(Batesville, IN) -The National AHEC Organization (NAO) has elected Jeff Hartz, director of the East Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Batesville, as president of its board of directors for the 2025–2026 term, effective October 1.
Hartz has led East Indiana AHEC since 2015, bringing over a decade of experience in advancing health career pipeline programming, expanding student service-learning opportunities, and convening inter-professional education initiatives across 14 rural counties.
Under his leadership, East Indiana AHEC has created programs to engage students in healthcare careers and address pressing community health needs.
In addition to his leadership at the local level, Hartz has played a significant role within NAO, serving on the conference planning committee, mentoring new center directors, and co-chairing
the Center Director Constituency Group (CDCG). As CDCG co-chair, he has represented the interests of AHEC center directors nationwide on the NAO Board.
“As NAO president, I look forward to working with the board and staff to ensure that opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate continue to thrive,” Hartz said. “We grow stronger as a network when we share best practices, learn from one another, and build professional camaraderie. My focus will be on ensuring NAO remains a powerful vehicle for welcoming new AHEC leaders, fostering professional growth, and advancing the values that drive our mission.”
Outside of his work with AHEC, Hartz is deeply engaged in his community, volunteering with nonprofit organizations and coaching youth sports.
He holds a master’s degree in education from Wake Forest University and bachelor’s degrees from Guilford College and Indiana Wesleyan University.
“Jeff’s steady leadership as a center director and at the national level has been a tremendous asset to the AHEC network, and I’m thrilled that he is serving as president of the board,” said Dwain Harris, NAO chief executive officer. “The success of NAO depends on proactive, informed leaders like Jeff who are passionate about the AHEC mission.”
The National AHEC Organization represents a network of more than 300 AHEC program offices and centers serving over 85% of U.S. counties. The AHEC mission is to enhance access to quality healthcare—particularly primary and preventive care—by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through strategic partnerships with academic programs, communities, and professional organizations.
Learn more at www.nationalahec.org.
