The Upper Peninsula Area Health Education Center (UP-AHEC) at NMU has received continuation funding of nearly $185,500 to implement program goals in all 15 U.P. counties. The regional center is part of the broader Michigan AHEC coordinated by Wayne State University, which is designed to improve access to primary care for all state residents. Through recruitment and retention initiatives, as well as special clinical education programs, MI-AHEC seeks to expose disadvantaged students to health care opportunities, expand the number of underrepresented minorities in the health professions, and encourage students and health professionals to work in medically underserved areas.