The 2025 North Carolina Annual STI Update was held on August 13, 2025, in a fully virtual format for both presenters and attendees—marking the fifth consecutive year of remote delivery. This approach continues to empower Northwest AHEC and its partners to deliver this longstanding, reputable continuing professional development activity to a broader and more diverse audience.

This year’s event was the largest since Northwest AHEC began managing the activity in 2013, with 992 attendees representing a wide range of disciplines including Allied Health, Behavioral Health, Health Careers, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and more. Within North Carolina, 98 of 100 counties were represented, and the activity expanded its reach to 12 additional states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The program featured expert presenters from respected institutions and organizations such as UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Mid-Charlotte Dermatology, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Fenway Institute, local health departments, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine.

Participants were eligible for 6.25 hours of continuing education credit, including Contact Hours, CHES/MCHES, ACPE, and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through collaboration with UAB’s Office of Continuing Medical Education.

Featured Topics Included:

• Sexual Health Considerations for Aging Populations
  
  The focus on aging populations was seen as timely and essential, with many attendees planning to apply this knowledge in their practices.
  
  
• Taking a Sexual Health History and Introducing Shared Decision Models into Practice
  
  Participants valued the sessions that emphasized patient-centered communication and sexual health history-taking, noting that learning how to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions enhanced their confidence and effectiveness in clinical practice.
  
  
• Genital Dermatology
  
  The dermatology session was praised for its clinical relevance and clarity, especially the use of visuals and case studies.
  
  
• Leveraging Point-of-Care Diagnostics to Address Syndemics
  
  Buncombe County’s mobile unit success, as well as the rapid testing strategies discussed, inspired attendees with practical, real-world applications.
  
  
• Practice Guide to Implementing DoxyPEP
  
  Attendees reported increased confidence in prescribing or advocating for DoxyPEP, citing compelling data on its safety and effectiveness.
  
  
• Updates from NC Local Public Health Providers
  
  The panel session delivered timely updates for North Carolina providers, offering practical guidance on STI/HIV case investigation, the evolving role of NC DIS teams, and strategies for managing complex STI cases. Participants found the content highly relevant to their clinical work and appreciated the clarity and depth of the information presented.

To extend the event’s impact, all sessions were recorded and will be available online as enduring material beginning August 22, 2025, allowing continued access for professionals who could not attend live or wish to revisit the content. The sessions can be found here.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidal ideation, has evolved into a powerful, evidence-based approach for a wide range of mental health challenges. Today, DBT is effectively used to treat conditions such as depression, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders in both adolescents and adults.

What APGAR score does your baby need to get into dermatology residency? What does Disney's Frozen soundtrack have to do with skin cream? Are tanning beds more addictive than heroin? What do piano lessons and medication adherence have in common? Is AI more empathetic than doctors? Will patients choose the House, Marcus Welby, or Nurse Jackie avatar? Are robots replacing sex workers?

November 14, 2025 | In-Person Only
Wake Forest University – Benson University Center, Winston-Salem, NC

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Healthcare professionals, mark your calendars! The 27th Annual Diabetes Management Conference returns this fall with a full day of expert-led sessions, practical insights, and the latest in diabetes care. This in-person event is your opportunity to deepen your knowledge, connect with peers, and explore innovative strategies to improve patient outcomes.

🩺 Why Attend?

This conference is designed to equip healthcare providers with best practices in diabetes management, covering both clinical and behavioral aspects of care. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned expert, you'll find sessions tailored to your professional goals and interests.

In this recent conversation with Andrew Brewer on the Healthcare Insights podcast, Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, neurosurgeon and President of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, shared groundbreaking insights into the role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation.

Northwest AHEC and the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are proud to present a dynamic lineup of educational programs designed to support healthcare professionals across disciplines. Whether you're looking to deepen your clinical expertise, explore emerging technologies, or connect with peers in your field, there's something here for everyone.

Whether you're looking for in-person training or the convenience of live webinars, we've got something for everyone in the healthcare field. Check out our upcoming events and register today!

Featured Programs

August 2025

• 2025 North Carolina Lactation Educator Training Program - Fall- Opens 8/1/25

September 2025

• After Discharge: Maternal and Infant Assessment in the Home – 9/9/25
• Winston-Salem Dance Medicine Conference – 9/19/25
• After Discharge: Maternal and Infant Assessment in the Home – 9/9/25
• Pediatric Pulse: Vaccines and Immunizations - 9/11/25
• Otolaryngology Update (2025) – 9/13/25
• Iredell Health System 7th Cardiovascular Conference – 9/17/25
• Winston-Salem Dance Medicine Conference – 9/19/25
• Assessments and Levels of Care: Guiding Clients to the Right Treatment – 9/26/25
• Southeastern Shock Symposium – 9/27/25

October 2025

• Basic Fetal Monitoring Fall 2025 – 10/1/25
• 2025 Licensed Practical Nurse Symposium – 10/10/25
• Advanced Application of DBT Skills – 10/10/25
• Moving Mountains and Community Conference – 10/12/25
• Identifying and Addressing Anxiety and Trauma Related Disorders in Adolescents – 10/15/25
• NCPAT Conference - Making Group Work, Work in Abuse Intervention Programs – 10/16/25
• Experienced SUD Professionals Panel: Sharing Their Expertise, Wisdom, and Hope – 10/22/25
• Charles L. Spurr Piedmont Oncology Symposium – 10/24/25

November 2025

• 43rd Annual Conference Gravidas at Risk – 11/5/25
• 27th Annual Diabetes Management Conference – 11/14/25
• 20th Annual Neuroscience Conference - 11/14/25
• Emotional CPR (eCPR) Training Series – 11/19/25

2026 Preview

• 40th Annual Northwest AHEC Respiratory Care Conference 2/25–2/26/26
• 17th Annual NC "One Community in Recovery" Conference – 3/4/26
  
  

📚 Explore More

Looking for additional learning opportunities? Browse our full Course Catalog to discover even more programs tailored to your interests and professional goals.

In the face of rising pediatric mental health needs, Novant Health Twin City Pediatrics found itself at a crossroads. As adolescent mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety became more prevalent, clinicians found themselves increasingly fielding complex and time-consuming questions. These mild to moderate conditions required consistent follow-up and oversight, yet the surge in demand for mental health services made it difficult for patients to access timely care, particularly from providers who accepted their insurance. Many adolescents went without necessary treatment. 

Thanks to a powerful partnership with Northwest AHEC and the guidance of Lara Dickerson, MHA, Senior Quality Improvement Specialist, the practice chose a different path—one of innovation, collaboration, and compassion.

Adair Stewart, Dr. Elizabeth Allen, Dr. Gretchen Hoyle, Lara Dickerson, Jennifer Cleland Green, Lauren Stokes

The Challenge

Primary care pediatricians face a dilemma. Mental health visits are longer, emotionally taxing, and historically under-reimbursed. Yet the need is undeniable. Twin City Pediatrics chose to lean in—embracing the challenge rather than deflecting it.

The question became: Can mental health care in pediatrics be both impactful and financially viable? The answer, it turns out, is yes.

The Solution: Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)

With coaching from Lara Dickerson and guidance from AHEC Practice Support Services, Twin City Pediatrics implemented the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).  A practice which emphasizes collaboration between primary care physicians, care managers, and psychiatric consultants to improve access, outcomes, and patient satisfaction within the pediatric medical home. 

Key components of the model include:

• A Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) providing core services like parent coaching, brief therapeutic interventions, and referral coordination.
• A Psychiatric Consultant offering oversight and subspecialty advice..
• A Primary Care Provider trained in pediatric physical health.
• Validated clinical tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, Vanderbilt, etc.) for measurement-based care.
• Customized EHR workflows and a patient registry to track progress and enable billing for behavioral health services within the primary care practice.

Practice Support Team Impact

The journey began with a conversation at the 2023 NC Pediatric Society Meeting, leading to a partnership with Northwest AHEC. Practice coach Lara Dickerson became a key ally, meeting monthly with the team for two years. Her support included:

• Coordinated with internal Novant departments (HR, billing, IT, compliance).
• Billing guidance and documentation templates.
• Consultation with NC Medicaid on psychiatric consultant roles.
• Staff training modules.
• Troubleshooting billing issues.
• Setting BHCM workload benchmarks.
• Secured a $50,000 Capacity Building Fund grant from Community Care of NC to support BHCM staffing.

Thanks to this comprehensive support, the program not only launched - it thrived.

The Results

By June 2025, the program became revenue-positive, six months ahead of schedule. With monthly BHCM costs of $5,400 and over $13,000 billed in June alone, the practice expects $6,500 in revenue—exceeding expenses by more than $1,100 per month. Today, the program includes a growing number of enrolled patients - many with complex needs - and is delivering tangible improvements in the lives of children and their families.

“The Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model has empowered our practice to provide meaningful, evidence-based mental health care for our pediatric patients. Our success is replicable, sustainable, and deeply impactful.”
— Gretchen S. Hoyle, MD - Twin City Pediatrics

“It was amazing to see how this model enables primary care practices to spend adequate time with each patient on physical and mental health concerns, developing treatment plans collaboratively with specialists and making a significant difference for kids in our community.”
— Christopher Jones, DrPH, MHA - Northwest AHEC

From Patients & Families

“I’m so glad he’s finally going to get the help he needs.”
“I’ve felt so alone for so long. Having someone to talk to means everything.”
“She is so much better. I can’t thank you enough.”

Read the full Report from Twin City Pediatrics & Gretchen S. Hoyle, MD

November 5–6, 2025 | Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC

Calling all perinatal care professionals! We’re thrilled to invite you to the 43rd Annual Gravidas at Risk Conference, a premier two-day statewide event dedicated to advancing the care of high-risk pregnant individuals. Whether you work in inpatient or outpatient settings, this conference is your opportunity to gain cutting-edge insights, connect with peers, and earn continuing education credits. Register NOW!

🌟 Why Attend?

This year’s conference is packed with evidence-based sessions and expert-led discussions designed to elevate your clinical practice and improve outcomes for mothers and babies. Topics include:

• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Understand the pathophysiology, risk factors, and diagnostic criteria, and explore nutritional and lifestyle interventions to support glycemic control.
• Perinatal Mental Health: Learn effective screening and assessment strategies to promote awareness and early intervention.
• Birth Equity: Examine disparities in birth outcomes and discover how culturally responsive care can build trust and improve access.
• Community Health Workers (CHWs): Explore the vital role CHWs play in addressing social determinants of health across the perinatal continuum.
• Clinical Case Studies: Apply clinical reasoning to real-world obstetric scenarios.
• Prenatal Marijuana Use: Review current research, risks, and strategies for patient-centered counseling.
• Medication Safety in Pregnancy: Assess common medications and learn how to guide patients through risk-benefit conversations.
• Radical Self-Care: Define what it means, identify barriers, and create a personalized plan to support your own well-being.

📍 Event Details

Dates: Wednesday, November 5 – Thursday, November 6, 2025
Location: Hickory Metro Convention Center
1960 13th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, NC

💼 Registration

Limited to 175 participants — Register early to secure your spot!

• Two-Day Registration: $265
• One-Day Registration: $140
• Group Rate: $250 per person (for groups of 3+ registering together)

👉 Click here to view more information and register now

🎓 Continuing Education Credits

Earn up to 10.0 Contact Hours (5.0 per day) from Northwest AHEC, including Nursing Contact Hours approved by the North Carolina Nurses Association and the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This is more than a conference — it’s a community of passionate professionals committed to improving perinatal care. We can’t wait to see you in Hickory this November!

August is National Breastfeeding Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible journey of breastfeeding. From lactation consultants to providers, nurses, and educators, these experts provide essential guidance, compassion, and care to families navigating the path of infant feeding. It is important to celebrate those who work diligently to empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to nourish their babies. At the same time, we are proud of and support all families, no matter how they choose to feed their babies, because every feeding journey is valid and deserves respect.