Northwest AHEC is once again bringing together pediatric experts, clinicians, and care teams for one of its most anticipated annual events — the Practical Pediatrics Conference 2026, held March 27–28, 2026, at Wake Forest University’s Bridger Field House in Winston-Salem, NC. REGISTER NOW

Designed for pediatricians, family medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses, this two‑day CME event focuses on the latest clinical updates, practical strategies, and emerging issues in pediatric care. 

Why Attend?

Pediatric care continues to evolve rapidly, and staying current on best practices is essential for providers who care for infants, children, and adolescents. This conference delivers:

• Evidence‑based clinical updates
• A diverse lineup of pediatric subspecialists
• Case‑based, practical sessions
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary learning
• In‑person networking at a premier venue

The event provides actionable knowledge designed to be implemented immediately in clinical practice. 

Conference Highlights

📅 Day 1 — Friday, March 27, 2026

The first day begins with registration and a continental breakfast, followed by a full schedule of high‑impact presentations:

Key Sessions:

• Tackling Renal Anomalies Seen on Prenatal Ultrasounds
  Gregory Gorman, MD
• Clinical Immunology for the General Pediatrician
  Benjamin Stewart‑Bates, MD
• Hormonal Therapy for Bleeding Control & Contraception in Complex Medical Cases
  Amanda Blair, MD; Shaketha Gray, MD; Giya Harry, MD
• Mucus Unplugged: Airway Clearance & Supportive Technology
  Jordan Fett, MD
• Tiny Tubes: Complications, Care & Common Questions
  Lara Arrendondo, NP; Julie Kerth, PNP; Megyn Sebesta, DO
• Tics and Stereotypies
  Jaclyn Martindale, MD
• Distinguishing Neurologic Disorders from Benign Events
  Robert Goodrich, MD
• POTS Is a Four‑Letter Word! Cardiologist’s Approach to Orthostatic Intolerance
  Matthew Hazle, MD
• Vaccine Hesitancy: Scope and Implications
  Adam Blatt, MD

📅 Day 2 — Saturday, March 28, 2026

Day two begins with breakfast, leading into sessions centered on evidence‑based practice and complex care topics: 

Key Sessions:

• Evidence‑Based Ways to Promote Vaccine Uptake
  Adam Blatt, MD
• Cerebral Palsy: A Current Approach to an Ancient Disorder
  Matthew Martin, MD
• Practical Office‑Based Hematology
  Tom McLean, MD
• Navigating Gender Identity Development & Trauma: A Child Abuse Pediatrician’s Approach
  Meggan Goodpasture, MD

Venue & Travel Details

The Practical Pediatrics Conference 2026 will be held at:

Wake Forest University – Bridger Field House
499 Deacon Blvd., Winston‑Salem, NC 27105

Hotel Accommodations

A discounted room block has been secured at:

The Historic Brookstown Inn – Trademark Collection by Wyndham
200 Brookstown Ave, Winston‑Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336‑701‑3904
Group Name: Wake Forest Pediatrics Conference

Attendees should mention the group name to receive the conference rate.

Who Should Attend

This CME event is ideal for:

• Pediatricians
• Family medicine physicians
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Nurses
• Clinicians who provide pediatric care in outpatient or acute settings

The curriculum is tailored to provide practical, ready‑to‑use clinical knowledge for those working with children at all developmental stages. 

Join Us in 2026

The Practical Pediatrics Conference remains one of Northwest AHEC’s signature educational experiences—bringing together leading specialists and dedicated care providers to share insights that elevate pediatric health outcomes.

Register now to secure your seat and stay at the forefront of pediatric practice.

Hosted by Appalachian State University in partnership with Northwest AHEC

October 12–14, 2025

The inaugural 2025 Growing Well "Moving Mountains and Community" Conference brought together a diverse and passionate group of professionals, caregivers, and advocates to advance care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Held at the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, the event was a vibrant celebration of collaboration, innovation, and community-driven care.

This year’s conference three-day conference welcomed 64 participants to the preconference workshop on October 12^th, and 141 attendees at the October 13-14th main sessions, reflecting strong engagement across healthcare, education, and family support sectors.

Preconference Workshop: Laying the Groundwork for Change

On October 12^th, the conference began with a dedicated preconference day focused on skill-building and foundational strategies. Participants engaged in interactive workshops and training sessions designed to enhance trauma-informed care, communication support, and early identification of developmental delays.

Main Conference: Interdisciplinary Innovation in Action

Held October 13^th–14^th, the main conference featured expert-led lectures, case-based discussions, simulations, and panel conversations. Topics included:

• Medical management of children with complex health conditions
• Communication support for children with autism and developmental challenges
• Evidence-based behavioral therapies
• Cross-system collaboration in child welfare and mental health
• Transition planning from school to adulthood

The conference emphasized equitable, coordinated, and family-centered approaches, with a strong focus on addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to education.

A Space Where All Belong

In keeping with its theme, “Moving Mountains and Community,” the conference created an inclusive space for professionals and families alike. Attendees included physicians, nurses, therapists, educators, public health professionals, and caregivers—each contributing unique perspectives and lived experiences.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Growing Well Conference marked a powerful beginning for what promises to be an ongoing movement toward better care and outcomes for CYSHCN. Northwest AHEC, Appalachian State University, and the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness extend their gratitude to all who participated and helped make this event a success.

We look forward to continuing this journey together—moving mountains, building community, and growing well.

Missed the Conference in 2025?
You can still experience the energy and insights of the inaugural Growing Well “Moving Mountains and Community” Conference—now available online! From November 10, 2025 through February 10, 2026, access 14 recorded lectures from the main event.
👉 Click here to view all available lectures

We look forward to seeing you in Boone this October for this impactful and inspiring event! Moving Mountains and Community Conference, taking place October 13–14, 2025, with a preconference day on October 12, at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

In the face of rising pediatric mental health needs, Novant Health Twin City Pediatrics found itself at a crossroads. As adolescent mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety became more prevalent, clinicians found themselves increasingly fielding complex and time-consuming questions. These mild to moderate conditions required consistent follow-up and oversight, yet the surge in demand for mental health services made it difficult for patients to access timely care, particularly from providers who accepted their insurance. Many adolescents went without necessary treatment. 

Thanks to a powerful partnership with Northwest AHEC and the guidance of Lara Dickerson, MHA, Senior Quality Improvement Specialist, the practice chose a different path—one of innovation, collaboration, and compassion.

Adair Stewart, Dr. Elizabeth Allen, Dr. Gretchen Hoyle, Lara Dickerson, Jennifer Cleland Green, Lauren Stokes

The Challenge

Primary care pediatricians face a dilemma. Mental health visits are longer, emotionally taxing, and historically under-reimbursed. Yet the need is undeniable. Twin City Pediatrics chose to lean in—embracing the challenge rather than deflecting it.

The question became: Can mental health care in pediatrics be both impactful and financially viable? The answer, it turns out, is yes.

The Solution: Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)

With coaching from Lara Dickerson and guidance from AHEC Practice Support Services, Twin City Pediatrics implemented the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM).  A practice which emphasizes collaboration between primary care physicians, care managers, and psychiatric consultants to improve access, outcomes, and patient satisfaction within the pediatric medical home. 

Key components of the model include:

• A Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) providing core services like parent coaching, brief therapeutic interventions, and referral coordination.
• A Psychiatric Consultant offering oversight and subspecialty advice..
• A Primary Care Provider trained in pediatric physical health.
• Validated clinical tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, Vanderbilt, etc.) for measurement-based care.
• Customized EHR workflows and a patient registry to track progress and enable billing for behavioral health services within the primary care practice.

Practice Support Team Impact

The journey began with a conversation at the 2023 NC Pediatric Society Meeting, leading to a partnership with Northwest AHEC. Practice coach Lara Dickerson became a key ally, meeting monthly with the team for two years. Her support included:

• Coordinated with internal Novant departments (HR, billing, IT, compliance).
• Billing guidance and documentation templates.
• Consultation with NC Medicaid on psychiatric consultant roles.
• Staff training modules.
• Troubleshooting billing issues.
• Setting BHCM workload benchmarks.
• Secured a $50,000 Capacity Building Fund grant from Community Care of NC to support BHCM staffing.

Thanks to this comprehensive support, the program not only launched - it thrived.

The Results

By June 2025, the program became revenue-positive, six months ahead of schedule. With monthly BHCM costs of $5,400 and over $13,000 billed in June alone, the practice expects $6,500 in revenue—exceeding expenses by more than $1,100 per month. Today, the program includes a growing number of enrolled patients - many with complex needs - and is delivering tangible improvements in the lives of children and their families.

“The Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model has empowered our practice to provide meaningful, evidence-based mental health care for our pediatric patients. Our success is replicable, sustainable, and deeply impactful.”
— Gretchen S. Hoyle, MD - Twin City Pediatrics

“It was amazing to see how this model enables primary care practices to spend adequate time with each patient on physical and mental health concerns, developing treatment plans collaboratively with specialists and making a significant difference for kids in our community.”
— Christopher Jones, DrPH, MHA - Northwest AHEC

From Patients & Families

“I’m so glad he’s finally going to get the help he needs.”
“I’ve felt so alone for so long. Having someone to talk to means everything.”
“She is so much better. I can’t thank you enough.”

Read the full Report from Twin City Pediatrics & Gretchen S. Hoyle, MD

Are you a healthcare professional looking to better support children and families dealing with weight-related health concerns? Brenner FIT® invites you to take the lead in your clinic with our comprehensive, self-guided online course:
Pediatric Obesity Management: Become the Expert in Your Clinic.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

This five-part learning series is designed by Brenner FIT’s multidisciplinary team to empower providers with practical, evidence-based tools. The course focuses on:

• Creating positive health habits in a safe, family-centered way
• Using Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility framework for feeding and activity
• Communicating about weight with sensitivity and confidence
• Guiding parents to reduce mealtime pressure and build structure
• Fostering stronger family communication and trust

Whether you're a pediatrician, nurse, dietitian, or behavioral health provider, this training will help you approach pediatric obesity with compassion, clarity, and confidence.

📚 Why This Course Stands Out

Unlike traditional weight-focused interventions, this course emphasizes behavioral change and family dynamics over numbers on a scale. You’ll gain tools to:

• Shift the conversation from weight to wellness
• Support families in building sustainable routines
• Address feeding challenges without blame or shame

💻 Flexible, Self-Paced Learning

The course is entirely online and self-guided, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit materials as needed. It’s perfect for busy professionals who want to deepen their expertise without disrupting their schedules.

✅ Ready to Get Started?

Register today and become the go-to expert in your clinic for pediatric obesity management.
👉 www.nwahec.org/75771

We’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the Moving Mountains and Community Conference, taking place October 13–14, 2025, with a preconference day on October 12, at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

On March 18, 2025, lactation consultants, peer counselors, nurses, and breastfeeding advocates gathered at the Hickory Metro Convention Center for the 13th Annual Breastfeeding Forum. This highly anticipated event welcomed 120 attendees for a full day of education, networking, and meaningful discussions aimed at strengthening breastfeeding support for families.

Live Webinar Every Tuesday 12 - 1 PM

At Northwest AHEC, we believe in the power of teamwork and community service. Our team recently had the opportunity to volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Piedmont Triad, Inc. (RMHCPT), where we spent the day giving back to families in need.

A Day of Service

Our team divided into groups to assist with various tasks around the House. Some of us packed nutritious lunches for families staying at RMHCPT (or receiving care at one of our local pediatric intensive care units), ensuring they had one less thing to worry about as they focused on their children receiving medical care. Others baked brownies to provide a small but meaningful treat, while another group cleaned the playroom and assisted with other household needs. Every task, no matter how big or small, contributed to making the House a true “home away from home” for families facing challenging times.

The Mission of RMHCPT

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Piedmont Triad is an independent, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Located near Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital and other medical facilities, RMHCPT provides a comfortable, supportive environment for families with children undergoing medical treatment. Since opening in 1984, the House has served as a place of refuge, offering accommodations, meals, and emotional support to families in need.

Learning and Bonding as a Team

Volunteering at RMHCPT was not just about giving back; it was also an opportunity for our team to come together, learn more about our community, and reflect on the impact we can make. Touring the House and hearing stories about the families who stay there reinforced the importance of the work being done. It was a meaningful experience that left us inspired and grateful for the opportunity to contribute.

How You Can Help

Want to support RMHCPT and the families they serve? Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Volunteer: Give your time and talents to assist with various needs at the House.
• Sport a Shirt: Purchase a RMHCPT shirt to support the cause. Learn more here.
• Recycle Pop Tabs: Collect aluminum pop tabs to help raise funds. Find out how.
• Attend an Event: Participate in fundraising events that support this incredible organization.

Our day at RMHCPT was a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big impact. We look forward to continuing our commitment to service and encourage others to find ways to give back to their communities as well.

Visit their website

This continuing medical education activity is intended for pediatricians, as well as family medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses who provide care to infants, children and adolescents. Register Today!