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