Two recent guests on our Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast share their expertise, experience, and insights into headaches and headache research and treatment.
As we age, maintaining good health goes beyond just doctor visits—it’s about nurturing our minds, bodies, and overall well-being. That’s why Northwest AHEC is proud to offer the 2025 Aging Well Conference , a program designed to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to support aging individuals in leading healthier, more fulfilling lives. Learn all about the program on our website.
This activity focuses on advancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers in rural western North Carolina, particularly in geriatric care, addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults. With a blend of individual and group presentations, panel discussions, and demonstrations, the activity brings together diverse perspectives of healthcare experts, researchers, government officials, social service providers, as well as older adults and family caregivers.
Two options for Basic Fetal Monitoring - In Person in the Fall or Live Webinar in the Spring. These programs will introduce basic fetal monitoring principles to the new perinatal nurse.
Northwest AHEC invites you to our upcoming Spring Behavioral Health Webinars! Whether you're looking to enhance your clinical practice, support recovery, or deepen your understanding of trauma-informed care, we have valuable sessions for you. Click below for more information on each.
- Appetite Awareness Training for Binge and Overeating - March 25, 2025 from 9AM-11AM - This program will examine the factors (e.g., trauma, stress, depression) that may increase binge and overeating in our clients, with particular emphasis on clients who are low income, and identify as a member from a racial/ethnic minority group. Register Here
- Microaggression as an Ethical Issue in Clinical Practice - April 1, 2025 from 9AM- 12:15PM - Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional exchanges that convey negative messages based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. While clinicians aim to provide culturally sensitive care, unknowingly committing microaggressions can harm communication, erode trust, and disrupt the therapeutic process. Ethical guidelines call for minimizing these occurrences to support effective client relationships. This program explores the impact of microaggressions, their role in clinical practice, and strategies for reducing them. Note: This course may count toward ethics requirements for license renewal. Register Here
- Practical Suggestions for Facilitating SUD Recovery - April 9, 2025 from 1PM - 3PM - Health professionals often encounter clients or patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Understanding how to effectively address these complex challenges is critical for providing optimal care. This workshop is designed to offer a comprehensive overview of practical approaches and evidence-based interventions for working with individuals affected by SUDs. Register Here
- Safety First: Trauma-Informed Care with People Experiencing Substance Use Disorders - May 16, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - Widely demonstrated in the literature on substance use disorders, trauma experienced by the person is a common and primary part of the sequelae leading to addiction. Traumatic life experiences can unfortunately also be a part of a person’s time as a substance user.
This training will present a brief overview of what constitutes single incident or developmental traumas; what it means to be a trauma-informed practitioner; awareness of vicarious or secondary traumatization and related social worker self-care. Participants will learn how to consider trauma in their approach to working with clients and in their ability to thrive as a practitioner. Register Here - Race-Based Traumatic Stress: Broadening Your Toolkit to Support Diverse Individuals - June 20, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - This session explores race-based traumatic stress and its impact on clients of color. We’ll review the theoretical framework, trauma responses, and resilience strategies while identifying risk and protective factors. Clinicians will enhance cultural competence through interactive learning, self-reflection, and practical skills for sensitive, effective care. Register Here
The Northwest AHEC Scholars participated in the 2nd Annual Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference on February 7th, marking a significant event in their educational journey and professional development.
This conference, now in its second year, is a pivotal part of the NC AHEC's broader mission to recruit, train, and retain a skilled and dedicated workforce essential for fostering a healthier North Carolina. By engaging in this mission, the NC AHEC Scholars are actively contributing to a brighter future for the healthcare workforce, ensuring that it is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Impressively, 31 of our dedicated Scholars were present at the event, joining a total of 157 NCAHEC Scholars from various AHECs across the state. The conference featured a lineup of excellent speakers who shared valuable insights and knowledge, enhancing the learning experience for all attendees. Hosted by UNCC, the event included engaging speakers and interactive simulations on Saturday afternoon, providing a dynamic and immersive educational experience.
As a fun and memorable touch, students received NC AHEC Scholars cowboy hats during the Cultural Competency-Western event, which added a unique flair to the occasion. This was part of their visit to a requested number of vendors, further enriching their understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity within the healthcare field.
Learn more about the NC AHEC Scholars Program at Northwest AHEC
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WSSU Scholars
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Livingstone College Scholars
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This continuing medical education activity is intended for pediatricians, as well as family medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses who provide care to infants, children and adolescents. Register Today!
Online Self-paced Learning and In-Person Skills Day
February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart health, particularly for women. In recognition of National Wear Red Day and the Go Red for Women initiative, the Northwest AHEC team gathered at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem for a staff engagement meetup focused on heart health.
What do headaches, healthcare payments, long-term care, free clinics, and dreaming big have in common? They are all topics of recent episodes on the Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast.
On January 24, 2025, Atrium Health, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education and Northwest AHEC hosted the 19th Annual Breast Cancer Symposium at Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
94 participants attended this year’s conference to learn the latest data in the treatment of breast cancer through multidisciplinary presentations by breast cancer specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, surgical oncology, pathology, genetics, and plastic surgery.
A clear theme throughout the conference was considering the patient’s experience as they go through their breast cancer treatment. Activity Director, Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt, led a survivorship panel with 2 patients who were treated at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Breast Care Center. Both patients shared their breast cancer journey from diagnosis to treatment, and now survivorship. Both patients spoke highly of their care and dedicated their survival to their care teams at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Breast Care Center. Dr. Hadley Sharp, radiation oncologist at Atrium Health Charlotte, spoke on the patient experience during radiation treatments.
Dr. Howard-McNatt also led a case presentation panel in which she presented 2 cases to Atrium Health’s Dr. Edward Levine, Dr. Doris Brown, and Dr. Susan Melin. This real-time discussion allowed attendees to hear the experts' thought processes, assess how the latest data and guidelines influence treatment decisions, and gain insights into the collaborative decision-making process that ensures the best outcomes for patients.
The multidisciplinary presentations were truly representative of the teams that collectively impact the patient experience. This year’s conference combined expertise from oncology, surgery, radiology, nursing, and supportive care to ensure comprehensive and personalized treatment for every breast cancer patient.
Thank you to this year’s speakers for a successful symposium!
