Permian Basin AHEC Recognized as a 2025 Center of Excellence by National AHEC OrganizationJune 23, 2025

The Permian Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC), based at Midland College, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Center of Excellence Award by the National AHEC Organization during its biennial conference in Lexington, Kentucky.

Out of more than 300 AHEC centers across the country, Permian Basin AHEC is one of only four recognized with this national honor. The award celebrates the center’s exceptional commitment to transforming healthcare education and improving access in rural and underserved communities across West Texas.

The center was nominated for its standout program, the 2024 Rural Healthcare Summer Camp, which provided high school students from underserved areas with immersive, hands-on exposure to healthcare careers. The camp was designed to highlight the critical need for rural healthcare professionals and to inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders in the field.

“This award is a testament to the meaningful impact our programs are having across the region,” said Katie Miller, Center Director of Permian Basin AHEC. “We’re proud to be part of a network that empowers students, strengthens rural healthcare access, and supports the professional development of future healthcare leaders.”

Permian Basin AHEC is part of West Texas AHEC, the premier organization dedicated to transforming healthcare education, access, and quality throughout the vast and diverse region of West Texas. With a strong focus on collaboration, West Texas AHEC bridges the gap between academic institutions and healthcare professionals by offering innovative programs, clinical training, mentorship, and continuing education opportunities. These efforts support the development of a skilled and diverse healthcare workforce capable of meeting the unique needs of West Texas communities.

The success of the Rural Healthcare Summer Camp — and this national recognition — would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Rural and Community Engagement, Sul Ross State University, and numerous other valued community partners.

“The Rural Healthcare Summer Camp is cultivating the next generation of rural healthcare clinicians for West Texas," said Dr. Adrian Billings, Associate Academic Dean of Rural and Community Engagement with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC).  "The collaborative spirit of all the organizations that collaborated for the past two years to make this camp possible is truly a special esprit-de-corps. We have made these rural students a priority because they are the solution for our rural health workforce needs. These rural students are truly remarkable and are worthy of our investment in them to grow them into future healers.”

A special thank-you goes to Liliana Orcutt, Permian Basin AHEC’s Secretary & Community Liaison, who proudly represented the center in Lexington and accepted the award on its behalf.

By continuing to serve as a catalyst for change and an advocate for rural healthcare access, Permian Basin AHEC proudly advances Midland College’s mission and brings national recognition to the Permian Basin region.

For more information on Permian Basin AHEC and its programs, visit www.westtexasahec.org/permianbasin.html.