National Nurse Practitioner Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions nurse practitioners (NPs) make to the health and well-being of our communities every day.

For more than 60 years, nurse practitioners have been providing primary, acute, and specialty health care to millions of patients across the lifespan. Today, more than 461,000 licensed NPs practice across the United States, delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care centers, long-term care facilities, and private practices.

Nurse practitioners are highly educated advanced practice providers who evaluate patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Their unique approach combines clinical expertise with a strong emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, and whole-person care.

Each year, NPs care for patients during nearly 1 billion health care visits, helping improve access to care and addressing critical health care needs in communities large and small. Their ability to meet patients where they are, both geographically and throughout their health care journey, makes them an essential part of today's health care workforce and the future of health care delivery.

Northwest AHEC is proud to support nurse practitioners throughout their careers by providing continuing professional development opportunities designed to help them stay current with emerging evidence, best practices and evolving health care needs. Through a variety of live, virtual and on-demand educational activities, Northwest AHEC offers continuing education opportunities that help NPs maintain licensure and certification requirements while expanding their knowledge and skills to better serve patients and communities.

During National Nurse Practitioner Week, Northwest AHEC joins the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® and health care organizations across the country in recognizing the dedication, compassion and expertise of nurse practitioners. We thank NPs for their unwavering commitment to improving the health of individuals, families and communities throughout North Carolina and beyond.

To all nurse practitioners: thank you for the difference you make every day.

 

 

 

This summer, Northwest AHEC's Camp Med program provided high school students across our 17-county region with opportunities to explore the exciting world of health care careers through hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and career exploration experiences.

In 2026, Camp Med reached students through both in-person and virtual programming:

• 892 unique participants attended in-person Camp Med programs hosted throughout our 17-county region
• 345 unique participants participated in Virtual Camp Med
• 1,237 total unique participants engaged in Camp Med programming
• Students completed 20+ hours of educational programming focused on health careers and workforce development

Throughout the summer, students experienced hospital tours, simulations, hands-on activities, and interactions with healthcare professionals. Participants explored a variety of healthcare fields, observed procedures, learned clinical skills, and gained insight into educational pathways leading to healthcare careers. At some regional Camp Med locations, students even earned Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and participated in activities such as operating room experiences, obstetrics education, and anatomy labs.

 Learn more about Camp Med at: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/campmed

 

Every year on October 10, World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder that mental health is an essential part of overall health and well-being. It is also an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who provide care, support, and advocacy for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, therapists, substance use professionals, and other behavioral health providers play a critical role in improving the lives of people in our communities. As mental health needs continue to grow, ongoing professional development is more important than ever to ensure providers have access to current evidence-based practices, emerging research, and practical strategies to better serve their patients and clients.

At Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), we are committed to supporting the behavioral health workforce through high-quality continuing education opportunities designed to enhance knowledge, strengthen skills, and foster professional growth. Through live conferences, webinars, workshops, and online learning opportunities, we help mental health professionals stay informed about evolving best practices while earning the continuing education credits they need to maintain licensure and certification. 

Supporting the Behavioral Health Workforce

Behavioral health professionals face unique challenges, including increasing patient demand, workforce shortages, compassion fatigue, and rapidly changing treatment approaches. Continuing education offers an important pathway for providers to:

• Stay current on emerging mental health research and treatment interventions
• Enhance clinical skills and cultural responsiveness
• Improve patient outcomes through evidence-based care
• Address complex behavioral health and substance use concerns
• Meet professional licensure and certification requirements

Most importantly, professional development helps ensure that those caring for others have access to the resources and support they need to continue delivering high-quality care.

Explore Upcoming Mental Health Continuing Education Opportunities

Northwest AHEC offers a variety of educational programs focused on mental health and behavioral health topics throughout the year. Whether you are a psychologist, counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, marriage and family therapist, substance use professional, or another member of the behavioral health team, our programs are designed to provide practical, relevant information you can apply in your daily practice.

View the complete list of upcoming mental health and behavioral health continuing education programs on the Northwest AHEC website. 

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

World Mental Health Day reminds us that building healthier communities requires investment not only in mental health services but also in the professionals who provide them. By supporting lifelong learning and professional development, we strengthen the behavioral health workforce and improve access to quality care throughout our region.

This October, we invite mental health professionals to take time to invest in themselves, explore new learning opportunities, and connect with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing mental health care.

Browse upcoming mental health continuing education programs:
https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events?disciplines=11%7CMental+Health

 

Looking for free health screenings and wellness resources? The annual Share the Health Fair, organized by students from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, provides no-cost health screenings, vaccinations, health education, and connections to community resources for individuals and families across our community.

Participants can access services including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, vision, dental, mental health, and other preventive screenings, along with opportunities to speak with healthcare professionals and receive referrals for follow-up care when needed. Families can also take advantage of child safety resources and car seat checks.

Since 1998, the fair has helped reduce barriers to care by connecting community members with valuable health services, education, and support. Whether you're looking to check in on your health, learn about available resources, or connect with local organizations, Share the Health Fair offers something for everyone.

The free health fair offers a wide range of screenings and services designed to help participants better understand and manage their health. Available services include:

• Blood pressure, weight, and BMI screenings
• Blood glucose and cholesterol testing
• Vision and glaucoma screenings
• Dental screenings
• Bone density testing
• Lung function testing (spirometry)
• Mental health screenings
• Dermatological screenings
• Sexually transmitted infection testing
• Information about Pap smears and mammograms
• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations
• Strength and balance testing
• Child safety education and injury prevention resources

 Share the Health Fair is a free health screening fair open to all members of the local community, especially for those who do not have health insurance or access to health care. To help us better staff the fair, please fill out this interest form if you plan on attending. This is not required to attend the fair. 

Professionals working in domestic violence intervention programs play a critical role in promoting accountability, supporting behavior change, and helping create safer outcomes for families. This fall, join colleagues from across the field for an opportunity to explore practical tools and evidence-informed approaches for engaging fathers in meaningful and accountable ways.

Northwest AHEC and the NCPAT Conference - Tools and Strategies to Work with Fathers in DV Offender Programs invite professionals to participate in a live webinar on October 30, 2026, featuring nationally recognized expert Juan Carlos Areán, Ph.D.

Why Attend?

For many men who use intimate partner violence, fatherhood can be a powerful motivator for seeking help and making lasting changes. This workshop will examine how intervention programs can thoughtfully integrate parenting and fatherhood into their work while maintaining a strong focus on survivor safety, child well-being, and offender accountability.

Participants will gain practical strategies to:

• Describe the effects of domestic violence on children, parenting, co-parenting relationships, and fathers' ability to provide safe, nurturing care.             
• Explain how fatherhood can serve as a meaningful motivator for accountability and behavior change while maintaining a clear focus on survivor and child safety.              
• Identify opportunities to integrate parenting and fatherhood throughout DVIP’s curricula without minimizing abusive behavior or shifting responsibility onto survivors.        
• Apply practical engagement and facilitation strategies that help fathers examine the impact of their behavior on their children, strengthen empathy, and increase accountability.            
• Use child-centered and survivor-informed tools to support behavior change, including strategies that promote healthy parenting, emotional regulation, and repair where appropriate.     
• Develop approaches for collaborating with child welfare agencies, fatherhood programs, victim advocates, and other community partners to support coordinated, family-centered responses to domestic violence.

Learn from a National Leader

The conference presenter, Juan Carlos Areán, Ph.D., serves as Program Director with the Children and Youth Team at Futures Without Violence. For more than three decades, he has worked nationally and internationally to engage men in becoming better fathers, partners, and allies in efforts to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

His expertise brings a unique perspective on how fatherhood can be leveraged as a pathway to positive change without minimizing abuse or shifting responsibility away from those who have caused harm. 

Event Details

NCPAT Conference - Tools and Strategies to Work with Fathers in DV Offender Programs
📅 October 30, 2026
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
💻 Live Webinar - REGISTER HERE

Whether you are a domestic violence intervention provider, counselor, social worker, advocate, or other professional working with individuals and families impacted by abuse, this workshop offers practical, actionable tools you can apply in your work immediately. 

Register Today

Join professionals from across North Carolina and beyond for this important learning opportunity and leave with new strategies to strengthen accountability, support safer families, and improve outcomes for children.

Register now: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/courses-and-events/78973

 

September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to recognize the importance of helping older adults maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. As North Carolina's population continues to age, healthcare professionals play a critical role in ensuring older adults receive the specialized care and support they need to thrive.

At Northwest AHEC, we're committed to equipping healthcare providers with the education, resources, and tools necessary to support healthy aging in our region.

Save the Date: 2027 Aging Well Conference

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Aging Well Conference, taking place May 13-14, 2027, in person at the Appalachian State University Boone Campus.

This conference will focus on promoting healthy aging and advancing geriatric care knowledge among healthcare professionals. As the needs of older adults continue to evolve, it is essential that providers stay informed about best practices and emerging approaches to care.

The conference is designed to help healthcare professionals, particularly those serving rural western North Carolina, strengthen their skills in:

• Geriatric care and assessment
• Managing chronic conditions and comorbidities
• Supporting cognitive and mental health
• Addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults
• Promoting healthy aging and independence

More information is available on the Northwest AHEC website, and registration will open soon: 👉 https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/79174

 

Featured Healthy Aging Resources

To celebrate Healthy Aging Month, NC AHEC is highlighting valuable geriatric care resources throughout September.

Our first featured resource is the NC Center for Aging & Geriatric Excellence (NC-AGE) E-Mail Subscription Service (CGEC).

This free subscription service delivers a weekly email featuring current, peer-reviewed, open-access, and evidence-based geriatric research directly to your inbox.

Each week, subscribers receive 4 to 8 carefully selected citations covering important topics such as:

• Elder abuse prevention
• Dementia and mental health
• Comorbidities and fall prevention
• Health literacy and rehabilitation
• Respite care, long-term care, and veterans' health
• Wellness and end-of-life care

Whether you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, social worker, therapist, or other healthcare professional, these research updates can help you stay informed and enhance the care you provide to older adults.

👉 Sign up today

 

NC AHEC's Commitment to Healthy Aging

NC AHEC supports healthy aging across North Carolina through professional education, continuing education opportunities, and partnerships with organizations dedicated to improving the lives of older adults.

Working alongside partners such as Healthy Aging NC, NC AHEC promotes evidence-based programs and resources that help older adults remain active, engaged, and healthy in their communities.

Healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge in geriatric care can explore a variety of educational offerings tailored to the needs of older adult populations:

👉 https://www.ncahec.net/courses-and-events?search=geriatric

 

Join Us in Supporting Healthy Aging

Healthy aging is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration among healthcare providers, community organizations, caregivers, and older adults themselves. During Healthy Aging Month, we encourage healthcare professionals to take advantage of educational opportunities, stay current with emerging research, and continue building the skills needed to provide exceptional care for aging populations.

Together, we can help ensure that North Carolinians age with health, dignity, and independence.

 

Breastfeeding Basics and Problem-Solving

October 16, 2026 | Live Webinar | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 
REGISTER NOW!

 

Breastfeeding challenges can arise even when families are highly motivated to succeed. Questions about latch, milk supply, feeding effectiveness, and breast pain often leave parents searching for trusted guidance. That's where knowledgeable healthcare professionals make a lasting difference.

 

Breastfeeding Basics and Problem-Solving is designed for nurses, nutritionists, social workers, doulas, and other healthcare professionals who support families during their infant feeding journey. Grounded in Baby-Friendly principles, this webinar explores practical, evidence-based strategies for addressing common breastfeeding concerns while helping families build confidence and achieve their feeding goals.

 

Participants will strengthen their ability to assess feeding effectiveness, support positioning and latch, address breast pain, identify factors that impact milk supply, and recognize when additional support or referral is needed. The result? More confident conversations, stronger patient support, and tools that can be applied immediately in practice.