Graduate students from the College of Public Health met virtually with members from the College of Nursing and College of Communication and Information on Nov. 30 for an Interprofessional Education Session.
“Interprofessional education is an important competency that public health graduates need to demonstrate because they are going to work in teams when they enter the workplace,” said Matthew Stefanak, instructor and ambassador in the College of Public Health.
Interprofessional Education is also a requirement for graduate students according to the Council on Education for Public Health, the College of Public Health’s accrediting agency.
The session, titled “Vaccinating against the Covid-19 Virus: Engaging Multiple Sectors for a Successful Vaccination Campaign,” tackled the communication and logistical challenges associated with vaccine distribution.
For the session, a panel of cross-sectional campus experts were formed.
They included:
Denise Pacholski, DNP, APRN, NP-C, College of Nursing
Stephanie Smith, MPA, College of Communication and Information
Steven Paciorek, PhD, Director of Human Services, City of Brecksville
Gregory Ivanovics, MPH, Lieutenant/EMT-Paramedic, Euclid Fire Department
Matthew Stefanak, MPH, College of Public Health (moderator)
The panel engaged students in a discussion on how to most effectively reach at-risk groups for vaccination. Students were also split into groups to brainstorm individual issues.
Interprofessional Education sessions will continue every semester, with the next session in spring likely remaining focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shortly after the session, The College of Public Health announced that a $100,000 grant from The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation was awarded. The Elisabeth Prentiss Foundation is a charitable trust that supports and advances healthcare in Northeast, Ohio.
The grant will be used to enhance interprofessional education opportunities for students by supporting guest speakers, special events, and more.