Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

03/27/2026

The Center for Lung Health at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is dedicated to advancing care for people with chronic lung disease through innovative clinical research. For more than 20 years, our team has led and partnered in national studies to bring new, personalized treatments from research to real‑world care—right here in our community.

Learn more about how we’re improving lung health every day: https://bit.ly/4bMkxlu

03/26/2026

Colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms at first—but when it does, recognizing the warning signs can help lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. Learn the A.L.E.R.T. signs of colorectal cancer.

Find out your personal risk for colon cancer by taking our easy online quiz: https://bit.ly/40V6Z27

03/22/2026

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the U.S. Even more concerning, cases in people under 50 are rising by 2.4% per year. Dr. Girish Mishra, a gastroenterologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, shares why it’s crucial to pay attention to your body and get screened starting at age 45—potentially earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors. Stay informed, take action and protect your health. Take our online quiz to assess your personal risk for colon cancer and talk to your doctor to see when a screening is right for you: https://bit.ly/4smjr7j

03/19/2026

High blood pressure can be difficult to control, even with multiple medications.

Physicians at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist are now performing a new minimally invasive procedure that may offer another option for some patients living with treatment-resistant hypertension.

This procedure reduces overactive nerve signals connected to the kidneys, which can play a role in keeping blood pressure elevated. In the case of some patients, this approach may help improve control when medication alone hasn’t been enough.

This treatment offers another path for patients who have struggled for years to manage their blood pressure. If your blood pressure has been hard to control, talk with your doctor about whether additional evaluation or a referral to a cardiologist may be appropriate.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jid0NI

03/18/2026

“CenteringParenting has changed my perspective on how to approach motherhood.”

For Justice, being part of the CenteringParenting program at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has made a meaningful difference in her parenting journey. After participating with her two most recent babies, she says the experience has helped create a supportive community during the early stages of motherhood.

“Grouping together women who can share their newly postpartum journeys, be vulnerable and also get to watch all of the babies grow and thrive together is so rewarding,” Justice shares. “Not only do we share our experiences of motherhood, but our children get to have social interactions. We are creating our own village through CenteringParenting.”

CenteringParenting provides pediatric care in a group setting where a small group of same-age babies and their parents come together from birth to age 2 for well-child checks, engaging discussions and shared learning. It’s a checkup, playdate and parent support group all wrapped into one.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ljlfuS
Call 336-716-3487 for more details or to join.

03/17/2026

Supporting the development of a strong and diverse future workforce, Advocate Health will award $200,000 in scholarships to students pursuing education in health care and STEM-related fields, providing 40 $5,000 scholarships, including 20 awards available to community members and dependents of teammates and 20 designated for eligible Advocate Health teammates across its service area. The deadline to apply is March 31.

Learn more about the Advocate Health Community Scholarship program and eligibility requirements: https://bit.ly/4sNinsI

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

A hallway of memories. Over a century of care.

Every frame holds a moment that shaped who we are—from our beginnings in 1923 to the generations of caregivers, researchers and community members who built Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist into a place of hope for the Winston-Salem community and beyond.

Just beyond these walls, our next chapter is already taking shape. The new Julie Ann Freischlag Tower expands and elevates critical care for families across our region, bringing advanced technology and lifesaving expertise closer to home.

These images honor where we’ve been. The tower rising outside reflects the future we’re building together. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4lIFl13

03/16/2026

For Natalie, being an athletic trainer is about far more than sideline coverage—it’s about showing up every day as a steady, trusted presence for hundreds of student‑athletes.

Natalie has worked in athletic training for a decade and serves as the sole athletic trainer at East Forsyth High School, a large campus with an active athletics program. She supports student‑athletes from the end of the school day through afternoon practices and games, beginning her days around noon to prepare the athletic training room and care for athletes before heading to the field.

While she works independently at the school level, Natalie is never truly on her own. As part of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s outreach athletic training team, she is supported by a broader network of sports medicine professionals across multiple settings and community partnerships.

Her path into sports medicine began with her own athletic experience. Natalie played softball while earning her degree and later completed internships in collegiate athletics—experiences that continue to shape how she connects with and cares for the athletes she serves.

What she values most is watching students grow—not just as athletes, but as people—over their four years of high school, including those who go on to compete at the collegiate level. She also prioritizes education, helping families, coaches and athletes understand how athletic training supports both performance and long‑term health.

Natalie’s work at East Forsyth reflects Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s broader commitment to student‑athlete safety and access to high‑quality sports medicine care. Through its Athletic Training Outreach Program, trained athletic trainers partner with schools and organizations across the region to provide injury prevention, emergency care and coordinated access to advanced medical services.

Learn more about how Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist athletic trainers support athletes where they live, learn and play: https://bit.ly/3Z2u0zq

03/11/2026

For Taz, athletic training has always been about more than sports. It is about people. With 12 years of experience in sports medicine, including six years serving athletes through outreach and high school programs, she brings clinical expertise, compassion and positivity to every patient interaction at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic.

As a former athlete, Taz knew early she wanted to stay connected to sports. When her athletic path led her toward health care, athletic training felt like a natural fit. Her interest was sparked in high school by her own athletic trainer, whose mentorship helped shape her career. That inspiration led her to Winston-Salem State University, where she studied exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine and spent three years as a student athletic trainer working with football and men’s basketball. She later earned a master’s degree in athletic training from Florida International University.

Today, as a clinical athletic trainer, Taz makes an impact beyond the sidelines. Her days include supporting clinic flow, assisting with post-operative care, casting and bracing and providing patient education so individuals feel informed, supported and confident in their recovery. Her sports medicine background allows her to connect injury care with rehabilitation and long-term wellness.

What sets Taz apart is her approach to care. She believes health care is never one-size-fits-all and takes pride in meeting patients where they are, both physically and emotionally. Known for her positivity, Taz strives to ensure every patient leaves feeling a little lighter, whether through encouragement, education or a simple smile.

That same team-first mindset is what defines athletic training at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Every day, athletic trainers like Taz combine clinical skill, collaboration and compassion to help people move, heal and return to what matters most. Learn more about how our athletic trainers support patients at every stage of recovery: https://bit.ly/3Z2u0zq

03/02/2026

As head athletic trainer for Carolina Core FC and an athletic trainer with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Ethan begins most mornings before sunrise, preparing players for the demands of training and recovery. “We get to the performance facility around 7:30 a.m. to set up for injury follow‑ups and make sure everyone has time to complete their wellness plans,” he said. Each morning, he meets with staff to review player availability, wellness, workloads and that day’s session plan, making decisions collaboratively to support the team’s goals.

On the field, Ethan monitors athletes closely while helping execute return‑to‑sport plans. Before and after training, players cycle through optimized recovery routines, from whirlpools to red‑light therapy. Throughout the week, he uses monitoring systems such as GPS load tracking, wellness questionnaires, strength testing and thermal imaging to spot risk factors and guide informed conversations with players and coaches. “As an organization, we want to make the best decision possible for the team,” he said.

After 14 years in the profession, Ethan said his motivation has evolved. “It came down to serving an entire organization,” he said. “Being aligned with stakeholders who have the same mission and contribute to positive culture is what drives success.” The most rewarding part, he added, is being a trusted member of the performance team. “When medical insight and performance data are aligned, we’re able to make better decisions that directly impact performance on the field.”

His approach to care is simple and evidence‑driven. “Athlete care needs to be collaborative and data‑driven. I tell students and providers, ‘If you’re not testing, you’re guessing.’”

Ethan’s dedication embodies the heart of athletic training—care that extends far beyond the sidelines. Discover how Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist athletic trainers strengthen the health of our community: https://bit.ly/3Z2u0zq