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Designed for high school students interested in pursuing a career in:
- primary care medicine(family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics)
- nursing
- general dentistry or dental hygiene
The MAHEC Career Enhancement Scholars (ACES) Program develops one-on-one relationships for Missouri high school students, their parents and communities to create a comprehensive statewide pipeline, funneling students into primary healthcare careers.
This program begins with students in grades 9-12
- who display a strong interest in pursuing a career in primary care
- minority students
- those from medically underserved rural and urban population groups
- first generation college students
- students from socio-economically disadvantaged families
ACES+
A second stage of programming and career preparation is designed for undergraduate students from these same backgrounds who are pursuing a career in primary care. The program is focused on students interested in and capable of succeeding in the increasingly competitive health professions environment
PRIMO ACES Scholars become fully engaged in healthcare career preparations. Individual assessments are completed to determine each student’s need for academic enrichment, exposure to health professions through professional job shadowing, and need for financial support.
Regional center staff complete an Individual Career Plan (ICP) with each student, mapping out his/her path from high school into college, professional school, and beyond to meet their ultimate career goal.
When a high school student moves on to undergraduate school, he/she transitions from ACES to ACES+ programming. MAHEC staff stay in close contact with the student, ensuring he/she has the necessary resources to be successful in their career path.
Through early hard work, some PRIMO ACES Scholars gain pre-admittance into Missouri professional schools, thereby helping to ensure that many students stay in-state for training.
Throughout these stages of the PRIMO ACES pipeline, students are required to:
- attend appropriate academic enrichment and health related exploration activities
- shadow healthcare professionals
- participate in community service activities
- meet regularly with a MAHEC advisor
Statistical research reveals that healthcare provider employment choices are heavily influenced by the communities in which they grew up and those where they received clinical training. MAHEC promotes the “grow your own” philosophy that was the base for the development of the PRIMO program.