North Central Wisconsin Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving access to health care in rural and under-served areas by increasing the supply, distribution, diversity, and quality of the healthcare workforce. It is a part of the Wisconsin AHEC System housed at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and also the National AHEC Organization. The WI AHEC System is made up of 7 AHEC Centers and a Statewide Program Office.  

The North Central AHEC region serves 11 counties: Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Taylor, Waupaca, and Wood. The region is served by two Community Health Centers (Family Health Center of Marshfield and Bridge Community Health Clinic in Wausau) with eleven service delivery sites. The many small communities in the region are also served by eight rural health clinics and eight Critical Access Hospitals. Within our region, 9 counties contain Primary Care HPSAs, 6 counties are Mental Health HPSAs, and 7 counties contain Dental HPSAs. 

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There are multiple universities, colleges, and technical colleges to support workforce development through health professions training programs. The UW School of Medicine and Public Health and Medical College of Wisconsin-Central WI uses major regional hospitals, clinics, and community sites for medical student rotations. 

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North Central Wisconsin remains the heart of "America's Dairyland," as well as the cranberry, potato, and ginseng growing areas. It also includes major papermaking, insurance, and pre-fabricated home building industries. North Central Wisconsin is home to large Amish/Mennonite, Hmong, and Hispanic populations. Our service area covers 9,395 square miles or 17% of Wisconsin’s land area.

North Central WI AHEC (NCAHEC) is dedicated to improving access to health care in it's rural and under-served communities, primarily through the education of present and future health professionals. We have established long-term relationships/partnerships with hospitals, clinics, colleges, technical colleges, other academic institutions, public health departments, and other community organizations. 

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