Ambassador Overview

The NHSC Ambassador Program is a membership organization comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers on campuses and in communities across the Nation.  These volunteers, or “Ambassadors,” work in partnership with the NHSC to improve the health of the Nation’s underserved.  Ambassadors self-identify as either Campus-based, Community-based, or both.  Together, these Ambassadors provide a “Continuum of Support” for students and clinicians who are dedicated to providing uncompromised healthcare services to areas across the country that lack an adequate number of healthcare providers.

Campus-based Ambassadors can help make all the difference in a student's selection of and preparation for a career dedicated to those in need.  These Ambassadors work on campus to promote careers in primary care and to support and train interested students.  Community-based Ambassadors also play a vital role for students and clinicians dedicated to serving in areas where more healthcare professionals are needed.  These Ambassadors work in or for underserved areas and/or have an affiliation with a community organization that is committed to the underserved, so they serve as a valuable community link for both clinicians in service, as well as students in training. 

The common denominator of the Ambassadors, whether Campus or Community-based, is that they are passionate about promoting primary care careers in service to the underserved and understand what it takes to both enter into this field and to sustain a career in it.  Ambassadors are vital partners in the NHSC goal of meeting the Nation's need for highly trained, culturally competent primary care clinicians to ensure that all Americans have access to health care.  The efforts of this coalition of volunteers are invaluable to the NHSC mission of improving the health of the Nation’s underserved.

NHSC Ambassadors blend their current professional responsibilities and passions with the Ambassador activities, focusing on the following four areas:

• Recruitment/Retention
• Preparation/Training
• Mentoring
• Advocacy

Recruit and retain students and clinicians to work in underserved communities
Ambassadors are themselves committed to helping underserved communities; thus, they are in a position to discuss the rewards and challenges of such a career path with others. Students and clinicians will often seek assistance in determining the best options for elective courses, clinical placements, and volunteer or employment opportunities, and Ambassadors can offer advice and guidance to aid in recruiting and retaining students and clinicians to underserved areas.  Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Link students and clinicians with volunteer and employment opportunities that match their career interest, such as the NHSC SEARCH program, the NHSC Job Opportunities List or other non-NHSC programs to serve the underserved.
• Hold a brown bag informational meeting to advise students and clinicians on how to enter a career in service to the underserved and how to successfully sustain their career once it is established.

Prepare and train students and clinicians to work in health professional shortage areas
Ambassadors can bring students and clinicians who are interested in primary care together to foster discussion, share resources, and arrange training opportunities. Ambassadors’ direct link to communities and to the NHSC can help students arrange challenging and meaningful community-based training opportunities. Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Assist in linking students and clinicians to clinical rotations in underserved areas so that they can obtain first-hand experience. 
• Facilitate and/or provide opportunities for students to shadow healthcare professionals.

Mentor students and clinicians who desire to provide service to the underserved
Ambassadors can use their experience and knowledge of working in underserved communities to advise and support students and clinicians who have a desire to work in such areas.  Students and clinicians can utilize Ambassadors as a source of information, as well as obtain insight and guidance to aid their efforts of being a successful clinician in an underserved area.  Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• One-on-one counseling with clinicians, students and NHSC Scholars on various topics, such as how to sustain interest and commitment to serving the underserved
• Serve as a resource to a NHSC clinician in the field who may have clinical and/or community-related questions

Advocate for improving the health of the Nation’s underserved
As leaders in Primary Care, Ambassadors can champion the need for primary care in underserved communities and highlight the importance of this career track either on campus or in the community. In addition, students and clinicians can look to Ambassadors as an example on how to advocate for primary care.  Examples of Potential Ambassador Activities include:

• Serve as speakers at NHSC events and meetings
• Educate the local community and/or campus about service to the underserved and promote the concept of “Healthier Communities”
• Participate in National Primary Care Week activities