Northeast AHEC

What Northeast AHEC does

Northeast Kentucky AHEC (NE KY AHEC) is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit founded in 1985 and headquartered in Morehead, Kentucky, operating as one of eight regional Area Health Education Centers in Kentucky and part of the 260+ center national AHEC network. The organization is institutionally hosted by St. Claire HealthCare and delivers three interconnected service lines: (1) Health Careers Promotion Programs including the award-winning STEPS pre-medical curriculum (68% medical school acceptance rate), Rural Health Scholars, SHIP summer internships, CHARGE nursing pipeline, and PAVE virtual reality career exploration for youth ages 14-21; (2) a Continuing Education Division providing accredited CME, ACPE, and CNE programming through annual conferences, regularly scheduled series, and Thinkific-hosted online enduring materials; and (3) Student Services coordinating clinical rotations, preceptor placement, and housing for health professions students from University of Pikeville KYCOM, University of Kentucky, and University of Louisville.

The underlying technology stack is modest and largely third-party: VR simulation content for PAVE, a Thinkific-hosted online learning platform, a diabetes treatment mobile application, and standard communications tooling (Constant Contact email). Revenue is overwhelmingly grant-funded through federal sources (HRSA RCORP program, ARC POWER Initiative, CDC Foundation), state appropriations from the Kentucky General Assembly ($2.5M/year statewide for FY25-FY26), and private foundations (Sisters of Notre Dame, Pallottine, Boston Scientific), with negligible program fees (BLS check-offs at $20, third-party AHA course fees at $37). Since 2017, the organization has secured more than $10.6 million in substance use-related grant funding and staffed the 8-member Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition, including the First Day Forward jail reentry program currently operating in multiple counties. Distribution is direct and field-based across a 17-county service region in northeastern Kentucky, with national reach emerging through the National AHEC Organization's STEPS replication effort.

Name

Northeast AHEC

Legal name

Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center

Website

https://neahec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Northeast Kentucky AHEC is a Morehead-based nonprofit that runs health-careers pipeline programs, accredited continuing education, and clinical-rotation coordination across 17 counties in rural northeastern Kentucky, hosted by St. Claire HealthCare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Workforce Development and Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAALAC

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDAAALAD

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDAJADAL

Virtual CTE & Career Pathways Programs (K–12)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Online & Virtual Schools

Keywords

• Health careers education
• Continuing medical education
• Health workforce pipeline
• Rural healthcare training
• Substance use response

Headquarters

HQ city

Morehead

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Federal and state grant funding from agencies including HRSA, CDC Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Kentucky state appropriations. Major grants include RCORP, POWER Initiative, and state AHEC program funding.
2. State Appropriations: State funding from Kentucky General Assembly for the statewide AHEC program, receiving $2.5 million per year in FY25 and FY26.
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Sisters of Notre Dame Eastern Kentucky Foundation, Pallottine Foundation, and Boston Scientific Foundation.
4. Program Fees: Fees for BLS check-offs and other continuing education activities. BLS check-off is $20 for hands-on portion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NE KY AHEC delivers three core service lines: (1) Health Careers Promotion programs developing a healthcare workforce pipeline from K-12 through professional practice via STEPS, Rural Health Scholars, SHIP, AHEC Scholars, CHARGE, and PAVE; (2) a Continuing Education division providing accredited CME, ACPE, and CNE programming through annual conferences, regularly scheduled series, BLS check-offs, and online enduring materials; and (3) Student Services coordinating clinical rotations, preceptor placement, and housing for health professions students from partner universities.

Product overview

The Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center (NE KY AHEC) operates as a multi-component health education platform offering three interconnected service lines: (1) Health Careers Promotion Programs including job shadowing, Rural Health Scholars, SHIP, STEPS, AHEC Scholars, and CHARGE for pipeline development from high school through professional levels; (2) a Continuing Education Division providing accredited CME, ACPE, and CNE programming through conferences, regularly scheduled series, and Thinkific-hosted enduring materials; and (3) Student Services coordinating clinical rotations, preceptors, and housing for health professions students. The organization also manages substantial grant-funded projects including substance use prevention, PAVE virtual reality workforce training, dental career pipelines, and the ARC-funded 'From Mining to Medicine' initiative. Programs serve a 17-county rural Appalachian region and are delivered in partnership with universities, healthcare facilities, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STEPS: Successfully Training and Educating Pre-medical Students program developed in 2014 to develop more competitive medical school applicants from within its 17-county region. Approximately 68% of participants have been accepted to medical school.
• PAVE
• Appalachian ROOTS
• CHARGE
• Rural Health Scholars
• First Day Forward

Products and services

• Health Careers Promotion Programs Comprehensive pipeline programs designed to promote health careers among students from middle school through college, including job shadowing, Rural Health Scholars, SHIP (Summer Health Internship Program), STEPS, AHEC Scholars, and nursing pipeline programs. Targets high school and college students in 17 northeastern Kentucky counties interested in healthcare careers.
• Continuing Education (CE) Division Accredited continuing education programs for healthcare providers offering CME, ACPE, and CNE credits through conferences, regularly scheduled series, and enduring materials covering topics such as diabetes, opioid treatment, maternal health, and primary care. Serves physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and pharmacists in northeastern Kentucky.
• Student Services Support services for health professions students including housing coordination, preceptor placement coordination with area healthcare facilities, student packets, and policies for clinical rotations across the 17-county service region. Coordinates with University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and University of Pikeville KYCOM.
• STEPS (Successfully Training and Educating Pre-medical Students) Award-winning pre-medical preparation program providing MCAT prep, personal statement assistance, mock interviews, and community service opportunities. Approximately 68% of participants have been accepted to medical school, significantly higher than the 43% national average. Program is being replicated nationwide through National AHEC Organization with Boston Scientific Foundation funding.
• Rural Health Scholars Program Two-year program for high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare careers, featuring monthly hands-on activities and discussions. Designed for students in the 17-county service region exploring health professions.
• SHIP (Summer Health Internship Program) Summer health internship program connecting students with healthcare facilities for immersive career exploration experiences across the 17-county service region.
• AHEC Scholars Program designed to enrich training experiences for students enrolled in the final two years of a health professions program, supplementing their core curriculum with additional rural and underserved healthcare exposure.
• CHARGE Program Applicant-only nursing career pathway program with tutoring, compassionate care skills practice, employer workshops, resume writing, and NCLEX prep for collegiate nursing students; and ACT prep, job shadowing, and nursing career introductions for high school students.
• PAVE (Pathways by AHECs using VR Education) Virtual reality simulation program enhancing health career exploration through immersive technology, providing hands-on experiential learning for youth ages 14-21 from rural communities. Partnership with PrimaryPlus and TENCO Workforce Development Board.
• BLS Check-offs Basic Life Support skills testing sessions combining online American Heart Association coursework with in-person check-offs at the Morehead office. Part 1 written exam $37.00 through AHA; Part 2 hands-on check-off $20.00 through NE KY AHEC.
• Nursing Summit Annual continuing education conference for nursing professionals covering topics including human trafficking, dementia care, artificial intelligence, diabetes education, medication errors, and nursing leadership.
• First Day Forward Jail Re-entry Program Jail re-entry program that pairs incarcerated individuals with peer recovery support specialists for in-jail programming and post-release linkages to treatment and recovery resources. Has expanded to Clark, Mason, Powell, Montgomery, Carter, Boyd, and Greenup counties through successive grant funding rounds.
• Appalachian ROOTS (Rural Opportunities for Oral Training and Service) Three-year dental career pipeline program developing regional dental careers pathways for high school students in northeastern Kentucky, addressing dental care provider shortages. Funded by Sisters of Notre Dame Eastern Kentucky Foundation and supported by ADEA partnership.
• Job Shadowing Program Program allowing students to observe healthcare providers in the 17-county service region, with documentation through observation logs and application processes. Supports career exploration across multiple health professions.
• Enduring Material (Thinkific Online Learning) Online learning platform using Thinkific to offer free training and guidance on substance abuse and health education topics for healthcare providers and community members.
• From Mining to Medicine: Pathways to a Healthier Region Three-year ARC POWER Initiative project (2026-2029) strengthening healthcare workforce in 45 Appalachian counties by introducing students to healthcare careers and creating pathways to education, training and employment in behavioral health, dentistry, nursing and medicine.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68% medical school acceptance rate for STEPS program participants vs 43% national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026ADEA Bridging Pathways to Oral Health Careers Program partnership to expand dental pipeline programming. NE KY AHEC is one of 26 sites collaborating with ADEA on this initiative.
• Recovery Rowan County, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Recovery community organization (RCO) established through RCORP Overdose Response grant to provide peer support, employment and housing resources, and recovery services in Rowan County.
• University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 199925-year partnership (celebrated August 2024) supporting clinical rotations for KYCOM medical students in northeastern Kentucky. NE KY AHEC coordinates preceptors and community experiences for students throughout the region.
• St. Claire HealthCareflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985St. Claire HealthCare is the host institution for NE KY AHEC. The partnership provides administrative support, facilities, and integration with healthcare delivery for AHEC programs. Donald H. Lloyd II serves as President/CEO of St. Claire HealthCare.
• University of KentuckycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Faculty program linking UK medical students with practicing health professionals in northeastern Kentucky. AHEC serves as the bridge between the university and community faculty, helping coordinate student rotations.
• University of LouisvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGratis Faculty program connecting UofL medical students with community-based preceptors in northeastern Kentucky through AHEC coordination.
• Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response CoalitionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition formed in 2018 with 8 member organizations (St. Claire HealthCare, NE KY AHEC, Achieving Recovery Together, Clark County Health Department, Comprehend Inc., Pathways Inc., Tri-State Primary Care, KRHIO, Gateway District Health Department) focused on addressing opioid epidemic across 18 northeastern Kentucky counties.
• Pathways, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity mental health center based in Ashland, KY, and member of the Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition. Partners on First Day Forward jail reentry program and youth substance use prevention.
• PrimaryPlusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinic system partner in the PAVE (Pathways by AHECs using VR Education) project for virtual reality health career simulations.
• TENCO Workforce Development BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner in the PAVE project for virtual reality health career simulations and youth workforce development.
• Sisters of Notre Dame Eastern Kentucky FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing $126,000+ grant for Appalachian ROOTS (Rural Opportunities for Oral Training and Service) dental career pipeline program over three years.
• Southeast Kentucky AHECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ARC POWER Initiative 'From Mining to Medicine' project working with Northeast KY AHEC and Southern Kentucky AHEC to strengthen healthcare workforce across Appalachian Kentucky.
• Southern Kentucky AHECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ARC POWER Initiative project collaborating with Northeast KY AHEC and Southeast KY AHEC to create healthcare career pathways for students in 45 Appalachian counties.
• National AHEC Organization (NAO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization facilitating AHEC network collaboration, grants, and program replication. NE KY AHEC serves as paid consultant for STEPS program nationwide replication.
• Gateway District Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth department partner in CDC Foundation overdose prevention indicators project and First Day Forward jail reentry program. Covers Bath, Elliott, Menifee, Morgan, and Rowan counties.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Central Kentucky AHEC: Regional AHEC covering central Kentucky counties with overlapping program offerings in pipeline development and continuing education for rural and underserved healthcare workforce populations.
• Barren River AHEC: Regional AHEC in south-central Kentucky with the same three-pillar mission of pipeline development, student services, and provider continuing education serving rural communities.
• Western Kentucky AHEC: Sibling regional AHEC serving western Kentucky counties with the same statewide mission of rural healthcare workforce development, pipeline programs, and continuing education for providers.
• Northern Kentucky AHEC: Another regional AHEC in the Kentucky network with overlapping programming in health careers promotion, clinical rotation coordination, and continuing medical education, though operating in a more suburban/urban geography than NE KY AHEC.
• Southern Kentucky AHEC: Another of the eight Kentucky regional AHECs and a direct partner on the ARC POWER Initiative; operates the same three-line service model (health careers promotion, student services, continuing education) in a different but comparable rural Kentucky geography.
• Southeast Kentucky AHEC: One of the other eight regional AHECs in Kentucky covering southeastern counties; co-partner with NE KY AHEC on the ARC POWER 'From Mining to Medicine' project serving 45 Appalachian counties, offering directly comparable health careers pipeline, student services, and CE programming.
• Pennyrile AHEC: One of the eight Kentucky regional AHECs covering the Pennyrile region; operates similar health careers pipeline, student placement, and CE programming with comparable funding structure (state appropriations plus federal grants).

Regional players

• Kentucky Rural Health Association: Kentucky statewide rural health advocacy and convening organization where NE KY AHEC's Assistant Center Director (KaSandra Hensley) served as President; comparable mission around rural health workforce and access with a broader advocacy versus direct-service focus.

Broad incumbents

• St. Claire HealthCare: Host institution for NE KY AHEC providing administrative oversight, facilities, and healthcare system integration; many regional AHECs are similarly hosted by local hospitals, making this a structural peer relationship rather than a competitive one.
• National AHEC Organization: National umbrella body for the 260+ AHEC network nationwide; serves as funder, convener, and replication channel for programs originated at regional centers like NE KY AHEC (e.g., STEPS national replication via Boston Scientific Foundation grant).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/neahec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOAHs-IB3I2xfEJ9xD03XvQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/neahec
• Instagraminstagram.com/neahec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northeast AHEC