About the Western New York Rural AHEC (R-AHEC)

New York's first rural AHEC, the WNY R-AHEC began operations as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 community-based organization in August 1999. Located in upstate Western New York, the R-AHEC seeks to provide services for 11 rural counties and 1 urban county, covering an approximate area of 10,700 square miles.

Our catchment area is represented by 115 rural school districts and 57 urban school districts; 24 rural hospitals and 26 urban hospitals. The area population is 2,660,099 with 49-158 people per square mile in our rural counties and 413 - 1080 people per square mile in the urban counties. We have an average median household income of $32,000 per year.

Where is R-AHEC Located?

Our main office is located in Warsaw (Wyoming County), we have satellite offices in Genesee and Steuben counties, to adequately respond to highly varied health education needs of this vast and diverse region. Our total service area includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, Ontario, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties.

Thus far, we have established placement support services for the medical schools of University at Buffalo and the University of Rochester, along with the health profession schools of D'Youville College, Daemen College, Gannon University, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and SUNY Brockport. We eagerly look forward to partnerships with other colleges and universities.

Organizational Structure

The R-AHEC has been specifically structured to insure maximum community based input and accountability. We seek to serve as a dynamic link between the resources of our teaching schools and the most critical health and program needs of our communities.

The Governing Board of Directors seats eighteen members. Each member represents different areas of the health professions, schools, and/or business associations.

In 2005 the R-AHEC opened a twin building mini-campus in Warsaw, NY, adjacent to Wyoming County Community Hospital. It is utilized as a unique hospitality house, lodge, learning center, and R-AHEC's main offices. The structures is used by ambulatory care patients, patients' families, medical specialists, health professions students visiting on a short-term basis, and general community support groups.

Contact Us

To request further information about how R-AHEC can help you or your organization, please e-mail us at www.center@r-ahec.org or by phone 585-786-6275.