What's New at NWAHEC

App State will host its inaugural Growing Well Conference from Oct. 12–14 at Levine Hall of Health Sciences in Boone

Oct 7, 2025 2:44:58 PM / by NW AHEC posted in healthcare

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Article from Watauga Democrat:

BOONE — The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness will host its inaugural Growing Well Conference from Oct. 12–14 at Appalachian State University’s Levine Hall of Health Sciences in Boone.

With the theme “Moving Mountains and Community,” the conference will bring together health and medical professionals, educators, researchers, policymakers and families to explore innovative ways to support children and youth with special health care needs in rural Western North Carolina. Health and medical professionals can earn up to 17.25 in-person continuing education credits, and scholarships are available for community members to attend.

The Growing Well Conference is sponsored by Vaya Health, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Northwest Area Health Education Center.

The event begins on Oct. 12 with a pre-conference workshop, followed by two days of interactive programming from Oct. 13–14. Attendees will hear from speakers with diverse expertise and lived experience navigating complex health and social systems.

6.3.25 Moving Mountains LogoConference sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Medical management of children with complex health conditions
  • Advances in tone management for children with complex needs
  • Communication supports for children with autism and other developmental conditions
  • Functional interventions designed to improve participation in daily life
  • Evidence-based behavioral therapies
  • Cross-system collaboration in child welfare and mental health
  • Supporting youth in transitions from school to adulthood, including employment and community engagement opportunities

Organizers say the conference aims to provide professional development as well as opportunities for networking, resource sharing and collaboration among those who serve children and families in the region.

Learn more at our website

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Rewiring Inflammation: A New Era in Rheumatoid Arthritis Care

Aug 13, 2025 4:48:14 PM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in Healthcare Insights, treatment, podcast, intervention, healthcare, vagus nerve

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In this recent conversation with Andrew Brewer on the Healthcare Insights podcast, Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, neurosurgeon and President of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, shared groundbreaking insights into the role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation.

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Nurturing the Nurturers: Highlights from the March 2025 Wellness Retreat

Apr 11, 2025 10:00:00 AM / by Stephanie Poindexter, MSN, RN posted in self care, healthcare

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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.

IMG_9855The 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.

8Following 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Insights on Headaches and Headache Treatments

Feb 21, 2025 10:05:23 AM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, Wellness, Healthcare Insights, Medicine, stress, research, trauma, treatment, online learning, neuro, integrated care, patient care, access, medications, Medication assisted treatment, healthcare, headache

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Two recent guests on our Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast share their expertise, experience, and insights into headaches and headache research and treatment.

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Headaches, Healthcare Payments, Long-term Care, Free Clinics, and Dreaming Big

Feb 4, 2025 2:06:33 PM / by Andrew L. Brewer, MS, NBHWC posted in learning, Healthcare Insights, treatment, online learning, podcast, healthcare

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What do headaches, healthcare payments, long-term care, free clinics, and dreaming big have in common? They are all topics of recent episodes on the Healthcare Insights in Northwest North Carolina podcast.

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Recharge and Renew at the Luxurious Graylyn Estate – Nurturing the Nurturers Retreat

Dec 30, 2024 3:08:33 PM / by Brooke Kochanski posted in Nursing, mindfulness, burnout, self care, healthcare

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Join us for a transformative retreat designed specifically for healthcare professionals who devote themselves to caring for others. Nurturing the Nurturers: A Retreat for Sustaining Healthcare Well-Being is an opportunity to pause, recharge, and prioritize your own well-being.

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