It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Alan J. White Bell Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Elon, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Beth Schmidt Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Mark at Elon or visit Cedarock Historical Farm, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Elon, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Elon, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Elon, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Elon’s first NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholar will be graduating in spring 2025, and now she’s reflecting on all of the opportunities, both on and off campus, that have made her Elon career out of this world.Jules Levanti ‘25 didn’t believe she was a “STEM girl” until an astronomy class during her first Winter Term changed her perspective and academic path. Now, she’s graduating from Elon University with a degree in astrophysics and preparing to earn a doctorate.Levanti was...
Elon’s first NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholar will be graduating in spring 2025, and now she’s reflecting on all of the opportunities, both on and off campus, that have made her Elon career out of this world.
Jules Levanti ‘25 didn’t believe she was a “STEM girl” until an astronomy class during her first Winter Term changed her perspective and academic path. Now, she’s graduating from Elon University with a degree in astrophysics and preparing to earn a doctorate.
Levanti was originally a finance major, but after taking an introductory astronomy course, she decided to switch her major to astrophysics, with minors in computer science and mathematics.
“One thing I can say about the physics and astronomy department is that they have done more for me than I can put into words, and not only that but I would not have been able to experience all the opportunities and meet various people in my field if I wasn’t at Elon,” Levanti said.
Levanti is Elon’s first and only student to be named an N.C. Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholar, investigating dwarf galaxies and black holes. In July, the North Carolina Space Grant selected 16 students from the state to receive the $8000 undergraduate grant. The application process was Levanti’s first time writing in depth about her research, and it taught her how to effectively communicate her research.
The grant allowed Levanti to buy a computer that could handle the intensive codes and programs needed for her research and fund her travel expenses to Paris, where she visited colleagues at the Institute of Astrophysics and CEA and also gave a talk. Levanti attended multiple conferences through the grant, including the American Astronomical Society National Conferences; the Joint Space Science Institute Workshop in collaboration with the University of Maryland; and she traveled to the Goddard Space Flight Center for a talk and to collaborate with researchers. Her research mentor, Chris Richardson, associate professor of astrophysics, traveled with Levanti and introduced her to the collaborators and conferences abroad that she would work with in the future.
One thing I can say about the physics and astronomy department is that they have done more for me than I can put into words.
Jules Levanti ’25
Elon is currently the only degree-granting institution for astronomy and astrophysics in North Carolina. The program in Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences has grown from allowing students to take astronomy elective courses, to then a minor and now a full bachelor’s degree program in astronomy and astrophysics.
Levanti believes her growth in the program is also due to how caring and understanding the physics professors and advisors are, as they have helped her pass classes and get homework done through office hours, responding to emails, and providing constant support.
“They know how tough this major can be and they understand that the major is not the only thing that their students are passionate about, like their jobs and other organizations that are important,” Levanti said. “Just having that constant support allows us to do more activities and take advantage of opportunities that we probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to do with professors who cared a little bit less.”
In addition to her academics, Levanti mentored students in Alpha Kappa Psi, teaching pledges and new members about professional development, including email etiquette, professionalism in the workplace, and soft and hard skills.
Since her first year, Levanti has worked at the Technology Service Desk, played intramural volleyball and joined Phi Eta Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society. She’s also been an Elon 1010 Peer Educator, a teaching assistant for Introduction to Astronomy, and a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, the Physics and Astronomy Honor Society. She is also a co-author on a publication submitted to the Astrophysical Journal and is currently writing her own first-author publication
“How I balance it all is being organized, and sometimes doing work does not always feel like work if you are enjoying it,” Levanti said “You need to be organized and passionate to be able to balance life and school and anything else you want to do.”
After graduation, Levanti will be pursuing her doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, a top 15 astronomy program in the U.S. According to Richardson, it is the highest-ranking astronomy doctoral program in which an Elon Department of Physics and Astronomy student has been accepted.
Levanti was attracted to UT Austin because of its involvement in extragalactic research, studying objects beyond the Milky Way galaxy. She hopes to get published more and contribute her understanding about the universe to the scientific community. At UT Austin, there are opportunities for her to apply for full-time researcher positions or professorships that would allow her to continue her research following graduate school.
“I will have so many opportunities to work with esteemed faculty in the field, and I’m so blessed and so excited to be going there. I don’t know if I will do full-time research after graduate school, but having a Ph.D. in astronomy would open a lot of doors for me even outside the field,” Levanti said.
Levanti was recently able to meet incoming first-year students interested in the astronomy and physics department and advised them to be passionate and hard-working.
“Make sure you really like what you are doing research on, because that will be what drives your work ethic and the passion you have for the project. Your drive is what is going to push your research into advanced stages,” said Levanti.
Posted in: Academics & Research Student Experience
Tagged: Commencement Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences Physics and Astronomy
The Student Government Association (SGA) and the Kernodle Center for Civic Life collaborated to implement an alternative spring break trip, giving students and staff the opportunity to support disaster relief efforts in western North Carolina for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.Sun, sand and beaches. These are the typical images that come to mind when thinking of spring break. However, for six students and five staff members, spring break 2025 looked a little different. Instead of heading to a beach, they traveled to Ashevill...
The Student Government Association (SGA) and the Kernodle Center for Civic Life collaborated to implement an alternative spring break trip, giving students and staff the opportunity to support disaster relief efforts in western North Carolina for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Sun, sand and beaches. These are the typical images that come to mind when thinking of spring break. However, for six students and five staff members, spring break 2025 looked a little different. Instead of heading to a beach, they traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to take part in an alternative spring break trip dedicated to helping communities still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in western North Carolina in October 2024, bringing severe flooding, damaging homes, businesses and community spaces throughout the region.
Alternative spring break programs are service experiences designed to introduce students to new communities while addressing domestic and global social issues. The Kernodle Center for Civic Life facilitates these trips in collaboration with a range of community partners. This year, an unlikely collaborator stepped forward when the Student Government Association (SGA), which does not typically fund service trips, recognized the importance of supporting relief efforts. SGA saw it as an opportunity to support community engagement.
“Given that Hurricane Helene impacted our local community and we felt the impact at other universities that we partner with, it was something that we knew pretty quickly that we wanted to help in whatever way we could,” said Connor Vaughn ’26, School of Education senator.
Bob Frigo, director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, also emphasized the significance of the partnership. “When Hurricane Helene happened in the fall, SGA really wanted to support efforts in western North Carolina. This collaboration between the Student Government Association and the Kernodle Center for Civic Life is nothing short of monumental.”
As the partnership took shape, planning began. Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, coordinated the trip efforts. Having previously partnered with Community Collaborations International for disaster relief trips to Texas and Puerto Rico, the Kernodle Center trusted the organization’s expertise to guide the Asheville effort, making the partnership a natural fit for this year’s trip, which led to the partnership with NECHAMA–Jewish Response to Disaster.
NECHAMA, which means “to comfort” in Hebrew, is a 32-year-old organization based in Minneapolis. It is the only Jewish organization in the U.S. that provides direct disaster response services and welcomes volunteers of all faiths and assists disaster survivors regardless of religious affiliation. In Asheville, NECHAMA connected Elon students and staff with community projects, including restoring the home of an elderly couple and assisting with cleanup at Riverside Studios in the city’s River Arts District, which houses the studios of over 70 local artists.
Through hands-on service and meaningful interactions, students gained a deeper understanding of the lasting effects of natural disasters—and the importance of showing up to help. The Asheville trip was one of four alternative breaks during spring break, alongside trips to Charleston, Savannah and Costa Rica.
These experiences reflect Elon’s commitment to helping students grow as global citizens through service and community engagement while also fulfilling one of the five Elon Experiences: service.
“Service is a pathway to open and honest conversation. It can be tangible things like showing up and doing the work… but also listening to stories and understanding what partners truly need.”
-Abby Wiatrek, assistant director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life
“Students are learning about local and global issues, how to embed themselves in a community, and to understand the cultures present in those communities,” said Frigo.
Anderson echoed those insights.
“It’s the importance of being a good neighbor, getting to know people who are different from you, seeing where they need help, and stepping into that space with humility,” Anderson said.
In addition to their service, students also spent time considering the personal impact of the experience and what it meant for their growth as global citizens.
“A big part of being a global citizen is empathy and being able to connect with others,” Vaughn said. “Being with these people as they’re trying to rebuild without a doubt builds your capacity for empathy.”
Ruby Radis ’26 also shared how the trip aligned with her understanding of global citizenship.
“A global citizen is understanding your role on this planet, and understanding that we all have an impact and a duty to our other citizens, our other community, which is a global thing,” Radis expressed. “It starts local and then builds its way up to be a global citizen. Living in North Carolina for the past three years, I think this adds to my part as being a global citizen, as the duty to work together and build a safer and stronger community.”
Many students also expressed a renewed mission for service, broader perspectives and an enhanced understanding of how their actions could support communities beyond Elon.
Joseph Neclerio ’28 shared that service has always been part of his life.
“My dad instilled in me the importance of having a heart for service and giving back,” he said. “When I saw the damage in Asheville, I wanted to make a difference. I might not be able to clean up all of Asheville, but I’m able to do a small portion.”
Coby Fecher ’25 also had a personal connection to someone impacted by the hurricane, motivating them to join the trip. But the experience offered more than just a chance to serve. During the experience, Fecher discovered a calling that could shape their path after graduation.
“I’ve been thinking ever since yesterday, when we were sanding and mudding, that I may want to start doing this as kind of a career, maybe helping out, doing Habitat for Humanity, or working with our partner here,” Fecher shared.
For Kai Barker ’27, the trip offered perspective.
“I’ve never been through a natural disaster,” Barker said. “It showed me what people are going through on a real, everyday level. Perspective helps you grow and develop empathy for others.”
Staff members also found personal meaning and connection during the trip.
Charlotte Grush, coordinator of donor relations, grew up in the Asheville area.
“It hits very close to home, seeing some of the pottery pieces and all of that [while cleaning up],” she said. “Working with students in this capacity is great. I don’t usually get to put names and faces together. The trip gave me that chance to get to know students, their passions and goals, and learn how I can kind of help facilitate that throughout the trip.”
Alice Chesley-Akhtar, AmeriCorps VISTA Leader at NC Campus Engagement, joined the trip to deepen her service year and connect with Elon students.
“A big takeaway for me is that the students really want to help out, and they have a heart of gold,” she shared. “They want to use that to better the area and help out with these natural disasters.”
Ultimately, the trip left a lasting impact—not only on the students and staff, but also on the Asheville community, illustrating the power of service, partnership and engagement.
“I hear every day from homeowners that what they’re getting the most out of this experience is hope for the future by seeing young people who still want to engage in service to their world,” said Rami Schwartzer, Hurricane Helene Team Lead at NECHAMA. “Just seeing people who are growing and learning and still thinking outwardly, that’s something that brings homeowners gratitude and hope every day.”
The trip wasn’t just about rebuilding homes, it was about building empathy, community and a stronger sense of purpose.
Posted in: Faculty & Staff Student Experience
Tagged: Kernodle Center for Civic Life Kernodle Center Volunteer Opportunities SGA Student Life
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Elon was represented with two teams, comprised of both didactic and clinical year students.Elon University’s Physician Assistant Studies students traveled to the Trent Semans Center at Duke University on May 10, 2025 to compete in the second-annual NC Scan competition, earning third place.The event was organized by a small group of Duke University’s PA students and modeled after the national iScan competition which is held annually by the Society of Point-of-Care Ultrasound during the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) ...
Elon was represented with two teams, comprised of both didactic and clinical year students.
Elon University’s Physician Assistant Studies students traveled to the Trent Semans Center at Duke University on May 10, 2025 to compete in the second-annual NC Scan competition, earning third place.
The event was organized by a small group of Duke University’s PA students and modeled after the national iScan competition which is held annually by the Society of Point-of-Care Ultrasound during the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) conference.
The NC Scan competition took place just a week before the AAPA iScan event, so it was a chance for students to get a taste of the competition and a great opportunity to learn more about the clinical significance and abilities of ultrasound testing.
Seven PA programs from across North Carolina showed up on Saturday, with a total of 10 teams. Elon was represented with two teams, comprised of both didactic and clinical year students.
The competition was designed to challenge students while fostering collaboration and learning. It featured six interactive stations, each focused on a different aspect of ultrasound knowledge. Teams had 15 minutes at each station to answer clinical questions and practice scanning under the guidance of experienced facilitators. In a creative twist, the organizers added a “phone a friend” option, available twice per team, which helped reduce the pressure and encouraged learning without the expectation of perfection.
Although Duke’s student team claimed first place, the true value of the day lay in the hands-on experience, peer collaboration and opportunity to refine essential ultrasound skills in a supportive environment. This competition served not only as a platform to test knowledge, but also as an excellent warm-up for Elon PA’s upcoming appearance at the AAPA National Medical Challenge Bowl and AAPA iScan competition, further highlighting the strength of Elon’s clinical education and student preparation.
The 27-minute documentary follows Triche’s mother, Joyce Triche, and explores her 50-year career running a small-town dance studio and the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.This Mother’s Day, PBS NC’s North Carolina Channel invites audiences to meet a beloved dance teacher whose impact reached far beyond the stage. “Curtsy,” a heartfelt documentary by Nicole Triche, associate professor of cinema and television arts, will air on Sunday, May 11, at 9 p.m.At the center of “Curtsy...
The 27-minute documentary follows Triche’s mother, Joyce Triche, and explores her 50-year career running a small-town dance studio and the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Mother’s Day, PBS NC’s North Carolina Channel invites audiences to meet a beloved dance teacher whose impact reached far beyond the stage. “Curtsy,” a heartfelt documentary by Nicole Triche, associate professor of cinema and television arts, will air on Sunday, May 11, at 9 p.m.
At the center of “Curtsy” is Triche’s mother, Miss Joyce – a beloved dance instructor who spent more than five decades helping young performers find their rhythm in a small-town studio in King, North Carolina. But it is more than a film about ballet shoes and recital nights. It’s a story of resilience, creativity and a mother’s influence on generations of dancers.
“When the world shut down during COVID, my mom kept dancing,” Triche said. “She adapted, improvised, and showed up — not just for her students, but for a whole community.”
Through archival footage, candid interviews, and tender family moments, “Curtsy” captures a legacy built one pirouette at a time.
The documentary will be broadcast and livestreamed on the North Carolina Channel several times throughout May. The 27-minute documentary originally premiered at the 2023 RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem.
Posted in: Academics & Research Faculty & Staff
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