In July 2007, an initiative to address interprofessional health education began at the Northeastern Ohio Universitites Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. Our goal is to explore interprofessional health education, the potential for collaboration in northeast Ohio and its potential impact on the healthcare system.

On August 9, 2007, a meeting entitled "Improving Patient Care through Interprofessional Health Education: What are the possibilities?" was held to brainstorm and gain valued input in regards to interprofessional health education from educators and health care practice leaders.

A dynamic and collaborative discussion was held on interprofessional health education and its importance in the health care system. To broaden the outreach, it was decided that an educational program would be held. A planning group comprised of representatives from the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, The University of Akron, Kent State University, Cleveland State Univeristy and Summa Health System was selected and program organization began.

On November 9, 2007, a program entitled "Interprofessional Health Education: From Learning Communities to Caring Communities" will be held in the Ralph Regula Conference Center at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy.

DeWitt C. Baldwin Jr, M.D., Scholar-in-Residence, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) will speak on Building Interprofessional Education and Practice from the Ground Up: Changing the Cultures of Professional Education and Medical Care

and

Susan E. Sterrett, MSN, MBA, University of Pittsburgh, will speak on Forming Communities of Practice: Education of Health Professionals in Interprofessional Settings

Interested parties may register at:

http://www.neoucom.edu/RSVP/IPHE_11.9/