Southwest Core Site Information

  • Explore Springfield

    Birthplace of Route 66 and home to the largest Bass Pro in the world, Springfield is a hub for surrounding rural communities that showcase the famous Ozark Mountain region.

  • Mercy Hospital System

    Originally founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986, Mercy has become one of the top five largest U.S health systems, with a team of more than 2,100 primary and specialty care physicians across 4 states.

  • CoxHealth

    CoxHealth is a leading medical provider in the southwest region with over 20+ clinical sites. They also provide various higher education programs from nursing to ultrasound technology.

  • Jordan Valley Community Health Center

    Jordan Valley Community Health Center is comprised of eight various clinics offering medical, dental, behavioral health, and optometry services that aim to improve community access to affordable care.

  • Citizens Memorial Hospital

    Named one of the Top 10 Rural Hospitals in the United States, Citizens Memorial Hospital (CMH) serves eight counties in southwest Missouri with 32 primary and specialty physician clinics.

Core-Site Information

The Southwest Missouri Area Health Education Center (SWMO AHEC) provides service to a 21 county area in Southwest Missouri. Clerkship opportunities are preceptor based, not hospital or system based. We strive to provide a one on one experience (student to physician) for each clinical rotation. Clerkship assignments are determined by the Clinical Education Coordinators.  Although many rotations may occur in or around the Springfield area, students can expect to be assigned to any of the hospitals or clinics in the region for a given rotation.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities are available for Core Students and AHEC Scholars Students. Projects vary throughout the year, however options exist with Missouri State University, Cox Health, and Mercy Hospital systems. 

Mentorship Opportunities

Our core-students can act as mentors for interested high school and undergraduate students. These high school and undergraduate students are actively pursuing pre-health professional degree programs.  Core students can lead hands-on workshops, participate in school or MASH Camp presentations, and ultimately continue to build their CV's throughout their clinical years.