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.

From March 4–6, 2026, more than 200 participants came together to celebrate the conference’s 17th year under the theme “Rooted in Resilience: Reimagined through Change.” The event highlighted the strength, innovation, and collective voice of North Carolina’s recovery community.

Conference Highlights

This year’s conference featured a pre‑conference session on Emotional CPR (eCPR)—a public health education program designed to support individuals through emotional crises, strengthen community connections, and promote meaningful organizational change.

Participants also had the opportunity to engage in 16 breakout sessions, offering a wide range of perspectives, tools, and strategies to support recovery‑oriented systems of care across the state.

Keynote Speakers

Attendees were inspired by powerful keynote presentations from:

• Devin Lyall, Co‑Founding Executive Director of Wilkes Recovery Revolution, a peer‑run Recovery Community Organization serving Wilkes County, NC
• Robert Whitaker, acclaimed journalist and author of Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic

Both speakers shared thought‑provoking insights that challenged participants to reimagine recovery through resilience, advocacy, and systems change.

Recovery Champion Award Recipients

The conference also honored outstanding leaders and advocates with the Recovery Champion Awards:

• Ulysses Banks – Eastern Region
• Jemm Eubanks – Central Region
• Brandi Greer – Western Region
• Emily Wall – Youth/Young Adult Voice Award

These individuals were recognized for their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on recovery communities across North Carolina.

Save the Date

Please mark your calendars for the 18th Annual NC One Community in Recovery Conference, taking place March 10–12, 2027. We look forward to continuing this important work together.

This past weekend, our Northwest AHEC Scholars joined peers from across the state at the 3rd Annual NC AHEC Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference in Greenville, NC - a powerful three‑day experience designed to inspire, educate, and equip North Carolina’s future healthcare workforce.

Our Scholars had the opportunity to:

🌟 Hear from dynamic keynote speakers and thought leaders
🌟 Engage in hands‑on breakout sessions tailored to their interests
🌟 Network with healthcare professionals, alumni, and statewide AHEC partners
🌟 Participate in group discussions that centered compassion, equity, and community impact
🌟 Celebrate together during the fun “AHEC of a Party” glow‑themed reception

Northwest AHEC was proud to see our Scholars actively engaging, asking insightful questions, and representing our region with enthusiasm and professionalism. Their dedication reminds us why investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders matters so deeply.

A huge thank‑you to NC AHEC, the event hosts, speakers, panelists, and sponsors for creating such a meaningful experience for students across the state.