Nursing leader Edwards appointed to Southern Regional AHEC board

Dr. Pam Edwards, assistant dean of Interprofessional Education and chair and director of Campbell University's Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees of Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (SR-AHEC) in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

"I began my career as an educator at SR-AHEC (then Fayetteville AHEC) back in the late 1980s so it is coming full circle," Edwards said.

The board reviews financial performance, educational and clinical programs, and organizational policies that support SR-AHEC's work to strengthen the regional health workforce and improve access to healthcare.

SR-AHEC provides health professions education, continuing professional development and clinical services, connecting academic institutions with community health needs. Edwards brings experience in nursing education, healthcare leadership and interprofessional collaboration to the role.

Since Edwards began leading Campbell's School of Nursing in early 2024, the program has welcomed two consecutive record incoming classes. The BSN Class of 2027 enrolled 55 students, followed by 57 students in the Class of 2028, the largest incoming class in the school's history.

That growth has expanded Campbell's capacity to prepare nurses for practice, including service in rural and underserved communities. The program combines classroom instruction, clinical experiences and opportunities to learn alongside students from other health professions.

Edwards' responsibilities expanded in November 2024 when she became assistant dean of Interprofessional Education while continuing to lead Nursing. Her work supports learning experiences that help future health professionals understand one another's roles, communicate effectively and collaborate in patient care.

She also serves as a co-principal investigator of Campbell's NC AHEC teaching hub project, which supports community-based interprofessional clinical training in Dunn and Harnett County. In September 2025, she was appointed co-chair of the American Interprofessional Healthcare Collaborative's Innovating Hub, a national group developing approaches to health professions education and collaborative practice.

Before joining Campbell, Edwards served as assistant vice president for Nursing Education at Duke University Health System and associate consulting professor at Duke University School of Nursing. Her previous positions included associate chief nursing officer for education and deputy director of the Duke Area Health Education Program.

Her service has included leadership roles with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and participation in organizations focused on nursing education, workforce development and health policy.

Edwards earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Barton College, a Master of Science in Nursing from Villanova University and a Doctor of Education in Occupational and Adult Education from North Carolina State University.

Her SR-AHEC appointment extends that work through regional service focused on health professions education, workforce needs and access to care.