Reaching more than four decades of service is a rare and meaningful milestone—one that reflects not only longevity, but deep commitment, adaptability, and lasting impact. Leigh’s journey with Northwest AHEC is a powerful example of all three.

 At Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education and Northwest AHEC, one of the things that sets us apart is the dedication and longevity of our team. The relationships we build—with each other, our partners, and the communities we serve—are strengthened by years of commitment and shared purpose.

We’re proud to continue our Quarterly Milestone Recognition, celebrating teammates whose years of service reflect meaningful contributions to our mission and impact across the region.

Celebrating 40+ Years: Leigh Watkins

Leigh’s 40+ years with Northwest AHEC reflect a remarkable journey defined by adaptability, dedication, and a deep commitment to both her work and her colleagues.

Beginning the career journey as a temporary program assistant, Leigh has grown alongside Northwest AHEC—transitioning into roles supporting leadership and now serving as an integral member of the finance team. Across each role, a willingness to learn new systems, programs, and processes has been a defining factor in long-term success.

Throughout the years, Leigh has embraced change with resilience—adapting to evolving responsibilities, advancing technologies, and shifting workplace environments. A strong sense of curiosity and determination has fueled the ability to master new applications and navigate complex systems with confidence.

Beyond technical expertise, what stands out most is the lasting impact of relationships. Leigh takes great pride in working collaboratively across teams and consistently highlights the supportive, family-oriented culture at Northwest AHEC. Colleagues have been present through both professional milestones and personal life moments—from early career days, to raising a family, and now enjoying time as a grandparent.

Leigh values the variety each day brings, appreciating that no two days are the same. Offering advice to newer team members, Leigh encourages others to “go with the flow,” recognizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Outside of work, Leigh enjoys spending time with family, relaxing with her husband, and staying mentally sharp through games and activities—bringing balance, perspective, and joy that extend into the workplace.

A Valued Member of the Team

“For the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Leigh, and the dedication to Northwest AHEC is truly unmatched. Leigh’s ability to adapt to evolving roles, systems, and organizational changes over four decades speaks volumes about resilience and commitment. A trusted team player who consistently supports those around them, Leigh’s historical knowledge of the organization is invaluable—providing context, perspective, and continuity that simply cannot be replaced. Leigh exemplifies professionalism, reliability, and a genuine care for both the work and the people served. We are incredibly fortunate to have Leigh as part of our team.”

We are honored to celebrate Leigh’s 40+ year milestone and grateful for the lasting contributions that continue to shape Northwest AHEC. This journey is a testament to the power of dedication, adaptability, and the relationships that make our work meaningful.

Providing safe, high-quality care for mothers and babies begins with strong clinical foundations—and fetal monitoring is a critical component of that care.

Northwest AHEC is excited to offer the Basic Fetal Monitoring – Fall 2026 course, a one-day, in-person learning experience designed to help healthcare professionals strengthen their skills, build confidence, and improve patient outcomes.

Reaching a career milestone is more than marking time - it’s an opportunity to reflect on growth, purpose, and the impact made along the way. For Cherelle Blakely, her 10-year journey with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB) highlights a commitment to learning, dedication to healthcare, and passion for supporting others.

At Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education and Northwest AHEC, one of the things that sets us apart is the dedication and longevity of our team. The relationships we build—with each other, our partners, and the communities we serve—are strengthened by years of commitment and shared purpose.

We’re proud to introduce our Quarterly Milestone Recognition, a new initiative celebrating teammates reaching 5, 10, 15, 20 (and beyond!) years of service. These milestones reflect not only time, but the meaningful contributions our team members make in advancing our mission and improving healthcare across the region.

As we launch this initiative, we’re honored to highlight one of our team members celebrating a significant milestone:

Celebrating 10 Years: Cherelle Blakely, MHS

Continuing Medical Education Coordinator
Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME)

This past May marked Cherelle Blakely’s 10-year anniversary with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB) - a milestone that reflects a decade of growth, dedication, and impact in healthcare.

Cherelle began her career in May 2016 as a Patient Scheduling Coordinator in the Cardiology Department, where she also supported multiple physicians as a secretary. In a fast-paced clinical environment, she managed schedules and helped ensure seamless patient care operations. During this time, she developed a strong foundation in organization, communication, and attention to detail—all essential skills that continue to serve her today.

While working full time, Cherelle also pursued her master’s degree in healthcare management. Balancing professional responsibilities with graduate studies required determination and resilience, further strengthening her commitment to a career in healthcare.

After earning her degree, Cherelle transitioned into the role of Education Coordinator in the Life Support/Nursing Education Department, where she expanded her skill set and discovered a passion for supporting clinical education and training.

Today, Cherelle serves as a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Coordinator, where she coordinates accredited education programs for physicians. In this role, she combines her administrative expertise with her passion for healthcare education - helping ensure clinicians have access to high-quality learning opportunities that support their professional development and enhance patient care.

Reflecting on her journey, Cherelle shares gratitude for the opportunities and support she has received along the way - and a continued commitment to growing her impact.

A Valued Member of the Team

“It has been a pleasure having Cherelle as part of the continuing professional development team with the OCME and Northwest Area Health Education Center. Her willingness to be a team player, proactive initiative in ensuring departments have high-quality programs, and eagerness to ask thoughtful questions and offer solutions make her an invaluable teammate.”
— Nedra Edwards Hines, MHA, CDP
Assistant Director, Continuing Education Services

 

 

Figuring out what you want to do after high school can feel overwhelming—but what if you could explore an entire career field from your laptop?

That’s exactly what Virtual Camp Med 2026 is all about.

Built for high school students who are curious about healthcare (or just not sure yet), this free, online program gives you a real look at what it’s like to work in the field—without the pressure or guesswork.

Whether you're already interested in healthcare or just starting to explore your options, this is a great place to begin.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

Virtual Camp Med is designed to help you explore, not commit. You’ll get exposure to different careers, hear from professionals, and start connecting the dots between what you enjoy and where it could take you.

Healthcare is more than doctors and nurses—and this program helps you see the bigger picture.

This isn’t just reading and watching videos. You’ll move through interactive modules that help you learn and reflect at the same time:

• Explore your interests and how they match up with different careers
• Learn what’s happening in your own community’s health landscape
• Understand the basics of how the human body works
• See what real healthcare jobs look like day-to-day
• Map out what education paths could look like for you

And the best part? It’s all self-paced, so you can work through it on your own time.

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

👉 Learn more and register

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.