OUR COMMITMENT
High Sierra AHEC’s Commitment
At High Sierra AHEC, we are committed to addressing Nevada's critical healthcare workforce crisis and enhancing access to adequate healthcare across all communities in our state. By building strong connections today, we are shaping a healthier future for Nevada.
Our work is rooted in four key themes: Connecting Communities, Advancing Workforce Development, Expanding Opportunities, and Transforming Care. These pillars guide us in creating a comprehensive framework that meets immediate healthcare needs while laying the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive system where everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, has access to quality, dignified, and compassionate care.
With enthusiasm and a forward-thinking approach, we serve as connectors, forging meaningful pathways between the students we support and their health-career aspirations. We believe workforce development is key to harnessing the collective potential of our communities and empowering individuals with the skills and resources to drive positive change. By bridging education and opportunity, we are not only addressing today’s healthcare challenges but also cultivating a resilient workforce prepared to meet the evolving needs of Nevada’s communities.
OBJeCTIVeS
Develop a supportive and inclusive pathway for future healthcare professionals through innovative and strategic workforce initiatives.
Actualize and deliver education, training, and resources within organizations and institutions at a local, regional, state, and national level.
Identify and respond to current and emergent public health issues to ensure best practices.
Advocate for accessible and adequate health care to reduce disparities and expand quality health care services and resources in our communities.
Program Competencies
At High Sierra AHEC, we embed key competencies into all our programming to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and current professionals to address the multifaceted challenges facing communities today. These competencies ensure that students and professionals have the knowledge and skills to deliver patient-centered care, adapt to evolving healthcare landscapes, and respond effectively to public health crises. Our commitment to fostering cultural humility emphasizes the importance of compassionate care, specifically for rural and underserved communities. Our focus on IPE promotes collaboration across disciplines, while SDOH and behavioral health integration highlight the critical connections between social factors and overall well-being. This comprehensive approach strengthens individual practitioners and enhances the healthcare system's ability to improve health outcomes and promote healthcare access.
High Sierra AHEC was instrumental in shaping my path to becoming an Emergency Physician. During my post-baccalaureate years I served as a Program Coordinator to develop immersive educational programs for K-12 students. This experience not only broadened my understanding of healthcare systems but also deepened my appreciation for the critical role of educational pipelines in empowering disadvantaged youth to pursue careers in healthcare.
The leadership and hands-on opportunities I gained through High Sierra AHEC equipped me with essential skills that I rely on daily as both Core Faculty and an Emergency Physician in Las Vegas, NV. Andrea’s mentorship provided invaluable professional insights and personal encouragement, guiding me through challenges and keeping me focused on my goals.
I remain deeply grateful to High Sierra AHEC and Andrea Gregg for their profound influence on my journey, helping shape me into the physician, educator, and leader I am today. Their impact on students and aspiring healthcare professionals, like myself, is nothing short of transformative.
Krystal Turgiss, MD
Emergency Physician, TeamHealth West Group
Core Faculty, Sunrise Health GME Consortium Program
Mountain View Hospital
My journey with High Sierra AHEC was truly life-changing. Back in 2019, I started as a Student Ambassador, where I had the chance to lead public health initiatives that made a real difference in my community. Later, as a Program Coordinator, I worked on SPAN-ET, a project focused on improving adolescent health outcomes. Those experiences not only opened my eyes to the challenges underserved populations face but also inspired my passion for finding solutions through research.
Thanks to my experiences at High Sierra AHEC, I gained the confidence and skills to pursue my own research on obesity-related diseases, which led to my first scientific publication as a college freshman. Today, as a National Institutes of Health research fellow, I’m leading studies to develop treatments for Candida auris, Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus. I wouldn’t be where I am today without High Sierra AHEC. They gave me the tools, mentorship, and encouragement I needed to explore my potential and discover my passion for improving healthcare.
I’m proud to carry AHEC’s mission forward by dedicating my career to advancing health equity and addressing critical health challenges.
Riley Gillis
Research Fellow
National Institutes of Health MARC
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
STEP2 notified AHEC of a job opportunity, and they notified qualified graduates. We did hire one of these graduates and she quickly became a valued member of the STEP2 team, exceeding job expectations with skills and professionalism.
It is our preference to hire all support and public health positions from the High Sierra AHEC program.
Shannon Jensen
Chief Administrative Officer
