9th Annual
NC AHEC Statewide Celebration of Rural Nursing Conference: From Miles to Moments: Reimagining Access for Rural Health
Friday, November 13, 2026| 8:30 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.
Location: Livestream Webinar
Target Audience
Registered Nurses, Advance Practice Providers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Public Health Nurses, and anyone caring for patients living in rural areas.
Program Description
The NC AHEC Nurse Council proudly celebrates the vital contributions of nurses in rural healthcare through the 9th Annual Celebration of Rural Nursing, held in recognition of National Rural Health Day.
This year's theme, "From Miles to Moments: Reimagining Access for Rural Health," highlights innovative approaches that are transforming healthcare delivery and expanding access for rural communities. As rural populations continue to face provider shortages, geographic barriers, and health disparities, nurses play a critical role in developing creative, patient-centered solutions that bring care closer to home.
The conference will feature evidence-based presentations on a statewide rural health update from the North Carolina Office of Rural Health (NC ORH), community paramedicine, Hospital at Home models, artificial intelligence in public health, and resilience strategies for the rural healthcare workforce. Participants will gain practical knowledge, explore innovative models of care, and identify opportunities to improve access, collaboration, and health outcomes across North Carolina's rural communities.
Registration Fee
$35.00 Early-bird rate if registered by Oct 25, 2026
$50.00 Registration after October 25, 2026
Agenda
8:15 a.m. Zoom Login
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
Felicia Mosley-Williams, DNP, MHAEd, MSN, RN, NCSN, Statewide AHEC Nursing Liaison, Assistant Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing
8:35 a.m. Update from the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program: Intersection of Rural Health and Technological Opportunity
Maggie Woods, MPP, Director, Rural Health Transformation Program, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
9:20 a.m. Community Paramedic Program Practice Models
Edgecombe County – Dalton Barrett, BS, Opioid Settlement Program Director
Guilford County – Amy Clegg, MSN, AGNP-C, Chief APP Advanced Heart Failure Heart & Vascular Services, Cone Health
Pitt County – Jim McArthur, Deputy Emergency Medical Director
10:20 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Cone Health Hospital at Home Program
Alex Carrico, MSN, RN, TCRN, Director
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. AI Integration in Public Health
Jean Davidson, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, Clinical Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing
12:30 p.m. Mindfulness Builds Resilience
Andrew Brewer, MS, NBHWC, Instructional Technologist, Northwest AHEC
1 p.m. Conference Wrap Up
1:05 p.m. Adjourn
Credit
Contact Hours: 4.0
Nursing Contact Hours: 4.0 Nursing Contact Hours will be awarded to participants who attend 90% of this educational activity.
Mountain Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Substitutes/Refunds/Transfers
• Cancellations must be in writing (email or mail).
• Registrants cancelling between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
• No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
• No refunds or credit will be given for no-shows.
• No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
• Transfers/substitute(s) welcome (notify in advance of the program).
Attendance at this activity grants permission for Southern Regional AHEC to use any photographs, audio, video, or other images from this activity for promotional or educational purposes. Please notify an AHEC staff member if you have concerns.
ADA Services
Americans with Disabilities Act Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the ADA coordinator at least five days prior to the event at (910) 678-7305 or mariah.williams@sr-ahec.org.
Contact Us
Lisa S. Johnson, DNP, RN, Administrator, CPD | 910-678-7249 / Lisa.Johnson@sr-ahec.org
Christi Boahn, CPD Project Specialist / (910) 678-7240 / Christi.Boahn@sr-ahec.org