Six honorees recognized for excellence in interprofessional education and collaborative practice

On July 12, 2024, the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health (COF) held their annual membership meeting and award ceremony at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Learning Center in Washington, DC. At this eighth anniversary of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Collaboration Award, six honorees were acknowledged for their teamwork and impact on improved community outcomes. Several honorable mention finalists shared poster presentations on their IPE initiatives.

“IPEC and COF commend the Texas A&M Health faculty, students, and all those involved in Operation Border Health Preparedness,” said U.S. Public Health Service Captain (retired) Gene Migliaccio, DrPH. “Congratulations and thank you to the 2024 awardees, volunteers, and multiple state, local, and regional partners for their commitment to IPE and dedicated service to the communities of South Texas.”

“These teams have taken interprofessional collaborative practice and innovation, not just to the next level, but to soaring heights,” added Alison J. Whelan, MD, IPEC Board Chair and AAMC Chief Academic Officer. “These projects truly demonstrate a strong sense of accomplishment, togetherness, and excitement that we will continue to nurture, model, and celebrate.”

The complete list of the 2024 winners follows:

2024 IPEC COF Award: Overall Winner Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health), College Station, TX An interprofessional team of faculty collaborates with the State of Texas’ Operation Border Health Preparedness to provide no-cost healthcare services ​in South Texas Asim Abu-Baker, PharmD, Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy Kelly Sopchak, PhD, LSSP, MSCP, Texas A&M University School of Medicine LeRoy A. Marklund, DNP, MPH, RN, Texas A&M University School of Nursing

2024 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Health Communications and Health Technology West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV Using Telemedicine Simulation to Prepare Interprofessional Teams for Transitions of Care Clinical Experience with Improved Patient Outcomes Jenna Sizemore, MD, West Virginia University School of Medicine Jessica Thayer, MD, West Virginia University School of Medicine Gina Baugh, PharmD, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and Office of Interprofessional Education Adam Hoffman, NRP, MCCP, CHSE, West Virginia University Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center Kathryn Hoffman, MA, CHSE, West Virginia University STEPS Center and Office of Interprofessional Education Jason Craig, MBA, EMT-P, CHSE-A, West Virginia University STEPS Center and Office of Interprofessional Education

2024 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Behavioral Health University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Alabama Health Professionals Opioid and Pain Management Education (ALAHOPE) Sue Feldman, RN, MEd, PhD, FACMI, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions Heather Martin, PhD, MSBA, Georgia State University J. Mack Robinson School of Business Darlene Traffanstedt, MD, Jefferson County Department of Health J. Matthew Hart, JD, CFE, Alabama Board of Medical Examiners Laura McNeill, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Education Michael Ratner, MS, MHA ‘24, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions Justine Maxwell, DrPH, MPH, PhD ‘24, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions

2024 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Public Health Infrastructure Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY Promoting Community-Academic Partnerships through an Innovative Interprofessional Team Based Model: The Stony Brook Medicine Healthy Libraries Program Lisa Benz Scott, PhD, Stony Brook University Program in Public Health Gabriella Pandolfelli, MPH, Stony Brook University Program in Public Health Leah Topek-Walker, LCSW-R, Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare Amy Hammock, PhD, Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare and Program in Public Health Mary Ellen LaSala, PhD, RN, Stony Brook University School of Nursing Carol Della Ratta, PhD, RN, CNE, Stony Brook University School of Nursing Erin Zazzera, MPH, RN, Stony Brook University School of Nursing Donna Ferrara, DHSc, PA-C, Stony Brook University School of Health Professions Lynn Timko-Swaim, MS, PA-C, Stony Brook University School of Health Professions Gerald Simons, MPAS, DFAAPA, PA-C, Stony Brook University School of Health Professions Jessica Koos, MLS, MSEd, AHIP, Stony Brook University Health Sciences Library Valerie Lewis, MLIS, Suffolk Cooperative Library System

2024 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: Community Empowerment and Education University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY Harmony in Hematology: Interprofessional Strategies for Educating Students about Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Jessica S. Kruger, PhD, MCHES, University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions Jessica Wulf, LMSW, Western New York BloodCare Catherine M. Mann, EdD, RN, CNS, University at Buffalo School of Nursing Beverly A. Schaefer, MD, Western New York BloodCare and University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

2024 IPEC COF Honorable Mention: At Risk and Vulnerable Communities Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD Transformational Stories: Transgender Individuals Experiences Seeking Services in the Salisbury MD-DE Metro Area Alison Sutton-Ryan, DBH, LCSW, LISAC, Salisbury University School of Social Work Kimberly van Vulpen, PhD, MSW, LCSW-C, Salisbury University School of Social Work Kathy Carpenter Brown, Transliance Dan Green, PhD, LCSW, Salisbury University School of Social Work Jeffery Willey, RN, CNS, CLNC, CNE, Salisbury University School of Nursing Michèle Schlehofer, PhD, Salisbury University Psychology Department​ Dakota Linton, BASW, MSW ‘24, Salisbury University School of Social Work

The ninth award cycle will begin on September 9, 2024. Review past projects and details on the application cycle at IPEC’s website.

About the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC)

IPEC’s mission is to ensure that new and current health professionals are proficient in the competencies essential for person-centered, community- and population-oriented, interprofessional, collaborative practice. Eligible institutional members must be associations that represent and serve academic units at institutions of higher education that provide an educational program leading to the award of one or more academic degrees to students in one or more of the health professions that provide direct care to patients. For more information, visit IPEC’s website.

About the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health (COF)

COF was founded to build leadership in public health through advocacy, education, research, partnerships, and direct support of prevention and public health programs. COF supports career development for officers in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service and supports the growth of the Commissioned Corps as a force for a healthier nation and a healthier world. For more information, visit the COF website.

Shelley McKearney smckearney@ipecollaborative.org (202) 463-6930 ext. 269