Healthcare professionals are invited to join Northwest AHEC's 28th Annual Diabetes Management Conference, a comprehensive educational event designed to provide current best practices in diabetes care and management.

As diabetes treatment continues to evolve, staying current on clinical advances, technology, communication strategies, and patient-centered care is essential. This year's conference will offer practical, evidence-based education that healthcare professionals can immediately apply in their practice.

November 13, 2026 8:15 AM - 4:00 PM 

The Conference Center at GTCC
7908 Leabourne Rd
Colfax, NC, 27235 

REGISTER NOW

One of the conference highlights is the opportunity to customize your learning experience through engaging breakout sessions tailored to a variety of disciplines and interests.

Morning Breakout Sessions

Troubleshooting Continuous Glucose Monitors: Heather Venoy, RDN, LDN, CDCES

Learn practical approaches to common CGM challenges and gain confidence supporting patients who use diabetes technology. This session is particularly valuable for nurses, CMAs, school nurses, clinic staff, and providers who are newer to diabetes technology.

The Future of Incretin Therapies: Balancing Today's Management with Tomorrow's Pipeline: Julie Pruitt, PharmD

Explore the rapidly evolving world of incretin therapies, including current treatment considerations and emerging developments that are shaping the future of diabetes care.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Words That Move Care Forward: Building Trust Across Visits, Messages, and Systems in Diabetes Care: Carrie Keyes, MMS, PA-C

Discover practical communication techniques that help build trust, improve patient engagement, and strengthen diabetes care across healthcare settings.

Understanding Ketones and DKA – Pathophysiology of Insulin Deficiency: Courtney Edwards, PA-C

Gain a deeper understanding of ketones, diabetic ketoacidosis, and the effects of insulin deficiency to improve clinical decision-making and patient education.

While all breakout sessions are open to conference attendees, recommended audiences have been identified to help participants select the sessions most relevant to their professional roles and learning goals.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experienced diabetes care professionals, explore emerging trends, and enhance your ability to provide high-quality patient care.

Registration is now open.

🔗 Register today: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/78170/28th-annual-diabetes-management-conference

For many healthcare professionals, measles feels like a disease of the past. Yet recent outbreaks and declining vaccination rates in some communities have brought this highly contagious disease back into the spotlight. As cases continue to emerge across the United States, pediatric and primary care teams must be ready to recognize symptoms early, respond appropriately, and help protect vulnerable patients.

To support healthcare professionals on the front lines, Northwest AHEC is offering Pediatric Pulse: Measles Resurgence—Recognizing, Responding, and Protecting Your Patients on August 5, 2026, as a live, two-hour webinar. This timely program provides practical, evidence-based guidance for recognizing and managing measles in today's evolving healthcare environment. 

Why This Topic Matters Now

Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. Early identification and rapid response can significantly reduce transmission, protect vulnerable populations, and support public health efforts. Healthcare professionals play a critical role not only in clinical management but also in patient education and vaccine confidence conversations.

As outbreaks occur, providers may encounter patients with symptoms they have never personally seen in practice. This makes ongoing education particularly important for pediatric clinicians, nurses, vaccine coordinators, and public health professionals.

What Participants Will Learn

This webinar is designed to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and clinical tools needed to effectively recognize, respond to, and prevent measles. Participants will review current epidemiologic trends, identify early clinical signs and symptoms, and explore evidence-based approaches to diagnosis, isolation, and treatment.

Key learning objectives include:

• Recognizing the clinical presentation of measles, including prodromal symptoms, rash progression, and diagnostic indicators. 
• Applying evidence-based management strategies for suspected or confirmed measles cases, including isolation precautions, reporting requirements, and collaboration with public health agencies.
• Discussing prevention strategies, including vaccination recommendations and effective approaches for addressing vaccine hesitancy among patients and caregivers. 

Who Should Attend?

This program is especially relevant for:

• Registered Nurses
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Healthcare professionals involved in vaccine administration
• Patient educators
• Public health professionals
• Pediatric healthcare providers and clinical staff who may encounter suspected measles cases 

Whether you work in pediatrics, family medicine, urgent care, school health, public health, or community-based settings, this webinar offers valuable information that can be immediately applied in practice.

Practical Education You Can Use Right Away

One of the greatest benefits of this program is its focus on real-world application. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to identify measles quickly, implement appropriate infection-control measures, and confidently communicate with patients and families about vaccination and disease prevention.

In an environment where misinformation can spread as quickly as disease, healthcare professionals need both clinical expertise and effective communication strategies. This webinar addresses both.

Register Today

Pediatric Pulse: Measles Resurgence—Recognizing, Responding, and Protecting Your Patients will be held as a live webinar on August 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Participants may earn 2 Contact Hours / 2 Nursing Contact Hours.

As measles continues to reemerge as a public health concern, now is the time to ensure your team is prepared.

Register today: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/78399

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts—but life doesn’t slow down just because the days get brighter. Between meetings, patient care, family commitments, and everything in between, finding time for professional development can still feel like a tall order. That’s where Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning comes in.

Designed with flexibility in mind, our self-paced online courses let you learn when it works for you—early mornings, quiet afternoons, or whenever you can carve out a little time. Available 24/7, these enduring activities make it easy to fit quality learning into even the busiest schedules.

Our course offerings cover a broad range of timely topics, including clinical updates, behavioral health, public health, and more—supporting growth across professions and career stages.

Whether you’re refreshing your knowledge, earning CE credit, or exploring something new this spring, Northwest AHEC’s enduring online learning is here to support your professional growth—at your pace, on your time.

Breastfeeding plays a vital role in the health and well-being of infants, mothers, and families. Each year, Northwest AHEC brings together experts, caregivers, and community champions to deepen knowledge, strengthen skills, and uplift those who support breastfeeding families.

This year’s 14th Annual Breastfeeding Forum promises to be one of our most engaging and impactful events yet.

📅 Event Details

Date: March 10, 2026
Time: 8:45 AM – 3:15 PM 
Location: Hickory Metro Convention Center
1960 13th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602

This one-day, in-person conference is designed for professionals and advocates who play a role in supporting breastfeeding families—whether in clinical settings, community programs, or family-centered care environments.

🌟 What You’ll Learn

This year’s forum covers a diverse array of topics essential for anyone working with breastfeeding families. Attendees will gain updated, evidence-based insights on:

🍼 Community-Based Breastfeeding Support

• Learn about the purpose and growing impact of Baby Cafés, a community-centered model that provides accessible, judgment-free breastfeeding support.
• Explore strategies for engaging families and promoting long-term breastfeeding success.
  
  

🌿 Breastfeeding & Maternal Substance Use

• Understand the effects of common substances on lactation and infant health.
• Review evidence-based guidelines for safe breastfeeding practices in the context of maternal substance use.
• Gain strategies for supporting mothers using harm-reduction approaches and culturally sensitive care.
  
  

💛 Perinatal Mental Health

• Identify early emotional, behavioral, and psychological signs of disorders such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
• Learn to apply screening tools and referral strategies to connect families with timely support.
  
  

👶 Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)

• Recognize early clinical indicators of NOWS.
• Learn evidence-based approaches to care for infants with NOWS within breastfeeding contexts.
  
  

🧑‍🍼 Choosing the Right Breast Pump

• Review current breast pump options on the market.
• Learn how to guide parents in selecting the best pump for their unique situation.
  
  

🎓 Continuing Education Credits

Participants can earn:

• 5 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC
• 5 CPEUs
• 3 IBLCE L CERPs
• 2 IBLCE R CERPs
• 5 Nursing Contact Hours
  
  

👥 Who Should Attend?

This forum is ideal for:

• Lactation consultants
• WIC staff
• Registered dietitians
• Nurses & nurse educators
• Peer counselors
• Health educators
• Social workers
• Childbirth educators
• Anyone who assists families with breastfeeding
  
  

🏨 Travel Convenience

A block of rooms is available at the Hickory Courtyard Marriott, just steps from the convention center.

• Discounted Rate: $159 + tax
• Book by: February 23
  
  

🔗 Register for the Forum

Secure your spot and browse the full agenda here:
👉 14th Annual Breastfeeding Forum – Register Now

On November 21, 2025, the Atrium Health Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted the 12th Annual HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) GI Oncology Symposium at the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education. This multidisciplinary event brought together 74 clinicians and learners—including physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, residents, fellows, and students—to explore the latest advances in the treatment and management of HPB malignancies.

A Premier Educational Event Focused on Innovation in HPB Cancer Care

The symposium continues to serve as a key educational forum for providers who care for patients with pancreatic, liver, biliary, and other complex GI cancers. The conference agenda highlighted cutting-edge research, evolving clinical techniques, and collaborative approaches to care.

Keynote Address: Systemic Therapy for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

The day opened with a highly anticipated keynote delivered by Philip Philip, MD, a nationally recognized GI medical oncologist from the Henry Ford Cancer Institute.
Dr. Philip provided an insightful update on systemic therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, discussing emerging evidence, therapeutic sequencing, and the evolving landscape of precision-based care. His expertise set the tone for a day focused on innovation and multidisciplinary strategies.

Expert Presentations from the Atrium Health Wake Forest GI Oncology Team

Members of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center’s GI Oncology and Surgical Oncology programs delivered a series of presentations spotlighting both clinical and research advances across the HPB spectrum. Topics included:

• Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Therapy for colorectal liver metastases and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
• Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
• Advances in PET Imaging for Pancreatic Cancer
• Robotic Whipple Procedure and surgical innovation in pancreatic cancer
• Precision Medicine Using Pancreatic Cancer Organoids, highlighting the promise of tailored treatment approaches

These sessions underscored the institution’s commitment to advancing the standard of care through leading-edge science, technology, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

A Growing Community Committed to Progress

The strong turnout at this year’s program reflects a growing regional and national interest in HPB oncology. Attendees engaged in thoughtful case discussions, networked with colleagues across specialties, and gained new perspectives on how to tackle some of the most challenging cancers.

As one of the region’s premier HPB-focused educational events, the symposium continues to foster a community of clinicians committed to improving outcomes for patients facing complex GI malignancies.

Looking Ahead: Save the Date for 2026

Planning is already underway for the 13th Annual HPB GI Oncology Symposium, scheduled for November 2026 (exact date to be announced).
More details will be shared in the coming months, and we look forward to welcoming an even larger audience next year.

Celebrating Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day
January 23, 2026

Today, we proudly celebrate Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day™, honoring the individuals who ensure healthcare providers remain informed, skilled, and prepared to deliver exceptional care.

At the Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) and Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, our continuing education professionals play a vital role in supporting lifelong learning. They design and deliver high‑quality, evidence-based programs that strengthen patient care and elevate healthcare across our communities.

This work is fueled by strong partnerships - across health systems, academic institutions, professional associations, and community organizations. These collaborations allow us to create meaningful educational experiences that meet the needs of today’s healthcare workforce.

When we asked our partners to describe Northwest AHEC/OCME in one word, three themes rose above the rest:
Collaboration. Commitment. Excellence.

Today, we also celebrate our exceptional team - many of whom bring decades of experience to their roles. Their dedication, expertise, and service continue to shape healthcare education across our region.

Northwest AHEC / OCME Service Milestones

(Years of service as of 2026)

✨ Their dedication strengthens every program we develop, every partnership we nurture, and every learner we support.

Learn more about our full team:
https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/staff

Whether you prefer the energy of in-person training or the flexibility of live webinars, we’ve got options designed to fit your schedule and your goals. Explore our upcoming events and take the next step in advancing your knowledge and skills.

Don’t miss out - register today and secure your spot!
Stay tuned for more updates on programs that will keep you informed, inspired, and ready for what’s next.