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Woodruff Health Sciences Center recognizes students for commitment to interprofessional education

During a December ceremony, 43 graduates from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program (PA) received their Interprofessional Education Certificate of Distinction certificate. Theirs was the largest cohort of students to receive the honor since the program was launched in fall 2023. 

The IPE Certificate of Distinction recognizes students and trainees from Emory’s three health professional schools who have demonstrated a strong commitment to interprofessional education and have distinguished themselves by participating in approved IPE-experiential learning opportunities while at Emory.

“We are delighted to honor our health professional students who are working in interprofessional teams serving our communities outside of the classroom. Each of these students volunteered more than 100 hours outside of the classroom to be eligible for this certificate,” says Jodie Guest, co-director of the Office of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice. “Their work and dedication are extraordinary, providing much needed care. These cross-curriculum and cross-school collaborations fundamentally change the way we teach and how our students learn. The fact that more students apply for this certificate each semester illustrates the incredible work our students are doing and the growing reputation of this interprofessional certificate.”

This fall, 41 PA program graduates and two nursing school graduates were awarded Certificates of Distinction, marking the first time nursing students have participated in the program. While taking full class loads, certificate recipients engaged in extracurricular interprofessional activities such as the Emory Farmworker Project, the Farm Worker Family Health Program, Health Students Taking Action, Portal de Salud and Universities Allied for Essential Medicines to earn the honor.

“I was thrilled to see nursing students receive a certificate and be honored for their efforts in interprofessional educational work that goes above and beyond what they do in the classroom,” says Beth Ann Swan, co-director of the Office of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice. “It’s our goal to continue to grow the reputation of the program among nursing school students and trainees both to make them aware of this honor and to encourage them to pursue interprofessional educational opportunities.“

The office will award the next round of certificates in May 2025. Visit the Office of IPECP website to learn more about the IPE Certificate of Distinction program.

See the full list below of the WHSC graduates who received fall 2024 IPE Certificates of Distinction.

Kimberly Blackwell, Emory University School of Medicine

Mykaila Blumhardt, Emory University School of Medicine

Sophia Bobrek, Emory University School of Medicine

Quentin Brady, Emory University School of Medicine

Lauren Carson, Emory University School of Medicine

Eliza Clarke, Emory University School of Medicine

Alana Davidson, Emory University School of Medicine

Alex Deger, Emory University School of Medicine

Julia Doppelt, Emory University School of Medicine

Carson Evans, Emory University School of Medicine

Kendra Farrand, Emory University School of Medicine

Megan Foltz, Emory University School of Medicine

Francesca Gallucci, Emory University School of Medicine

Kyra Gray, Emory University School of Medicine

Sanya Holm, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Bailey Hooper, Emory University School of Medicine

Saadia K. Jones, Emory University School of Medicine

Dulani Kankanamge, Emory University School of Medicine

Ryan Keen, Emory University School of Medicine

Ellie Kelsey, Emory University School of Medicine

Woojung Kim, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Mikhayla Kleich, Emory University School of Medicine

Kathleen Knight, Emory University School of Medicine

Caitlin Leverenz, Emory University School of Medicine

Nikki Massey, Emory University School of Medicine

Justo E. Ortiz Matos, Emory University School of Medicine

Kerry McGowan, Emory University School of Medicine

Maggie McKay, Emory University School of Medicine

Keisha Michel, Emory University School of Medicine

Ajetha Nadanasabesan, Emory University School of Medicine

Pamela Okolie, Emory University School of Medicine

Kasey O’Shields, Emory University School of Medicine

Melissa Rubio, Emory University School of Medicine

Emily Sanford, Emory University School of Medicine

Ellie Smith, Emory University School of Medicine

Megan Smith, Emory University School of Medicine

Isabella Snyder, Emory University School of Medicine

Ada Spahija, Emory University School of Medicine

Jessica Szymczak, Emory University School of Medicine

Amari Thomas, Emory University School of Medicine

Amy Toner, Emory University School of Medicine

Tameira L. Turner, Emory University School of Medicine

Bryanna Williams, Emory University School of Medicine

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