North Dakota AHEC

03/23/2026

National AHEC Week is here!

Every day across the country, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are working behind the scenes to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Was North Dakota AHEC a part of your journey?

03/16/2026

03/13/2026

ND AHEC was proud to be at the University of Mary for the Annual Field Instructor Workshop hosted by the Social Work Department!

As part of our ongoing Resiliency Training initiative, Since 2022, ND AHEC supported over 50 professionals across North Dakota through the Certified Resilience Trainer (CeRT) Program, which prepared individuals to teach practical stress management and resilience strategies using the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) model. Through this initiative, we were excited to coordinate one of our previously sponsored CeRT graduates, Tara Schaefer-Nygaard, LCSW, to help prepare the next generation by presenting “Stress Happens: Tools, Truths, and Strategies” to University of Mary social work students!

Thank you to the University of Mary Social Work Department for the opportunity to connect with students and field instructors while continuing to grow a culture of resilience across North Dakota!

https://newhopecounselingpllc.com/team

03/09/2026

University of Mary & North Dakota AHEC are hosting a Field Workshop for Social Work and Addiction Counseling. Here is the link to RSVP.:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmg7ij5079I0YlBVi1El1FUs-fxIDS4FOj-DFG4ZLB8-_KNQ/viewform

02/27/2026

01/02/2026

Thank you Lake Region State College for reserving a room for our ND AHEC team to meet!

12/18/2025

Ever thought about becoming an AHEC Scholar? Now is the time.

AHEC Scholars is a nationally recognized certificate program for health profession students and is a two-year program that complements existing coursework to emphasize a team-based approach. Spots are open for students graduating in 2027.

Accepted professions include medical school, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral health. Apply today!
https://www.ndahec.org/scholars

11/20/2025

In honor of , we’re proud to share our brand-new North Dakota AHEC promotional video.

Rural communities face unique challenges, from provider shortages to long travel distances for care. ND AHEC is committed to addressing these needs by expanding rural training opportunities, supporting clinical rotations, and inspiring future health professionals across the state.

🎥 Join us in celebrating the and the people preparing to serve North Dakota.

10/27/2025

🌟Leader Spotlight | Introducing RLND Class XI
We are excited to introduce the newest cohort of Rural Leadership North Dakota, a group of remarkable individuals committed to growing, leading, and strengthening communities across our state.
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Hello everyone! I’m Taylor Kittelson, and I’m proud to call rural North Dakota home. I grew up on my family’s farm and ranch along Highway 85 near New England, ND, where I learned early the value of hard work, community, and resilience.

After graduating from New England Public School, I continued my education while playing collegiate volleyball at Dakota College at Bottineau, earning my Associate of Science degree. I went on to complete my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology at the University of North Dakota and later earned my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Mary in Bismarck.

Before transitioning into rural health workforce development, I worked as an occupational therapist in skilled nursing facilities across Minot and surrounding communities. During that time, I experienced firsthand the challenges faced by rural practitioners, experiences that inspired me to make a difference on a broader scale.

Today, I serve as the Western Director for the North Dakota AHEC (Area Health Education Center), where our mission is to strengthen education and training networks among underserved communities, academic institutions, and rural healthcare facilities. Through this role, I’m passionate about expanding pathways into health careers and supporting the rural healthcare workforce that keeps our communities thriving.

My husband, Matthew, and I live in Velva, ND; his hometown, with our 1½-year-old son, Roman, and we’re excited to welcome a baby girl this coming April!

✨ Fun Facts about Taylor
1. I love cooking and baking, especially when trying new recipes.
2. I am an Enneagram Type 3 and love setting and achieving goals.
3. The farm I grew up on had cattle, sheep, llamas, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, and even an ostrich at one time!
4. My extended family is very large on both sides, totaling over 100 first and second cousins! Our holidays are always a blast!
5. My favorite genre of music is hard rock!