Batesville resident elected as National AHEC Organization president

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A Batesville resident has been elected as board president for the National AHEC Organization (NAO).

Jeff Hartz has served as director of the East Indiana Area Health Education Center in Batesville since 2015. 

In the director role, he has led the organization to create impactful programs that engage students in healthcare careers and address pressing community health needs. 

Some of those areas include advancing innovative health career pipeline programming, expanding student service-learning opportunities, and convening interprofessional education initiatives across 14 rural counties.  

In addition to his leadership at the local level, Hartz has played a significant role within NAO,  serving on the conference planning committee, mentoring new center directors, and co-chairing  the Center Director Constituency Group. 

Hartz assumed the NAO president position earlier this month and is focused on ensuring the organization continues to thrive. 

“We grow stronger as a network when we share best practices, learn from one another, and build  professional camaraderie. My focus will be on ensuring NAO remains a powerful vehicle for  welcoming new AHEC leaders, fostering professional growth, and advancing the values that  drive our mission," Hartz said. 

The NAO represents a network of more than 300 AHEC program offices and centers serving over 85 percent of U.S. counties. 

The mission is to enhance access to quality healthcare—particularly primary and preventive care—by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through strategic partnerships with academic programs,  communities, and professional organizations. 

Outside of work, Hartz is engaged in the community, volunteering with nonprofit organizations and coaching youth sports. He holds a master’s degree in education from Wake Forest University and bachelor’s degrees from Guilford College and Indiana  Wesleyan University.