ESAHEC ANNUAL REPORT
2 0 2 4 - 2 5 F i s c a l Y e a r
A Message from Our Executive Director
Dear AHEC Partners and Supporters,
Thank you for your continued dedication to improving the health and well-being of communities across the Eastern Shore. This past fiscal year has brought both tremendous growth and significant fiscal uncertainty. Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast in our mission—working collaboratively to strengthen the healthcare workforce and promote healthier communities through our AHEC programming.
While we are proud of our accomplishments, we must also share a pressing concern. In June 2025, the current administration proposed eliminating the AHEC program as part of a broader reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This proposal poses a significant threat to the future of AHECs nationwide. We urge you to join us in advocating for continued federal support to preserve this essential work.
Looking ahead, our focus will shift toward strategic planning—ensuring we have a clear roadmap to achieve our long-term objectives, remain mission-aligned, and secure financial sustainability. In closing, none of our progress would be possible without the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners and funders, and the trust of our communities. It is an honor to work alongside such a committed and passionate team focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving the health of rural populations.
ESAHEC 2024-25 HIGHLIGHTS
Addition of Virtual Reality experiences for students to inspire their interest in a healthcare career
New initiatives with the School of Medicine
Updated Employee Handbook
Third-year medical students began rotations with AHEC preceptors
Rural-MD Scholars enrolled in the AHEC
Scholars Program
Expansion to include an AHEC
Health Department Elective which means more medical students will be experiencing rural medicine right here on the Eastern Shore
Participation in the National AHEC Conference in Lexington, KY
Development and implementation of a Dental Careers Exploration Program
The first annual AHEC Preceptor dinner was held which aims to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our local preceptors to mentor the next generation of healthcare providers
Growth of Diabetes Prevention Program to include additional cohorts across the midshore counties
Rural-MD Scholars Program is a longitudinal clinical experience designed to prepare medical students for careers in rural health. Scholars participated in an enlightening, interdisciplinary poverty simulation exercise at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
About ESAHEC
The Eastern Shore AHEC is a private, non-profit, 501 (C) (3) organization which became programmatically operational in 1997. Governed by a 16 person Board of Directors, AHEC serves the nine counties comprising Maryland’s Eastern Shore. To accomplish our mission, AHEC works to recruit and retain health professionals in the medically underserved areas on the Eastern Shore. This includes healthcare education programs for both health professionals and students from high schools, colleges, and universities in Maryland and surrounding areas.
Our Vision and Mission
Our Mission
ESAHEC provides educational resources and support through equitable community-based activities and services in order to recruit, retain and train health care professionals on the Eastern Shore by way of collaborative and innovative partnerships.
Our Vision
We envision service and provider expansion covering Maryland’s Eastern Shore while promoting healthy communities and a welltrained health workforce in underserved areas.
Lisa Widmaier
Executive Director
Jennifer Hudson
Non-profit Finance Manager
Our Staff
Erica Copper
Administrative Specialist
Theresa Cardillino
Special Initiatives
Program Coordinator
Shakira Abdulai
Public Health Initiatives
Program Manager
Damaris Bourland
High School Health
Careers Coordinator
Kimberly Finch Geriatrics and Clinical Education Manager
Kelly Schwarz
Diabetes Prevention Coordinator
Judith Murillo
Bilingual Community Health Worker and EARN Program Coordinator
Beth Spencer
Grants Specialist
Caitlin Donohue-Vega
Oral Health
Outreach Coordinator
David Timms
Vice President
Our
Board of Directors
Jennifer Schermerhorn
President
Roger Harrell
Treasurer
Del. Tom Hutchinson
Kelley Callaghan
Bob Laun
Secretary
Laura Chambers
Terry Satchell
Lana Sherr
Laurie Fitzgerald
Sandra Garbely
Katherine Jacobson
Non-voting Member
Elizabeth “Libby” Yost
Sara Sietz
Non-voting Member
Robin Cahall
Grant Revenue
ESAHEC Received $1,071,958 in funding for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year
State funding has grown by 4.5% since 2024
Local funding has grown by 7.2% since 2024
The annual audit for June 30, 2025 will be conducted by PKS & Company, P.A. based in Salisbury, Maryland. Financial summary is subject to audit.
High School Health Careers
High School Health Careers Coordinator, Damaris Bourland, RN, BS, LMT presented 22 hands-on, interactive, in-class programs. She also coordinated 11 field trips for 8 high schools in 5 Eastern Shore counties. The program demonstrated growth across the board with an 18% increase in the numbers of students reached, 33% increase in field trip destinations, and a 14% increase in new school partnerships.
487
Eastern Shore Students
Impacted
175 Students Attended Field Trips
94%
312 Students Engaged in Classroom-based Learning of students had an increased awareness of health careers
90% of students had an increased interest in health careers
Dental Careers Exploration
In FY25, the Dental Careers Exploration Program officially launched with the goal of increasing awareness and interest in dental professions among high school students on Maryland’s rural Eastern Shore. The program is designed to address the critical dental workforce shortage by introducing students to a wide range of dental career paths and empowering them with hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and professional exposure.
173
Students Participated in 13 In-class Presentations and Hands-on Activities
296
Students Attended Career Fairs
103
Students Explored Health Careers
Using Virtual Reality Headsets of students had an increased awareness of dental careers
98%
88% of students had an increased interest in dental careers
Simulation-based Learning
ESAHEC offers simulation-based learning focused on poverty and aging as a transformative approach to education for healthcare students and practitioners.
Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE)
During the Cost of Poverty Experience, participants explore the lived experience of poverty firsthand through the eyes of real families. This experience inspires participants to rethink poverty, respond effectively, and partner with those who can drive change.
Aging Simulation
ESAHEC educates healthcare practitioners and students on what life is like for older adults experiencing age-related sensory loss. This training helps participants increase their awareness of and empathy for the needs of the aging population.
292
Participants across both learning simulations
hosted this year
of COPE participants report that they have gained increased empathy, understanding, and knowledge of the barriers faced by individuals experiencing poverty
GERIATRIC PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS
Geriatric Assessment Interdisciplinary Team (GAIT) and Assessment Tools Workshop both have the goal of bringing together health professionals from all University System of Maryland (USM) campuses for didactic and clinical sessions at geriatric sites located in medically underserved communities across the state. These include medical & rehabilitative hospitals, independent living & long-term care communities, and hospice & palliative care settings.
96%
of Assessment Tools
Workshop attendees felt that this training has had a positive impact on their future healthcare practice.
of GAIT attendees report an increased interest in pursuing employment in geriatrics 89%
EARN Maryland is a competitive workforce development grant funded by the Maryland Department of Labor. Since 2014, ESAHEC has proudly partnered with the three Eastern Shore community colleges to fund Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, addressing the healthcare workforce shortages in our region.
Our Goal
Provide financial assistance for 51 students to earn their CNA credential.
This year, an exciting new collaboration with Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD), provided comprehensive wraparound services and case management to individuals in the EARN CNA pipeline.
We are halfway through our grant cycle and have already reached 32 students!
“I have been a caregiver for over 10 years... [EARN] is a very rewarding accomplishment for me that has jump started my career!” -
EARN Graduate
AHEC Scholars
The AHEC Scholars Program is a structured curriculum for health profession students that combines interdisciplinary didactic instruction with communitybased clinical and experiential learning, primarily in rural and underserved settings. Through this program, students have the opportunity to interact with distinguished professionals, foster meaningful peer connections, and develop a network of mentors and colleagues.
AHECScholarStudentDisciplines
Increase in enrollment from Cohort 5 to Cohort 6 53%
“The AHEC Scholars Program has enriched my educational journey in numerous ways, providing invaluable experiences that will significantly enhance my professional practice.” - Amar Yousif, Student Pharmacist, UMES, Class of 2025
Clinical Education
Each year, medical students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine participate in clinical rotations with ESAHEC, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in rural and underserved communities. These rotations offer students a unique opportunity to develop their clinical skills while deepening their understanding of the challenges faced by these populations. Our dedicated and compassionate preceptors generously share their time, expertise, and patient experiences, creating a supportive and enriching learning environment that fosters the growth of future physicians.
9 local Eastern Shore physicians
Medical students completed a rural medicine rotation with one of 17 of clinical education students reported that their clinical skills, knowledge, and cultural competency in working with underserved patients were enhanced
100% of clinical education students reported an increased interest in working in a medically underserved community 100%
GERIATRIC PROGRAMMING FOR PROFESSIONALS
The Geriatrics & Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program is a University of Maryland, Baltimore-based program that facilitates interprofessional education and interdisciplinary research activities in the field of aging in partnership with campus affiliates and agencies and organizations serving Maryland’s older adults and their caregivers.
GGEAR provides professional education conferences that are geographically and financially accessible to professionals and paraprofessionals in the senior service and care industry, as well as older adults and their families.
74 Individuals earned a total of
335 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) 17
Geriatric professionals trained 101 of conference attendees said they will utilize something they learned from this program 99% of conference attendees said they learned something new 98%
Community Health Worker Training
The Community Health Worker (CHW) Training program is an online curriculum taught in collaboration with AHEC West. The goal of this program is to increase the CHW workforce in rural MD. Enrolled students complete 100 classroom instruction hours and a minimum of 40 practicum hours.
CHWs were trained during the 2024-25 training year 25 of CHW trainees agree that our learning objectives were met 100% CHW trainees attended additional ESAHEC continuing education (CE) courses for CHWs
198 of CHW trainees agree or strongly agree that the overall quality of their training was satisfactory 96%
Community Health Worker Outreach
Our outreach programs are dedicated to building health awareness and strengthening connections within the Eastern Shore community. Through these initiatives, we promote the importance of preventive health by offering free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, helping individuals take proactive steps toward better well-being.
In addition to screenings, our team shares valuable resources and information about the wide range of programs available through ESAHEC. These efforts not only highlight the services we provide but also empower community members with knowledge and tools to support healthier lifestyles. Our outreach events embody ESAHEC’s mission of improving access to care and fostering healthier communities across the Eastern Shore.
participants served
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)
DPP is a year-long initiative recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the aim of coaching participants on implementing small lifestyle modifications that may prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Participants gain skills like staying physically active, adopting healthier eating habits, managing stress effectively, and overcoming various challenges while becoming members of a supportive community across 5 mid-shore counties.
of
TOTAL weight
lost by all 95 participants at all 7 DPP locations
698 lbs. participants have successfully completed the Diabetes Prevention Program
69
Oral Health Outreach
ESAHEC offers a broad array of oral health programs and initiatives, including:
Youth Vaping Prevention Education: Promotion of tobacco-free lifestyles for 2,165 students in collaboration with local health departments
Dental Continuing Education Events: Supporting the professional growth of local dental providers across the Shore.
Eastern Shore Oral Health Task Force: Quarterly meetings to identify and engage with key stakeholders to improve access, education, and oral health outcomes across the region.
Tooth Fairy’s Helper Program: In-school oral health education from a special visitor
ESAHEC’s beloved Tooth Fairy’s Helper program reached 3,609 children this year across the region. Educational sessions were held in:
Judy Centers
Library story times
Early learning centers
Licensed home daycares
Elementary schools
ESAHEC delivered impactful oral health education to 648 adults through a variety of communitybased partnerships, including:
Behavioral health facilities
Senior centers
Community baby showers
ID/DD residential schools
School-based events
engaging parents and guardians
THANK YOU for supporting ESAHEC!
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