Michigan AHEC Spotlights Team Growth, Scholar Milestones, and National Collaboration
Welcome New Research Assistant Alex Lim
The Program Office recently welcomed Alex Lim to the team as the new research assistant. Alex has a rich background in research and nonprofit work, with experience in science research, data work, and storytelling. He co-founded a Midwest-based nonprofit, Midstory, focused on multimedia storytelling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex worked at QIAGEN with biomedical devices and regulatory studies. Now, he’s excited to join MI-AHEC as a Research Assistant, supporting data and grant reporting.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys singing and performs regularly with UToledo’s Juice House Singing Blend group. He’s also an avid runner and has a love for Studio Ghibli films—Spirited Away being a favorite. When it comes to literature, the short story "I Sing the Body Electric" by Ray Bradbury holds a special place in his heart.
AHEC Scholars Cohort 6 Graduation
On April 8th, Michigan AHEC hosted a virtual AHEC Scholars Poster Presentation. Student groups presented their team-based quality improvement projects, marking the end of the program. AHEC Scholars is part of a national initiative created to prepare future healthcare providers to become leaders in primary care in rural underserved areas.
This is the 6th cohort of students graduating from the AHEC Scholars Program. Students represented the following universities across the state: Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Social Work, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.
Congrats to the AHEC Scholars Graduates!
Michigan AHEC Welcomes Dr. Claudia Richardson to Advisory Board
Dr. Claudia Richardson, MPH, FACOG, recently joined the Michigan AHEC Advisory Board. Dr. Richardson was first exposed to AHEC in North Carolina while she was a medical student at East Carolina University. She completed her OBGYN Residency at Wayne State University. As a rural practitioner in North Carolina, the AHEC network was critical in providing research information and clinical training opportunities early in her career. Dr. Richardson has previously served as the Chief Medical Officer at Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center. Currently, she is the Medical Director at the City of Detroit Health Department and a Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Michigan AHEC Staff attends National AHEC Organization Biennial Conference
The Michigan AHEC staff headed to Lexington Kentucky to attend the 2025 National AHEC Organization (NAO) Biennial Conference. They had an opportunity to network with other AHEC staff members from across the nation to learn about programming efforts to meet shortages in rural and underserved communities across the country.