The Third Annual Southeast Clinical Educator Symposium was held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Wilmington. This symposium is a celebration of our collaborative efforts to strengthen clinical education across southeastern North Carolina. This annual event, co-hosted by the UNC Department of Health Sciences and Novant Health, honors the partnership among UNC, Novant Health, SEAHEC, UNC Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College.
Joseph Pino of SEAHEC opened the evening by reaffirming our collective purpose: to promote lifelong health and well-being for all Southeastern North Carolinians. His remarks underscored our shared promise to serve as health advocates—delivering compassionate care, advancing cures, and educating future leaders, all closer to home.
Dr. Christopher Ingersoll shared significant progress, including 10 new clinical placement agreements this year—bringing the total to 19. These placements span Columbus, Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover counties, with Bladen County under active exploration. He encouraged us to continue identifying new opportunities for outreach, training, and innovation in clinical education.
The highlight of the evening was a captivating keynote by Kathryn Sorenson: “Supporting Students with Disabilities in Clinical Education”. Her presentation offered practical, actionable strategies for supporting students with disabilities. Sorenson’s insights resonated deeply with our department’s commitment to inclusive education and affirmed our role in creating accessible, supportive clinical environments for all learners.
Brief presentations from Leslie Kesler (Novant Health), Kent Guion (UNC Wilmington), and Mary Ellen Naylor (Cape Fear Community College) emphasized the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in preparing students for meaningful clinical experiences.
The symposium also showcased two Steeples Grant initiatives:
- Physical Therapy Partnerships with Public Schools in Southeastern North Carolina, presented by Laurie Ray and Jennifer Cooke
- The Occupational Therapy Rural Health Committee (OTRHC), introduced by Sara Peña, focused on expanding OT services in rural communities
The evening concluded with dinner and networking, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose that defines our work. This symposium was a reminder of the critical role our department plays in shaping the future of clinical education across the Southeast.
Thank you to all who attended Thursday’s event we look forward to continued partnerships enhancing the lifelong health and well-being of the community.