21 at 3:00pm.
*Healthcare Access in North Central Wisconsin | In-person, Eau Claire, Chippewa, and Dunn Counties – May 21-23, 2025
Join us to learn about access to healthcare in North Central Wisconsin in light of recent hospital and department closures. Learn how families are accessing prenatal and birthing care as the number of hospitals that offer labor and delivery is decreasing. Visit a critical access hospital, and learn how public service providers are collaborating to bring an array of health services to a central location. This Immersion begins on May 21st at 9:00am and concludes on May 23rd at 3:00pm.
Food for Thought | Monroe & Vernon Counties – In-person May 22-24, 2025; Virtual April 23 & June 14, 2025
Explore the impact of food and nutrition on health and well-being. Build an understanding of food access, fat stigma, nutrition and disease connections. Learn how access impacts nutrition and weight. Engage with practicing professionals, connect with community members, and reflect on your experiences with patients/clients. This session will give you something to chew on. This Immersion begins with a virtual session on April 23rd from 6:00-8:30pm, runs in-person on May 22-24, and concludes with a virtual session on June 14th from 6:00-8:30pm.
The Plain Community: Our Amish and Mennonite Neighbors | Marshfield Area – May 28-30, 2025
Experience Amish/Mennonite culture and rural health care while visiting these communities. Explore how respect for culture can interact with health care, and learn about the balance between cost of medical care and reduction of risk. Sites visited include public health department, fee-for-service, midwifery and family practice clinics, dental practices, and various Amish/Mennonite businesses. This Immersion runs in-person on May 28-30 in the Marshfield area.
*Incarceration, Health & Well-being | Madison & Lancaster – May 28-30, 2025
Have you considered how incarcerated persons access healthcare in a jail or prison? Ever wondered about healthcare implications for previously incarcerated individuals? Explore health, well-being, and healthcare delivery through visits to county jails, maximum and minimum security prisons. Gain an understanding of access for these populations. Hear from experts in the field, practicing healthcare providers, and public health professionals. Explore the tentative schedule. This Immersion begins in Madison on May 28 at 9:00am and concludes in Madison on May 30 at 5:00pm with transportation to and from Lancaster provided.
VetsCare: Veteran Health and Wellness | Neillsville, Tomah, Wisconsin Rapids, Chippewa Falls | July 29-31, 2025
Witness firsthand the physical, mental, and social challenges veterans face in rural areas. Visit locations including a VA clinic, VA hospital, veterans home long-term care facility, rehabilitation facilities, and mental health clinics to learn about support systems and resources designed to improve veterans’ health and well-being and access to healthcare. By interacting with veterans and healthcare providers, you will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of veteran care and be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to provide compassionate, culturally competent care to veterans in your future career.
Mental Health Matters: Redefining Care in Healthcare | Manitowoc – August 4-6, 2025
Mental health is a critical issue in Wisconsin, affecting both adults and youth. To put the scale into perspective, approximately 846,000 adults in our state reported experiencing depression symptoms last year – a number equivalent to filling Camp Randall Stadium eight times. Anxiety disorders affect around 752,000 adults statewide – comparable to the entire population of Milwaukee. Data shows that about 105,000 Wisconsin high school students – exceeding the capacity of Lambeau Field – reported feeling sad or hopeless for extended periods of time. Alarmingly, suicide rates in Wisconsin have been on the rise. We’re losing over 900 individuals annually. This experience delves into the multifaceted nature of mental health issues. We’ll engage with our community efforts to improve access to mental health care, strengthen community support programs, and promote mental health education and suicide prevention. This Immersion begins on August 4th and concludes on August 6th.
Details:
- The program fee is $200. This includes housing, most meals, and transportation between locations during in-person portions of Immersions.
- Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the session’s location. Carpooling with other participants is common.
- International students are welcome to apply. Prior approval of participation in any Wisconsin AHEC program by your home campus International Student Services Advisor is required.
Credit Option for Summer Term:
We are offering a one-credit online course open to all students participating in this program. The course will be administered through UW-Madison. Additional assignments will be given in addition to the regular AHEC Community Health Immersion programming to meet the 45-hour requirement for a credit.
Additional information:
- Taking this credit is required for UW-Madison Global Health students to count AHEC Community Health Immersion as their field experience.
- Accepted students will be given permission to enroll in NUTR SCI 421.
- Credit counts toward Summer 2025 term.
- UW-Madison tuition rates apply.
- Students at universities outside of UW-Madison need to apply to be a UW-Madison special student and have the responsibility of determining how to transfer credit back to their home institution.
- All coursework is administered asynchronously through Canvas, an online digital learning environment.
- The course includes your time spent participating in your selected Immersion and additional assignments due throughout the summer.
- This course is graded.
Winter Break/Spring Semester 2025 AHEC Community Health Immersions
Experience communities in Wisconsin either in-person or through a live virtual Immersion.
The application deadline has passed.
In-Person Immersions
In-person Immersions require you to be physically present at the designated location on the dates listed. In addition, there will likely be additional virtual requirements, which may either be live or asynchronous.
Navigating Pathways to Recovery: Addressing Substance Use with Healing and Resilience | Manitowoc – In-person January 6-8, 2025
Alcohol consumption is deeply rooted in Wisconsin’s cultural norms and social practices. Consider these concerning statistics: approximately 55% of Wisconsin adults report current alcohol use, about 25% of adults engaged in binge drinking in the past month, and approximately 30% of high school students reported consuming alcohol in the past month. Beyond alcohol, the opioid epidemic has hit Wisconsin hard driven by both prescription practices and heroin availability. In 2023, our state experienced over 1,500 opioid-related overdose deaths. Several factors contribute including availability of substances, inadequate education on substance use risks and prevention strategies, stigma around seeking help, insufficient access to mental health services, and state policies regarding drug enforcement, treatment availability, and harm reduction strategies. This experience will expose you to local community efforts, such as Drug Court, that are working to address these barriers to health and well-being. This Immersion begins on January 6 at 11:00am and concludes on January 8 at 3:00pm.
Milwaukee’s Newcomers | Milwaukee – In-person March 28-29, 2025; Virtual March 20 & April 3, 2025
Milwaukee is often referred to as the “City of Nations” due to its rich indigenous heritage, historical immigrant settlements, and ongoing refugee resettlements. Discover the city by connecting with people from a wide array of cultures and backgrounds. Engage in meaningful conversations and learn from immigrants and refugees (and providers dedicated to serving these communities) as they share their personal stories—discussing healthcare practices from their home countries and their experiences here in Milwaukee. This Immersion begins with a virtual orientation on March 20th from 6:00-7:00pm, runs in-person in Milwaukee on March 28th & 29th, and concludes with a virtual debrief on April 3rd from 6:00-7:00pm.
Rising Up: Substance Use Disorder in Rural Wisconsin | Rhinelander, Crandon – In-person April 12-14, 2025; Virtual TBD
Join AHEC and partners at Forest County Potawatomi to learn about priority health concerns, including tribal mental health, substance misuse, and resiliency. Observe a mental health crisis simulation, working in teams to follow a case study scenario throughout the Immersion. Engage with healthcare providers, conduct research into evidence-based interventions and resources, and submit recommendations and findings to community members. This Immersion runs in-person on Sunday, April 13th starting at 8:30 through Monday, April 14th at 4:30pm, approximately 10 hours per day. Participants can check into the lodging after 4:00pm on Saturday, April 12th. There is additional virtual pre and post work to complete with a virtual live orientation the week of April 6th (exact date TBD).
Culture Shock | Milwaukee or Ashland – In-person April 24-27, 2025; Virtual April 22 & 29
Are you ready to step outside of your comfort zone?! Are you a rural student who is curious what medicine looks like in a highly populated area? And on the flip side, are you a student who lives in an urban setting and have always wondered what medicine looks like in very rural communities? If you said yes, apply today for Culture Shock! We will take you on in person experiences highlighting metropolitan and rural communities! Our rural applicants will be brought to Milwaukee and explore the city and learn how practicing medicine in highly populated area looks like. If you are a student who has a background of large city living, we are bringing you to Ashland and offering you a view into rural medicine! Say yes to experiencing your very own Culture Shock! This Immersion meets in-person in either Ashland or Milwaukee (depending on where you are assigned) on April 24-27th, with the first and last day being primarily travel days. There are also required virtual meetings on April 22nd from 6:00-7:00pm and on April 29th from 6:00-7:00pm.
Virtual Live Immersions
Virtual Live Immersions require you to be present via Zoom on the dates listed. There may be additional asynchronous work required.
Gerontology and the Aging Population – January 6-8, 2025
Northwest Wisconsin is aging at rates faster than most of the country and the state of Wisconsin due to “brain drain” and the retirees moving to the area. Explore gerontology, dementia care, and their careers and services associated with this demographic. This Immersion runs virtually from 9:00am-2:30pm on January 6, 7, & 8, 2025.
Resilient Wisconsin: Mental Health Solutions – January 9, 10, & 13, 2025
We’ve heard a lot about the mental health crisis, but what about the solutions? In this virtual Community Health Immersion, learn about the current mental health needs in Wisconsin and what communities are doing to meet those needs. Guest speakers will share how they are improving access to much-needed services through innovative strategies such as expansion of telehealth, improving technology access in rural areas, and employing nontraditional service providers. You will also collaborate in interprofessional teams to design their own unique solutions. This Immersion runs virtually from 9:00am-3:00pm on January 9, 10, and 13.
Details:
- The program fee is $200 for In-person and Hybrid Immersions or $50 for virtual immersions. This includes housing, most meals, and transportation between locations during in-person portions of Immersions.
- Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the session’s location. Carpooling with other participants is common.
- International students are welcome to apply. Prior approval of participation in any Wisconsin AHEC program by your home campus International Student Services Advisor is required.
Credit Option for Spring Semester:
We are offering a one-credit online course open to all students participating in this program. The course will be administered through UW-Madison. Additional assignments will be given in addition to the regular AHEC Community Health Immersion programming to meet the 45-hour requirement for a credit.
Additional information:
- Taking this credit is required for UW-Madison Global Health students to count AHEC Community Health Immersion as their field experience.
- Accepted students will be given permission to enroll in NUTR SCI 421.
- Credit counts toward Spring 2024-25 course load.
- UW-Madison tuition rates apply.
- Students at universities outside of UW-Madison need to apply to be a UW-Madison special student and have the responsibility of determining how to transfer credit back to their home institution.
- All coursework is administered through Canvas, an online digital learning environment.
- The course includes your time spent participating in your selected Immersion and additional assignments due throughout the spring semester.
- This course is graded.
CONTACT
AHEC Program Manager, Katie Freeman
kmfreeman2@wisc.edu