On April 22, 2026, an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event brought together a diverse cohort of more than 330 students representing multiple institutions and healthcare disciplines. This collaborative experience centered on a simulated patient case designed to foster interprofessional communication, critical thinking, and team-based problem-solving within a realistic clinical scenario.
Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) is proud to support and partner in advancing global research in interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). We are excited to invite health professionals, educators, researchers, and graduate students to apply for the 2026 InterprofessionalResearch.Global Summer Research Institute (IPR.Global SRI)—a dynamic opportunity to strengthen research skills and expand professional networks.
🚀 About the Summer Research Institute
The IPR.Global SRI is a highly interactive, fully virtual program designed to support the next generation of scholars in IPECP. The institute brings together participants from around the world to build capacity in collaborative research and drive innovation in health professions education and practice.
This year’s program combines:
- A 4-day intensive online institute
- Two months of structured mentorship
Together, these components provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to develop and advance high-quality research projects.
🌐 Why This Matters
At Northwest AHEC, we are committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving health outcomes through education, collaboration, and innovation. Our involvement in the Summer Research Institute reflects our dedication to:
- Promoting interprofessional collaboration across disciplines
- Building research capacity in healthcare education and practice
- Connecting our region’s professionals to global networks and opportunities
We are honored to collaborate with InterprofessionalResearch.Global and contribute to the success of this impactful initiative.
🎓 What Participants Gain
Participants in the SRI will have the opportunity to:
- Engage with internationally recognized IPECP scholars and mentors
- Develop or refine their own research projects
- Connect with a global network of collaborators and emerging leaders
- Compete for seed funding of up to $2,000 for high-potential projects
- Applicants from North Carolina may be eligible for a stipend of up to $1,000!
This is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for meaningful, publishable, and fundable research.
📅 Program Details
- Virtual sessions (via Zoom):
July 8 and July 22–24, 2026 - Cost: FREE!
- Application Deadline:
May 25, 2026
✅ Who Should Apply
We encourage applications from:
- Health professionals
- Faculty and educators
- Researchers
- Graduate students
Across all disciplines who are passionate about advancing interprofessional collaboration and improving healthcare outcomes.
✨ Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to grow as a scholar, expand your network, and contribute to the future of collaborative healthcare research, we encourage you to apply.
👉 Learn more and apply:
https://interprofessionalresearch.global/sri/
Northwest AHEC is proud to support initiatives that elevate research, foster collaboration, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in North Carolina.
We’re excited to launch the Integrated Care Quality Series, a four-part educational series designed to support providers, care teams, and partners in improving outcomes across maternal, preventive, and pediatric care.
Aligned with NC Medicaid’s 2026 Withhold Program, this series will provide practical strategies, updated guidance, and actionable tools to strengthen high-quality, equitable care across the care continuum.
All sessions will be held via live webinar.
Please note: These programs are open to NC Health Department employees only.
Course registration is generously supported by the North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies.
Now Open: Session 1 Registration
Prenatal & Postpartum Care (PPC)
May 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Live Webinar
Prenatal and postpartum care is foundational to maternal and infant health outcomes. The Withhold Program emphasizes timely prenatal care initiation and postpartum visits within 7–84 days after delivery. This session will review updated specifications, data collection requirements, F‑code documentation, and culturally responsive engagement strategies to support pregnant and postpartum members.
A Q&A session will be held two weeks after the event; access details will be shared with participants.
Participants will be able to:
✅ Describe PPC measure components and 2026 performance expectations
✅ Apply correct documentation practices—including F‑code usage—to improve data capture and completeness
✅ Identify barriers to timely prenatal and postpartum care and implement outreach workflows to address them
✅ Integrate equity-centered approaches to support members disproportionately impacted by maternal morbidity
What’s Coming Next
Future sessions in the series will explore:
- Screening for Health-Related Resource Needs (HRRN)
- Women’s Preventive Health (Cervical & Breast Cancer Screening)
- Child & Adolescent Well-Care and Immunizations
We’ll be announcing additional session details soon, with registration opening shortly for fall offerings.
Don’t miss this opportunity to build knowledge, strengthen care delivery, and improve outcomes across the populations you serve. Whether you’re focused on maternal health, preventive services, or pediatric care, this series offers practical insights you can apply right away. Explore the full series details and register for Session 1 here:
👉 https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/integratedcare
👉 https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/integratedcare
Every May, Stroke Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that strokes can happen to anyone, at any age—and that knowing the warning signs can save lives. A stroke is a medical emergency, and recognizing the symptoms early and acting fast can mean the difference between recovery, long-term disability, or even death.
According to the American Stroke Association, learning and sharing the signs of stroke is one of the most powerful ways we can protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Learn to B.E. F.A.S.T.
The American Stroke Association promotes the B.E. F.A.S.T. method to help people quickly identify stroke warning signs and take immediate action. Each letter represents a key symptom to watch for:
- B – Balance
Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or trouble walking may signal a stroke. - E – Eyes (Vision Changes)
Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden loss of sight in one or both eyes are common signs of stroke. - F – Face Drooping
Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile—an uneven smile can be a warning sign. - A – Arm Weakness
Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm is another key symptom. Ask the person to raise both arms—does one drift downward?. - S – Speech Difficulty
Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech can indicate a stroke. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. - T – Time to Call 911
If you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Do not wait—every minute matters.
Why Acting Fast Matters
When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is disrupted, and brain cells begin to die within minutes. Calling 911 right away ensures emergency responders can begin life‑saving treatment as quickly as possible, which can significantly reduce brain damage and improve recovery outcomes.
Waiting to “see if symptoms go away” can be dangerous. The American Stroke Association emphasizes that quick recognition and rapid response are critical to survival.
Most Strokes Are Preventable
Stroke Awareness Month is also about prevention. The American Stroke Association reports that approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, through managing risk factors like high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and following medical advice.
Understanding personal risk factors—and encouraging loved ones to do the same—can help reduce the likelihood of a first or second stroke.
How You Can Help This May
- Learn the B.E. F.A.S.T. signs and share them with family, friends, and coworkers.
- Talk with your healthcare provider about stroke risk factors and prevention strategies.
- Explore free educational tools and resources from the American Stroke Association.
- Use your voice on social media to help spread awareness during Stroke Awareness Month.
This May, let’s come together to save lives by learning the signs of stroke and being ready to act—because when it comes to stroke, every second counts.
This is an invitation for you to invest in your self-care on Monday June 1st for a guided two hour mind-body practice workshop designed for you to experience you, and start your week off in a beautiful, safe, warm and welcoming space followed by a delicious lunch.
Join us in downtown Winston-Salem on Monday June 1st from 11am to 1pm for Mindfulness & Flow: Mind-Body Practice Workshop and learn practices that can positively impact your daily life.
Reset and recharge with evidence-based practices that help you better meet the demands of life.
This 2-hour in-person workshop will leave you with tactics to calm your nervous system, lower blood pressure and heart rate and help you become stronger and more resilient to stress.
You are invited to a restorative experience where you’ll explore:
* 🔥 Breathwork, meditation, gentle yoga and movement integration
* 🕊️ Evidence-based techniques to help regulate your nervous system
* ☯️ Practical strategies for integrating mindfulness into your daily life
You’ll walk away with tools for improving your interactions, cultivating inner peace, and increasing your overall wellbeing. Plus, you will earn 2 CE credit hours for participating. Yoga mat rental and a nutritious lunch are included in your investment in this workshop. Hurry, spaces are limited and will fill up fast!
👉View the event details and register here:
https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/78062
📅 Can't make June 1st? Don't worry, we have Mindful Monday's coming up on September and November this year. Check dates and stay updated here: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/mindfulness-reset-workshops-from-northwest-ahec
Thank you, Nurses!
Nurses Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary impact nurses have on our lives and our communities. This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses,” beautifully captures the resilience and dedication that nurses bring to healthcare every single day.
National Nurses Week takes place May 6–12, 2026, and it's a time to honor the vital contributions of nurses. Whether you're a nurse, healthcare professional, patient, or someone who simply recognizes the critical role nurses play in our lives and communities, this is the perfect time to show your gratitude.
Northwest AHEC Appreciation Giveaway 🎉
As a token of our appreciation, sign up for our Nursing Continuing Education email list and you’ll be entered to win a Northwest AHEC Swag Bag filled with goodies!
Want an extra entry? Find our Nurses Week post on social media and share it!
📅 Winner will be announced Friday, May 9th.
At Northwest AHEC, we are proud to join in celebrating Nurses Week by recognizing the nurses across our region who make a difference no matter where their work takes place. Whether providing direct patient care, educating the next generation of health professionals, supporting communities, or leading systems change, nurses are powerful forces for healing and hope.
Here at NW AHEC, Ellen Zimmerman, Stephanie Poindexter, and Alana Dodson serve our region not only as nurses, but also as educators, collaborators, and advocates for high-quality care. They strive to extend their work from the bedsides into classrooms, communities, and conversations that shape the future of health care.
During Nurses Week, we want to recognize all nurses across our region, wherever you serve. Your expertise and compassion strengthen our lives and the communities we call home. #ThePowerOfNurses is not only what you do, but who you are, and the lasting impact you make every day. Together, let’s honor the vital role nurses play in shaping a healthier world.
How Northwest AHEC Supports Nurses
The Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) of Wake Forest University School of Medicine provides education and training to support a strong, skilled healthcare workforce—especially in rural and underserved communities across our 17-county region in Northwest North Carolina.
Whether you’re just exploring nursing as a career, actively practicing, or returning to the field, we’re here to support you at every step.
Here’s How We Empower Nurses:
- Continuing Professional Development – We offer high-quality programs—available in-person, via live webinars, or on-demand—for nurses seeking contact hour for license renewal. Many are low-cost or even free! Check out our course catalog for upcoming nursing activities
- Health Careers/Workforce Development – We provide programs for high school and college students interested in exploring nursing and other health careers. Read More
- NC AHEC RN Refresher Program - Assists registered nurses with lapsed or inactive licenses, as well as active RNs seeking to update their knowledge and skills, in returning to the nursing profession. Read More
- Northwest AHEC Consortium for Clinical Education and Practice (CCEP) - We bring together clinical and educational partners to collaborate and improve clinical education opportunities for Nursing and Allied Health programs. Read More
To all nurses—we see you, we support you, and we thank you.
Let us know how Northwest AHEC can continue to empower you in your journey.
A Special Thank You to Our Northwest AHEC Nursing Staff
HUGE shoutout and THANK YOU to our brilliant nurses on staff here at Northwest AHEC. Your dedication, expertise, and passion make a difference—not just in our department, but across the entire region. We are so grateful for the work you do to support and strengthen the nursing profession.
- Stephanie Poindexter, MSN, RN – Nurse Educator
- Ellen Zimmerman, MSN, RN, CHSE – Nurse Educator / RN Refresher Coordinator
- Alana Dodson, MBA, RN – Nurse Educator
Thank you for being leaders, mentors, and advocates. We appreciate you!
Join Us on May 30, 2026 from 8AM - 3PM | In Person at Graylyn Estate
Northwest AHEC is proud to host Innovations in Mechanical Circulatory Support: From Rescue to Recovery, a dynamic, in‑person multidisciplinary symposium taking place next month on May 30, 2026, at the stunning Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston‑Salem.
Set on a historic estate known for its elegance, natural beauty, and retreat‑like atmosphere, Graylyn provides an ideal setting for meaningful learning, collaboration, and professional connection. This one‑day program offers participants the opportunity to step away from the daily clinical environment and engage deeply with leading experts in a world‑class venue..png?width=600&height=314&name=Innovations%20In%20MCS2026%20(2).png)
Advancing Care Across the MCS Continuum
This symposium addresses critical gaps in the management of shock and temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) across the full continuum of care. Through expert‑led sessions and real‑world, guideline‑aligned case reviews, participants will be able to:
- Describe the current shock landscape by analyzing real-world cases, guideline-directed care pathways, and system-level variations in management.
- Demonstrate increased competence in temporary MCS management, including interpretation of imaging (e.g., speed studies), anticoagulation and bleeding management, device-related troubleshooting, and implementation of structured weaning strategies.
- Apply clinical criteria to identify appropriate candidates and optimal timing for bridging patients to advanced heart failure therapies, including LVAD placement and heart transplant evaluation.
- Develop and implement peri-procedural support plans using MCS for high-risk PCI, CABG, electrophysiology procedures, and management of mechanical complications of myocardial infarction.
- Enhance system-wide performance by collaborating across sites to clarify referral pathways, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for clinical research and myocardial recovery initiatives.
Earn Valuable Continuing Education Credits
Attendees can earn up to 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ / 5.75 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC, making this an excellent opportunity to advance both clinical expertise and professional requirements—and there is no individual registration fee for this event.
Learn, Connect, and Be Inspired at Graylyn
Beyond the robust educational content, the Graylyn Estate offers a memorable and inspiring backdrop for networking with colleagues, exchanging ideas, and engaging in thoughtful discussion in a setting that blends history, comfort, and sophistication.
Join us next month for this high‑impact educational experience and be part of the conversation shaping the future of mechanical circulatory support.
👉 Space is limited—mark your calendar now and plan to attend.
For the past 27 years, Northwest AHEC has been shaped in countless ways by the steady leadership, vision, and commitment of Dr. Michael Lischke, the Richard Janeway MD Distinguished Director of Northwest AHEC. From advancing healthcare workforce development to strengthening partnerships across the region, Michael’s career reflects both professional excellence and a deep dedication to community impact.
Michael joined Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1996 and was then appointed as director of the Northwest AHEC in April 1999 by Dean James N. Thompson. He brought with him a passion for improving access to high-quality healthcare through education, innovation, and collaboration. Over nearly three decades, he has helped guide the regional AHEC through periods of growth, change, and transformation - always with a focus on meeting the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
Throughout his tenure, Michael has been instrumental in strengthening Northwest AHEC’s role as a trusted connector between healthcare professionals, educators, and community partners. His leadership has supported initiatives that expand training opportunities, address workforce shortages, and improve health outcomes across our region - many of which continue to have a lasting impact today.
Beyond programmatic success, Michael is widely respected for his leadership style and commitment to people. One of the most telling signs of his impact is the remarkable tenure of those to whom he is responsible to and for – the Northwest AHEC staff. Team members stay because Michael is a leader who listens, supports growth, and builds trust. By fostering collaboration, stability, and a strong sense of purpose, he has created an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to build long-term careers at Northwest AHEC.
As Northwest AHEC continues to evolve, Michael’s legacy is reflected not only in the organization’s accomplishments but also in the strength and dedication of its staff. His 27 years of service represent more than longevity - they represent leadership defined by integrity, relationships, and lasting impact. His active engagement in many other community health local, regional, state, national and international organizations is unmatched.
We are grateful for Michael’s continued leadership and for the many ways he has helped advance Northwest AHEC’s mission over the past 27 years. Please join us in celebrating this significant milestone and thanking him for his enduring commitment to our organization and the communities we serve.
April is National Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the power of service and the meaningful impact that happens when organizations and community partners come together to support those in need. This year, Northwest AHEC was proud to volunteer alongside Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center SERVES in support of the Forsyth Backpack Program, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping children facing food insecurity.
Thanks to the incredible generosity and teamwork of Atrium Health teammates, more than 11,000 food bags were assembled—each one filled with nutritious food to support students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) Title I schools. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist purchased and donated the food used in the packing effort, helping ensure students have access to meals outside of school hours.
Supporting Children Beyond the Classroom
The Forsyth Backpack Program is a volunteer-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Forsyth County. Its mission is simple yet impactful: to provide nutritious food in backpacks on weekends and holidays to local school children who have been identified by school personnel as being in need.
For many children, weekends and long school breaks can mean little to no access to food—healthy or otherwise. By receiving weekend food backpacks, students are able to return to school after breaks better prepared to focus, learn, and play, improving their overall well-being and academic readiness.
A Shared Commitment to Community Health
Northwest AHEC’s participation reflects a shared commitment with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist to strengthen community health, support children and families, and address social drivers of health such as food insecurity. Volunteering side by side during National Volunteer Month reinforced the power of collaboration and the difference that collective action can make.
Moments like these remind us that giving back isn’t just about volunteering time—it’s about investing in the health and future of our communities.
Learn More or Get Involved
To learn more about the Forsyth Backpack Program or find ways to support their mission, visit:
👉 https://forsythbackpackprogram.org
Northwest AHEC is proud to stand with partners who are making a lasting impact, one backpack at a time.
