What's New at NWAHEC

Support Beyond Medications and Protocols: Expanding the Way We Care for High-Risk Maternity Patients

Apr 16, 2026 9:15:00 AM / by Alana Dodson, MBA, BSN, RN posted in Nursing, childbearing, maternal health

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Caring for high-risk maternity patients requires more than clinical expertise and adherence to medical protocols—it calls for compassionate, whole-person support that addresses physical, emotional, and psychological needs. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches is an evidence-informed, in-person continuing education training designed to empower frontline healthcare professionals with practical, non-pharmacological tools that can be used right at the bedside.

This interactive program is ideal for nurses, doulas, CNAs, social workers, and allied health professionals who support pregnant and birthing individuals facing complex medical or psychosocial challenges. Participants will gain hands-on strategies to enhance patient comfort, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of safety and connection during some of the most vulnerable moments of care.

What Participants Will Learn

Therapist performing reiki on young woman at homeThrough guided instruction and experiential learning, participants will explore bedside-appropriate techniques such as:

  • Gentle movement techniques to support comfort, circulation, and body awareness for patients with limited mobility
  • Breathwork and relaxation strategies that help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support coping during prolonged hospitalization
  • Practical approaches to enhance comfort and emotional safety, particularly for patients experiencing fear and uncertainty. 
  • Strategies for integrating mind-body techniques into interdisciplinary care, supporting consistent, patient-centered approaches across the care team

All content is grounded in clinical experience and evidence-informed practice.

Event Details

Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches
Register here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/77918

  • Date: June 26, 2026
  • Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
  • Location: Novant Health – Forsyth Medical Center
    3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Credits:
    7 Northwest AHEC Contact Hours / 7 Nursing Contact Hours
  • Speaker: Angela Gallagher, MHL

Learn from expert speaker Angela Gallagher, MHL, as she shares practical, evidence‑informed strategies to support maternity patients on bedrest. Earn 7 Nursing Contact Hours while gaining tools you can use right away. Space is limited—register now!

Support Healing at the Bedside

By integrating gentle movement, breathwork, and mind-body awareness into everyday care, healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference in the experience of high-risk maternity patients. Rest & Renewal: Supporting Maternity Patients on Bedrest through Non-Pharmacological Clinical Approaches offers practical tools to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being—right where it matters most.




 

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Walking in Memory, Walking with Purpose: 6th Annual Walk in Memory of Nicole

Apr 10, 2026 1:01:28 PM / by Brooke Kochanski posted in maternal health

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On a beautiful spring day, staff, family, and friends gathered once again at Historic Old Salem to take part in the 6th Annual Walk in Memory of Nicole, held in conjunction with the March of Dimes March for Babies. As we walked the Strollway together, the setting offered a peaceful backdrop for reflection, remembrance, and community.

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This annual walk honors Roderica “Nicole” McLaurin, a beloved Northwest AHEC staff member whose kindness, dedication, and spirit left a lasting impact on all who knew her. Nicole unexpectedly passed away in October 2020 following the delivery of her second son, Dylan. Her loss continues to be deeply felt, but her memory lives on through this meaningful tradition.

For the past six years, we have gathered alongside Nicole’s family and friends to walk in her honor—keeping her legacy alive while surrounding one another with support and love. Each step we take is a reminder of Nicole’s compassion and her commitment to caring for others.

By joining the March for Babies, our walk is also part of a broader mission to address America’s maternal and infant health crisis. This nationwide movement brings communities together to raise critical funds and awareness—ensuring more families have access to the care, education, and resources they need. It’s a mission that resonates deeply with our work and values at Northwest AHEC.

We are proud to play a small but meaningful role in this movement, honoring Nicole in a way that turns remembrance into action and hope. Thank you to everyone who walked with us, supported the cause, and helped continue a legacy rooted in love, service, and community.

Together, we walk to remember.
Together, we walk for healthier moms and babies.

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