Center for Interprofessional Collaboration In Memoriam

IPE program continues to grow, celebrates 10 years

When Quillen College of Medicine students complete their interprofessional education program at East Tennessee State University’s Center for Interprofessional Collaboration, they don’t just graduate – they’re deputized.

“We mean that sincerely,” said Dr. Brian Cross, Assistant Vice Provost and Program Director. “Now, when you see something that needs to be changed, with love and grace and respecting hierarchy and power as it exists in the current structures, make the influential changes that you have the ability to make starting tomorrow.”

Interprofessional education (IPE) is rooted in students learning and practicing team-based collaborative care to improve health outcomes for patients.

On March 8, 2023, at the Carnegie Hotel, the center “deputized” its largest class since its inception 10 years ago with 161 students – 76 of whom were College of Medicine students. During the ceremony, students recited the oath of an interprofessional health professional, one refined at ETSU in 2020, and were presented with a white cord to wear at their formal graduation ceremony.

“It symbolizes all these students from different programs with their own identities, coming into a clear understanding that you cannot do this by yourself,” Cross said of the cord. The ceremony was a proud moment for the Center, and a timely reminder of the importance of the work it is doing as the program approaches its 10th anniversary.

“I think with these kinds of endeavors, you have to believe that this is work that must be done as this is still not the standard in clinical education or practice,” Cross said. “And so, when you look out at a room like that, it’s validation that, at an institutional level, we seem to be making a difference.”

ETSU began its formal approach to IPE 10 years ago, and moved its programming into a permanent home at Bishop Hall (Building 60) on the VA campus in 2018. It serves as a hub for collaboration among the university’s five health sciences colleges, which include the Quillen College of Medicine, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy and the colleges of Nursing, Public Health, and Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences.

ETSU currently has two models of IPE engagement for students: a two-year longitudinal program that students complete together in-person in interprofessional teams and a one-year asynchronous program that students complete online.

“There are few other institutions across the country that could say they offer the depth and breadth of training in the health professions that ETSU does,” said Cross. “I think we need to be seen.

I think we need to be tooting our own horn in the region a little bit to say, ‘If you’re thinking about a career in health care, this is where you ought to come.’”

Dr. John W. Ralston; MD ’03, BS ’99

November 20, 2022; Eagleville, TN

Dr. Ralston was a brilliant scientist and highly respected forensic pathologist. He was a fellow of the American Society of Clinical Pathology and of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, holding medical licenses in Tennessee, Illinois, Texas, and Kansas.

Dr. Cheryl Engles Coleman; MD ’83

September 10, 2022; Maryville, TN

Dr. Coleman began her career at the age of 27, at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tennessee where she became the youngest anesthesiologist practicing in the state of Tennessee. She quickly became a respected member of the medical community, and in the years to come, served as the President of Maryville Anesthesiologists, President of Blount County Medical Society, and Chief of the Medical Staff at Blount Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Francisco Orlando Avila; MD ’88, RES ’89

June 1, 2022; Lebanon, TN

For over 33 years, Dr. Avila practiced emergency medicine and aided thousands of patients throughout his career. To this day, patients have referred to him as one of the most kind and caring doctors they have ever met.

Dr. Jeffery Milam; MD ’85

July 15, 2022; Gulf Breeze, FL

Dr. Milam spent his medical career in cardiac anesthesiology. He was a compassionate, curious doctor who made it his business to help each and every patient for whom he cared.

Dr. Manette Monroe; MD ’05

August 8, 2022; Kissimmee, FL

Dr. Monroe served as Module Director at the University of Florida Medical Center and was responsible for developing the objectives, content, and assessment for the module. She specialized in anatomical and clinical pathcytopathology.

Dr.

August 27, 2022; Seymour, TN

Dr. Fry was a Summit Partner physician, a member of the Sevierville Masonic Lodge, a member of the Seymour Breakfast Rotary Club, and on the Board of Directors for the Smokey Mountain Boys and Girls Club.

Dr. Martha Louise McGraw; MD ’86

August 30, 2022; Fredericktown, MO

Dr. McGraw was the director of the Emergency Medical System and served in this capacity for over 13 years. During this time, she aided in getting a new facility for housing the ambulances as well as a training area and exercise room for the crew.

Dr.

Carolyn Genevieve Newton; MD ’82

May 29, 2021; Kenosha, WI

Dr. Newton was a medical doctor, flight surgeon, retired United States Air Force Colonel, a flight attendant at the United States Air Force Museum, and the founder of Kindred Kitties, Kenosha, WI.

Dr. Christopher Alex Wiltcher; MD ’91

October 18, 2022; Gallatin, TN

Dr. Wiltcher practiced medicine for over 30 years, being board certified in his specialty. Once retired from private practice, he was known for maintaining a locom tenens practice in several areas of the country.