February Community of Practice: Building Interprofessional Partnerships in the Community
Collaborative practice and teamwork are often confined to the simulated environments of clinical labs or academic classrooms. However, to truly prepare the next generation of health care leaders, learning must extend beyond institutional walls. Community partnerships offer students and faculty uniquely rich opportunities to engage with the complex, real-world dynamics of patient care.
By stepping into the community, learners can gain a profound understanding drivers of health and well-being, many of which are often invisible in a clinical setting.
These experiences do more than just build clinical skills; they can help learners understand that not all patients are the same. Ultimately, community integration and educational experiences serve dual purposes: they create "practice-ready" graduates while simultaneously elevating the well-being of local populations.
Leading this conversation is Cynthia Valdez Dougherty, PhD, MSW, FNAP, Director ofInterprofessional Practice and Education Engagement at The Ohio State University. Dr. Dougherty will explore how to identify and leverage community resources to create sustainable, impactful partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into moving interprofessional collaboration into practice, ensuring that team-based care becomes a tangible benefit for the communities we serve.