As the seasons change, so do opportunities to expand your knowledge and professional skills! Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC) and the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are offering a variety of engaging and informative programs this spring, summer, and fall.
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Each April, we come together to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW) — a time to recognize the powerful role public health plays in our lives and to honor those working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of our communities.
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.
- Appetite Awareness Training for Binge and Overeating - March 25, 2025 from 9AM-11AM - This program will examine the factors (e.g., trauma, stress, depression) that may increase binge and overeating in our clients, with particular emphasis on clients who are low income, and identify as a member from a racial/ethnic minority group. Register Here
- 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
These online modules focus on the reverse integration process and provide details on how to implement this model of care. Credit is offered for FREE in these self-paced online modules (5 to choose from).
The integration of behavioral health care into primary care is now widely considered an effective strategy for improving outcomes for patients with physical and behavioral health conditions. Reverse integration of primary care into behavioral healthcare is another form of integration that produces improved quality of care and patient outcomes.
Participants will learn the benefits of this model of care, the financial aspects of integrated care, as well as other clinical and operational aspects of providing this model of care.
Click here to view more information and to register today!
Cost and Registration
This series is offered free of charge through support from the NC AHEC Program. Instructions for accessing the online programs will be emailed to you with your registration confirmation letter.
Target Audience
This series will be beneficial to behavioral health and human service practitioners, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, substance use and addictions professionals, clinicians and all others interested in this topic.
Credit
Credit types available include:
- 1.0 Contact Hour from Northwest AHEC
- Northwest AHEC is recognized by the North Carolina Psychology Board as an approved provider of (Category A) Continuing Education for North Carolina Licensed Psychologists. Each program will provide 1.0 contact hour of (Category A) continuing education for North Carolina psychologists. No partial credit will be given.
- 1.0 NBCC Contact Hour
Northwest AHEC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5465. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Northwest AHEC is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. - 1.0 NASW-NC Contact Hour
NC AHEC is a 2021 NASW-NC approved provider of distance continuing education.
Each program has been approved for 1.0 contact hour.
We hope you will enjoy this selection of activities coming up from Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME). Join us for some upcoming activities!
Activity Spotlight- The Ethics of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy -Online
- Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder - Online
- Diabetes Performance Improvement in Primary Care - Online Enduring
- Double Trouble Diabetes and Falls - Online
- Safe or Silent? -Online
- 2025 North Carolina Lactation Educator Training Program - Online and skills day 4/29 or 4/30
- TVH & Mid-Urethral Slings - A Hands on Course 2025 - 2/7/25
- 39th Annual Northwest AHEC Respiratory Care Conference - 2/19/25
- 16th Annual NC "One Community in Recovery" Conference - 3/5/25
- 7th Annual Statewide Celebration of Rural Nursing - 3/13/25
- Nurturing the Nurturers: A Retreat for Sustaining Healthcare Well–being - 3/14/25
- 13th Annual Breastfeeding Forum - 3/18/25
- 2025 NC Annual STI Update - 3/19/25
- Practical Pediatrics 2025 - 3/28/25
- Basic Fetal Monitoring Spring 2025 - 4/9/25
- 2025 Western North Carolina Death Investigation Conference - 4/26/25
- Summer Interpreter Series - 5/7/25
- The High Risk Newborn: Sharing the Care - 5/14/25
- 2025 Aging Well Conference - 5/15/25
- WFUSM Summer Radiology Review 2025 - 6/9/25
Join us for this FREE Educational Support Program Designed Specifically for Rural Nursing in NC.
Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Western NC, the NC AHEC Nurse Council has decided to reschedule the 7th Annual Statewide AHEC Celebration for Rural Nursing Conference. Information details for the rescheduled date will be sent separately. Alternatively, we are hosting this free educational support program for rural health nurses still in honor of the upcoming National Rural Health Day in November.
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Livestream Webinar
REGISTER NOW - FOR FREE
As our healthcare providers in our communities are focusing on disaster relief and resiliency, they face these many challenging questions in bringing support to those suffering PTSD while trying to rebuild a new future:
- What do you say to someone who has lost everything?
- What resources are available for survivors?
- How can you distinguish between a normal post-disaster reaction and a serious mental health issue?
- What are the best ways to support children and other vulnerable populations?
Rural healthcare professionals are the heart of your communities and will play a crucial role in helping the people of North Carolina recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The road to recovery after a catastrophic natural disaster is long, and survivors will need support for years to come. This session, led by our faculty of disaster recovery mental health professionals, will equip you with the skills and knowledge to face the unique challenges of disaster response as you help communities rebuild.
Empowering more healthcare professionals, particularly rural nurses, to be trained and ready to respond in times of disaster will be an invaluable asset to our local communities, state, nation, and world. Topic specific focus on hurricane relief for NC will be covered that is reflective of both eastern and western experiences in our state.
Additionally, we will offer optional breakout sessions focused on group listening, networking support, and identifying best practices to address the current disaster support needs of the state.
Objectives
- Describe the impacts of disasters on the brain and body.
- Assess and triage the needs of survivors.
- Demonstrate effective techniques for stabilization after disasters.
- Provide support to special populations, such as children and individuals with special needs.
- Explain the orientation for Disaster Mental Health (DMH) response.
- Implement basic skills required for deployment in a DMH role.
- Distinguish variable disaster response in diverse communities.
In this educational endeavor, the goal is to enlighten learners about the prevalence of diabetes and chronic kidney disease within primary care settings. Delving into the factors that hinder or support patient involvement in their treatment, this initiative will also delve into strategies for enhancing performance and implementing activities that foster wellness in individuals with diabetes.
Northwest AHEC would love to congratulate Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley and Surry Medical Ministries for their recent acceptance of State Designated Rural Health Centers of Excellence Awards! Join us in recognizing their dedication to providing quality care.
As we spring forward into a new season, Northwest Area Health Education Center of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine is excited to announce our upcoming programs designed to advance the skills of healthcare professionals in all disciplines.
Many practice settings are experiencing angry, hostile, and even aggressive behavior from patients, parents, caregivers, and others. This course is designed for health care practice teams who interact with patients and other customers. Background and context of the problem are reviewed, and evidence-based practical tips, suggestions and resources are provided.
