Eastcentral PA AHEC serves Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
Key AHEC Program Contributions:
1. Developing and supporting community-based interdisciplinary training of health professions students in underserved areas.
2. Providing continuing education and other services to improve the quality of community-based care.
3. Recruiting underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students into health professions through a broad range of programs.
1. Developing and supporting community-based interdisciplinary training of health professions students in underserved areas.
2. Providing continuing education and other services to improve the quality of community-based care.
3. Recruiting underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students into health professions through a broad range of programs.
MEET OUR TEAM
ELIZABETH (LIZ) SCHAFFER
INTERIM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Elizabeth (Liz) Schaffer, MPH, MS, CHES is a public health professional. She has over 15 years of experience as a Health Educator and Public Health Professional. As a Health Educator for Eastcentral PA Area Health Education Center (AHEC), her experience includes developing curriculum, facilitating and evaluating public health programs as well as presenting at state conferences. Elizabeth developed the Community Health Worker Training program for the Eastcentral PA AHEC in 2009. Elizabeth has experience as a Mental Health Targeted Case Manager and is a trainer for the Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid program. She also is an adjunct professor for Northampton Community College. Her areas of interest include health literacy and mental health.
INTERIM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Elizabeth (Liz) Schaffer, MPH, MS, CHES is a public health professional. She has over 15 years of experience as a Health Educator and Public Health Professional. As a Health Educator for Eastcentral PA Area Health Education Center (AHEC), her experience includes developing curriculum, facilitating and evaluating public health programs as well as presenting at state conferences. Elizabeth developed the Community Health Worker Training program for the Eastcentral PA AHEC in 2009. Elizabeth has experience as a Mental Health Targeted Case Manager and is a trainer for the Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid program. She also is an adjunct professor for Northampton Community College. Her areas of interest include health literacy and mental health.
CINDY LYND
BUSINESS MANAGER
As the Business Manager for Eastcentral PA AHEC, Cindy Lynd has over 25 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, and taxes. Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Arcadia University with a minor in Business, as well as extensive experience working as an accountant for corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, and small businesses in the Philadelphia area. Attention to detail and dedication are the basis of her work ethic in providing guidance and support to small businesses to help them reach their financial goals.
BUSINESS MANAGER
As the Business Manager for Eastcentral PA AHEC, Cindy Lynd has over 25 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, and taxes. Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Arcadia University with a minor in Business, as well as extensive experience working as an accountant for corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, and small businesses in the Philadelphia area. Attention to detail and dedication are the basis of her work ethic in providing guidance and support to small businesses to help them reach their financial goals.
Melissa Saunders
HEALTH EDUCATOR
Melissa Saunders is a public health professional. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Her degree is emphasized in Health promotion. She has used her degree to help communities in Utah, and now Pennsylvania. Melissa was raised by immigrant parents and speaks Spanish. She has worked with immigrants and has provided interpretive services to hundreds of individuals in a clinical setting. She is passionate about making sure people find, understand, and receive proper information to make thoughtful decisions about their health. Her areas of interest are immigrant/refugee health and health literacy.
HEALTH EDUCATOR
Melissa Saunders is a public health professional. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Her degree is emphasized in Health promotion. She has used her degree to help communities in Utah, and now Pennsylvania. Melissa was raised by immigrant parents and speaks Spanish. She has worked with immigrants and has provided interpretive services to hundreds of individuals in a clinical setting. She is passionate about making sure people find, understand, and receive proper information to make thoughtful decisions about their health. Her areas of interest are immigrant/refugee health and health literacy.
JOB OPENINGS
Job Title:
Eastcentral AHEC Center Director
Job Summary:
The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization in a manner that supports and guides EC PA AHEC’s mission. The Center Director plans, organizes, directs, and monitors AHEC operations, programs, and financial status to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of high-quality programs for those served.
Full-time starting salary of $55,000-$70,000 depending upon qualifications and experience. Later pay adjustments will depend on performance and success in developing resources and programs through new grants, contracts, and regional partnerships.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with Board of Directors and PA AHEC
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Financial Accountability
Human Resource Management
Organization Mission and Strategy
Job descriptions are guidelines, not fixed Corporation policy, and can be expected to change over time.
To apply for this position, please mail or email cover letter and resume by May 24, 2024 to:
Cindy Lynd
Business Manager
Eastcentral PA AHEC
5662 Interchange Road
Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: (610) 379-2001
E-mail: clynd@ecpennahec.org
The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization in a manner that supports and guides EC PA AHEC’s mission. The Center Director plans, organizes, directs, and monitors AHEC operations, programs, and financial status to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of high-quality programs for those served.
Full-time starting salary of $55,000-$70,000 depending upon qualifications and experience. Later pay adjustments will depend on performance and success in developing resources and programs through new grants, contracts, and regional partnerships.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with Board of Directors and PA AHEC
- Builds collaborative relationships and conveys relevant information to the Board about regional and statewide goals and initiatives; positions the Board to effectively support the organization’s work.
- Oversees the organization’s Strategic Plan to ensure alignment with the AHEC mission and develop strategies for growth and sustainability.
- Develop and maintain an effective partnership with PA AHEC Program Office located at Penn State College of Medicine.
- Collaborates with other Center Directors to share resources and decrease duplication of efforts and programming.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Oversees completion of all required reports for PA AHEC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the US Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA), and other funders and customers.
- Researches and applies for grants that support mission.
- Evaluates and directs quality of EC PA AHEC programs and special projects.
- Maintains internal controls to ensure quality and compliance for all state, federal and private contracts.
Financial Accountability
- Responsible for fiscal management that accurately reflects the financial condition of the organization.
- Works with PA AHEC, cooperating medical school and funders to ensure fiscal accountability including the submission, as required, of all financial and program reports.
- Seeks enhanced revenue through public & private grants and fee-for-service and other fundraising activities.
Human Resource Management
- Manages human resources including general recruitment, hiring/firing, supervision of staff, compensation, and assessment of staff needs.
- Maintains, makes recommendations related to, and regularly updates staff policies and procedures in collaboration with the board of directors.
- Manages staff according to approved personnel policies and in conformance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Organization Mission and Strategy
- Cultivates effective relationships among community and business organizations.
- Works with community partners to develop new programs in response to community need.
- Oversees marketing and communications efforts.
- Responsible for developing and implementing programs that align with the organization’s mission.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and six years of experience (health care, nursing, public health, education, administration, or related field) including four years of management experience. A Master’s degree is preferred.
- Experience in healthcare and/or healthcare education desired.
- Excellent communicator who can work cooperatively and communicate successfully with diverse groups and individuals, good conflict resolution skills.
- Strong public relations and marketing skills.
- Creative, innovative, and strategic thinker; effective at facilitating change.
- Proven financial management experience including budgeting, fundraising, grant writing, and contracts.
- Successful grant research and writing experience preferred.
Job descriptions are guidelines, not fixed Corporation policy, and can be expected to change over time.
To apply for this position, please mail or email cover letter and resume by May 24, 2024 to:
Cindy Lynd
Business Manager
Eastcentral PA AHEC
5662 Interchange Road
Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: (610) 379-2001
E-mail: clynd@ecpennahec.org