Rural America: Community & Opportunity

Did you know that nearly 61 million Americans call #rural communities home? These areas combine a strong sense of community with fulfilling work opportunities! Join us in celebrating the #PowerOfRural on Nov 20 for #NationalRuralHealthDay. Learn more at powerofrural.org.

***Also, join us for this upcoming event***

NC AHEC 8th Annual Celebration of Rural Health Nursing - Webinar on November 14th

Silent Struggles, Strong Voices: Advocating for Patients and Families
Register Now!

November 14, 2025
8:00AM - 1:00PM
Live Webinar

The NC AHEC Nurse Council celebrates the unique role and essential service of nursing in rural healthcare with our NC AHEC 8th Annual Celebration of Rural Nursing in honor of National Rural Health Day.  Rural nurses are the often-unseen pillars of their communities—responding not only to medical needs, but also to deeply rooted social challenges. Silent Struggles, Strong Voices is designed to elevate and empower rural nursing professionals as they confront the silent epidemics affecting patients and families. This program is supported by all of NC AHEC and the Nurse Council.

As we celebrate the vital role of continuing education professionals, we want to hear from you — our partners, collaborators, and colleagues.

**In one word, how would you describe Northwest AHEC/OCME as a contributor to Healthcare Continuing Education?**

Drop your word in the comments 👇
Or fill out this form https://hubs.la/Q03J5bT60

The Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) and the Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) of Wake Forest University School of Medicine is proud to recognize and celebrate Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day - a day dedicated to honoring the individuals who ensure that healthcare providers remain informed, skilled, and prepared to deliver exceptional care. 

These professionals are the backbone of lifelong learning in healthcare. They design, coordinate, and evaluate educational programs that directly impact patient outcomes and the quality of care across our communities. As we prepare to celebrate on January 23, 2026, we also reflect on the strength and impact of our partnerships. Our collaborations with healthcare institutions, academic centers, professional associations, and community organizations are foundational to our mission. Together, we create dynamic, evidence-based educational opportunities that empower healthcare professionals at every stage of their careers. 

Through these partnerships, we are not only advancing continuing education - we are shaping the future of healthcare. We extend our deepest gratitude to all continuing education professionals and our valued partners. Your dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence inspire us every day.

We would love your input!
Please provide a response to the question below no later than COB, Wednesday, December 10th. We plan to use the responses to create a word cloud and use on promotional item for recognition of this important day. 

Thank you for being part of this journey!

Date: November 14, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Livestream Webinar
Registration Fee: $35
Register here: Southern Regional AHEC Event Page

In honor of National Rural Health Day, the NC AHEC Nurse Council invites you to join the 8th Annual Statewide Celebration of Rural Nursing—a powerful virtual gathering designed to uplift, educate, and empower nurses serving in rural communities.

This year’s theme, “Silent Struggles, Strong Voices: Advocating for Patients and Families,” highlights the resilience and advocacy of rural nurses who navigate not only clinical challenges but also the social and systemic barriers their patients face every day.

💡 Why Attend?

Rural nurses are often the lifeline of their communities. This event offers a unique opportunity to:

• Earn 4.0 Nursing Contact Hours
• Engage with expert speakers on timely topics like addiction treatment, adolescent tobacco use, human trafficking, and mental health stigma
• Connect with peers across the state who share your passion for rural health
  
  

🗓️ Agenda Highlights

Bridging the Addiction Treatment Gap
Dr. Alex Elswick, University of Kentucky

Treatment of Adolescent Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use
Dr. Libby Carver, Duke Employee & Occupational Health

Don’t Be Social: Human Trafficking and Social Media
Judge Toni King, NC District Court

Breaking the Silence: Addressing Mental Health Stigma
Dr. Joanna Linn & Lyndsey Parham, MAHEC Center for Psychiatry

Whether you're a nurse, educator, or healthcare advocate, this event is a chance to celebrate the vital role of rural nursing and gain tools to better serve your community.

The 26th annual Share the Health Fair, sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Northwest Area Health Education Center, will be held Saturday, Nov. 8th.

We’re excited to share a dynamic selection of upcoming educational opportunities from the Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) and the Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Whether you're seeking in-person training, live webinars, or self-paced online learning, there's something for every healthcare professional.

Activity Spotlight

• 43rd Annual Conference Gravidas at Risk – 11/5/25 & 11/6/25
• NC AHEC 8th Annual Statewide Celebration of Rural Nursing – 11/14/25
• 27th Annual Diabetes Management Conference – 11/14/25
• 20th Annual Neuroscience Conference – 11/14/25
• Emotional CPR (eCPR) Training Series – 11/19/25
• HPB GI Oncology Conference 2025 – 11/21/25
• Arts & Medicine - So, You Want to be a Conductor? - 12/8/25
• Arts & Medicine - Come Out of the Shower – 12/9/25
• Arts & Medicine - Check Your Pulse and Find Your Groove – 12/9/25
• Arts & Medicine - Follow the Follower: Adapting Your Communication – 12/12/25
• Arts & Medicine - Art & Empathy – 12/15/25
  
• 17th Annual NC "One Community in Recovery" Conference – 3/4/26-3/6/26
• Nurturing the Nurturers: A Retreat For Sustaining Healthcare Well-being – 3/20/25
• Check out our Course Catalog

Save The Dates

• Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium – 01/16/2026
• 20th Annual Breast Cancer Symposium 1/16/26 
• 40th Annual Northwest AHEC Respiratory Care Conference 2/25/26–2/26/26 
  
• 14th Annual Breastfeeding Forum 3/10/26 
• 2026 NC Annual STI Update 3/26/26
  
• 14th Annual UNC-Duke-Wake Forest Pediatric Anesthesiology Conference – 04/25/2026
• Charles L. Spurr Piedmont Oncology Symposium – 05/01/2026 – 05/02/2026
• Summer Interpreter Series - Wednesdays, 5/6-27, and 5/28/26

***Read our latest E-Newsletter Here***

Enduring Online Learning from Northwest AHEC: Earn CE credits on your schedule

Busy schedule? No problem! Northwest AHEC offers **enduring online learning** designed for your lifestyle. Whether it’s early morning coffee or winding down at night, our self-paced courses are available 24/7-no compromises on quality! Learn More

Upcoming Activities

We'd love to have you join us for our upcoming activities. Join us in person or via webinar, even some self-paced online-learning options too. Check out our Course Catalog

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, staying current with the latest evidence-based practices isn’t just a professional advantage—it’s a necessity. That’s where the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Resources (ECPR) program from Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC) steps in.

Designed to support clinicians, educators, and healthcare professionals across North Carolina and beyond, the ECPR program offers free, on-demand access to high-quality, evidence-based resources that enhance clinical decision-making and patient care.

What is ECPR?

The ECPR program is a curated collection of tools and services that help healthcare professionals:

• Find and apply evidence-based information quickly and efficiently
• Stay current with clinical guidelines and best practices
• Improve patient outcomes through informed decision-making
• Support continuing education and lifelong learning

Whether you're a physician, nurse, pharmacist, or allied health professional, ECPR provides the resources you need to integrate evidence into your daily practice. 

Access to the ECPR program is available to all healthcare professionals. To explore the resources and learn more, visit:

👉 go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/ecpr

Let’s face it—life is busy. Between meetings, patient care, family responsibilities, and the occasional moment to breathe, finding time for professional development can feel like a challenge. That’s why Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning is designed to meet you where you are—on your schedule, at your pace, and when you’re ready to “endure” it.

Whether you're sipping coffee at 6 a.m. or winding down after a long day, our self-paced online courses are available 24/7, offering flexibility without compromising quality. These enduring activities span a wide range of topics, from clinical updates to behavioral health, public health, and more.

Whether you're looking to earn CE credit, stay current, or explore new areas of interest, Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning is here to support your journey—on your time.

👉 Browse the full catalog and register today: Northwest AHEC Enduring Education

Here are just a few highlights from our current catalog:

🩺 Clinical Preceptor Training

Available: May 15, 2025 – May 15, 2027
Perfect for new and seasoned preceptors looking to sharpen their teaching skills.

🧠 Behavioral Health Reverse Integration Series

Available through: September 1, 2026
Explore clinical, operational, and financial aspects of integrated behavioral health care.

🧬 2025 NC Annual STI Update Series

Available: August 22, 2025 – August 22, 2026
Includes sessions like:

• The Art of Taking a Sexual History
• Genital Dermatology
• DoxyPEP Implementation
• STI Syndemics and Point-of-Care Diagnostics

🍭 Sweet Success: A Deeper Look at Diabetes in Primary Care (Parts 1 & 2)

Available: May 19, 2025 – May 7, 2027
A comprehensive look at diabetes management strategies for primary care providers.

🧒 Pediatric Obesity Management

Available: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027
Become the expert in your clinic with evidence-based strategies for pediatric obesity care.

🎧 Podcast CE Series

Topics include:

• Collaborative Care for Behavioral Health
• Migraine and the Mind-Body Connection
• Health Disparities in Kidney Disease
• Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

🛡️ Human Trafficking Awareness for Healthcare Professionals

Available: October 17, 2025 – November 1, 2027
Essential training for recognizing and responding to human trafficking in clinical settings.

💊 Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder Series (2024–2026)

Topics include:

• New Strategies to Improve OUD Treatment Planning
• Reducing Barriers to OUD Treatment
• Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): The Evidence is Compelling!
  

🧓Falls: Screening, Risk Assessment and Care Planning for Older Adults

Available: June 16, 2025 – June 16, 2027
Practical tools for reducing fall risk in community settings.

🤝Managing Difficult Patient Situations

Available: January 31, 2024 – January 31, 2026
Learn strategies to navigate challenging interactions with confidence.

Whether you're looking to earn CE credit, stay current, or explore new areas of interest, Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning is here to support your journey—on your time.

👉 Browse the full catalog and register today: Northwest AHEC Enduring Education

On November 21, 2025, healthcare professionals from across the region will gather at the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education in Winston-Salem for the HPB GI Oncology Conference—a premier multidisciplinary symposium focused on hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) malignancies. See full details here.

Hosted by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Levine Cancer Institute, this in-person event brings together specialists in medical oncology, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, and interventional radiology to share the latest advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and collaborative care.

Highlights include:

• Clinical case discussions with real-world applications
• Interactive audience participation for deeper engagement
• A keynote address by Dr. Philip Philip of Wayne State University, a nationally recognized leader in GI oncology
• 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and 5.5 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC

Event Details:

• 📅 Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
• 📍 Location: Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education, 475 Vine Street, 5th Floor, Winston-Salem, NC
• 💵 Registration Fee: $125 (Early bird rate if registered by October 24)

Whether you're a physician, nurse, or allied health professional, this conference offers a unique opportunity to enhance your clinical knowledge, connect with peers, and earn continuing education credits.

👉 Register Now to secure your spot and take advantage of early bird pricing!

Everyone deserves to live their healthiest life. Unmet social needs impact health outcomes more than clinical interventions. The National Academy of Medicine, Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the World Health Organization have long advocated that screening for these needs be integrated into clinical settings but barriers exist. This course provides tools, resources and recommendations to support practice teams to screen and facilitate intervening to meet these needs.

Objectives

The 20th Annual Neuroscience Conference will explore the latest advancements in acute hospital management, as well as post-hospital care of the stroke patient. This knowledge-based conference will include the most recent clinical practice guidelines and best practices in stroke care to maximize acute stroke care and recovery as well as provide transitional care post-hospitalization.

REGISTER NOW

November 14, 2025 - 8:30AM - 4:00PM

Location: Village Inn

6205 Ramada Drive, Clemmons, NC

• Identify key concepts of the Code Stroke Process.
• Explain pertinent findings after an interventional procedure.
• Identify and explain common post-stroke complications.
• Discuss the role and impact of interfacility telestroke services.
• Define the structure and function of a comprehensive stroke program.
• Understand stroke disparities and discuss potential strategies for improvement.
• Explain the importance and value of occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation.
• Describe advanced surgical treatment options for stroke.
• Recognize common psychological effects of stroke (e.g. depression, anxiety, emotional changes).
• Define how the stroke program serves its patients.