ABOUT US

The Big Country Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a non-profit organization, was created in March 2005. It is operated as a partnership between Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and West Central Texas Council of Governments.

The Big Country AHEC is physically located in Abilene and offers health career development and community-based training services to the 28 counties of the region.

Our mission is to address the health care provider shortage and improve health care access in West Texas through education and development of the health care work force.

STAFF

Kelly Cheek, Center Director

Before coming to the AHEC, Kelly was Development Officer for the Grady McWhiney Research Foundation. Kelly’s background also includes positions as Assistant Administrator for Sears Methodist Center and Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Stamford, Texas. He also served as the Community Development Administrator for the City of Abilene. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McMurry University. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Social Service Administration from Abilene Christian University.

Michael Smith, Community-based Education Coordinator

Before coming to AHEC, Michael served in various ministerial roles as youth minister, education coordinator, visitation director, and other internships.  Michael was a Site Coordinator and trainer for the 21st Century Books and Beyond Program with the Youth Department of the West Central Texas Council of Governments.  Michael has experience in youth development, leadership training, teaching, preaching, administration, and sales.  Michael has an Associates of Arts degreee in Religion from Jacksonville College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from East Texas Baptist University, and a Masters of Divinity degree from Logsdon Seminary, an extension of Hardin-Simmons University.

Em Hardegree, Health Careers Promotion Coordinator

Em completed her Master of Social Work at Abilene Christian University (ACU) and obtained her LMSW in 2010. As part of her degree she worked on refugee community development and on community greening and sustainability. She served as Administrative Coordinator and Degree Plan Specialist at the ACU School of Social Work for three years and taught English as a Second Language for one year. She developed and maintained websites for various university departments for a total of five years and trained university employees and students in web publishing for four years. She earned her BA in English from ACU in 2004.

Joyce Voss, Administrative Assistant

Before coming to AHEC, Joyce worked as an administrative assistant in the Nonprofit Management Center at Abilene Christian University, which teamed with the many nonprofit organizations in the Abilene area. Following the closure of that office, she worked with Global Samaritan Resources. After a brief time of "retirement" she joined the Big Country AHEC staff. She and her husband, Dale, are actively involved with the international students at Abilene Christian University and the Southern Hills Church of Christ.

Big Country AHEC Advisory Board

Cade Browning (2011)
Browning Eyssen, PC
Attorneys at Law

David Cory, LCSW (2010)
Branch Chair NASW Abilene Branch

Shannon Kirkland, Ex Officio
Program Director
West Texas AHEC

Charlie Davis (2009)
Diagnostician/Transition Coordinator
West Central Texas SSA

Amy Evans (2012)
Executive Director of External Affairs
Cisco College

Paul Fabrizio, PhD (2012)
Vice President of Academic Affairs & Professor of Political Sience
McMurry College

Honorable Tim Fambrough (2010)
Nolan County Judge

Remelle Farrar (2011)
Project Director
Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas

Honorable Travis Floyd (2010), President
Knox County Judge

James Hailey (2011)
Director of Emergency Medical Services
Stephens Memorial Hospital

Nicki Harle (2011), Secretary
Executive Director
Texas Midwest Community Network

Margaret Hensley (2010)
FNP, Hensley Clinic

Susan Jones, RN (2011)
Executive Director
Shackelford County Community Resource Center

Stephen Kuehler (2012)
Adminisrator
Knox County Hospital

Honorable Jerry Marshall, DDS (2011)
Mayor of Rotan

Lora McCullough (2011)
Student
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy

Burrell McKelvain (2010)

Pearl Merritt, EdD, MS, MSN, RN (2013)
Regional Dean, School of Nursing at Abilene
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Jackolyn Morgan, RN, MSN (2011)
Director, Nursing Programs
Cisco Junior Collegel

Scott Nail (2012)
Administrator
Hardeman County Memorial Hospital

Mike Nall (2010)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy

Tammy Nall (2009)
School Counselor
Madison Middle School

Wes Netz (2012)
Mental Health Professional
Abilene ISD-Early Head Start

Nina Ouimette, RN-BC, MS, EdD (2013)
Dean, Associate Professor
Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing

Jimmy Parker (2010)
Coleman Bank

Perry Reeves, PhD (2012)
Chair, Health Professions Advisory Committee
Abilene Christian University

R.K. Rickard, R.Ph. (2011)

Charlotte Speegle (2011)
Director of Workforce Development
Cisco Junior College

Honorable Dale Spurgin (2011)
Jones County Judge

Sherry Strickland (2012)
Associate Vice President
TSTC West Texas Breckenridge

Brent Wallace, PhD (2010)
Dean of Instruction
Cisco Junior College

George Woodward, MD (2011)
Medical Care Mission