Mid-Central Regional Center Fall Update

5th Annual Opioid Summit 

The 5th Annual Opioid Summit – “Raising Awareness, Taking Action, Saving Lives”, took place October 28th and 29th. This year’s summit had over 300 attendees and featured presentations focused on co-occurring issues of legal and illegal substance use and abuse that create moderate to severe substance abuse disorders. The Summit brough together leading legal, medical, public health, and community resource leaders focused on grassroots community-based treatment, with an emphasis on raising awareness, taking action, and saving lives, for families and communities.  

Through AHEC's coordination, the Opioid Summit will also offer CMU Continuing Medical Education Credits (CMEs), Social Work Credits, and MCBAP addiction credits. We have successfully collaborated with CMU's Office of Continuing Medical Education, CMU Social Work, and Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals to provide conference participants with continuing education credits.  

Mt. Pleasant Area Health Career Pipeline Program – Fall 2024 

The 10th annual Mt. Pleasant Area Health Career Pipeline Program is underway! This year’s cohort of students brings together 20 high school students from six central Michigan area schools and 17 undergraduate Central Michigan University college students for the 9-week program. Participants in the program have opportunities to experience primary care skills through vital assessments and standardized patient encounters, audiology research facilities and clinical equipment, athletic training splinting and casting clinics, emergency response techniques and vehicle tours, and more. Dozens of guest speakers from more than 20 professions are involved to showcase the variety of pathways for healthcare careers. These insights along with mentorship discussions highlight the resources and steps that can be utilized for students to attain their own academic and health profession career goals. 

The Health Career Pipeline Program is hosted by the Mid-Central Regional Center (MCRC) in collaboration with the Central Michigan University College of Medicine. This year, six medical students are serving as facilitators and content coordinators to bring together these dynamic and rich experiences for all participants. Thank you to Adam Gaetz, Autumm Heeter, Rylee Holek, Husna Hussaini, Grace Lehto, and Matthew Ruge for their ongoing commitment and service to this year’s program and its participants. These exceptional students and guest professionals make the program’s mission to bring health career awareness and education to students from underserved and underrepresented communities a reality. 

Student Mentorship & Pathways Support Program 

Following the Health Careers Pipeline Program, all undergraduate students are invited to participate in the ongoing Student Mentorship and Pathways Program (SMAP). Through the SMAP program, students have the opportunity to further engage with MI-AHEC resources to further cultivate their academic and career pathway. The resources meet individual students' needs 

Whether that be resume and cover letter creation guidance or review feedback, graduate school application insights and interview practice or clinical shadowing and professional networking opportunities. Conversations with each program member allows for tailored activities, connections, and support to be provided throughout and beyond their time serving in the Health Career Pipeline Program. This ongoing assistance establishes a longer lasting impact and connection to the MI-AHEC efforts and organizational offerings along with improved outcomes for student participants towards their health career goals.