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.
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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.
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.
Support Beyond Medications and Protocols: Expanding the Way We Care for High-Risk Maternity Patients
Caring for high-risk maternity patients requires more than clinical expertise and adherence to medical protocols—it calls for compassionate, whole-person support that addresses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches is an evidence-informed, in-person continuing education training designed to empower frontline healthcare professionals with practical, non-pharmacological tools that can be used right at the bedside.
This interactive program is ideal for nurses, doulas, CNAs, social workers, and allied health professionals who support pregnant and birthing individuals facing complex medical or psychosocial challenges. Participants will gain hands-on strategies to enhance patient comfort, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of safety and connection during some of the most vulnerable moments of care.
What Participants Will Learn
Through guided instruction and experiential learning, participants will explore bedside-appropriate techniques such as:
- Gentle movement techniques to support comfort, circulation, and body awareness for patients with limited mobility
- Breathwork and relaxation strategies that help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support coping during prolonged hospitalization
- Practical approaches to enhance comfort and emotional safety, particularly for patients experiencing fear and uncertainty.
- Strategies for integrating mind-body techniques into interdisciplinary care, supporting consistent, patient-centered approaches across the care team
All content is grounded in clinical experience and evidence-informed practice.
Event Details
Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches
Register here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/77918
- Date: June 26, 2026
- Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Location: Novant Health – Forsyth Medical Center
3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC - Credits:
7 Northwest AHEC Contact Hours / 7 Nursing Contact Hours - Speaker: Angela Gallagher, MHL
Learn from expert speaker Angela Gallagher, MHL, as she shares practical, evidence‑informed strategies to support maternity patients on bedrest. Earn 7 Nursing Contact Hours while gaining tools you can use right away. Space is limited—register now!
Support Healing at the Bedside
By integrating gentle movement, breathwork, and mind-body awareness into everyday care, healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference in the experience of high-risk maternity patients. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches offers practical tools to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being—right where it matters most.
Are you passionate about healthy aging, supporting older adults, or advancing geriatric care? The 2026 Aging Well Conference is your opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with an incredible interprofessional community dedicated to improving the lives of older adults.
The 2026 Aging Well Conference is focused on promoting healthy aging for older adults. As our population ages, it is essential for health professionals to meet the evolving needs of this demographic.
May 14-15, 2026
In Person at Appalachian State University Boone Campus, Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences.
This year’s conference brings together healthcare professionals, caregivers, community members, researchers, social service providers, and aging adults for two days of dynamic learning and collaboration.
Whether you support aging adults in a clinical setting, community program, or within your own family, you’ll walk away with practical, person‑centered tools you can use immediately. Aging Well is more than a conference, it’s a community movement. Past attendees describe it as “one of the greatest conferences I have ever attended” and praise the collaborative, uplifting atmosphere.
Come be part of meaningful conversations, innovative learning, and a mission rooted in improving the health and well‑being of older adults across our region.
What's New for 2026
- New breakout topics (LGBTQ+ aging, women’s intimacy/sexual wellness, wearable sensors, behavioral health & loneliness, planning for longevity)
- Even more interprofessional speakers
- Pre-recorded sessions for additional CEU access
- Expanded sponsorships and exhibitor hall
In Partnership with:
Appalachian State University, Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System and The UNC Center for Aging and Health, Carolina Geriatric Education Center.
Northwest AHEC would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all phlebotomists for the vital role you play in health care every day. Your skill, precision, and compassion are essential to patient care and clinical decision-making. We celebrate you every week, but highlighting now since this past week was the official recognition week.
Whether you are drawing blood in hospitals, clinics, labs, or community settings, your work often happens behind the scenes—but its impact is felt throughout the entire health care system. You help ensure accurate diagnoses, guide treatment plans, and provide comfort to patients during vulnerable moments.
Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for all you do to support patients, providers, and communities across our region.
With appreciation,
Northwest AHEC
Each November, North Carolina joins the nation in recognizing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. A time to honor families walking through memory loss, uplift caregivers, and renew our commitment to building communities where older adults can thrive with dignity and support.
Join us in honoring the incredible Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who make a difference every day in our communities. November 9–15 is recognized as National and North Carolina Nurse Practitioner Week, a time to celebrate the dedication and expertise of these vital healthcare professionals.
With approximately 16,687 Nurse Practitioners reported in North Carolina (per the NC Board of Nursing), this growing workforce plays a critical role in expanding access to high-quality healthcare across our state—from the mountains to the coast and everywhere in between.
To all Nurse Practitioners: thank you for your extraordinary work and the compassionate care you provide. Your commitment strengthens the health and well-being of North Carolina communities.
👉 Explore Northwest AHEC’s Upcoming Nursing Programs - Click Here
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.
On April 8, 2025, an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event brought together a diverse cohort of over 320 students from multiple institutions and healthcare disciplines. This collaborative experience centered around a simulated patient case, designed to foster interprofessional communication, critical thinking, and team-based problem-solving within a realistic clinical scenario. The event is put on in collaboration with Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Winston-Salem State University.
Participants represented a broad spectrum of healthcare education programs, including students from Winston-Salem State University’s Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Healthcare Management, Therapeutic Recreation, Rehabilitation Counseling/Services, Social Work, and Clinical Laboratory Science departments. The event also welcomed students from Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Studies program and Forsyth Technical Community College’s Nursing program.
Post-event evaluations are currently under review. The review process aims to identify key strengths—such as team engagement, communication effectiveness, and scenario realism—as well as areas for improvement to further enhance future iterations of the event.
This initiative not only highlights the value of interprofessional education but also reinforces the importance of preparing future healthcare professionals to work in diverse, team-based environments. As we analyze outcomes, we remain committed to refining this collaborative model. The continued success of this event underscores its potential to shape more cohesive healthcare teams and ultimately improve health outcomes for the communities we serve.
We look forward to the continued evolution of this initiative and the positive impact it will have on the development of competent, compassionate, and collaborative healthcare professionals.
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