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.

Summer is the perfect time to sharpen your skills, explore new topics, and earn continuing education credits - all from the comfort of your home. Whether you're a healthcare professional looking to deepen your expertise or simply passionate about improving patient care, our self-paced online programs are here to support your growth.

📅 Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Charlotte, NC
💡 Format: In-Person (limited to 150) or Live Stream
💵 Cost: FREE (Pre-registration required)
🍽️ Bonus: Pre-Conference Dinner on Friday, September 26

This program offers a comprehensive overview of the essential assessments needed to ensure that behavioral health clients are receiving appropriate treatment. It will cover the clinical assessment requirements and the various screening tools used to determine the right level of care and make appropriate referrals. Additionally, the training will explore the different levels of care and available services for children, adolescents, and adults within the current behavioral health system.