2024 AHEC Alumni/Advocate Award Winners

Congratulations to our PA AHEC Alumni/Advocates who have been recognized by the NAO for their outstanding dedication and contributions to the AHEC mission.

Congratulations to Sarah McKendry (Southwest Pennsylvania AHEC) and Natasha Salmen (Eastern Ohio/Northeast Ohio AHEC) as the 2024 AHEC Alumni/Advocate of the Year award winners!

Sarah McKendry
SW PA AHEC

Sarah is recognized for her work in occupational therapy and addressing healthcare disparities. Her career exemplifies the AHEC mission of community-based healthcare innovation.

As a doctoral student, McKendry helped establish the Interprofessional Student Board and organized biannual learning sessions for AHEC Scholars. She also attended the Association for Clinicians of the Underserved Conference in 2023, where she facilitated a pathway for Scholars to present their work in 2024.

After graduation, McKendry founded Empowered Self Occupational Therapy, a private practice focused on chronic pain. She works part-time as a manager for the SW PA AHEC Scholars program, mentoring students and creating learning opportunities. She also volunteers at the Birmingham Free Clinic 2-3 times a week.

McKendry said that becoming an AHEC Scholar transformed her journey as a healthcare provider. "This award is an incredible honor. I'm eager to continue contributing to current Scholars' experience in the program and increasing awareness of all that AHECs have to offer," she said.

Congratulations to Honorable Mention AHEC Alumni/Advocate Award Winners from Northeast PA AHEC!

Sandra Rabat, D.O.

A graduate of the AHEC Scholars program, Dr. Sandra Rabat has made significant contributions to healthcare education, community health, and policy advocacy. Currently an Internal Medicine Resident at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, she leads innovative projects to improve healthcare access. Her "Defeating Barriers to Executing Screening Mammography for Women with Mobile Mammogram Awareness" project won first place in The Wright Center's PDSA competition, showcasing her ability to address gaps in care.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Rabat advocates for sustainable funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. She has worked with the National Association of Community Health Centers and participated in the American Association of Teaching Health Centers' Fall Fly-In, advocating for reforms on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Rabat also mentors AHEC Scholars, sharing her expertise with the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her commitment to health equity and preventative care is reflected in her mentorship and presentations, including her 2021 talk on prioritizing vaccination for older adults in long-term care facilities.

Nicole Sekelsky, CCHW

Nicole (Nicky) Sekelsky, CCHW, is a true AHEC success story. After enrolling in the job training RISE program in 2021 to obtain her medical assistant and billing/coding certifications, she pursued further training as a Community Health Worker (CHW) with Northeast PA AHEC. In 2022, Nicky volunteered with AmeriCorps, National Health Corps, and the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps, all through the Northeast Pennsylvania AHEC. Soon after, she was hired as a CHW at The Wright Center for Community Health in Scranton, where she helped patients access critical social services.

Nicky was soon promoted to Director of Needs Responsive Outreach, Engagement, and Enrollment, where she assists patients with health insurance enrollment and other services. She continues to grow professionally and is currently pursuing an associate's degree in human development and family studies at Penn State University while serving as a student board member of Northeast PA AHEC, where she is eager to share her story and advocate for the AHEC mission.

Congratulations to all of the 2024 AHEC Alumni/Advocate of the Year award winners!