October 2, 2015
UAMS Ahead of the curve: Interprofessional leaders from UAMS attend Collaborating Across Borders
The Office of Interprofessional Education sponsored a team of seven leaders from UAMS to attend the Collaborating Across Borders Conference (CAB-V) in Roanoke, VA from September 29th – October 2nd. CAB-V is the fifth joint conference that links the United States and Canada around the key themes of interprofessional education and collaborative practice. CAB-V focused on interprofessional education, practice, leadership and policy in a North American context. The conference featured best practices, showcased evidence-based outcomes, and provided a venue for scholarly dialogue and productive networking. The conference theme, The Interprofessional Journey: Advancing Integration and Impact, reflected on the importance of these key concepts as they play a role in the preparation of future health professionals.
The three-fold purpose of sending such a large team from UAMS to CAB-V was met and were as follows: (1) systematically identify specific innovations learned at CAB-V to implement at UAMS; (2) benchmark the current progress of the Office of IPE efforts against National exemplars; and (3) expand the network of potential collaborative relationships with additional Universities.
Each UAMS team member has shared their reflections below on how attending CAB-V impacted them specifically.
[blockquote cite=”Pearl McElfish, Office of IPE Scholarship & Research Chair, Associate Professor, UAMS College of Medicine, Director Office Community Health and Research” type=”left”]“The Collaborating across borders conference was inspiring. It is amazing to see the IPE movement includes so many Academic health Centers with health care providers and faculty committed to patient centered care.”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Dr. Kathryn Neill, Office of IPE Curriculum Evaluation & Implementation Team Chair, Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy” type=”left”]“CAB-V has provided an opportunity to foster IPE/IPC planning through networking with colleagues from an array of backgrounds unlike any other meeting I’ve experienced. This meeting has far exceeded my expectations. We realized that our Triple Aim Curricular framework at UAMS is consistent with National exemplars, and we returned with countless ideas to innovate within our approved structure. ”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Brigitte Grant, Office of IPE Development Team Chair, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development” type=”left”]“The opportunity to interact with partners like George Thibault, MD of The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation was incredible! I was so impressed with the Foundation’s depth of investment in the “Triple Aim.” Financial support is just the tip of the iceberg, the Macy Foundation is a strategic advocate and international leader in achieving better patient outcomes, at the lowest cost while improving health for all of us. It was vital for UAMS to be at the table for CAB-V.”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Ashley Castleberry, Office of IPE Faculty Development Team Alternate Chair, Director of Assessment College of Pharmacy” type=”left”]“After seeing what other schools are doing with IPE, I get excited about the innovative things we are doing and plan to do at UAMS. We are in a great place and I look forward to sharing what our school is doing at future CAB conferences. During this conference, I learned just how exciting and important our work in IPE is to students, faculty, and patients. IPE is making a difference in healthcare and I am thankful to be a part of the movement at UAMS.”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Mark Jansen, Office of IPE Collaborative Practice Alternate Chair, Primary Medical Director for the Center for Healthcare Enhancement and Development” type=”left”]“I understand from having been in the private side of rural care delivery that the system is strained and non-sustainable. With my exposure to IPE through CAB-V, I see potential solutions to the problem of delivering complex care to the citizens of our state utilizing the skill sets of the entire team. No Doctor is an island!”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Christina Trimble, Office of IPE Program Manager” type=”left”]“As a communications professional, a look through the lens of educators and health care professionals offers an understanding of where innovative digital communications can help bridge the gap between professions and heighten engagement in our quest for health care transformation. IPE is the model, but effective communication is the tool needed to lead the way. CAB was vital for IPE “Team” UAMS, it will enable us to continue to launch IPE forward in creative and innovative ways.”[/blockquote] [blockquote cite=”Lee Wilbur, Office of IPE Director” type=”left”]“Once again I remain humbled. Our team at UAMS is simply amazing! For three straight days, our team was creating new collaborations, collecting ideas to strengthen IPE at UAMS, and reflecting how far ahead of the innovation curve we are at UAMS. This is simply one more of many experiences affirming that the future of UAMS is very, very bright.”[/blockquote]