In 1993 the CHAG program was established to address health care maldistribution issues in eastern North Carolina. The program focuses on young people in the early stages of career planning, such as high school students and on people considering mid-career changes. The rationale for this approach evolved from the Grow Your Own concept which contends that physician retention and recruitment may be best achieved by identifying and supporting community residents interested in pursuing medical careers. A CHAG, comprised of a group of key community members would serve as a mechanism for identifying and supporting prospective applicants to medical school. The goal of the CHAG program is to inform communities of this approach to physician recruitment and to facilitate the development of CHAGs through the provision of contact with the medical school, EAHEC and related education resources.

The Washington County CHAG is based in Plymouth, a town with a population of approximately 4,500 people, located in a health professional shortage area in eastern North Carolina. The Washington County CHAG has evolved into a group that serves a broader purpose and partners with other community based organizations to emphasize healthy lifestyles, education, and prevention. Washington County is now recognized as a Healthy Carolinian partnership and was recertified by the NC State Office of Healthy Carolinians in Fall 2005. The Governor's Task Force on Healthy Carolinians awards certification to communities who have broad-based community partnerships which represent the needs of the disadvantaged and whose mission is prevention based. Eastern AHEC and other university resources continue to respond to the requests and needs of the Washington County CHAG as appropriate. .

For more information contact: Debbie Ramey, MAEd, Director, Allied Health Education, 252-744-5205.