WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 26, the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) announced the recipients of the joint 2018 Public Health Excellence in Interprofessional Education Collaboration Award during the IPEC Summer 2018 Council Meeting in Washington, D.C. The recipients from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) were selected for their exceptional achievements related to their project East Tennessee State University Responds to the Opioid Epidemic Through Interprofessional Education, Community Engagement, Research, and Clinical Care.
Recipients are recognized for their innovative and collaborative approach to community health and public practice in addressing illicit drug abuse within the Central Appalachian region.
“The ETSU Center for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment is a groundbreaking model on how to drive true change to the community and to opioid addiction programs and services,” said Rear Admiral Pamela M. Schweitzer, Pharm.D., BCACP, Chief Professional Officer of Pharmacy and Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service. “ETSU’s Opioid Addiction Prevention and Treatment Center truly embodies the spirit of USPHS and IPEC. They aim to utilize all health professions to protect, promote, and advance the health of the Nation.”
This year, the USPHS IPEC Award sought novel approaches to community and public health practice. Five additional universities were celebrated as honorable mention winners who demonstrated significant achievements in special public health promotion categories.
“Congratulations to all of the 2018 USPHS IPEC award recipients! We commend each of these interprofessional leaders for their exceptional, decisive, and inspiring accomplishments,” remarked Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., R.Ph., IPEC President and Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. “Through their collaborative work and committed action, a multifaceted approach can make a lasting impact on people’s lives and the regions and communities in which they live.”
USPHS and IPEC commend schools across the country working to promote, encourage, and support interprofessional education and collaborative practice to ensure the health of individuals and populations. The criteria, deadline, and application form for the 2019 award cycle will be announced in late September 2018.
To learn more about the USPHS IPEC Award and for more details about the call for submissions, visit the website at www.ipecollaborative.org.
About the Interprofessional Education Collaborative
IPEC’s mission is to ensure that new and current health professionals are proficient in the competencies essential for patient-centered, community- and population-oriented, interprofessional, collaborative practice. Eligible institutional members must be associations that represent and serve academic units at institutions of higher education that provide an educational program leading to the award of one or more academic degrees to students in one or more of the health professions that provide direct care to patients. For more information about IPEC, visit www.ipecollaborative.org.
