April is National Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the power of service and the meaningful impact that happens when organizations and community partners come together to support those in need. This year, Northwest AHEC was proud to volunteer alongside Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center SERVES in support of the Forsyth Backpack Program, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping children facing food insecurity.

Thanks to the incredible generosity and teamwork of Atrium Health teammates, more than 11,000 food bags were assembled—each one filled with nutritious food to support students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) Title I schools. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist purchased and donated the food used in the packing effort, helping ensure students have access to meals outside of school hours.

Supporting Children Beyond the Classroom

The Forsyth Backpack Program is a volunteer-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Forsyth County. Its mission is simple yet impactful: to provide nutritious food in backpacks on weekends and holidays to local school children who have been identified by school personnel as being in need.

For many children, weekends and long school breaks can mean little to no access to food—healthy or otherwise. By receiving weekend food backpacks, students are able to return to school after breaks better prepared to focus, learn, and play, improving their overall well-being and academic readiness.

A Shared Commitment to Community Health

Northwest AHEC’s participation reflects a shared commitment with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist to strengthen community health, support children and families, and address social drivers of health such as food insecurity. Volunteering side by side during National Volunteer Month reinforced the power of collaboration and the difference that collective action can make.

Moments like these remind us that giving back isn’t just about volunteering time—it’s about investing in the health and future of our communities.

Learn More or Get Involved

To learn more about the Forsyth Backpack Program or find ways to support their mission, visit:
👉 https://forsythbackpackprogram.org

Northwest AHEC is proud to stand with partners who are making a lasting impact, one backpack at a time.

On a beautiful spring day, staff, family, and friends gathered once again at Historic Old Salem to take part in the 6th Annual Walk in Memory of Nicole, held in conjunction with the March of Dimes March for Babies. As we walked the Strollway together, the setting offered a peaceful backdrop for reflection, remembrance, and community.

This annual walk honors Roderica “Nicole” McLaurin, a beloved Northwest AHEC staff member whose kindness, dedication, and spirit left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Nicole unexpectedly passed away in October 2020 following the delivery of her second son, Dylan. Her loss continues to be deeply felt, but her memory lives on through this meaningful tradition.

For the past six years, we have gathered alongside Nicole’s family and friends to walk in her honor—keeping her legacy alive while surrounding one another with support and love. Each step we take is a reminder of Nicole’s compassion and her commitment to caring for others.

By joining the March for Babies, our walk is also part of a broader mission to address America’s maternal and infant health crisis. This nationwide movement brings communities together to raise critical funds and awareness—ensuring more families have access to the care, education, and resources they need. It’s a mission that resonates deeply with our work and values at Northwest AHEC.

We are proud to play a small but meaningful role in this movement, honoring Nicole in a way that turns remembrance into action and hope. Thank you to everyone who walked with us, supported the cause, and helped continue a legacy rooted in love, service, and community.

Together, we walk to remember.
Together, we walk for healthier moms and babies.

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts—but life doesn’t slow down just because the days get brighter. Between meetings, patient care, family commitments, and everything in between, finding time for professional development can still feel like a tall order. That’s where Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning comes in.

Designed with flexibility in mind, our self-paced online courses let you learn when it works for you—early mornings, quiet afternoons, or whenever you can carve out a little time. Available 24/7, these enduring activities make it easy to fit quality learning into even the busiest schedules.

Our course offerings cover a broad range of timely topics, including clinical updates, behavioral health, public health, and more—supporting growth across professions and career stages.

Whether you’re refreshing your knowledge, earning CE credit, or exploring something new this spring, Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning is here to support your professional growth—at your pace, on your time.

Northwest AHEC is proud to partner with Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) on two powerful community health initiatives: the Share the Health Fair (STHF) and its vision-focused spin-off, Project SEE. Together, these programs are making a meaningful difference by expanding access to essential preventive care—especially for individuals who may otherwise face barriers to services.

A Legacy of Community Impact

Now celebrating its 20th year, the WFUSM Share the Health Fair is a large annual event held at Downtown Health Plaza. Each year, the fair brings together 300+ medical students, residents, and faculty volunteers to provide more than 15 free health screenings, along with navigation and follow-up support for participants who need ongoing care.

Building on the success and community need identified through the STHF, Project SEE was developed to focus specifically on eye health. Offered multiple times throughout the year, Project SEE provides free vision screenings, prescription glasses, and access to ophthalmology expertise—services that can be life-changing for many community members.

Both programs are led by WFUSM medical students and made possible through the dedicated support of:

• Ms. Monica Brown, Administrator and Executive at Downtown Health Plaza
• Ms. Melanee Mills, Northwest AHEC Health Careers Coordinator
• Dr. Michael Lischke, the Richard Janeway MD Distinguished Director of Northwest AHEC & STHF Faculty Advisor

Their leadership and collaboration help ensure these initiatives run smoothly and continue to serve as vital resources in our region.

Strong Partnerships, Clear Vision

A key component of Project SEE’s success is its partnership with the local Lions Club, which generously donates prescription eyeglasses. WFUSM medical students take the lead in:

• Cleaning and repairing donated glasses
• Measuring and categorizing each pair
• Preparing them for distribution

All clinical activities are overseen by WFUSM Ophthalmology faculty, ensuring quality care and appropriate guidance. Glasses are then provided on-site to participants who are screened and identified as needing vision correction—often immediately improving quality of life.

Project SEE by the Numbers

(Tracking data since May 2025)

These numbers reflect not only community need, but also the hands-on learning experience Project SEE provides for future physicians—combining service, clinical skill development, and community engagement.

 

Join Us at the Next Project SEE Event

The next Project SEE Eye Health Screening Event will be held:

📅 April 18
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Downtown Health Plaza

Services Provided at No Cost:

• Free eye health screenings
• Free prescription glasses (when available)
• Free consultation with an ophthalmologist

No insurance is required, and all community members are welcome.

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Project SEE exemplifies what’s possible when academic institutions, community organizations, and passionate volunteers come together with a shared goal—helping our neighbors see healthier futures. Northwest AHEC is honored to support this work and looks forward to continuing these impactful partnerships for years to come.

 

At Northwest AHEC, service is an important part of who we are—not only in the work we do every day, but in the time we take to support our community together. Yesterday, Northwest AHEC staff gathered for the second year in a row to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Piedmont Triad, continuing a meaningful tradition of giving back while strengthening connections as a team.

A Day of Service and Connection

Our staff once again rolled up our sleeves and focused their efforts on preparing lunches and baking homemade treats for families staying at the House—helping ensure families had one less thing to think about as they supported their children during medical care.

Just as impactful as the work itself was the opportunity to spend time together outside of our usual roles. Volunteering side by side allowed us to connect, collaborate, and reflect—reminding us of the power of teamwork and shared purpose.

Why Ronald McDonald House Matters

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad provides a “home away from home” for families whose children are receiving medical care nearby. By offering a supportive environment, meals, and a place to rest, the House helps ease some of the burden families face so they can focus on what matters most—being there for their child.

Spending time in the House and learning more about its mission reinforced just how meaningful even small acts of service can be. Whether it was preparing food, tidying play areas, or simply helping maintain a warm and welcoming space, each contribution made a difference.

Building on a Growing Tradition

Returning for a second year made this experience even more special. It was a chance to reflect on last year’s volunteer day and see how this opportunity has become a shared tradition for our team. Experiences like this strengthen our sense of community—not only with the organizations we support, but with one another.

We are grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad for welcoming us back and for the vital work they do for families in our region.

Northwest AHEC Impact Highlights

 

2024–2025 Impact Snapshot

In AY25, Northwest AHEC supported the healthcare workforce through the following efforts: