The Woodruff Health Sciences Center Office of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) hosted its second annual IPE-ACTS Day on Friday, Jan. 31. Launched in spring 2024, IPE-ACTS (Interprofessional Education – Achieving Collaborative Team Solutions) is the required interprofessional training course for students in the schools of medicine, nursing and public health. This year, IPE-ACTS Day included more than 1,220 students working in 119 interprofessional teams to address 10 different Atlanta-based health challenges.
In 2025, IPE-ACTS Day was transformed into a fast-paced, one-day, health challenge hackathon. Health science faculty and Emory Healthcare providers served as IPE-ACTS Day faculty champions who presented the student teams with 10 health challenges impacting communities in Atlanta or across the state of Georgia. Student teams were tasked with creating a project or program addressing one of the 10 health challenges that could improve the health of an Atlanta- or Georgia-based community. The student teams worked together using the Interprofessional Education Collaborative core competencies to develop and present their concepts at the end of the day. Judges for each health challenge selected a winning student team.
“When we created IPE-ACTS, our goal was to give our students a real-world problem that affects the health of Atlantans and to have them work together in interprofessional teams to create ways to bring health to communities,” says Jodie Guest, co-director of the Office of IPECP.
“Our academic programs are rigorous and finding time to bring every first-year health professional student together to learn and collaborate is hard but so very worth it,” Guest adds. “Each of us who served as faculty champions was really impressed with the solutions student teams developed in such a short period of time. Personally, the energy from the students to tackle these problems made me very hopeful for our future. More broadly, our office hopes to find ways to implement some of the best concepts our students developed.”
Beth Ann Swan, co-director of the Office of IPECP, agrees. “Applied team-based activities are one of the best ways for health professional students to learn how to work together, which will be essential when they graduate and are working in either a clinical team or in a community public health setting,” she says. “We are pleased with our modifications to the IPE-ACTS course and IPE-ACTS Day and hope our students had a good experience learning about each other’s health professional roles and how to work in an interprofessional team to solve a problem.”
For more information on the IPE-ACTS course, please visit the WHSC Office of IPECP website.
Click each challenge name to learn more about the 2025 IPE-ACTS faculty champions, winning concepts and winning team members.
Faculty Champion
Susan Brasher, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN
Assistant professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Winning Concept
Books on the Bus (go round and round)
Develop partnerships between bookmobiles and existing rural health outreach programs to provide children with access to a language specialist
Team Members
Adrianna Alvarado, Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
Ashley Bazor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Cynthia Cabral Bonilla, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Yasmith Farnan, Rollins School of Public Health
Eleane Lema, Rollins School of Public Health
Daniella Meza, Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
Georgia Symbas, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Monica Villalpando, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Amanda Wade, Emory University School of Medicine Anesthesiology Assistant Program
Tyler Washburn, Rollins School of Public Health
Faculty Champion
Rebecca Philipsborn, MD, MPA
Associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Winning Concept
HeatShield Justice Coalition
Develop a course coordinated and funded by Emory Healthcare that provides Georgia high school athletic trainers, band directors and other school administrators with knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related illnesses in their students
Team Members
Jennifer Amaefuna, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Charunya Bheem, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Suhas Das, Rollins School of Public Health
Ruel Hanlan, Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
Yi-Tien Hsu, Rollins School of Public Health
Amaria Robinson, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Laura Rogers, Rollins School of Public Health
Alex Ross, Emory University School of Medicine Anesthesiology Assistant Program
Lejun Shen, Rollins School of Public Health
Andrew Williams, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Faculty Champion
Ilana Graetz, PhD
Associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health
Winning Concept
Coalition of Access for Diabetes (CAD)
Establish CAD to advocate for a law that requires PeachCare for Kids to cover continuous glucose monitoring for enrollees diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and to develop an interprofessional program that serves underserved populations
Team Members
Temi Falae, Rollins School of Public Health
Alyssa Jesse Hugo, Rollins School of Public Health
Niaria Leach, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Saad Maan, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
John Meshramkar, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Fray Olson, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Krystal Owusu-Yaw, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Megha Patel, Rollins School of Public Health
Julia Pitino, Rollins School of Public Health
Faculty Champion
Jason Schneider, MD, FACP
Professor, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Winning Concept
G.A.I.D. – Gender Affirming Incentivized Database
Incentivize health care providers in metro Atlanta to complete cultural competency training and create a publicly accessible database of these providers to increase queer people’s access to knowledgeable care
Team Members
Pasquelle Aggett-Carosella, Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program
Amanda Carson, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Sonali Dharanipragada, Rollins School of Public Health
Gurleen Khaira, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Zavier Mason, Rollins School of Public Health
Jazmon Perkins, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Emma Rabley, Rollins School of Public Health
Margherita Rampichini, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Shreya Shankar, Rollins School of Public Health
Laura Silva, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Faculty Champion
Jeb Jones, PhD, MPH, MS
Assistant professor, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health
Winning Concept
PrEPPared, NOT Judged
Establish a program that educates health care providers on HIV and PrEP as part of holistic health to decrease stigma and increase access.
Team Members
Kailyn Belle Isle, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Luciana Carrasco, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Bisrat Dessalegn, Rollins School of Public Health
Isaias Muñoz, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Abha Namjoshi, Rollins School of Public Health
Natalie Ozuna, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Codi-Ann Reid, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Hanyu Song, Rollins School of Public Health
Brian Zhou, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Faculty Champion
Helen Baker, PhD, MSc, FNP-BC
Associate professor, clinical track, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Winning Concept
Empowering Birth: Expanding Doula Access for Maternity Health
Develop a program to connect mothers and other birthing people with doulas for supportive maternity care, with a focus on rural communities and people of color
Team Members
Z Bekemeyer, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Olivia Cappelletti, Rollins School of Public Health
Mirra Chinta, Rollins School of Public Health
Alexandra Fox, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Aysia Hilliard, Emory University School of Medicine Genetic Counseling Training Program
Jessie Himes, Rollins School of Public Health
Brittany Holness, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Za’ni Minto, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Jacob Shtulman, Rollins School of Public Health
Tylar Williams, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Faculty Champion
Martha Ward, MD
Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
Winning Concept (tie)
STAY: Supporting Teens and Youth – Tomorrow Needs You
Develop the STAY Program, which includes sensitivity training for teachers, trained peer mental health ambassadors, awareness training through curriculum and presentations, and youth-centered support
Team Members
Dayna Dorestin, Rollins School of Public Health
Dalia Habash, Rollins School of Public Health
Elanna Jahanfar, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Silvia Kaur, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Joseph Lee, Rollins School of Public Health
Megan Miller, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Leilany Muñoz, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Tanasha Reid, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Kencey Spindler, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Ruth Wei, Rollins School of Public Health
Winning Concept (tie)
LIFT: Laugh, Inspire, Friendship, Thrive
Establish a mentor group for middle-school children to improve school experiences through group activities such as board games, exercise and guided conversations between students and teachers
Team Members
Chizaram Anyaegbu, Rollins School of Public Health
Denise Bonenberger, Rollins School of Public Health
Hailey Falzone, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Ashleigh Grace, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Lily Kamat, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Alyssa M. Leal, Rollins School of Public Health
Leigha Lee, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Alec Rosenthal, Rollins School of Public Health
Erika Thomas, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Lauren Turner, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Faculty Champion
Sarah Febres-Cordero, PhD, RN
Assistant professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Winning Concept
SAFENEST: Innovative App to Reduce Harm on Campus
App development leads to a safer, more informed college community where students have immediate access to harm reduction resources, lifesaving tools and educational support
Team Members
Alion Belvin, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Gizelda Florindo, Rollins School of Public Health
Dazhanae Houston, Rollins School of Public Health
Sonia Hurwitz, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Londyn James, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Ryan Lee, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Parker Nowell, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Mahsan Sadegh Aghdam, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Amy Stabley, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Sean Stielow, Rollins School of Public Health
Faculty Champion
Jodie Guest, PhD, MPH
Professor and vice chair, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health
Co-director, WHSC Office of IPECP
Winning Concept
Huggies Child Vaccine Initiative: From First Hug to First Steps – Vaccines Protect Every Moment
Partner with Kimberley-Clark, the manufacturer of Huggies diapers, to communicate and increase awareness of childhood vaccinations in Georgia in each package through information and access to community messaging
Team Members
Kyle Forrester, Emory University School of Medicine Anesthesiology Assistant Program
Eduardo Gonzalez Santiago, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Peicheng Ji, Rollins School of Public Health
Anna Leland, Rollins School of Public Health
Sydney Martin, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Jasmine Ordaz, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Haley Powell, Rollins School of Public Health
Emily Reichman, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Peighton Reilly, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Brittany Ta, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Ephratta Woldearegaye, Rollins School of Public Health
Faculty Champion
Janikqua Cutno, LMSW
Director, Violence Prevention Program, Emory Hillandale Hospital, Emory Healthcare
Winning Concept
Community Planning to Prevent Gun Violence
Comprehensive program that includes community needs assessment, development of community center and evaluation and dissemination designed to reduce violence in Black Atlanta neighborhoods
Team Members
Arabella Barnes, Rollins School of Public Health
Madison Brantley, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Prachi Desai, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Kate Franco, Rollins School of Public Health
Kafi Hamler, Emory University School of Medicine Genetic Counseling Training Program
Varun Mosur, Emory University School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program
Maya Ogbodo, Rollins School of Public Health
Nazanin Pourshivari, Emory University School of Public Health Anesthesiology Assistant Program
Brittany Saxon, Rollins School of Public Health
Elle Sunkara, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing