Each year, the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (CIPE) recognizes faculty, staff, and learners who have made outstanding contributions to advancing interprofessional education, practice, and scholarship through the Awards for IPE Innovation and Excellence. The awards celebrate both innovative approaches and sustained excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and collaborative practice.
The 2026 recipients were recognized during HPE Connect '26, where colleagues from across the University of Michigan gathered to celebrate excellence in health professions education.
Award for IPE Excellence
Michelle Pardee, DNP, FNP-BC
Michelle Pardee received the 2026 Award for IPE Excellence in recognition of her longstanding leadership and commitment to advancing interprofessional education across the University of Michigan and beyond.
For decades, Pardee has championed collaborative learning through initiatives including Team-Based Clinical Decision Making, the expansion of TEAMS within and beyond the School of Nursing, and the Interprofessional Community Health Collaborative. Her leadership has influenced interprofessional education at the national, regional, local, and unit levels, helping shape a culture of collaboration that predates the founding of CIPE and continues to strengthen the university's interprofessional community today.
Award for IPE Innovation
Michele Bird, DPT
Michele Bird received the 2026 Award for IPE Innovation for her creative leadership in developing the Mobility Team Program, an innovative model that brings interprofessional learning directly into the clinical environment.
In partnership with Michigan Medicine, Bird created a meaningful educational experience that integrates Kinesiology undergraduate students into patient care while strengthening teamwork across disciplines. By connecting classroom learning with real-world collaborative practice, the program supports both student development and high-quality patient care, demonstrating the lasting impact of innovative interprofessional education.