Paula Winkler, M. Ed.

South Central AHEC Director​

Personal Statement:

Paula Winkler, M.Ed. is a native Texan with over 30 years of experience developing linkages between academic programs to community based health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University and her Master of Education degree from Southern Methodist University. Ms. Winkler has been serving as the Director of South Central Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in San Antonio since 2004.  Prior to that she worked with the Illinois AHEC Program for 10 years. She directs the center within a catchment area of 12 counties, the largest being Bexar county — which contains the San Antonio metro area. She has spent her entire professional career addressing health disparity health advocacy and community outreach through community-based initiatives. This has allowed her to develop strong working relationships with physician practices and community partners across South Texas. Ms. Winkler plays important roles for numerous area community advisory committees and also serves on the board of the Texas Rural Health Association (TRHA).  Ms. Winkler is currently a Co-Investigator on the Community Engagement Core Function of the NIH CTSA project award to UT Health San Antonio since 2008.​