Wapner receives BuckIPE award

Andrew Wapner has been honored with the BuckIPE Facilitator Award for his work to prepare students to thrive as health care professionals who can successfully collaborate with others to improve outcomes, increase satisfaction, streamline processes and advance health equity. 

Wapner, a clinical professor who directs the College of Public Health’s Master of Public Health for Experienced Professional Program, was nominated by students in BuckIPE, Ohio State’s interprofessional education program. Other nominees from the college were Professor Emeritus Michael Bisesi and Abhishek Henry, who graduated with his MPH in epidemiology this spring.

Wapner and other facilitators interact with students from more than 20 programs in the seven colleges, said Cynthia Dougherty, director of interprofessional and education engagement. 

Nominators said this of Wapner: 

• “Andy Wapner was very collaborative and used his great communication skills to pull different groups of people from all different backgrounds together in a fun and engaging Buck IPE.”
• “Dr. Wapner did a great job explaining our tasks and facilitating conversation after each one.”
• “He was very knowledgeable and engaging, making this experience a good one. When he came into our breakout room, he challenged us to think deeper yet didn’t tell us we were wrong for any of our reasonings.”
• “Andy Wapner was a great facilitator! He kept a positive attitude the entire time and encouraged students to speak up but did not force anyone to speak up if they did not want to.” 
• “He is always considerate of our time and our learning.”

Originally published by The Ohio State University College of Public Health.