This work continues to expand opportunities for nursing students to develop the skills needed to serve diverse populations and improve public health outcomes across North Carolina.
The North Carolina Public Health Association hosted its 2026 Fall Educational Conference in Concord, North Carolina, under the theme “From the Mountains to the Coast: Public Health for All Carolinians.” The conference drew a record-breaking attendance of more than 600 public health professionals, educators, students and community partners from across the state.
Featured presenters included Jaimee Watts Isley, assistant professor of nursing, and Heather Bunn, nurse manager at Piedmont Health Services’ Prospect Hill Clinic. Their poster highlighted a successful academic-practice partnership focused on expanding community health clinical placements for nursing students.
Supported through a North Carolina Area Health Education Centers grant, the project showcases collaborative efforts between the Department of Nursing and Piedmont Health Services to strengthen community-based learning opportunities while addressing local health needs. Program Director DCathy Quay and Assistant Professor Lori Hubbard are leading the efforts in this community based work.
The poster was recognized as one of only two winning posters in the conference’s professional poster competition, underscoring the partnership’s impact and innovation. This recognition reflects Elon and Piedmont Health Services’ shared commitment to preparing future nurses through meaningful community engagement, interprofessional collaboration, and practice-based learning experiences.
The week featured engaging educational sessions, thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and social events that fostered collaboration among NCPHA sections, committees, and members. Conference highlights included a pre-conference workshop on communication in public health, featuring the work of the Tobacco 21 Youth Council and advocacy efforts surrounding Solly’s Law, as well as the professional poster session hosted by the Academic-Practice Based Research Section.