Greta Lax, M.Ed., celebrates 10 years of service as Center Director for the Akron-Region Interprofessional the Area Health Education Center!
The Akron-Region Interprofessional Area Health Education Center is the first hosted model for the state of Ohio. Located on the University of Akron, Greta has elevated AHEC’s presence in areas such as coordination of the Health Care in Progress with the Akron Public Schools; a program exposing and preparing groups of diverse students from underrepresented populations in Akron for careers in healthcare by introducing them to various medical fields in educational and hospital settings.
In addition, Greta created “Wellness Wednesdays,” a student-led experience aimed at boosting the well-being of communities with health disparities. AHEC Scholars, who are students from University of Akron (UA), are helping to address some of these needs for residents at the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority by providing health topics that includes education, exercise, and healthy eating demonstrations with residents living in public housing sites each Wednesday.
Greta has also received the Hero/Shero Award from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. The Hero/Shero of Health Award recognizes a person who serves others in a way that contributes to the overall health of the minority community. The Hero/Shero of Health award honors the hard work, special achievements, and good deeds of “unsung heroes.”
Congratulations, Greta!
The Akron-Region Interprofessional AHEC is one of four centers as part of the Northeast Ohio AHEC Program located in the Department of Family Medicine.
-Submitted by Patricia Thornborough