Established in July 2001, CNYAHEC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization working to improve health care access, delivery, and outcomes in a 14-county region of Central New York.

The CNYAHEC service area is home to 19 hospitals located in predominantly rural areas serving a total regional population of over 1.62 million people. There are numerous geographic pockets of federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) within the CNYAHEC region, specifically in the areas of primary health care, mental health care, and dental health care.

The mission of CNYAHEC was adopted in June 2002 and reads as follows:
CNYAHEC, through collaborative efforts, improves access to quality health care by promoting improvements in the supply, training, development and distribution of health professionals in a 14-county area.

Strategic planning is guided by the mission and allows CNYAHEC to focus its efforts in four priority areas:

1. Health careers exploration
2. Continuing education programs and services
3. Clinical training opportunities
4. Community partnership development