Community Health Alliance (CHA) and High Sierra Area Health Education Center (AHEC) are thrilled to announce the successful completion of a 40-hour volunteer rotation by Northern Nevada Student Ambassadors. These dedicated students gained invaluable, hands-on experience by immersing themselves in CHA’s comprehensive healthcare services across the Reno-Sparks area.
Throughout the program, Student Ambassadors actively contributed to several key CHA departments, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the prescription food pantry, dentistry, health center and back-office operations. Their efforts provided meaningful support to CHA staff and the community while offering students real-world exposure to the inner workings of a healthcare organization.
Program Highlights:
- Assisting families with essential nutritional counseling through the WIC program
- Distributing food and resources to families in need at the prescription food pantry
- Observing dental care practices and procedures alongside CHA’s dental team
- Supporting front and back-office health center operations to ensure smooth delivery of care
This immersive experience highlighted the importance of collaboration, compassion, and teamwork in delivering quality healthcare to underserved populations. The program not only strengthened CHA’s ability to meet critical community needs but also served as an inspiring introduction to healthcare careers for the next generation of professionals.
“This program reflects our shared commitment to educating and empowering future healthcare leaders,” said Community Health Alliance CEO Oscar Delgado, MSW, MUP. “The hands-on experience gained through this rotation provides valuable insights into healthcare delivery while reinforcing the impact of community-based care.”
“High Sierra AHEC is proud to partner with Community Health Alliance to provide invaluable opportunities for our students,” said Andrea Gregg, CEO of High Sierra AHEC. “This collaboration highlights the power of employer partnerships in shaping the future healthcare workforce. We are committed to expanding experiential learning opportunities, empowering students to gain the skills needed to become tomorrow’s healthcare leaders while strengthening Nevada’s healthcare system.”
High Sierra AHEC and CHA remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for students to engage, learn, and contribute to improving the health and well-being of Northern Nevada communities.
About Community Health Alliance
Community Health Alliance is a non-profit, federally qualified health center formed in July 2012 and is the largest provider of primary medical and dental services to Medicaid patients in Northern Nevada, serving over 32,000 patients annually. They also provide behavioral health, low-cost pharmacies, even prescription food pantries to all patients. Community Health Alliance operates six primary care locations in Reno and Sparks, as well as mobile medical and dental programs. In addition, they are the largest Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provider in Northern Nevada. For more information, visit www.chanevada.org.
About High Sierra AHEC
High Sierra Area Health Education Center (AHEC) tackles Nevada’s healthcare workforce shortages by recruiting, training, and inspiring diverse professionals. Through education and hands-on learning, High Sierra AHEC connects students with career pathways, improving access to quality care in rural and underserved communities. Through these efforts, the program improves access to quality care in rural and underserved communities, ensuring that Nevada’s residents receive the support they need while fostering a stronger, more equitable healthcare system. For more information, visit www.highsierraahec.org.
