First Class of IPE Fellows Bridge Gaps Between Health Professions through Learning

University of Kentucky faculty members across health care colleges and disciplines were recognized as members of the first class of Interprofessional Education (IPE) fellows on March 9. Sixteen faculty members representing the UK College of Medicine, the UK College of Public Health, the UK College of Nursing, the UK College of Health Sciences, the College of Social Work and the UK College of Pharmacy were named associate or full fellows to the Center for Interprofessional Health Education. Fellows are recognized as champions of multidisciplinary education through their involvement in research, learning and service opportunities bringing together a diverse group of professions. IPE prepares students for collaboration with other disciplines in real-world health care environments, and develops team-oriented faculty committed to improving health care delivery. As fellows and associates, these faculty members will assist the Center in its mission to disseminate interdisciplinary curriculum to UK faculty and students in the six health sciences colleges on campus. Fellows and associates were either nominated by a member of the academic community or self-nominated. Congratulations to the following fellows and associates: Patricia Burkhart, UK College of Nursing Cathy Catlett, UK College of Nursing Lynne Jensen, UK College of Nursing Darlene Welsh, UK College of Nursing Mollie Aleshire, UK College of Nursing Emily Dressler, UK College of Public Health James Norton, UK College of Medicine Erika Erlandson, UK College of Medicine Mandy Jones, UK College of Pharmacy Melody Ryan, UK College of Pharmacy Joseph Fink, UK College of Pharmacy Stacy Taylor, UK College of Pharmacy Janice Kuperstein, UK College of Health Sciences Kevin Schuer, UK College of Health Sciences Karen Badger, UK College of Social Work Patricia Cook-Craig, UK College of Social Work “In the modern health care environment, it’s imperative to create synergy and a sense of teamwork across disciplines,” said Jim Norton, a Fellow and director of the Center. “The Fellows are advocates of opportunities to bring together a diverse group of individuals, who all possess unique skills and knowledge to improve health care delivery. Everyone has something they can bring to the table in IPE.” The Center for Interprofessional Education is devoted to facilitating the design, implementation and evaluation of interprofessional education experiences for students and provide interprofessional development opportunities for faculty. The Center maintains partnerships with faculty in the UK College of Dentistry, UK College of Health Sciences, UK College of Medicine, UK College of Pharmacy, UK College of Public Health, UK College of Social Work and UK College of Communication and Information. MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue