Announcing PIPE UCSF Health Awardees

We are pleased to announce the winners of the PIPE Interprofessional Collaboration Award for UCSF Health:

• Huntington’s Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxia (HDSA) Center of Excellence

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Cardiac Team

Teams were selected for their demonstration of Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) collaborative competencies and their embodiment of PRIDE values. Congratulations to these exceptional interprofessional teams!

Clinical Opportunities Grant Winner

Congratulations to Diana Thiara, MD, assistant clinical professor and medical director of the UCSF Weight Management Program, and the team at the UCSF Weight Management Clinic for submission of a successful grant application to the PIPE Clinical Opportunities Program. They will use the funding to develop an interprofessional curriculum for obesity medicine fellows, pharmacy students, and dietetic interns. 

Connecting with IPE Colleagues Near and Far

In February, PIPE Director Maria Wamsley, MD and Josette Rivera, MD (left and right, with ZHAW Director Marion Huber, center) traveled to Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur, Switzerland to serve as visiting professors for an interprofessional course for international students in the health sciences. The course, "Working together as Professionals in Health and Social Care at home and abroad," included 90 students from ZHAW and 25 international students and highlighted interprofessional models of care across the globe. Drs. Wamsley and Rivera presented the UCSF Care at Home Program as an innovative model of interprofessional care for homebound older adults and had a chance to exchange information with ZHAW faculty about innovative interprofessional education occurring at UCSF and ZHAW.

In March, Angel Kuo, EdD, MSN, PSP and Dr. Wamsley had the opportunity to share lessons learned from the PIPE Interprofessional Clinical Opportunities Grant Program with a poster presentation at the National Academies of Practice conference in Jacksonville, Florida (right, Drs. Kuo and Wamsley with University of Washington colleagues). They learned that many programs are focused on expanding IPE into clinical settings and there was great interest in funding mechanisms to incentivize expansion of these experiences. Through contacts made at the NAP conference, UCSF PIPE leaders are spearheading an effort to start a regional IPE Collaborative with other IPE programs in the Western region.

Spotlight on Interprofessional Collaboration Scholars

The IPCS program is an opportunity for UCSF health professions students to engage in further interprofessional collaboration activities and scholarship, through small group work, simulation, projects, scholarship, and interprofessional clinical immersion experiences. To learn more, visit the IPCS CLE website. Please contact [email protected] for more information.  

We are proud to highlight some of our current IPCS Scholars: 

"Participating in IPCS has truly deepened my interest in the connection between oral health and overall well-being. I've always believed that oral health is a vital window into our general health, and this program has reinforced that belief. IPCS has provided me with invaluable insights into how oral health issues can impact broader health outcomes. I now appreciate the importance of collaborating with different healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care that considers both oral and systemic health. This experience has empowered me with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, addressing health disparities and providing holistic treatment approaches." −Samah Abbakar, UCSF Dentistry Student

"IPCS produces a unique environment for students to learn and practice interprofessional communication and many other skills that individual department/school does not offer, but is crucial. I joined IPCS because I truly enjoyed and benefited from the Core Principles of Interprofessional Practices. IPCS has helped me improve my work with other healthcare professionals because I have a better understanding of how each team member contributes and supports the team and the patients, and therefore I am able to maximize the potential of my profession." − Zoe Geng, UCSF Pharmacy Student

"I believe that interprofessional communication and being able to work in an interprofessional team successfully with other healthcare providers are extremely important skills to have in order to be a successful pharmacist. Being able to coordinate care to the best of my ability involves taking into consideration others who are involved in the patient’s care and taking in their unique perspectives or own experiences with the patient and their conditions. I believe that this is one of the most critical ways to ensure patient-centered healthcare. For my IPCS project, I collaborated with a nursing student (and IPCS learner) to create clinical tip sheets that provide actionable recommendations for educators to support interprofessional education in clinical rotations. IPCS has helped me apply what I have learned in the IPE Core Principles Sessions to my clinical experiences." − Jeanne Le, UCSF Pharmacy Student

Classroom Curriculum Subcommittee Retreat

In February, the PIPE Classroom Curriculum Subcommittee gathered for a comprehensive assessment of the interprofessional classroom curriculum (Core Principles of Interprofessional Practice). Attendees dedicated their time to carefully assess the current programming, taking into consideration the valuable feedback provided by learners and facilitators. Additionally, the subcommittee evaluated how the new IPEC competencies align with the existing curriculum and identified gaps that require further attention. The retreat, attended by representatives from various professions and schools, served as a platform for the exchange of valuable insights and innovative ideas to enhance the content, structure, and assessment methods of the Core Principles of Interprofessional Practice sessions. If you are interested in joining the work of the PIPE Classroom Subcommittee, please complete this form. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Upcoming Teaching Opportunities

IPE Core Principles: Dates for 2024-2025 

Year 1 Learners 
• Monday, 10/14/24 (in person) 
• Monday, 1/13/25 (remote) 
• Monday, 4/14/25 (in person) 

Year 2 Learners
• Monday, 10/7/24 (in person)
• Monday, 12/2/24 (in person)

New Interprofessional Publication

Naomi Tzril Saks, a UCSF palliative care chaplain, is excited to announce her book, Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care (Oxford University Press). The volume was created by interprofessional editors and chapter authors representing many palliative care professions and regions across the country and is the first volume ever to offer a way to operationalize successful interprofessional collaboration. Many organizations and experts recognize that interprofessional collaboration is essential for high-quality patient care, and palliative care as a field is known to be leading the way. Now, there is a roadmap: this book presents the mechanics and anatomy of what promotes successful synergy between the professions for the best patient outcomes and team sustainability. A 30% discount on the book is available (email [email protected]). #IntentionallyIP #HAPC

Join Our Work

We have a few openings on our PIPE committees and would welcome new members who are interested in being more involved in the work of PIPE. Committee work is a great way to meet new colleagues and grow your skills as an educator. It also counts towards campuswide service. Committee work requires a modest time commitment (most committees meet monthly with limited work outside of committee meetings).

If you are interested in joining the work of PIPE by serving on one or more of these committees, please complete this form. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

• Curriculum:
  • Classroom Subcommittee
  • Simulation Subcommittee
  • Clinical Subcommittee
• Professional Development Committee
• Scholarship Committee