One of the most common questions people ask a search engine is simple—but important: What does ECHO stand for?

It’s a great question, because the story behind our name is also the story of how Project ECHO has evolved from a single, life‑saving idea in health care into a global movement that is transforming systems far beyond medicine.

The ECHO Acronym

When Project ECHO began in 2003, our name was an acronym: Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes.

At the time, Dr. Sanjeev Arora, a liver disease specialist in New Mexico, faced an urgent challenge. Hundreds of patients living in rural areas had hepatitis C, but they couldn’t access the life‑saving treatment they needed. The waitlist at his clinic was eight months. Many would never make it in time.

Dr. Arora’s solution was revolutionary: instead of trying to bring patients to specialists, he brought specialist knowledge to local primary care providers. Through regular virtual learning sessions—what we now call the ECHO Model—he mentored those providers so they could safely treat hepatitis C in their own communities.

That single program has never stopped running. It still meets weekly. But today it’s joined by more than 8,000 ECHO programs worldwide—covering topics as wide‑ranging as mental health, education, environment, livelihoods, policing, and social justice.

Why We No Longer Spell Out “ECHO”

As the ECHO Model spread far beyond health care, we found ourselves in a unique position. Our original acronym no longer captured everything we do.

We debated: should we change our name? Should we update the acronym to reflect education, environmental action, and other fields?

In the end, we decided not to. Here’s why:

• Our Name is Our Identity. Over two decades, Project ECHO has become synonymous with scaling knowledge, building capacity and empowering local leaders.
• Consistency Matters. A trusted and recognizable identity helps us amplify our voice—and the voices of our partners—around the globe.
• 20+ Years of Impact. More than 700 peer‑reviewed studies demonstrate that the ECHO Model improves outcomes and strengthens systems.

Today, we simply go by “Project ECHO.” The name remains the same, but its meaning has grown well beyond its original acronym.

A Problem Becomes a Solution

It’s rare for an organization to face a “problem” like this. Our work has expanded faster and farther than we ever imagined. What began as one doctor’s solution to a local health crisis is used in 200 countries and areas, enabling change in fields our founder could never have envisioned.

Our partners—leaders, teachers, nurses, police officers, judges, and countless others—are using the ECHO Model to solve challenges in their own communities every day.

Keeping our name, while letting go of the literal meaning of the original acronym, is our way of honoring our roots while embracing our future.

Ben Cloutier serves as the senior director of communications and marketing at Project ECHO.

To learn about Project ECHO, email the Communications team. 

*Featured Image: ECHO Institute staff stand on the stairs of the office building in Albuquerque, NM, in April 2023. Photo Credit: Jared Gallardo.