Better Together: A Year of Impact and Innovation in 2024
Better Together: A Year of Impact and Innovation in 2024
Written by Char Barwin, Communications and Program Support Specialist
As we reflect on 2024, one word captures the essence of our work at Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center (NEWAHEC): connection. From our Community Space in downtown Manitowoc to groundbreaking initiatives in healthcare workforce development and substance use prevention, we’ve deepened our roots in Northeastern Wisconsin while branching out in innovative ways.
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Healthcare Heroes
Our commitment to fostering a diverse healthcare workforce came to life through cutting-edge Virtual Reality Healthcare Simulations, reaching over 300 students. From middle schoolers dreaming of their first scrubs to ARMY recruits preparing for service, these immersive experiences opened doors to possibilities.
Our Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Scholars program flourished with 32 students pursuing their healthcare careers. Through our AHEC Immersion programs, 18 students gained hands-on community health experience. We welcomed 30 high school students to our Future Oral Health Workforce Day at NWTC. And, our summer Community Health Internship Program (CHIP) nurtured eight promising public health students, with one intern later joining our team, demonstrating our commitment to growing local healthcare talent.
Prevention in Action
Our substance use prevention initiatives in 2024 showcased the power of strategic partnerships across multiple programs:
As a Regional Prevention Center for the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth, we provided vital support to 48 Substance Use Prevention Coalitions across Northeastern and Southern Wisconsin through technical assistance, collaboration, training, and funding. Through coalition initiatives supported by the State Opioid Response Grant, we helped collect more than 7,000 pounds of medications during National Drug Take Back Days—equivalent to the weight of a full-sized pickup truck.
Our Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program deepened its impact across Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties through strategic engagement. We collaborated with state and local leaders, supported the Catholic Diocese in modernizing school policies to address electronic devices, and equipped community partners with vital tobacco cessation resources.
Our Wisconsin Wins (WI Wins) “21 Means 21” message and proactive retailer education yielded impressive results: Manitowoc County tobacco retailers achieved a 98% compliance rate during second-round 2024 checks, while Sheboygan County maintained a strong 96% compliance rate during 2023-2024 checks.
Our partnership with Healthiest Manitowoc County Substance Use Prevention Coalition delivered concrete community impacts:
- Trained 90+ community leaders in overdose response
- Integrated 45 Emergency Overdose Kits into AEDs and first aid kits
- Equipped 10 organizations with Festival Safety Toolkits for responsible alcohol service
- Distributed 24 Narcan kits throughout the community
- Collected over 400 pounds of medication during Manitowoc County’s National Drug Take Back Day
- Maintained and promoted five permanent medication drop boxes
- Provided 150 families with free medication lockboxes and disposal kits
Innovation Meets Community Needs
As we enter 2025, we’re excited to announce a groundbreaking initiative: Manitowoc County’s first climate-controlled, 24/7 Public Health Vending Machine. This innovative solution, to be installed outside our Community Space in early 2025, will provide round-the-clock access to life-saving overdose prevention resources, addressing a critical need in our ongoing fight against the opioid crisis.
Our move to downtown Manitowoc in December 2023 wasn’t just about changing locations; it was about creating a hub for health innovation and community wellness. Our Community Space serves as a welcoming gathering place for local non-profits who are making meaningful differences in our community members’ lives through their vital programs and services.
The Heart of Our Mission
For 33 years, we’ve stood by our promise to Northeastern Wisconsin: to increase the diversity, distribution, and development of healthcare professionals who serve our community. Every virtual reality session that inspires a future doctor, every naloxone kit that saves a life, every student who discovers their calling in healthcare—these are the moments that drive us forward.
As we step into 2025, we remain committed to our core values of connection, support, health, learning, and compassion. At NEWAHEC, we believe that creating healthier communities isn’t just about providing services, it’s about fostering connections that transform lives.
Together, we’re not just envisioning a healthier Wisconsin—we’re building it, one day, one program, and one life at a time. We strive to create a healthier Wisconsin by reducing substance use, fostering a diverse healthcare workforce, and strengthening underserved communities through education and collaboration.
Stay connected with NEWAHEC’s initiatives and upcoming events by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.