Student attendees were joined by dozens of facilitators from a variety of health fields at the Pathways in Health Meet and Greet event.
Hundreds of University of Michigan pre-health students gathered on Monday, Oct. 28, to explore a small segment of the wide range of health professions that support the care of people and populations and to better understand the critical importance of teamwork across these roles. The Pathways in Health Meet and Greet, which was attended by over 200 students, was developed and organized by the University of Michigan’s Center for Interprofessional Education (C-IPE), through the Pre-Health Initiative workgroup led by Dr. Lisa Martin, professor of Health and Human Services at UM-Dearborn.
The group determined that the most important opportunity for pre-health students is to be exposed to the breadth of options in pursuing a career in health. Rather than scaling traditional shadowing opportunities, which comes with logistical and equity challenges, as well as pressure on an already stressed health workforce, the workgroup reimagined the experience, creating this event to bring health professionals directly to students interested in health as a career. This innovative format allows students to interact with a diverse group of professionals, helping them understand various roles within healthcare while building the foundation for future collaboration.
Dr. Lisa Harris, associate chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Michigan Medicine, opened the event with an address to students. During her address, she emphasized the importance of kindness and collaboration in patient care. “Healthcare is not an individual sport,” said Harris. “Teamwork is vital.”
Student attendees were joined by dozens of facilitators, including physicians, radiation therapists, epidemiologists, social workers, respiratory therapists, administrators, nurses, and more. These facilitators not only shared their experiences, but also highlighted the benefits of healthcare education and professional development. Dr. Amy Buckenmeyer, a clinical associate professor in the University of Michigan School of Nursing, served as a facilitator at the event. “I saw a real eagerness and enthusiasm to learn from one another during my time with the students,” said Buckenmeyer. “The more they understand and respect each other’s roles, the more effective and adaptable they will be in the future.”
The students were also tasked with completing worksheets designed to deepen their understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and scope of various health professions. Through thoughtful inquiry and active listening, students were encouraged to expand their peer networks, develop rapport with health professionals, and reflect on how collaboration can improve patient outcomes.
“It was really nice to learn about a range of experiences from diverse healthcare areas,” said Isabel Lee, a student majoring in Pharmaceutical Sciences who attended the event. “I got to talk with different facilitators, from physicians to physical therapists, and get insight from their decades of experience in their respective fields.” By the end of the event, students left with a broader understanding of health-related careers and an appreciation for the power of teamwork in healthcare, setting the stage for a more equitable and informed approach to their future studies.
Dr. Rajesh Mangrulkar, director of the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Education (C-IPE), addressed the audience during the closing session. During the address, he reflected on healthcare being “a calling,” and how his time as a stroke patient at Michigan Medicine impacted his perspective on interprofessional collaboration in both the hospital setting and beyond. “By exposing students to the full spectrum of health professions, we not only broaden their understanding but also help them discover the roles where their skills and passions can truly thrive, ultimately allowing them to better serve patients, communities, and society.”
The Pathways in Health event is part of the Center’s ongoing initiative to engage pre-professional students by fostering collaboration skills early in their academic journeys. Recognizing that students begin to form their professional identities within weeks of starting their professional programs, C-IPE saw the value in working “upstream” by introducing concepts of teamwork and interprofessional collaboration before students formally declare their health professions. When the Center convened faculty to explore this approach, they unanimously agreed that early exposure to a wide range of health professions, and hearing from those professionals about the value of teamwork, was essential for fostering a more collaborative mindset.
C-IPE continues to play a crucial role in bridging education and practice at the University of Michigan, aligning health professions education with the needs of real-world healthcare. Through events like this, C-IPE is ensuring that students are better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare by fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of the healthcare landscape from the start of their academic journeys.