Here’s everything you need to know about National AHEC Week — March 23-27, 2026

AHECs success with public policy efforts is a direct result of our strong grassroots advocacy. Fostering relationships and educating members of Congress (and their staffs) on the amazing work of the AHECs across the country now is vital to our AHEC work.

Members of Congress want to hear from their constituents, the people they represent. That’s why we’ve designated a full week of action in which AHECs across the country are encouraged to contact their legislators. We’re focusing on supporting your advocacy efforts.

Please find the following updates to enhance our efforts around National AHEC Week:

• We have invited some members of Congress to make a proclamation declaring National AHEC Week. We encourage you to ask your state legislators (or even local government officials) to do the same. HERE is a sample proclamation.
   
• On March 11 at 3 p.m. ET, the NAO Public Policy committee along with NAO’s government relations partners, Health and Medicine Counsel, will host a virtual advocacy refresher — REGISTER. HMC will open the meeting with a short presentation on the fundamentals of advocacy, followed by an open discussion to share tips, stories, and best practices.
   
• Documents that will be helpful to you as you prepare for your advocacy discussions include the NAO AHEC Works Advocacy Toolkit and NAO CORE data flyer. And please scroll down to the Washington Update for an updated NAO Action Alert.
   
• Here are National AHEC Week social media images for you to share on your own social media channels: an Instagram post, a Facebook post, and a Facebook cover. To use an image, right click on the image and hit "Save." NAO will be sharing content every day of the week, and you are encouraged to do the same – tell your stories about students, preceptors, successes, etc.
  
  Let's work together to make National AHEC Week a success!