Every May, Stroke Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that strokes can happen to anyone, at any age—and that knowing the warning signs can save lives. A stroke is a medical emergency, and recognizing the symptoms early and acting fast can mean the difference between recovery, long-term disability, or even death. 

According to the American Stroke Association, learning and sharing the signs of stroke is one of the most powerful ways we can protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. 

Learn to B.E. F.A.S.T.

The American Stroke Association promotes the B.E. F.A.S.T. method to help people quickly identify stroke warning signs and take immediate action. Each letter represents a key symptom to watch for: 

• B – Balance
  Sudden loss of balance, dizziness, or trouble walking may signal a stroke.
• E – Eyes (Vision Changes)
  Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden loss of sight in one or both eyes are common signs of stroke. 
• F – Face Drooping
  Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile—an uneven smile can be a warning sign. 
• A – Arm Weakness
  Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm is another key symptom. Ask the person to raise both arms—does one drift downward?.
• S – Speech Difficulty
  Slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech can indicate a stroke. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
• T – Time to Call 911
  If you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Do not wait—every minute matters. 

Why Acting Fast Matters

When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is disrupted, and brain cells begin to die within minutes. Calling 911 right away ensures emergency responders can begin life‑saving treatment as quickly as possible, which can significantly reduce brain damage and improve recovery outcomes. 

Waiting to “see if symptoms go away” can be dangerous. The American Stroke Association emphasizes that quick recognition and rapid response are critical to survival.

Most Strokes Are Preventable

Stroke Awareness Month is also about prevention. The American Stroke Association reports that approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, through managing risk factors like high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and following medical advice. 

Understanding personal risk factors—and encouraging loved ones to do the same—can help reduce the likelihood of a first or second stroke. 

How You Can Help This May

• Learn the B.E. F.A.S.T. signs and share them with family, friends, and coworkers.
• Talk with your healthcare provider about stroke risk factors and prevention strategies.
• Explore free educational tools and resources from the American Stroke Association.
• Use your voice on social media to help spread awareness during Stroke Awareness Month. 

This May, let’s come together to save lives by learning the signs of stroke and being ready to act—because when it comes to stroke, every second counts.

Join Us on May 30, 2026 from 8AM - 3PM | In Person at Graylyn Estate

Northwest AHEC is proud to host Innovations in Mechanical Circulatory Support: From Rescue to Recovery, a dynamic, in‑person multidisciplinary symposium taking place next month on May 30, 2026, at the stunning Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston‑Salem.

Set on a historic estate known for its elegance, natural beauty, and retreat‑like atmosphere, Graylyn provides an ideal setting for meaningful learning, collaboration, and professional connection. This one‑day program offers participants the opportunity to step away from the daily clinical environment and engage deeply with leading experts in a world‑class venue.

Advancing Care Across the MCS Continuum

This symposium addresses critical gaps in the management of shock and temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) across the full continuum of care. Through expert‑led sessions and real‑world, guideline‑aligned case reviews, participants will be able to:

• Describe the current shock landscape by analyzing real-world cases, guideline-directed care pathways, and system-level variations in management.
• Demonstrate increased competence in temporary MCS management, including interpretation of imaging (e.g., speed studies), anticoagulation and bleeding management, device-related troubleshooting, and implementation of structured weaning strategies.
• Apply clinical criteria to identify appropriate candidates and optimal timing for bridging patients to advanced heart failure therapies, including LVAD placement and heart transplant evaluation.
• Develop and implement peri-procedural support plans using MCS for high-risk PCI, CABG, electrophysiology procedures, and management of mechanical complications of myocardial infarction.
• Enhance system-wide performance by collaborating across sites to clarify referral pathways, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for clinical research and myocardial recovery initiatives.

Earn Valuable Continuing Education Credits

Attendees can earn up to 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ / 5.75 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC, making this an excellent opportunity to advance both clinical expertise and professional requirements—and there is no individual registration fee for this event.

Learn, Connect, and Be Inspired at Graylyn

Beyond the robust educational content, the Graylyn Estate offers a memorable and inspiring backdrop for networking with colleagues, exchanging ideas, and engaging in thoughtful discussion in a setting that blends history, comfort, and sophistication.

Join us next month for this high‑impact educational experience and be part of the conversation shaping the future of mechanical circulatory support.

👉 Space is limited—mark your calendar now and plan to attend.

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.

Caring for high-risk maternity patients requires more than clinical expertise and adherence to medical protocols—it calls for compassionate, whole-person support that addresses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches is an evidence-informed, in-person continuing education training designed to empower frontline healthcare professionals with practical, non-pharmacological tools that can be used right at the bedside.

This interactive program is ideal for nurses, doulas, CNAs, social workers, and allied health professionals who support pregnant and birthing individuals facing complex medical or psychosocial challenges. Participants will gain hands-on strategies to enhance patient comfort, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of safety and connection during some of the most vulnerable moments of care.

What Participants Will Learn

Through guided instruction and experiential learning, participants will explore bedside-appropriate techniques such as:

• Gentle movement techniques to support comfort, circulation, and body awareness for patients with limited mobility
• Breathwork and relaxation strategies that help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support coping during prolonged hospitalization
• Practical approaches to enhance comfort and emotional safety, particularly for patients experiencing fear and uncertainty. 
• Strategies for integrating mind-body techniques into interdisciplinary care, supporting consistent, patient-centered approaches across the care team

All content is grounded in clinical experience and evidence-informed practice.

Event Details

Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches
Register here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/77918

• Date: June 26, 2026
• Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
• Location: Novant Health – Forsyth Medical Center
  3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC
• Credits:
  7 Northwest AHEC Contact Hours / 7 Nursing Contact Hours
• Speaker: Angela Gallagher, MHL

Learn from expert speaker Angela Gallagher, MHL, as she shares practical, evidence‑informed strategies to support maternity patients on bedrest. Earn 7 Nursing Contact Hours while gaining tools you can use right away. Space is limited—register now!

Support Healing at the Bedside

By integrating gentle movement, breathwork, and mind-body awareness into everyday care, healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference in the experience of high-risk maternity patients. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches offers practical tools to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being—right where it matters most.

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.