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

On the most recent episode of the Northwest AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast, host Andrew Brewer speaks with Dr. Gretchen Hoyle. And, you can now earn 1 hour of CE credit after listening!

Dr. Hoyle returns to provide a post-launch update of implementing a collaborative care management model (CoCM) in primary care practice in a large health system. The model provides continuity of care for chronic conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Learn how CoCM operates and insights on transforming care practices with a behavioral care manager, data registry, EHR workflows, and billing.

According to Dr. Hoyle, "This model allows us as pediatricians to use a team based approach for pediatric patients with mental health issues." Members of the CoCM team include the primary care provider who makes a diagnosis and referral, a psychiatric consultant who provides subspecialist level expertise and advice, and the behavioral health care manager (BHCM) who interacts most closely with the patient and their family. Dr. Hoyle finds it is the BHCM that is the "hero" of the CoCM team!

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the functions of each member of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Team.
• Describe how mental health symptoms are measured and tracked in the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.

Register for CE Credit here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/75184

View a complete list of current episodes in the Podcast CE Learning series here: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/podcastCE

Check out the latest episode of NW AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast!

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!

As the only four Pediatric Trauma Centers in North Carolina verified by the American College of Surgeons, we are committed to providing state-of-the-art care for injured children. Each of our four Trauma Programs offers the many multidisciplinary services that focus on the goal of returning children and their families to the highest quality of life after injury. Together, the four Trauma Programs comprise the state’s premier sites for the evaluation, stabilization, treatment and care of children who have experienced a traumatic injury. Our providers are engaged and passionate in continuous improvement in care and outcomes for the leading cause of death in children. The pediatric trauma centers of North Carolina invite you to learn about pediatric trauma across the care continuum.

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.

Join us April 27th at Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education for this conference covering the best practices in pediatric anesthesia care.

This course focuses on skills needed for providing basic breastfeeding management and support - including prenatal and postpartum counseling and management of common concerns and clinical problems.

Treating and preventing pediatric obesity is not about cutting calories and increasing exercise. In this 5-part series, developed by the pediatric weight management experts at Brenner FIT®, participants will learn new, effective skills to help their patients and families makes positive health changes in a safe, kind and family-centered way. Get registered!

Live Webinar on May 24, 2023 - Register Today! The goal of this conference is to enhance the health care professional's understanding of current management techniques in providing care to the high-risk infant.

Register to join us in person in March! The Annual Practical Pediatrics Conference will take place March 24-25, 2023 at Bridger Field House (499 Deacon Blvd., Winston–Salem, NC)