DETROIT (WWJ) – The Wayne State University School of Medicine and College of Nursing  received a $750,000 dollar grant in support of its efforts.

The grant is used to establish the Michigan Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and is now partnering with community groups and schools throughout southeast and mid-Michigan to establish regional centers during the next two years, that will develop and implement programs to increase interest in health care professions.

It’s important because Michigan is currently suffering from a major shortage of healthcare professionals, and the problem is only expected to get worse.

“Our AHEC program is committed to promoting the health and well being of people in underserved rural and urban areas,” said Valerie M. Parisi, M.D., dean of the WSU School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the grant.

Seventy-five of Michigan’s 83 counties currently have shortages of health care professionals.

Click on here for more information about the Kresge Foundation.