Opal Moore recognized as Trainee Facilitator of the Year

(pictured left to right: Sara McKinniss, MHI - Director, Strategic Initiatives and Communications, The Ohio State University Office of Interprofessional Practice and Education; Paula H. Song, PhD, MHSA, MA - Dean, The Ohio State University College of Public Health; Carissa "Opal" Moore - PhD candidate, The Ohio State University College of Public Health; Andrea Pfeifle, EdD, PT, FNAP - Associate Vice President, The Ohio State University Office of Interprofessional Practice and Education)

The Ohio State University's Office of Interprofessional Practice and Education (OIPE) recognized Carissa "Opal" Moore this week with the prestigious "Trainee Facilitator of the Year" Award. This student-nominated award celebrates Moore's outstanding contribution to the BuckIPE Curriculum, highlighting her impact on future healthcare professionals while balancing rigorous doctoral studies and groundbreaking environmental health research. 

Moore is currently a PhD candidate in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program at The Ohio State University College of Public Health. She was instrumental in facilitating two critical online experiences for BuckIPE, which is the comprehensive interprofessional education curriculum for health sciences students. Moore was a facilitator for two experiences including "Fundamentals of Teamwork" and "Tools for Effective Interprofessional Teamwork." 

The BuckIPE Curriculum aims to equip students from over 20 programs across nine colleges and programs with the skills needed for effective interprofessional collaboration. The goal is to ultimately improve patient outcomes and streamline care.

Moore's students, in their nominations, highlighted her attentiveness and dedication to support, noting that she was readily available to help when they struggled with answers or needed clarification on directions. They specifically mentioned her active engagement with their small groups. 

Moore's dedication to education complements her advanced research focusing on air quality, environmental justice, and science communication. She works under the guidance of Darryl B. Hood, PhD, and she is part of several grant teams actively working to combat pollution and improve the quality of life for people in Ohio.

Her recognition as Trainee Facilitator of the Year is a powerful statement on the necessity of linking specialized public health expertise with collaborative practice. Her guidance in the BuckIPE experiences demonstrates that tackling complex issues like air quality and environmental justice requires the very interprofessional teamwork she models. By expertly teaching future healthcare professionals to collaborate, she is directly preparing them to address systemic health barriers and improve community well-being, which is the ultimate goal of public health. Moore's dedication is an inspiring example of how integrating cutting-edge research with hands-on educational leadership accelerates the mission of creating more effective, equitable, and comprehensive health outcomes for all.