The Florida Keys Area Health Education Center, founded in 1990, provides community-based health education and medical services throughout Monroe County. Services include school-based primary health care to youth in Monroe County, as well as other community health support and education. All programs are provided at no cost to the families.
AHEC began operating the Mobile Dental Clinic in 2022 after ribbon-cutting ceremonies in early January. A critical shortfall in its 2022 State appropriation would have forced AHEC to cancel many services including its mobile dental program. Fortunately, local governments and community organizations stepped up to cover the shortfall (see June 10, 2022 Keys Weekly article by Alex Rickert).
After successfully operating the MDC during the 2022-23 school year, Michael Cunningham reports that 6 months of appointments are on the books for next year, and they are now seeing all children in grades K-12 at 10 schools.