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What is IPE? A Community-University Partnership UTRGV School of Medicine Interprofessional Education 1201 W. University Drive | Edinburg, TX 78539 | EREBL 1.200 ipe.som@UTRGV.edu | (956) 665-6401
Dear Colleagues, The Office of Interprofessional Education is pleased to present this inaugural issue of the UTRGV Interprofessional Education Newsletter. We know our legacy institutions, and now UTRGV, have a long history of engaging in interprofessional and collaborative activities on behalf of our communities. This newsletter will be a place to showcase Interprofessional collaborative events held on or off campus. (Guidelines for submitting your event are listed at the end of this issue). To be considered an Interprofessional collaborative activity, at least two disciplines or entities must be involved in the planning and delivery of the event. We know lots of important Interprofessional collaborative work is going on at UTRGV and we look forward to informing others about your good work.
Interprofessional education (IPE) occurs when two or more professions learn about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. IPE prepares professionals to engage in collaborative practice . . . to deliberatively work together with the common goal of building a safer and better patient-centered and community population oriented health care system. Source: Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice (WHO/HRH/HPN/10.3). Page 13
The word "valor" has meaning in both English (strength/courage) and Spanish (to have value). It was selected by team members to capture the spirit of the Community-University Partnership. We look forward to working with you and learning about your interprofessional activities! Dr. John Ronnau Senior Associate Dean Office of Interprofessional Education UTRGV School of Medicine
What is the goal of Valor? The goal of the UTRGV Valor project is to provide knowledge and experience for students in all disciplines to learn how to practice as members of interprofessional collaborative teams, while working with faculty and community members to improve health and wellness.
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UTRGV School of Medicine
Dr. John H. Krouse joined the UTRGV School of Medicine in July 2017 as the new Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. Dr. Krouse comes from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he served as the Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; President of Temple University Physicians, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; and Director of the Head and Neck Institute at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. He also served as Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education from 2012-2015. Dr. Krouse graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Rochester, New York. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He received a Master of Business Administration from the Fox School of Business at Temple University in 2014. He completed his internship in surgery at Beth Israel Hospital and his residency training in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is board certified in otolaryngology.
Dr. Leonel Vela, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Education and Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Medical Education, UTRGV School of Medicine, oversees the medical education program. Dr. Vela is a native of Pharr, Texas is proud of his farmworker-family background. He has been a champion of public health in South Texas and was the founder of Operation Lonestar which has become the largest emergency preparedness and public health event in the nation. Dr. Vela is pictured with Sister Fatima Santiago, Executive Director of Proyecto Desarollo Humano in Peñitas - one of several Community Resource Centers partnering with the UTRGV School of Medicine.
Dr. Eron Manusov, M.D., is founding chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Assistant Dean of Education and Clerkships. Dr. Manusov works closely with the IPE Office to bring medical services to rural and underserved communities in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy Counties. He is interested in the care of the underserved and social determinants of health. His academic roles support the development and growth of the UTRGV HUBS, Student Continuity of Practice Experience (SCOPE) clinics and clerkship, and the Unimovil outreach. School of Medicine faculty, staff and students collaborated with Proyecto Desarollo Humano Peñitas staff in providing medical screenings to community members in July.
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UTRGV School of Medicine Inter-Institutional Social Medical students from the UTRGV School of Medicine and UT San Antonio Health Science Center gathered for an inter-Institutional BBQ and social on Saturday, March 30, 2017 in the School of Medicine’s courtyard. Over 50 students enjoyed BBQ and great interinstitutional conversation. The event was organized and sponsored by the IPE Office under the leadership of Ms. Leticia Hayes, Admin. Associate.
UTRGV Interprofessional Activities College of Health Affairs School of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner & MSN students provided 200 Free Medical Screenings at Community Resource Centers.
Dr. Beatriz Bautista, NP and MSN students at Proyecto Desarollo Humano in Peñitas providing medical screenings.
NP and MSN students a the Alamo Community Resource Center providing medical screenings.
Nurse Practitioner and MSN students provide Medical Screenings to community members. The UTRGV School of Nursing (SON) faculty, Nurse Practitioner and MSN students provided over 200 free medical screenings and expert counseling to residents living in five rural and underserved communities in Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Additionally, the SON faculty and students screened over 400 community members during “Together for Our Health” (Photos & story page 4)
Dr. Shawn Saladin, College of Health Affairs Professor and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs works closely with the IPE Office in planning IPE activities and providing medical health screenings. Dr. Saladin helped the IPE office recruit faculty and students from the College of Health Affairs for the Together For Our Health event. Additionally, Dr. Saladin served as Co- Principal Investigator to prepare the Health Resources and Services Administration Area Health Education Center (AHEC) grant application.
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Class of 2020 Medical students using the SMART Simulation Hospital.
Nurse Practitioner, business, engineering, and medical students conducting community asset mapping activities at the San Carlos Community Resource Center.
Dr. Carlos Paris teaching an integrated Interprofessional module on the kidney using Ultrasound technology.
Together For Our Health UTRGV played a key role in promoting health and wellness, literacy, music, art, physical education and healthy eating at Together For Our Health on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the McAllen Convention Center. The School of Medicine provided Continuing Medical Education units to physicians and displayed the medical mobile unit at the main exhibit hall. The College of Health Affairs School of Nursing and the Department of Physician Assistant Studies performed more than 400 free screenings including blood sugar and blood pressure levels, height and weight checks. The College of Health Affairs departments of Social Work, Dietetics, the School of Rehabilitative Counseling and the College of Education and P-16 Integration presented educational presentations. The College of Fine Arts provided music and ceramics demonstrations. The Department of Health and Human Performance led Zumba and yoga exercise sessions for all ages and Athletics hosted physical activities for children. The office of Admissions and Recruitment, and the Graduate School provided admissions information and the Public Relations Office distributed promotional items.
Dr. Zelma Mata, and faculty from Health and Human Performance led Zumba exercise sessions.
College of Education Students providing build-abook activities and free books.
School of Nursing faculty, Dr. Nancy Nadeau, Rosalinda Rossow, Dr. Betty Bautista and Dr. Lilia Fuentes provided medical health screenings.
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SAVE THE DATE
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Funding Partners
Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a private, faith-based, notfor-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. These services include primary care medical and dental clinics, counseling, case management and social services, family wellness and parenting programs, and church-based community nursing programs. Since its inception, MHM has provided nearly $500 million in healthcare services through its clinics and programs. MHM is a major grant supporter of the UTRGV School of Medicine, including funding the VALOR project in three communities.
An IPE team including the IPE office, School of Medicine, College of Health Affairs and the Office of Strategic Research Development, prepared and submitted an application to The Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA). The School of Medicine received word in August that the application has been funded by HRSA. Including the UTRGV required match, approximately $1.75m will be available annually to develop three
Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) in South Texas. According to HRSA, the purpose of an AHEC is to “develop
and enhance education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.” These networks are designed “to increase diversity and distribution among health professionals,
enhance health care quality, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved areas and populations.” The grant is for five years, subject to the availability of funding. Requirements of the grant include placing
interprofessional teams in each AHEC, developing a pipeline program to include area community college and high school students and providing continuing education to area health professionals. According to John Ronnau, Principal Investigator, “UTRGV’s application was successful in large due to the partnerships that have been developed within the university and with multiple community partners.”
Campus Partners
UTRGV Division of Governmental and Community Relations The Division of Governmental and Community Relations is a major partner in Valor project. Ms. Cris Trejo, Assistant VP Community Engagement and Assessment and Dr. Doris Mendiola, Data and Research Manager helped plan and conduct community asset mapping in six VALOR communities. As part of the community asset mapping, students from Medicine, Vackar College of Business, Engineering, Nursing/ Health Affairs, and Science met with residents to identify community assets and needs.
Cristina Trejo Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement leading the Community Asset Mapping activities.
Dr. Doris Mendiola, Data and Research Manager for Community Relations facilitating the Community Asset Mapping and Needs activities.
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ISSUE 1 Community Partners Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr Counties The Judges in Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr Counties along with the Commissioners in several Precincts have provided major support to UTRGV to develop the Valor program. Mr. Eddie Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services, and staff have collaborated with the office of IPE to develop partnerships with four community resource centers (CRC) in Hidalgo County. Commissioner Eloy Garza, Precinct 3, Starr County has collaborated with UTRGV in the community of La Victoria. Ms. Esmeralda Guajardo, Health Administrator, Cameron County Dept. of Health and Human Services and Mr. Jaime Sandoval, City Manager of City of La Feria, are UTRGV’s partners in Cameron County. The CRCs also serve as UTRGV Hubs for Interprofessional Education, health care health promotion and public service projects.
Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia and Hidalgo County Commisioners welcome Community Resource Center Directors and School of Medicine IPE staff. They were introduced by Mr. Eddie Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer, Health County Department of Health and Human Services.
Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department staff providing immunizations at the Alton Community Resource Center.
Community Resource Centers The School of Medicine’s Office of Interprofessional Education has collaborated with Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr Counties to provide IPE learning opportunities to UTRGV students, increase access to UTRGV and provide a widerange of public service projects. UTRGV students from all seven colleges and the School of Medicine have met with community residents in six Community Resource Centers to conduct community asset mapping and needs assessments. UTRGV students and faculty, in partnership with community members, provide programs and services based upon the needs of the community. Listed below are the CRCs, their staff and the Commissioners who are collaborating with UTRGV to make the Valor project possible.
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ISSUE 1 Hidalgo County Alamo Community Resource Center Commissioner Eddie Cantu, Precinct 2 Roger Astudillo, CRC Program Coordinator Proyecto Desarrollo Humano (PeĂąitas) Commissioner Joe Flores, Precinct 3 Sister Fatima Santiago, Director Cameron County La Feria Community Resource Center Commissioner Gustavo Ruiz, Precinct 4 Tabitha Outlaw, Administrative Assistant Jaime Sandoval, City Manager
Alton Community Resource Center Commissioner Joe Flores, Precinct 3 Samm Mercado, Recreation Director San Carlos Community Resource Center Commissioner Joseph Palacios, Precinct 4 Alicia Rodriguez, Director Starr County La Victoria Community Resource Center Commissioner Eloy Garza, Precinct 3 Irene Zarate, Administrative Assistant
Medical, engineering and dietetics students showing their Vaquero spirit after completing the Community Asset Mapping and Needs Assessment at the Alamo Community Resource Center.
Jared Eaves, Medical student reports needs findings to Rio Grande City community members.
Dr. John Ronnau with Medical, engineering and business students at the San Carlos Resource Center during a ceremony honoring community members who completed their citizenship course.
Medical students in Rio Grande City participating in community asset mapping activities with community members.
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Faculty Community Coordinators (FCC) The FCC plays a critical role in the VALOR Community University Partnership. The FCC helps organize, supervise, and direct the students working in interprofessional teams in each community. FCCs encourage students to think critically and analyze problems from the perspective of their own and other disciplines theoretical frameworks. The FCCs involved in VALOR during spring 2017 are listed below.
Dr. Ernesto Ramirez College of Liberal Arts Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies Alamo Community Resource Center
Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti College of Health Affairs Department of Social Work Alton Community Resource Center
(Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications) Dr. Jude Benavides College of Science School of Earth Environment and Marine Science La Feria Community Resource Center
(Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications) Ms. Edna Orozco College of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering San Carlos Community Resource Center (Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications) Ms. Maria Leonard Bob C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship Department of Management Proyecto Desarollo Humano (Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications)
*IPE requires knowledge and skills in four domains: values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, communication and teamwork. (Interprofessional Education Collaborative Expert Panel. (2011). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: Report of an expert panel. Washington, D.C.: Interprofessional Education Collaborative).
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Community Health Workers (CHW) The CHW plays a key role in the VALOR Community University Partnership. They connect the community to our programs and services through extensive outreach and networking. CHWs work together with the IPE Team in building relationships and partnerships with the communities served by VALOR in Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr County. Community Resource Center Directors and staff work together with the IPE staff, Faculty Community Coordinators and students in providing medical screenings, access to education, financial literacy, business planning and more.
Pictured L-R front row: Dr. John Ronnau, Senior Associate Dean for IPE, Alexandra Rangel, Program Specialist, Christie Cantu, Senior Program Coordinator, second row: Lauribeth Munoz, Alamo and San Carlos CHW, Jessica Lozano, Alton CHW, Letty Hayes, Administratvie Associate, IPE Office, Maggy Martinez, La Feria CHW, top row: Gabriela Martinez, La Victoria CHW and Mayra Castro, PeĂąitas CHW.
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IPE Office Team The IPE Office is part of the UTRGV School of Medicine and housed in the Edinburg Research Education Building. Its primary mission is to provide students the opportunity to learn how to work in interprofessional collaborative teams. The IPE Office plans and conducts activities in the community through the VALOR program. Members of the IPE office are listed below. Dr. John Ronnau, Senior Associate Dean for Interprofessional Education. He is also the Interim Faculty Community Coordinator for the La Victoria Community Resource Center. John has been at UT Pan-Am/UTRGV for six years. He previously served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. He also worked at UT/TSC in Brownsville for nine years. (Photo courtesy of University Marketing and Communications)
Letty Hayes, Administrative Associate. Letty works closely with the team in planning and executing the office’s program of work. Prior to joining the IPE Office Letty worked for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Letty has been with the University for 13 years.
Christie Cantu, Senior Program Coordinator. Christie works with the Alton, Peitas and La Victoria Community Resource Centers in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Prior to joining the IPE Office, Christie worked as a Development Officer for the Division of University Advancement. Christie has been with the University for 15 years.
Alexandra Garcia, Program Specialist. Alex works with the Alamo, San Carlos and La Feria Community Resource Centers in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. Alex has been at UTPA/UTRGV for six years.
Please submit your IPE stories and photos to the IPE office by October 15, 2017 to ipe.som@utrgv.edu For information call (956) 665-6401.
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