Northwest AHEC is proud to partner with Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) on two powerful community health initiatives: the Share the Health Fair (STHF) and its vision-focused spin-off, Project SEE. Together, these programs are making a meaningful difference by expanding access to essential preventive care—especially for individuals who may otherwise face barriers to services.

A Legacy of Community Impact

Now celebrating its 20th year, the WFUSM Share the Health Fair is a large annual event held at Downtown Health Plaza. Each year, the fair brings together 300+ medical students, residents, and faculty volunteers to provide more than 15 free health screenings, along with navigation and follow-up support for participants who need ongoing care.

Building on the success and community need identified through the STHF, Project SEE was developed to focus specifically on eye health. Offered multiple times throughout the year, Project SEE provides free vision screenings, prescription glasses, and access to ophthalmology expertise—services that can be life-changing for many community members.

Both programs are led by WFUSM medical students and made possible through the dedicated support of:

• Ms. Monica Brown, Administrator and Executive at Downtown Health Plaza
• Ms. Melanee Mills, Northwest AHEC Health Careers Coordinator
• Dr. Michael Lischke, the Richard Janeway MD Distinguished Director of Northwest AHEC & STHF Faculty Advisor

Their leadership and collaboration help ensure these initiatives run smoothly and continue to serve as vital resources in our region.

Strong Partnerships, Clear Vision

A key component of Project SEE’s success is its partnership with the local Lions Club, which generously donates prescription eyeglasses. WFUSM medical students take the lead in:

• Cleaning and repairing donated glasses
• Measuring and categorizing each pair
• Preparing them for distribution

All clinical activities are overseen by WFUSM Ophthalmology faculty, ensuring quality care and appropriate guidance. Glasses are then provided on-site to participants who are screened and identified as needing vision correction—often immediately improving quality of life.

Project SEE by the Numbers

(Tracking data since May 2025)

These numbers reflect not only community need, but also the hands-on learning experience Project SEE provides for future physicians—combining service, clinical skill development, and community engagement.

Join Us at the Next Project SEE Event

The next Project SEE Eye Health Screening Event will be held:

📅 April 18
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Downtown Health Plaza

Services Provided at No Cost:

• Free eye health screenings
• Free prescription glasses (when available)
• Free consultation with an ophthalmologist

No insurance is required, and all community members are welcome.

Project SEE exemplifies what’s possible when academic institutions, community organizations, and passionate volunteers come together with a shared goal—helping our neighbors see healthier futures. Northwest AHEC is honored to support this work and looks forward to continuing these impactful partnerships for years to come.

At Northwest AHEC, service is an important part of who we are—not only in the work we do every day, but in the time we take to support our community together. Yesterday, Northwest AHEC staff gathered for the second year in a row to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Piedmont Triad, continuing a meaningful tradition of giving back while strengthening connections as a team.

A Day of Service and Connection

Our staff once again rolled up our sleeves and focused their efforts on preparing lunches and baking homemade treats for families staying at the House—helping ensure families had one less thing to think about as they supported their children during medical care.

Just as impactful as the work itself was the opportunity to spend time together outside of our usual roles. Volunteering side by side allowed us to connect, collaborate, and reflect—reminding us of the power of teamwork and shared purpose.

Why Ronald McDonald House Matters

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad provides a “home away from home” for families whose children are receiving medical care nearby. By offering a supportive environment, meals, and a place to rest, the House helps ease some of the burden families face so they can focus on what matters most—being there for their child.

Spending time in the House and learning more about its mission reinforced just how meaningful even small acts of service can be. Whether it was preparing food, tidying play areas, or simply helping maintain a warm and welcoming space, each contribution made a difference.

Building on a Growing Tradition

Returning for a second year made this experience even more special. It was a chance to reflect on last year’s volunteer day and see how this opportunity has become a shared tradition for our team. Experiences like this strengthen our sense of community—not only with the organizations we support, but with one another.

We are grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad for welcoming us back and for the vital work they do for families in our region.

Northwest AHEC Impact Highlights

2024–2025 Impact Snapshot

In AY25, Northwest AHEC supported the healthcare workforce through the following efforts:

The AHEC Digital Library (ADL) is a statewide online library that provides access to high-quality, evidence-based health information. Designed to support health professionals, students, faculty, and staff, the ADL offers thousands of full-text journals, ebooks, clinical resources, and research tools—all available anytime, anywhere.

Whether you’re looking up best practices, supporting patient care, completing coursework, or conducting research, the ADL makes it easy to find reliable information without the barriers of traditional library access.

One of the most common questions users ask is: What’s the best way to find a specific article?
The good news is that the ADL offers multiple search options to fit your needs.

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.