Posted on the Watauga Democrat (8/25/26)

Local high school students in grades 9-12 gained valuable insight into the healthcare field during Ashe Memorial Hospital’s annual Camp Med Summer Program July 13-17.

Twenty-one students from Ashe County High School, Ashe Early College and Alleghany High School participated in this year’s camp, which was designed to expose students to the various aspects of medicine and potential career opportunities available to them should they decide to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I had an amazing experience,” Ashe County High School sophomore Caroline Riley said. “This camp made me realize I 100% want a job in healthcare. I learned and saw so much. I would recommend this experience to anyone interested in healthcare.”

Over the course of the week, students participated in a variety of healthcare related events and activities, including job shadowing, learning assessment skills like manual blood pressures and identifying different lung sounds, learning how to use an EpiPen and hearing presentations from department leaders on Rehabilitation Services, Respiratory, Oncology and Surgical Services. They also became certified in a “Stop the Bleed” trauma course.

Additionally, students enjoyed learning more about emergency medicine services while touring an ambulance and helicopter during visits with Ashe Medics and AirCare. They also traveled to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem to learn all about the different aspects of pathology.

“Camp Med is wonderful opportunity to expose local students to the vast opportunities in the world of healthcare, said Angel Gouge, education manager for Ashe Memorial Hospital.

“Our Camp Med Summer Program at Ashe Memorial Hospital allows students to begin to discover if this is the career path for them. These students get some well-rounded exposure to all avenues of healthcare, including how to care for patients with compassion and purpose.“

We often have students who enjoy their experience so much that they return summer after summer through their high school years, and we have seen many go on to college in pursuit of a healthcare career because of the experiences they got from Camp Med,” Gouge added. “We couldn’t be prouder of our local young generation as they forge their paths in healthcare.”

Through the Camp Med Summer Program, students are able to engage in discussions, gain valuable knowledge and skills and network with healthcare professionals in the hopes of discovering whether or not they may want to pursue a career in the healthcare field in the future. The application process for Ashe Memorial Hospital’s Camp Med Summer Program typically begins in late February and runs through the end of March.

 The Camp Med Summer Program is an annual weeklong experience provided by the Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System. The camp is open to all high school students and is designed particularly for those who have an interest in a career in the health sciences. 

Learn more about Camp Med

Shared from Northern Regional Hospital

[Mount Airy, NC] – August 3, 2026 – Northern Regional Hospital successfully concluded its inaugural Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Little Heroes Med Camp, introducing 43 local elementary students to the world of healthcare through two separate one-day camp sessions.

The camps were held at Northern Regional Hospital on July 3 and July 31, with 20 students participating in the first session, and 23 in the second session. The camps welcomed rising kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

During each camp, participants “treated” their teddy bears using bandages and splints, practiced basic CPR, explored how germs are spread, learned about heart rhythms through an interactive dance activity, created their own first aid kits while learning how each item is used, and gained a behind-the-scenes look at the many careers that help keep a hospital running. The camp was designed to make healthcare education engaging, memorable, and age appropriate.

About NW AHEC:

The Northwest Area Health Education Center of Wake Forest University School of Medicine provides and supports educational activities and services with a focus on primary care in rural communities and those with less access to resources to recruit, train and retain the workforce needed to create a healthy North Carolina.

Learn more about Camp Med

 

Story posted by Northern Regional Hospital

Northern Regional Hospital recently wrapped up another successful year of Camp Med, a week-long summer program designed to introduce local high school students to careers in healthcare. This program is provided by the Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and part of the NC AHEC System.

Twenty-two students representing 8 area high schools participated in hands-on learning experiences, hospital tours, and mentorship sessions with Northern Regional’s clinical and administrative staff. The students explored a wide range of medical skills and specialties, including intubation techniques, OB care, operating room procedures, and pig dissections. Each participant also earned their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Northern Regional Hospital proudly recognizes the following Camp Med 2026 participants:

• Kynlee Venable of East Surry High School.
• Layla Edwards and Jett Laws Lusso of Elkin High School.
• Mary Easler of Homeschool.
• Jacob Rowe of Millennium Charter Academy.
• Baya Austin, Salem Cassell, Blanca Escutia, Salem Fulk, Ariel Orozco-Willis, Lexie Pennix, Maelyn Vaughn, and Makenzie Wall of Mount Airy High School.
• Brilee Badgett, Lyla Lyons, Lillian Midkiff, Naleigh Thompson, and Ellie Zubieta of North Surry High School.
• Krystin Rowley of Ronald W. Reagan High School.
• Josie Calhoun, Kenidi Hall, and Laura Robson of Surry Central High School.

For more information about Camp Med or future educational opportunities at Northern Regional Hospital, visit ChooseNorthern.org/careers. 

Visit our Camp Med Webpage for more info

The Program to Enhance Relationship Centered Communication (PERCC) was launched at Legacy Wake Forest Baptist Health in November 2015 in response to growing evidence that physician communication is a critical driver of patient experience, quality outcomes and value-based reimbursement. Grounded in the principles of Relationship- Centered Communication (RCC), the development of PERCC was led by Peter R. Lichstein, MD and designed in conjunction with the Academy of Communication in Healthcare (ACH).

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist physician educators were trained by ACH in facilitation skills and included Peter R. Lichstein, MD, Raghava Nagaraj, MD, Greg Waters, MD, Jennifer Helderman, MD, Andora Bass, MD, Marcia Wofford, MD and Billy Rice, MD, who established PERCC as a provider- led, skills based approach to improving clinician-patient communication across the continuum of care. Debbie Smothers, FNP later joined as a facilitator and became the first APP in the role.

PERCC 101 for clinicians is structured as an interactive, small group communication skills program, typically enrolling eight participants per session and intentionally mixing physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers and other clinical team members. The curriculum focuses on three core skill areas: beginning the visit by connecting and setting a shared agenda; building rapport through active listening, empathy, and understanding the patients’ perspective; and closing the encounter with clear explanations, teach back, and effective visit closure. Sessions emphasize brief didactic content paired with demonstration and facilitated practice, allowing participants to apply skills in realistic clinical scenarios.

As the program grew, Northwest AHEC became a key partner in supporting PERCC’s reach and sustainability by providing accredited continuing education credit and assistance with participant registration, ensuring clinicians could more easily access training while meeting professional requirements. PERCC eventually expanded to include Leadership PERCC, a program focused on developing practical communication skills for leaders and fostering stronger team connections. It enhances existing leadership strengths and is suitable for leaders at every stage.

PERCC Participation and Reach

Since its inception, PERCC has engaged a wide and varied group of healthcare professionals. Through 2025, 2,296 people have completed PERCC training. This diverse group includes 779 attending physicians, 600 leaders and officers, 480 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, 80 registered nurses, and 357 resident physicians. These figures reflect the program’s ability to attract participants from multiple disciplines, underscoring its relevance and appeal across different roles within the healthcare team . Early data showed that overall physician communication scores increased and most of the individual communication measures (5 out of 6) also improved.

The current PERCC facilitators include Greg Waters, MD, Andora Bass, MD Marcia Wofford, MD, Billy Rice, MD, and Debbie Smothers, NP, who continue to deliver both foundational and leadership PERCC sessions.

Over the past ten years, PERCC has demonstrated that relationship-centered communication skills can be taught, practiced, and sustained in complex healthcare environments. From its 2015 launch to its broad adoption by 2025, PERCC has contributed meaningfully to patient experience, clinician development, and organizational culture.

As healthcare continues to prioritize human connection alongside clinical excellence, PERCC stands as a model for how intentional communication training—supported through strong partnerships like Northwest AHEC—can help shape safer, more compassionate care.

Article written by: Beth Hickman, Patient Experience Advisor at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Online Self-Paced Learning - Jan 5, 2026 - Apr 22, 2026

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In-Person Skills Day

Apr 22, 2026, 1PM - 5PM - Register

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Apr 23, 2026 8AM - 12PM - Register

At Northwest AHEC, Winston-Salem, NC

This course focuses on skills needed for providing basic breastfeeding management and support - including prenatal and postpartum counseling and management of common concerns and clinical problems.

The 2026 North Carolina Lactation Educator Training Program consists of online self-paced training modules and a separate in-person skills day.. You will need to register separately for the in-person skills day.

Following the completion of this activity, the participant should register for the in-person skills day.

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2026 NC Annual STI Update - Live Webinar - March 25 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Join us VIRTUALLY on March 25th for the 2026 NC Annual STI Update to explore the latest developments in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Registration now open!

Topics:

• Epi Trends
• The Injectable Era of HIV Prevention
• The ABCs of Hepatitis: Clinical Insights and Public Health Solutions for NC
• A “Rash”-ional Approach to Diagnosing Infectious and Non-infectious Rashes in Outpatient Settings
• Emerging Sexually Transmitted Infections
• The Vaginitis Spectrum: Mastering Diagnosis and Treatment
• Mycoplasma Genitalium Updates
• View Full Agenda

*Please Note - Registration closes at 10 AM (ET) on March 23*

Online Self-Paced Learning | 1 CME / 1 Contact Hours | $20 Fee

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Healthcare professionals are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for victims of human trafficking. This self-paced online course equips practitioners with the tools to recognize, respond, and report trafficking situations with compassion and accuracy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Identify potential victims of sex and labor trafficking based on observable indicators and patient interactions.
• Understand how Social Determinants of Health—including minority status and substance use—impact vulnerability to trafficking.
• Apply Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles when engaging with individuals who may be victims.
• Navigate appropriate reporting protocols, including options when victims do or do not consent to assistance.

Why It Matters:

This course goes beyond stereotypes to provide realistic, evidence-based insights into trafficking scenarios. You’ll gain practical knowledge to support victims and connect them with local and national resources.

Available Credits:

• 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Hours
• 1 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC

Cost: $20

View the 2024-2025 Annual Report

At Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC), our mission is clear: to improve health for all. This year’s Annual Report reflects that commitment, showcasing how we’ve responded to the evolving needs of our 17-county region and beyond. 

Adapting to Serve Our Communities

Every year brings new challenges—and new opportunities. In 2024–2025, our team and partners faced the ongoing health care workforce shortage head-on. Across disciplines and communities, we worked together to recruit, train, and retain the professionals who are essential to the health of our region.

We’re proud to highlight the resilience and dedication of health care professionals, students, educators, and community partners who stepped up with purpose and passion.

Spotlight on Impact

You may notice throughout the Annual Report that we chose to highlight a few counties from our 17-county region—Yadkin, Surry, and Stokes. These counties are featured not only in the stories we tell, but also in the artwork that brings the report to life. All the artwork throughout the report was created by local artists, with the cover art by Nick Bragg, titled Pilot Mountain Spring, capturing the spirit and beauty of our region.

In Ashe County, a group of newly trained physicians launched Seven Peaks Family Medicine in West Jefferson, filling a critical gap in rural health care. Northwest AHEC supported their journey from the start, helping them build a sustainable practice.

In Winston-Salem, the annual Share the Health Fair at the Downtown Health Plaza expanded its reach. With guidance from Northwest AHEC, medical students from Wake Forest University collaborated with physical and occupational therapy students from Winston-Salem State University to offer gait and balance assessments—bringing more comprehensive care to those in need.

Collaboration and Innovation

These stories are just a glimpse into the collaborative spirit that drives our work. By partnering with health care organizations and fellow AHEC colleagues across North Carolina, we’ve made our efforts more efficient and impactful—sharing resources, combining initiatives, and amplifying results.

Looking Ahead

We’re inspired by the initiative shown by the next generation of health care professionals. Their energy and commitment fuel our optimism for the future. But we know there’s more to do.

Together with community leaders, schools, universities, and organizations, Northwest AHEC remains dedicated to building a stronger, healthier region—for everyone.

Explore the full Annual Report to see how we’re making a difference across Northwest North Carolina: nwahec.org/annualreport2025

Michael P. Lischke, EdD, MPH
Richard Janeway, MD, Distinguished Director of Northwest AHEC

While you are exploring check out this statewide facts at a glance - North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Fiscal year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025)