On April 14, the sky wasn’t the limit — it was just the beginning — for A’nya Buckner, a senior pre-med student at Winston-Salem State University and one of our outstanding Northwest AHEC Scholars. While she stood on the ground in Van Horn, Texas, watching history unfold, her research was quite literally soaring into space.

Buckner was one of three WSSU students selected to participate in Blue Origin’s historic all-female space mission, where their research project, involving plant biology, was included on board. As a member of our AHEC Scholars Cohort 5, Buckner has demonstrated a strong commitment to hands-on learning, community service, and interprofessional education — values that are deeply woven into this unique opportunity.

“This experience means everything to me,” Buckner shared. “I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned from my labs and lectures to real-world research — and seeing our seedlings in space.”

For Buckner, who aspires to become an emergency room physician or anesthesiologist, this experience bridges her academic journey with a powerful glimpse into what’s possible through collaboration, innovation, and scientific exploration.

The project was part of a collaboration between WSSU and Blue Origin’s nonprofit, Club for the Future, which aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. It’s an incredible milestone — not only for the students and faculty involved, but for women in STEM and future healthcare leaders everywhere.

We’re proud to support scholars like A’nya Buckner, who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in science and medicine — even if that means launching it into orbit.

To learn more about our AHEC Scholars program and how we prepare students for impactful careers in healthcare, visit our website: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/scholars

Read WSSU Article

Today, the Northwest AHEC team came together for a meaningful tradition—the 5th Annual Walk in Memory of Roderica “Nicole” McLaurin, held in support of the March for Babies/March of Dimes. We gathered at the beautiful new J. Dudley Watts Jr. Belews Lake Park, enjoying a lovely day to connect with colleagues, friends, and family as we walked in Nicole’s honor.

This two-day course provides adult critical care nurses (CCRN) and adult progressive care nurses (PCCN) a review of AACN’s core content. The course combines central knowledge-based lectures on all testable content according to the AACN exam blueprint for CCRN and PCCN certification exams, plus a substantial amount of CCRN Exam-style multiple choice questions as well. This review is not an introduction to the environment of the ICU or PCU, but a comprehensive update for the professional already in practice at the bedside and preparing for either or both of the certification examinations. Reserve your spot today!

The goal of this program is to provide nurses and other interested healthcare professionals with the based knowledge and tools to assist them in providing high quality and comprehensive care related to Critical Care management.

Adult Critical Care (CCRN) & Progressive Care (PCCN) Nursing Certification Course
REGISTRATION OPEN

June 5-6, 2025 from 8AM - 5:15PM
LIVE WEBINAR

Credit
16.0 Nursing Contact Hours
Southern Regional Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the 
American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

About the Speaker

Lisa M. Soltis, MSN, APRN, RN-BC, PCCN, CCRN-CSC-CMC, CCNS, FCNS, FCCM

Lisa brings over 29 years of critical care experience to her lectures. She has earned her BA from Western Michigan University, her BSN from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and her MSN from Duke University School of Nursing as an Adult Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine where she a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Her experience includes Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and over 25 years of Cardio-Thoracic Critical Care.

She currently works as a Senior Clinical Support Specialist with Fresenius Medical Care, Heart & Lung Therapies providing training and education regarding ECMO therapy across the country. She also lectures on various topics related to critical care, including several certification review courses. Lisa also provides legal services as an expert witness and legal nurse consultant for both nursing and advanced practice nursing cases.

This course is jointly provided by South Piedmont AHEC, Northwest AHEC and Southern Regional AHEC.

We are proud to share that Melanee Mills, MSEd, Program Coordinator for Health Careers at Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC), has been honored with the 2025 NC HOSA – Future Health Professionals Partnership Award. This award recognizes individuals or organizations outside of NC HOSA who go above and beyond in supporting the development of future health professionals across North Carolina.

Melanee was nominated by one of her peers, and according to NC HOSA leadership, her impact and dedication made her an obvious choice for the award.

“Melanee has been an integral part of NC HOSA over the years at both the regional and state levels,” said Jennifer Epperson, BSN, RN, Executive Director and State Advisor of NC HOSA. “She and Northwest AHEC have consistently provided resources and educational opportunities to our students at the Northwest and Piedmont Triad Regional Leadership Conferences for many years.”

Melanee’s commitment doesn’t stop there. She actively supports the NC HOSA State Leadership Conference, helping secure volunteer judges and even serving as a judge herself. Her dedication, dependability, and passion for student success have made a lasting impact on countless future healthcare professionals.

At Northwest AHEC, Melanee plays a vital role in our department. She leads key programs such as AHEC Scholars and Camp Med, which provide immersive learning experiences for students exploring future careers in healthcare. Her leadership helps guide and inspire the next generation of health professionals through hands-on learning, mentorship, and community engagement.

Melanee has been with Northwest AHEC for 11 years, and her passion for workforce diversity and health careers education continues to be a driving force in our mission.

“We are always grateful for what Melanee Mills and Northwest AHEC bring to our organization,” added Epperson. “We consider them an extremely valuable partner in our mission to promote career opportunities in the health industry and to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to all people.”

Congratulations, Melanee, and thank you for the incredible work you do to support and inspire the future of healthcare!

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.

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.

Live Webinar Every Tuesday 12 - 1 PM

From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Nursing Practice author, legacy nurse educator and nurse theorist, Dr. Patricia Benner, will kick off the 2025 National Nurses Week with our fourth annual nurse preceptor live webinar hosted by the North Carolina Area Health Education Center (NC AHEC) network.

For 16 years, the NC “One Community in Recovery” Conference has served as a powerful gathering of individuals dedicated to fostering recovery, resilience, and advocacy in mental health and substance use. Planned by a statewide committee of behavioral health providers and advocates—many with lived experience—this annual event continues to be a beacon of hope and progress.

This year, from March 5-7, 2025, over 200 participants came together under the theme “Healing Together: Building Stronger Communities.” The conference provided a platform for insightful discussions, innovative strategies, and shared experiences that continue to shape the future of recovery in North Carolina.

Conference Highlights

One of the standout sessions was “Addressing the Connection of Brain Injury, Public Health, and the Legal System in North Carolina” presented by Desireé Gorbea-Finalet of Disability Rights NC. This thought-provoking discussion shed light on how brain injuries intersect with public health and justice systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support and policy changes.

The pre-conference session also sparked important dialogue with a panel discussion on “Exploring Alternatives to Involuntary Commitment in North Carolina.” Featuring a diverse group of stakeholders, this session explored real-world challenges and potential solutions to ensure a more person-centered approach in crisis response.

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in 16 breakout sessions, covering a wide range of recovery-focused topics, and hear from two inspiring keynote speakers:

• Jeff Walker of Wilkes Recovery Revolution, a peer-run Recovery Community Organization in Wilkes County, NC.
• Vesper Moore, an Indigenous activist and mental health rights leader, who spoke on recovery, advocacy, and the importance of elevating lived experiences in policy and practice.

As the seasons change, so do opportunities to expand your knowledge and professional skills! Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) and the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are offering a variety of engaging and informative programs this spring, summer, and fall.