Northwest AHEC is excited to join partners across the state in celebrating NC AHEC Future Health Professionals Week, happening March 8–14, 2026. This statewide initiative is designed to inspire high school students and families to explore the incredible variety of health career pathways available in North Carolina. Learn all about it here.

Whether you're a student curious about the future, a parent helping guide next steps, or an educator supporting career exploration, this week offers engaging, accessible opportunities to connect with health professionals, discover in-demand careers, and learn how to get started on a meaningful path.

🎯 What Is Future Health Professionals Week?

Future Health Professionals Week is a coordinated statewide celebration led by NC AHEC to raise awareness about:

• The broad range of health careers, including both direct and non-direct patient care roles
• Emerging fields, such as health-focused artificial intelligence
• Educational pathways, from community colleges to university programs
• Opportunities and resources available to students across North Carolina

This week is designed to be informative and inspiring, offering touchpoints for students at every stage—from pre-college to early-career exploration.

 

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📅 What to Expect Throughout the Week

Here’s a snapshot of the exciting activities planned across March 8–14, 2026:

🎓 Student Webinar — Tuesday, 6:30–7:30 PM ET

In this live Webinar, students from across the State of North Carolina can explore 7 health careers in breakout sessions, hear directly from professionals, and learn about pursuing careers in rural and underserved communities. Incentives will be offered for completing evaluations.  

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent & Educator Webinar — Thursday, 6:30–7:30 PM ET

In this live webinar, families, educators, counselors, and community partners from across the state of North Carolina will learn about high-demand professions, community college pathways, and resources available through NC AHEC to support students throughout their health career journey.

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💡 Why This Week Matters

North Carolina needs a strong, well-trained healthcare workforce—especially in rural and underserved communities. Programs like Future Health Professionals Week help students:

• Understand real-world career options
• Build connections to experts and mentors
• Learn about support systems available through organizations like Northwest AHEC, which provides health careers programming, student services, and pathways exposure across 17 counties in our region

By participating, students gain insights that can shape their educational and career decisions for years to come.

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🚀 Ready to Explore Your Future?

Northwest AHEC invites students, families, and educators across our region to take part in this exciting weeklong celebration of health careers.

👉 Learn more and sign up here:
https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/futurehealthprofweek

Let’s empower the next generation of health professionals—starting now.

 

Check out our video!

Exploring the World of Healthcare Through Virtual Camp Med 2025

In an era where healthcare careers are more vital than ever, Virtual Camp Med 2025 emerges as a beacon of opportunity for high school students. This innovative program is designed not just to inform but to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. By providing a comprehensive overview of the healthcare sector, Virtual Camp Med equips students with the knowledge and insights needed to embark on a rewarding career path.

The virtual nature of the camp ensures accessibility for all, breaking down geographic and physical barriers that might have previously hindered participation. From June 1st, students can dive into an enriching learning environment from the comfort of their homes, gaining over 20 hours of programming dedicated to healthcare career exploration.

The Impact of Virtual Healthcare Camps on Career Decisions

The influence of early exposure to healthcare professions cannot be understated. Learning experiences like Camp Med play a pivotal role in shaping the career decisions of young minds. Through engaging and interactive content, students are introduced to a myriad of career paths within the healthcare sector.

This exposure is crucial in helping students navigate their future career choices, providing them with a clear understanding of what each path entails and the educational requirements needed to achieve their career goals. The structured programming of Virtual Camp Med ensures that participants leave with not only a broader perspective on healthcare careers but also with a newfound inspiration to pursue their interests.

Virtual Camp Med 2025: A Deep Dive into the Program's Unique Modules

Virtual Camp Med 2025 stands out due to its carefully curated modules, each designed to offer a unique perspective on the healthcare industry. The program includes:

• Module 1: My Career Choices - This module helps students assess their interests and align them with potential healthcare careers.
• Module 2: Explore the Health of your Region - Here, students learn about healthcare challenges and opportunities within their own communities.
• Module 3: Human Body Systems - A deep dive into the anatomy and physiology that underpin medical science.
• Module 4: Healthcare in Action - Students get a virtual front-row seat to the day-to-day workings of healthcare professionals.
• Module 5: Education Possibilities - This module outlines the educational pathways available for various healthcare careers.

These modules are designed for self-paced learning, allowing students to explore each area thoroughly and at their own convenience.

For high school students interested in exploring the dynamic world of healthcare, enrolling in Virtual Camp Med 2025 is a step towards unlocking a future filled with possibilities. Registration is now open, and the program is free, making it accessible to all who qualify.

To enroll, students simply need to visit the Northwest AHEC website and complete the registration process. 

Virtual Camp Med 2025 is more than just a camp; it's a journey into the heart of healthcare, offering insights, inspiration, and invaluable connections. For high school students at the crossroads of their educational and career paths, it presents a unique opportunity to explore, engage, and envision a future in one of the most rewarding fields. Don't miss out on this chance to shape your future – register for Virtual Camp Med today and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare!

Exploring the World of Healthcare Through Virtual Camp Med 2024

In an era where healthcare careers are more vital than ever, Virtual Camp Med 2024 emerges as a beacon of opportunity for high school students. This innovative program is designed not just to inform but to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. By providing a comprehensive overview of the healthcare sector, Virtual Camp Med equips students with the knowledge and insights needed to embark on a rewarding career path.

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center recently brought back its annual summer learning program, CAMP MED, after pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was held July 25-27, for high school students interested in medical careers.

Iredell County’s next generation of doctors and health professionals recently got a chance to explore the healthcare industry through hands-on learning experiences at Iredell Memorial Hospital.

Potential members of the next generation of doctors and health professionals got a chance to explore possible medical fields hands-on recently at Northern Regional Hospital. Thirteen local high school students interested in becoming registered nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, or other medical professionals participated in Camp Med 2023 summer program provided by Northern Regional Hospital and the Northwest Area Health Education Center, an initiative of the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) is gearing up for another fun and informative virtual Camp Med this summer. Last year’s virtual camp hosted more than 235 participants from North Carolina and beyond. This year the self-paced camp will be available again to students in grades 8 to 12, from June 1 through July 31.

Northwest AHEC attended STEAM Night at Winston-Salem Dash on April 25th, and we were delighted to see the first pitch thrown by Alan Morales a Camp Med participant. It was a full circle moment as we were there promoting the Camp Med Program for this summer!

High School students across the 17-County NWAHEC Region really showed up this summer with both Camp Med in person camps and virtual Camp Med having great turn outs!