On March 18, 2025, lactation consultants, peer counselors, nurses, and breastfeeding advocates gathered at the Hickory Metro Convention Center for the 13th Annual Breastfeeding Forum. This highly anticipated event welcomed 120 attendees for a full day of education, networking, and meaningful discussions aimed at strengthening breastfeeding support for families.
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On March 14, 2025, healthcare professionals gathered at the serene and historic Graylyn International Conference Center for “Nurturing the Nurturers: A Retreat for Sustaining Healthcare Well-being.” This restorative event offered a much-needed opportunity for self-care, reflection, and renewal for those devoted to caring for others.
The retreat opened with a mindful movement session, encouraging participants to engage in breathwork and gentle stretching to foster relaxation. This grounding experience set the tone for the day, gently reminding participants of the importance of turning inward and honoring their own well-being.
The morning continued with an inspiring session on radical self-care, emphasizing the necessity of setting boundaries, embracing authenticity, and prioritizing personal wellness without guilt. The session empowered attendees to reframe self-care not as a luxury, but as a professional necessity—essential for both personal balance and effective caregiving.
Participants then enjoyed a nourishing lunch in an elegant setting, offering space for connection, reflection, and meaningful conversations with colleagues.
The afternoon resumed with an insightful lecture that offered actionable strategies for integrating sustainable wellness practices into daily life, reinforcing the message that self-care is not indulgent but essential for longevity in healthcare roles.
Following a refreshing break, participants engaged in a hands-on writing workshop centered around resilience. Through thoughtful prompts and guided reflection, they explored the power of expressive writing as a tool for processing emotions, fostering gratitude, and enhancing emotional resilience.
Participants left feeling refreshed, inspired, and equipped with tangible strategies for sustaining their own well-being. As healthcare professionals continue their essential work, events like this serve as powerful reminders that self-care is not secondary—it's foundational.
“Nurturing the Nurturers” was more than just a retreat—it was a reaffirmation that healthcare professionals deserve the same compassion and care they extend to their patients. We look forward to future gatherings that continue to prioritize the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to healing others.
The 42nd Annual Perinatal Conference: Gravidas at Risk brought together over 140 healthcare professionals including nurses, care managers, providers, and educators eager to expand their knowledge in perinatal care. The conference, held over two days at the Hickory Metro Convention Center, served as a platform for education and collaboration among those dedicated to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.
For the first time in five years, healthcare professionals gathered in downtown Winston-Salem at the beautiful, historic Brookstown Inn for Preventing Provider Burnout. Kicking off the two-day retreat, participants were guided through a rejuvenating wellness activity by the esteemed director of Arts and Wellness at the Sawtooth Center.
The 12th Annual Breastfeeding Forum took place on March 18, 2024, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina. Guests enjoyed the chance to expand their knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals at this convenient and centralized venue.
Northwest AHEC hosted the 41st Annual Gravidas at Risk Conference on November 15-16, 2023 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina. A diverse group of 150 healthcare professionals, including nurses, educators, providers, and care managers, from all corners of the state, came together to participate in the enriching two-day conference.
On September 25, 2023, the Nurse Educators of Northwest AHEC embarked on another one of their regional site visits. This time, their destination was to Boone, North Carolina, home to the prestigious Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University.
Submitted by:
May Cheung, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Charlotte Area Health Education Center
Mona Brown Ketner RN, MSN, C-EFM, Northwest Area Health Education Center
Claire W. Mills, MPH, RN, FACHE, Eastern Area Health Education Center
