Arkansas’ Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) are affiliated with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences  (UAMS) and consist of seven satellite health education programs located in peripheral areas of the state.  Each AHEC serves a multiple county area, with administrative offices located in El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, and Helena. The AHEC Central administrative office is located on the UAMS campus in Little Rock, adjacent to the University Hospital of Arkansas. The Arkansas AHEC Program was established in 1973, and receives a portion of its funding from state appropriations, with additional funds coming from generated fees from each site, local contributions, and grant support.  The AHEC program is now a part of the larger Regional Academic Programs administered by UAMS, which also includes links with several smaller rural hospitals and clinics, and the telemedicine program.