MARION, Va., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help improve access to healthcare professionals in rural Southwest Virginia, representatives from AT&T* today joined the Southwest Virginia Area Health Education Center (SWAHEC) to announce a $25,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation to help the organization train and recruit healthcare professionals to the area.

AT&T's support of the Community Training program will expose students to the rural, mountainous areas of the state they may not have experienced before. The overarching goal is for the health-professions students and medical residents participating in the Community Training program to seek careers in health-professional shortage areas of Virginia after completion of their training program, specifically in Southwest Virginia, according to Gary Crum, Ph.D., executive director of the Graduate Medical Education Consortium and the SWAHEC.

"One of Southwest Virginia's greatest challenges is recruiting healthcare providers, particularly physicians and their supporting staff; mental/behavioral health; and dental practitioners. Traditionally, students have participated in community-oriented sites in the same town or metropolitan area where their health professions schools are located," said Crum. "These generous AT&T funds will be a crucial addition to the area's resources aimed at improving much-needed healthcare services."

Howard Chapman, Jr., SWAHEC's board chair and program development director at a community health center, added: "The AT&T funding for rural rotations for health professions students will provide a better understanding of the people, our culture, and quality of life here in rural southwest Virginia. It can be a fun and rewarding experience for the health professions student and hopefully spark their interest in returning to and practicing in southwest Virginia when they complete their education."

Vince Apruzzese, regional vice president for AT&T-Virginia, said the AT&T Foundation is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. The contribution to SWAHEC is aligned with the Foundation's efforts to increase access to specialists and provide medical education and to use innovative and/or collaborative approaches to address key community health and human services issues.

"Our goal is to support programs and initiatives that are aligned with the foundation's priorities and help communities address important needs," said Apruzzese. "This contribution will help rural southwest Virginia attract healthcare professionals to better serve the needs of Virginians in the region."

The mission of the SWAHEC is to provide education, information, training, and services to improve health outcomes in Southwest Virginia. SWAHEC primarily focuses on rural health care workforce development to meet the needs of communities and health care professionals.

Located in Tazewell, Virginia, SWAHEC reaches some of the most needy areas in the Appalachians. Established in 1993, SWAHEC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation led by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is primarily made up of community members from health care and education organizations.

For more information about SWAHEC, visit [ http://www.yvisa.net/ChooseVirginiaWebsite/Southwest-AHEC.html ].

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at [ http://www.att.com ]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at [ http://www.att.com/newsroom ] and as part of an RSS feed at [ www.att.com/rss ]. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and working with other organizations, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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AT&T, Southwest VA Area Health Education Center Collaborate to Improve Health Care Training in Region

AT&T, Southwest VA Area Health Education Center Collaborate to Improve Health Care Training in Region