Courses and Events

The second annual Growing Well Conference will offer inspiration, education, and connection for those working to support children and youth with special health care needs in rural western North Carolina. This year’s theme, “Moving Mountains for People with Special Health Care Needs,” highlights the resilience, innovation, and collaboration needed to improve outcomes for families navigating complex health and social systems. The conference features a dynamic mix of individual and group presentations, expert panel discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. Sessions will be led by health care providers, researchers, government leaders, educators, and individuals with lived experience—offering a wide range of perspectives. For more information about Growing Well and AppWell, visit:

Registration Fees:

The RN Refresher program was developed in collaboration with the University of North Carolina School of Nursing and the William Friday Center, and is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Nurses who have an active or inactive license, or have been away from nursing and want to update their knowledge and skills will benefit from this course. This orientation activity will guide students through the process of the program.

This facilitated learning program teaches practical skills to improve communication and strengthen relationships as you engage with teammates. The program builds upon the strong leadership skills you already possess and is designed for all levels of leaders. Please note: This activity is only open to employees of Wake Forest University School of Medicine/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Atrium Health.

Please note: This activity is only open to employees of Wake Forest University School of Medicine/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Atrium Health.

Join us for a comprehensive one-day course designed to build foundational knowledge and confidence in fetal monitoring. This program is ideal for nurses, providers, and healthcare professionals who want to strengthen their ability to interpret fetal heart rate patterns and respond appropriately to clinical situations. Participants will review the physiology of fetal heart rate monitoring, learn systematic approaches to interpret electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) tracings, and apply current standards to identify reassuring and non-reassuring patterns. Through case-based examples and interactive discussion, learners will enhance their ability to recognize changes, communicate findings effectively, and contribute to safe, evidence-based care for mothers and babies. By the end of the session, participants will feel more confident in their ability to support clinical decision-making and promote optimal perinatal outcomes.

A delicious lunch will be provided, offering time to relax, connect with colleagues, and continue conversations in a supportive learning environment.

Join healthcare professionals, public health leaders, community advocates, policymakers, and changemakers for the 4th Annual Black Maternal and Infant Health Conference, Sacred Bodies, Broken Systems: Reimagining Black Maternal and Infant Health. This engaging program will explore persistent inequities affecting Black maternal and infant health while highlighting innovative approaches, community-driven solutions, and pathways toward health equity.

Through inspiring presentations, meaningful dialogue, and shared learning, attendees will gain insight into current challenges and emerging strategies aimed at transforming systems of care, advancing health equity, and improving outcomes for Black mothers, infants, families, and communities.

Virtual registration provides access to the conference's plenary sessions, including the opening keynote presentation, afternoon panel discussion, and closing session. Breakout sessions are available exclusively to in-person attendees and will not be livestreamed.

Registration Fees - Be sure to select your session at registration:
In Person Conference: $50
Virtual Plenary Sessions Only: $25

Registration Scholarship Waitlist
All registration scholarships have been awarded at this time. To join the waitlist for scholarship consideration, complete the Registration Scholarship Waitlist Application.

Scholarship assistance may be available for individuals with financial need. Please contact mhayesbell23@gmail.com to request consideration.

Call for Exhibitors

The 2026 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Symposium is a virtual professional development program designed to address current challenges and innovations in practical nursing. This year’s sessions focus on defining your value, infection prevention during disasters and outbreaks, scope of practice considerations, and self-care strategies to support resilience and well-being. The symposium offers practical, evidence-based learning LPNs can apply across a variety of healthcare settings.

Jointly provided with South Piedmont AHEC

This project is supported by funds from the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number # 2U1QHP28734, Carolina Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by the BHPr, HRSA, DHHS or the U.S. Government.”

“The UNC Center for Aging and Health, Carolina Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program also provided support."

The management of cardiogenic shock is a complex and ever-changing field. Despite a growing body of literature, the mortality for patients with cardiogenic shock continues to remain unacceptably high. This educational opportunity will explore the background, pathophysiology, staging, and implementation of timely and effective management strategies that include both mechanical and pharmacologic support.

Pre-Conference Dinner
Friday, October 9, 2026 / 6 PM NASCAR Hall of Fame (400 East Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC)

Didactic CME conference
Saturday, October 10, 2026 / 7 AM - 5 PM
Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute (1237 Harding Place, Charlotte, NC).

Pre-registration is required for both the pre-conference dinner (October 9) and the main conference (October 10). Participants are able to attend the main conference in-person or via live steam. Limit 150 participants in-person. Live stream participants will not receive continuing education credit.

This facilitated learning program teaches practical skills to improve communication and strengthen relationships as you engage with teammates. The program builds upon the strong leadership skills you already possess and is designed for all levels of leaders. Please note: This activity is only open to employees of Wake Forest University School of Medicine/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Atrium Health.

Please note: This activity is only open to employees of Wake Forest University School of Medicine/Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Atrium Health.

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.

Agenda

8:30 am Tech Check In
8:55 am Welcome 9:00 am Eat, Sleep, Console: A Family-Centered Approach to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - Oksana Kasko 10:00 am The Extremely Low Birth Weight Newborn - Rifkatou Tchignaha, MD
11:00 am Lunch break
11:30 am Beyond the NICU: Discharge Planning and Community Support for High-Risk Infants - Amy Carter and April Wolfe
12:30 pm Grief and Loss in the NICU: Supporting Families and Care Teams - Angel Mitchell
1:30 pm Adjourn

The Charles L. Spurr symposium is designed for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, navigators and other health care professionals dedicated to the field of hematology and oncology in settings across the continuum of care. Attendees will benefit from an interactive learning environment in which renowned faculty will present the latest in evidence based oncology care. This in-person meeting will provide didactic presentations and case studies so that participants will gain knowledge about best practice and new advances in treating oncology patients. Participants will return to practice with practical strategies for navigating therapeutic and diagnostic options and care delivery to improve patient outcomes.

The Ob/Gyn Ultrasound course combines obstetrics and gynecology. The first day is primarily devoted to gynecology including lectures in orientation and terminology of the gynecological tract as well as hands-on scanning labs. Days two through four focuses on obstetrics lectures, followed by hands-on scanning labs, led by experienced physicians and sonographers. The total lecture hours are approximately 17 and scanning hours is approximately 13 hours.

*Course times are 8:00-5:00pm Tuesday-Thursday (October 13-15, 2026), and 8:00-4:00pm on Friday (October 16, 2026).


NOTE: For questions regarding the course curriculum please contact the Center for Experiential and Applied Learning directly via email: cealultrasoundahwfb@advocatehealth.org.

Location – Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education, 475 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Registration for this course closes at noon on Friday, 10/9/26.

Refund Policy: Cancellations received at least two weeks (14 business days) before the activity will receive a 100% refund. Registrants cancelling between two weeks and two full business days prior to the first day of the event will be refunded at 70% of the registration fee and are subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee. The registration fee will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than two days before the activity. Cancellations must be in writing (email). Registrants may send a substitute in their place to avoid cancellation fees. Please email northwestahec@advocatehealth.org to change the status of your registration.

NOTE: Payment for this course will be accepted by credit card only.