In 1996, members and alumni of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) planted a seed of a membership network, and with it, the hope of a new organization to support clinicians and improve the health of communities. 29 years later, that network–the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved–has grown immensely. And in 2024, despite countless challenges, your commitment to our common cause continued to drive ACU forward. In a momentous year of growth, we strove to continue leading advocacy, clinical, and operational excellence to develop and support clinicians and the healthcare workforce caring for America’s underserved populations.
The ACU 2024 Annual Report highlights those milestones, including the founding of our National Center for Workforce Development & Training, new and expanded programmatic partnerships with organizations ranging from the American Academy of Pediatrics to UNCF, our largest Annual Conference and Hill Day of advocacy yet, exciting developments in national advocacy for the National Health Service Corps and the healthcare workforce in general, a growing collective community of members in nearly every U.S. state, and much more.
As our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly notes, “The spark that gave life to these myriad initiatives was the same one that created ACU nearly three decades ago: your voice, your vision, and your vigor. As we grew in programs and in staff last year, we did so with a strategic plan that you helped shape. And whether you’re a member, a partner or stakeholder, or a part of our extended network, we remain grateful for your leadership, inspired by your efforts, and committed to supporting our incredible members and network as we strive to achieve our collective mission.”
