Online Self-Paced Learning | 1 CME / 1 Contact Hours | $20 Fee

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Healthcare professionals are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for victims of human trafficking. This self-paced online course equips practitioners with the tools to recognize, respond, and report trafficking situations with compassion and accuracy.

What You’ll Learn:

• Identify potential victims of sex and labor trafficking based on observable indicators and patient interactions.
• Understand how Social Determinants of Health—including minority status and substance use—impact vulnerability to trafficking.
• Apply Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles when engaging with individuals who may be victims.
• Navigate appropriate reporting protocols, including options when victims do or do not consent to assistance.

Why It Matters:

This course goes beyond stereotypes to provide realistic, evidence-based insights into trafficking scenarios. You’ll gain practical knowledge to support victims and connect them with local and national resources.

Available Credits:

• 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Hours
• 1 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC

Cost: $20

Everyone deserves to live their healthiest life. Unmet social needs impact health outcomes more than clinical interventions. The National Academy of Medicine, Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the World Health Organization have long advocated that screening for these needs be integrated into clinical settings but barriers exist. This course provides tools, resources and recommendations to support practice teams to screen and facilitate intervening to meet these needs.

Objectives

On June 9th, Charlotte hosted the 7th annual Health Professions Education Institute (HPEI) Educator Conference, a dynamic event co-sponsored by Faculty Affairs and Medical Education. This year’s conference brought together faculty, staff, students, residents, fellows, physicians, and healthcare providers passionate about advancing teaching and training in the health professions - spanning medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, graduate programs, and beyond.

Northwest AHEC invites you to our upcoming Spring Behavioral Health Webinars! Whether you're looking to enhance your clinical practice, support recovery, or deepen your understanding of trauma-informed care, we have valuable sessions for you. Click below for more information on each.

• Microaggression as an Ethical Issue in Clinical Practice - April 1, 2025 from 9AM- 12:15PM - Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional exchanges that convey negative messages based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. While clinicians aim to provide culturally sensitive care, unknowingly committing microaggressions can harm communication, erode trust, and disrupt the therapeutic process. Ethical guidelines call for minimizing these occurrences to support effective client relationships. This program explores the impact of microaggressions, their role in clinical practice, and strategies for reducing them. Note: This course may count toward ethics requirements for license renewal. Register Here
  
  
• Practical Suggestions for Facilitating SUD Recovery - April 9, 2025 from 1PM - 3PM - Health professionals often encounter clients or patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Understanding how to effectively address these complex challenges is critical for providing optimal care. This workshop is designed to offer a comprehensive overview of practical approaches and evidence-based interventions for working with individuals affected by SUDs. Register Here
  
  
• Safety First: Trauma-Informed Care with People Experiencing Substance Use Disorders - May 16, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - Widely demonstrated in the literature on substance use disorders, trauma experienced by the person is a common and primary part of the sequelae leading to addiction. Traumatic life experiences can unfortunately also be a part of a person’s time as a substance user.
  This training will present a brief overview of what constitutes single incident or developmental traumas; what it means to be a trauma-informed practitioner; awareness of vicarious or secondary traumatization and related social worker self-care. Participants will learn how to consider trauma in their approach to working with clients and in their ability to thrive as a practitioner.  Register Here
  
  
• Race-Based Traumatic Stress: Broadening Your Toolkit to Support Diverse Individuals - June 20, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - This session explores race-based traumatic stress and its impact on clients of color. We’ll review the theoretical framework, trauma responses, and resilience strategies while identifying risk and protective factors. Clinicians will enhance cultural competence through interactive learning, self-reflection, and practical skills for sensitive, effective care. Register Here

The 24th annual Share the Health Fair, sponsored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Northwest Area Health Education Center, will be held this Saturday, Nov. 2. More than 10 free screenings, tests and other health-related services will be available to the public.

This free event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wake Forest Baptist’s Downtown Health Plaza, located at 1200 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Winston-Salem. The event is open to all adults and children regardless of insurance coverage, income level or immigration status. There will be several children-focused stations as well as childcare for families who attend.

Interested individuals can walk-in the day of and register at the event. Spanish-language interpreters will be available.

A variety of vaccinations and screenings will be offered, including:

• Bone density screening
• Flu vaccinations
• Glaucoma and vision testing 
• Glucose and cholesterol testing
• Lung function testing
• Mental health and memory screenings 
• Sexually transmitted infection screening
• Skin screenings
• Strength and balance testing 

A comprehensive team of physicians and specialists will be present, along with medical students, PA students, technicians and other health care professionals. Most test and screening results will be immediately provided to the participants as well as educational materials to help individuals understand what results mean. Participants will also be provided with the option to discuss any abnormal findings or other health concerns with one of the Wake Forest Baptist physicians on-site.

For those who require follow-up care, referrals will be provided to either the Downtown Health Plaza or other free, local community organizations and clinics that provide the needed services on a regular basis.

“As a medical student, it is so important to get out into our community and take the opportunity to educate our neighbors about healthy lifestyle changes to help them improve their overall health and wellbeing,” said Elsa Katarina Acosta, third-year medical student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “The goal of the health fair is to address the needs of underserved populations and create healthy lifestyles for generations to come. This is one small way to give back and I am thankful to be part of it.”

There will be representatives on-site to provide consultations regarding health insurance and legal resources, living wills and advance health care directives. Participants will also receive a goody bag while supplies last with essential items, such as toothbrushes, soap and fresh produce.

A study exploring the transformative effects of the Community Plunge, an educational
program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSOM), on healthcare delivery,
community engagement, and trainee perspectives was recently published in the Journal of
Clinical and Translational Science. Led by Dr. Christopher A. Jones of Northwest AHEC, the
study highlights the broader context of health outcomes, where clinical care accounts for
only 20%, emphasizing the critical role of social determinants of health (SDOH) and
individual behaviors in shaping the remaining 80%.

Making ends meet in America is a challenge for many who are just getting by month to month. When life throws a curveball, expenses can accelerate faster than income. This is a crisis for those without savings. The curveball can continue to cascade into the future, further increasing the gap between debt and income. Financial stress doesn’t discriminate, it can fall on anyone, and leaves many feeling hopeless and in need. That’s where Crisis Control Ministry comes in.

Northwest Area Health Education Center held a Team Development Activity: Living on the Edge, a Poverty Simulation and Crisis Control Ministry Tour on Monday, June 10th.

WSSU School of Health Sciences students, WFUSM Dept. of PA students, and Forsyth Technical Community College nursing students collaborate through Northwest AHEC on an inter-institutional, interprofessional program.

Delve into the complex and intertwined history of race and medicine in the United States, gaining valuable insights into the pervasive presence of structural racism within the healthcare system. By participating in the online program led by esteemed expert Dr. Jennifer Schaal, you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of how racist ideologies have shaped the development of American medical systems.