Reaching a career milestone is more than marking time - it’s an opportunity to reflect on growth, purpose, and the impact made along the way. For Cherelle Blakely, her 10-year journey with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB) highlights a commitment to learning, dedication to healthcare, and passion for supporting others.

At Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education and Northwest AHEC, one of the things that sets us apart is the dedication and longevity of our team. The relationships we build—with each other, our partners, and the communities we serve—are strengthened by years of commitment and shared purpose.

We’re proud to introduce our Quarterly Milestone Recognition, a new initiative celebrating teammates reaching 5, 10, 15, 20 (and beyond!) years of service. These milestones reflect not only time, but the meaningful contributions our team members make in advancing our mission and improving healthcare across the region.

As we launch this initiative, we’re honored to highlight one of our team members celebrating a significant milestone:

Celebrating 10 Years: Cherelle Blakely, MHS

Continuing Medical Education Coordinator
Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME)

This past May marked Cherelle Blakely’s 10-year anniversary with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB) - a milestone that reflects a decade of growth, dedication, and impact in healthcare.

Cherelle began her career in May 2016 as a Patient Scheduling Coordinator in the Cardiology Department, where she also supported multiple physicians as a secretary. In a fast-paced clinical environment, she managed schedules and helped ensure seamless patient care operations. During this time, she developed a strong foundation in organization, communication, and attention to detail—all essential skills that continue to serve her today.

While working full time, Cherelle also pursued her master’s degree in healthcare management. Balancing professional responsibilities with graduate studies required determination and resilience, further strengthening her commitment to a career in healthcare.

After earning her degree, Cherelle transitioned into the role of Education Coordinator in the Life Support/Nursing Education Department, where she expanded her skill set and discovered a passion for supporting clinical education and training.

Today, Cherelle serves as a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Coordinator, where she coordinates accredited education programs for physicians. In this role, she combines her administrative expertise with her passion for healthcare education - helping ensure clinicians have access to high-quality learning opportunities that support their professional development and enhance patient care.

Reflecting on her journey, Cherelle shares gratitude for the opportunities and support she has received along the way - and a continued commitment to growing her impact.

A Valued Member of the Team

“It has been a pleasure having Cherelle as part of the continuing professional development team with the OCME and Northwest Area Health Education Center. Her willingness to be a team player, proactive initiative in ensuring departments have high-quality programs, and eagerness to ask thoughtful questions and offer solutions make her an invaluable teammate.”
— Nedra Edwards Hines, MHA, CDP
Assistant Director, Continuing Education Services

 

 

Figuring out what you want to do after high school can feel overwhelming—but what if you could explore an entire career field from your laptop?

That’s exactly what Virtual Camp Med 2026 is all about.

Built for high school students who are curious about healthcare (or just not sure yet), this free, online program gives you a real look at what it’s like to work in the field—without the pressure or guesswork.

Whether you're already interested in healthcare or just starting to explore your options, this is a great place to begin.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

Virtual Camp Med is designed to help you explore, not commit. You’ll get exposure to different careers, hear from professionals, and start connecting the dots between what you enjoy and where it could take you.

Healthcare is more than doctors and nurses—and this program helps you see the bigger picture.

This isn’t just reading and watching videos. You’ll move through interactive modules that help you learn and reflect at the same time:

• Explore your interests and how they match up with different careers
• Learn what’s happening in your own community’s health landscape
• Understand the basics of how the human body works
• See what real healthcare jobs look like day-to-day
• Map out what education paths could look like for you

And the best part? It’s all self-paced, so you can work through it on your own time.

Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) is proud to support and partner in advancing global research in interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). We are excited to invite health professionals, educators, researchers, and graduate students to apply for the 2026 InterprofessionalResearch.Global Summer Research Institute (IPR.Global SRI)—a dynamic opportunity to strengthen research skills and expand professional networks.

🚀 About the Summer Research Institute

The IPR.Global SRI is a highly interactive, fully virtual program designed to support the next generation of scholars in IPECP. The institute brings together participants from around the world to build capacity in collaborative research and drive innovation in health professions education and practice.

This year’s program combines:

• A 4-day intensive online institute
• Two months of structured mentorship

Together, these components provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to develop and advance high-quality research projects.

🌐 Why This Matters

At Northwest AHEC, we are committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving health outcomes through education, collaboration, and innovation. Our involvement in the Summer Research Institute reflects our dedication to:

• Promoting interprofessional collaboration across disciplines
• Building research capacity in healthcare education and practice
• Connecting our region’s professionals to global networks and opportunities

We are honored to collaborate with InterprofessionalResearch.Global and contribute to the success of this impactful initiative.

🎓 What Participants Gain

Participants in the SRI will have the opportunity to:

• Engage with internationally recognized IPECP scholars and mentors
• Develop or refine their own research projects
• Connect with a global network of collaborators and emerging leaders
• Compete for seed funding of up to $2,000 for high-potential projects
• Applicants from North Carolina may be eligible for a stipend of up to $1,000!

This is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for meaningful, publishable, and fundable research.

📅 Program Details

• Virtual sessions (via Zoom):
  July 8 and July 22–24, 2026
• Cost: FREE!
• Application Deadline:
  May 25, 2026

✅ Who Should Apply

We encourage applications from:

• Health professionals
• Faculty and educators
• Researchers
• Graduate students

Across all disciplines who are passionate about advancing interprofessional collaboration and improving healthcare outcomes.

✨ Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to grow as a scholar, expand your network, and contribute to the future of collaborative healthcare research, we encourage you to apply.

👉 Learn more and apply:
https://interprofessionalresearch.global/sri/

Northwest AHEC is proud to support initiatives that elevate research, foster collaboration, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in North Carolina.

We’re excited to launch the Integrated Care Quality Series, a four-part educational series designed to support providers, care teams, and partners in improving outcomes across maternal, preventive, and pediatric care.

Aligned with NC Medicaid’s 2026 Withhold Program, this series will provide practical strategies, updated guidance, and actionable tools to strengthen high-quality, equitable care across the care continuum.

All sessions will be held via live webinar.

Please note: These programs are open to NC Health Department employees only.
Course registration is generously supported by the North Carolina Alliance of Public Health Agencies.

Now Open: Session 1 Registration

Prenatal & Postpartum Care (PPC)

May 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Live Webinar

Prenatal and postpartum care is foundational to maternal and infant health outcomes. The Withhold Program emphasizes timely prenatal care initiation and postpartum visits within 7–84 days after delivery. This session will review updated specifications, data collection requirements, F‑code documentation, and culturally responsive engagement strategies to support pregnant and postpartum members.

A Q&A session will be held two weeks after the event; access details will be shared with participants.

Participants will be able to:

✅ Describe PPC measure components and 2026 performance expectations
✅ Apply correct documentation practices—including F‑code usage—to improve data capture and completeness
✅ Identify barriers to timely prenatal and postpartum care and implement outreach workflows to address them
✅ Integrate equity-centered approaches to support members disproportionately impacted by maternal morbidity

👉 Learn more and register

What’s Coming Next

Future sessions in the series will explore:

• Screening for Health-Related Resource Needs (HRRN)
• Women’s Preventive Health (Cervical & Breast Cancer Screening)
• Child & Adolescent Well-Care and Immunizations

We’ll be announcing additional session details soon, with registration opening shortly for fall offerings.

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.