After 34 years of dedicated service, Northwest AHEC is preparing to say farewell to an extraordinary colleague and friend. At the end of this month, Ellen Kesler, MLS, MPH, CPH, Program Coordinator for Behavioral Health, will retire—leaving behind a legacy of leadership, collaboration, and deep commitment to behavioral and public health across our region and state.

Ellen has been a cornerstone of Northwest AHEC for more than three decades. Throughout her career, she has exemplified what it means to serve with purpose, compassion, and excellence. Her work has not only strengthened our organization but has also had a meaningful and lasting impact on providers, partners, and communities throughout North Carolina.

For the past 17 years, Ellen has been the driving force behind the NC One Community in Recovery Conference, a signature conference that brings together providers, advocates, and individuals in recovery. Through her leadership, the event has become a powerful space for education, connection, and hope—supporting both those who deliver care and those with lived experience. 

While the One Community in Recovery Conference stands as a hallmark of her work, Ellen’s impact reaches far beyond a single conference. Day in and day out, she has planned and managed a wide array of behavioral health continuing education activities, ensuring that professionals across disciplines have access to timely, relevant, and high-quality learning opportunities. Her programming has covered an impressive range of topics, including recovery, ethics, cognitive behavioral therapy, ADHD, suicide prevention, motivational interviewing, health coaching, health disparities, autism, and so much more. 

Northwest AHEC’s strong network of behavioral health partners—both regionally and statewide—owes much to Ellen’s belief in the power of partnership and collaboration. Her genuine connections with colleagues and stakeholders have helped position Northwest AHEC as a trusted convener and collaborator. Ellen leads with respect, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to working together for the greater good.

As Ellen begins this next chapter, we reflect with gratitude on her exceptional work ethic, her passion for behavioral and public health, and her heart for helping those in need. Her contributions have shaped programs, strengthened partnerships, and improved lives—and her influence will continue to be felt long after her retirement.

Thank you, Ellen, for 34 years of dedicated service to Northwest AHEC, the North Carolina AHEC Program, and the state of North Carolina. You will be deeply missed, but we wish you a joyful, fulfilling, and well-deserved retirement. Your legacy is one we are proud to carry forward.