CHCS - Perspectives Winter/Spring 2016

COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES • 11 The PA—Orlando Program has participated in emergency simulations with paramedics and nurses, mock disaster drills, and multiple sports physicals with other nurses, physicians, and physical therapists. On September 28, 2015, the PA—Jacksonville class of 2016 students collaborated and participated in a burn-patient simulation with neighboring institution St. Johns River State College. “Interprofessional education is important for the growth and development of our students, who will be working in interprofessional medical teams upon graduation,” said Kerry Whitaker, D.H.Sc. , PA-C, who serves as program director of the PA—Jacksonville Program. “The value of introducing medical teams in the medical home as part of the educational process will prepare our students to communicate to other team members more effectively, as well as utilize available resources to ensure patients receive quality patient care and improve overall patient health care outcomes.” Interprofessional education will continue to be an important initiative as it becomes more popular within academic curricula. The IPE Best Practices Sub- committee Forum plans to expand its current resources and events within the CHCS. For more information on the CHCS IPE Subcommittee, please contact Sandra Dunbar at (954) 262-1305 or Suzie Wolf at (904) 245-8976. ■ “Interprofessional education is important for the growth and development of our students, who will be working in interprofessional medical teams upon graduation.” —Kerry Whitaker, D.H.Sc. , PA-C From left: Jillian Capas, Andrew Goodwin, and Rajesh Krishnan, interprofessional program students