Ohio State students build connections at Community Cares Day

Over 800 learners from The Ohio State University stepped outside the traditional classroom setting to participate in Community Cares Day, hosted by the Office of Interprofessional Practice and Education. Designed to introduce learners to real-world interprofessional collaboration, this event officially kicks off the BuckIPE core longitudinal programming. This establishes the foundation for team dynamics, community engagement and collaborative learning that students will build upon in the semesters ahead.

Guided by over a dozen facilitators, students connected with nearly 20 local community partners to explore how organizations address drivers of health and well-being across central Ohio. Through interactive team-based activities, participants gained hands-on insight into collaborative teamwork, learning with and from other professions while discovering practical tools and resources to support neighbors in need.

The impact resonated strongly with participants, with 95% of learners surveyed rating Community Cares Day as "Effective" or "Very effective," confirming that the event successfully delivered on its core goal to build practical collaborative knowledge and community awareness. By bridging academic preparation with hands-on engagement, this event plays an essential role in workforce development, equipping Ohio State learners with the real-world teamwork skills needed to graduate as compassionate, workforce-ready healthcare and community professionals.