Health professionals from across disciplines came together to discuss challenges, share insights, and explore new approaches to improving collaboration and patient care.
The Interprofessional Education and Collaboration (IPE/IPC) Community of Practice Kick-Off event brought together nearly 50 health professionals from across disciplines, igniting conversations about the future of collaborative care. Held at Palmer Commons, the gathering provided a space for attendees to connect, share challenges, and explore bold solutions to improve interprofessional teamwork and healthcare outcomes.
Dr. Laura Smith, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., the director of engagement and development at the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Education, opened the event with a speech emphasizing the importance of fostering an inclusive and engaged community. “When we say ‘community,’ we mean it in every sense of the word—a space where you feel not just welcomed, but valued and included,” she remarked. Dr. Smith highlighted the significant strides made in interprofessional education at the University of Michigan, including the engagement of over 1,600 student learners in the Introduction to Interprofessional Education course and the Center’s growing partnerships both at Michigan Medicine and on a national scale.
The event’s structure encouraged deep discussions among participants, who identified challenges and brainstormed innovative approaches to interprofessional collaboration. Dr. David J. Brown, M.D., who leads the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion at Michigan Medicine, emphasized the necessity of collaborative practice in fostering health equity. “Bringing diverse health professionals together in spaces like this is essential to creating equitable, high-quality care for all patients. We have to work together across disciplines to create a truly inclusive healthcare system,” Dr. Brown stated.
Clemente Beghi, Global MBA Program Manager at the Ross School of Business, underscored the importance of including diverse perspectives—including those from outside traditional healthcare roles—in advancing interprofessional collaboration. “At first glance, business and healthcare might seem like separate worlds, but they are deeply connected. The way we lead, manage resources, and innovate within healthcare has a direct impact on patient outcomes and system efficiency,” he said. “By engaging in interprofessional collaboration, even those of us outside clinical roles can contribute to shaping a more effective and patient-centered healthcare system.”
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in breakout discussions on pressing topics in healthcare and interprofessional teamwork. From mentorship and community engagement to scholarship and clinical practice, the event encouraged professionals to commit to areas where they could make a measurable impact.
As the event concluded, Dr. Smith left attendees with a call to action: “We must start working better together, and we need to start now. Let’s take the energy and momentum we’ve built here and carry it forward.” She urged participants to reflect on their passions and commit to projects that advance interprofessional collaboration.
The IPE/IPC Community of Practice will continue its work in the months ahead, with its next session scheduled for March. The kickoff event set the stage for a year of innovation, collaboration, and transformative change in healthcare education and practice. Register for the next Community of Practice meeting on March 6 here: https://michmed.org/reJ83
Upcoming Community of Practice Meetings
- March 6
- May 22
- July 9
- September 25
- November 20