Jill Forcina has assumed the role of Associate Director of Interprofessional Education (IPE), Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and Nursing for the North Carolina Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) Program effective October 21, 2019.

“We are so glad to have Jill join us here in the Program Office,” stated Hugh Tilson, Director of the NC AHEC Program. “Her experience in curriculum and project planning are key to leading our nursing and CPD initiatives and formalizing statewide efforts in IPE.”

As an Associate Director, Jill is responsible for providing leadership and support for NC AHEC nursing initiatives and leading CPD activities within the Program Office and across regional AHECs. Jill will also develop and deploy IPE and interprofessional practice (IPP) educational programming for statewide use.

“I have a particular interest in the deliberate practice of collaboration and teamwork in health care delivery,” Jill shared. “I am most excited about joining the NC AHEC Program Office because it is an opportunity to participate in the planning and development of IPE and practice for health care providers in the state.”

A native of Charlotte, Jill received her Bachelor of Science and her PhD in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a Certified Nurse Educator, Jill has developed curricula for baccalaureate, graduate, and CPD programs, including serving as an adjunct and assistant professor in the UNC School of Nursing since 2012. Jill joined the Duke Cancer Network in 2018 as an Associate Director of Grants and Education and most recently served as their Director of Clinical Practice and Education, where she provided training and IPP leadership to a multitude of medical practices in North Carolina, many in rural areas.

Jill has worked as an oncology nurse for over 17 years and continues to practice beside nursing, which she believes allows her to identify more closely with the health care teams she collaborates with.

“Regardless of the quantity or quality of education and training, individual health care providers cannot practice at the top of their license without the support of the entire health care professional team,” Jill said. “The structure of the NC AHEC Program can truly shift the needle of health care education to target not only knowledge and skills attainment, but also influence attitudes and ultimately create positive cultural change.”

Visit ncahec.net and keep in touch on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to follow NC AHEC Program activities in nursing practice and IPE across North Carolina.