The award was established in 2017 as the IPEC/USPHS Public Health Excellence in IPE Collaboration Award and was renamed in 2020 as the IPEC/COF Excellence in IPE Collaboration Award following the addition of the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF) as a co-sponsor.
Explore past award recipients and the innovative projects recognized for their contributions to interprofessional education, collaborative practice, and community health.
Previous Awardees
Congratulations to all our award recipients!
2026
Mitchell S. Howard, PharmD, MBA, BCACP College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo
Susan Batten, PhD, APRN-CNS, FNP-C College of Health & Human Services, School of Nursing, University of Toledo
Richard Paat, MD College of Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Toledo
Project: CommunityCare Free Medical Clinics
An interprofessional student-led initiative at a student-run free clinic connects underserved, low-income patients with free or low-cost medications through patient assistance programs, helping address medication access barriers and improve continuity of care.
2025
Jodie L. Guest, PhD, MPH Rollins School of Public Health, Office of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice, School of Medicine, Emory University
Emilia Grill, MPH School of Medicine, Emory University
Alexander Kendall, MS, PA-C School of Medicine, Emory University
Project: Emory Farmworker Project
An interprofessional service-learning project from Emory University engages students across disciplines to provide culturally responsive care and health education to over 1,800 migrant farmworkers annually in rural Georgia, addressing health disparities through hands-on collaboration.
2024
Asim Abu-Baker, PharmD Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy
Kelly Sopchak, PhD, LSSP, MSCP Texas A&M University School of Medicine
LeRoy A. Marklund, DNP, MPH, RN Texas A&M University School of Nursing
Project: An Interprofessional Team of Faculty Collaborates with the State of Texas’ Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) to Provide No-Cost Health Care Services in South Texas
In a full-scale emergency training exercise led by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) volunteers—including Texas A&M Health students, staff, and faculty—have in recent years contributed to the provision of nearly 37,000 free services to over 8,500 underserved and uninsured individuals.
2023
Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN UNC School of Nursing
Hugh Tilson, JD, MPH North Carolina Area Health Education Centers
Amir Barzin, DO, MS Carolina Together Testing Program
Amanda Gabbard, MS UNC Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice
Project: The Rural Interprofessional Health Initiative (RIPHI) and Carolina Student Services Corps
Through the UNC Rural Interprofessional Health Initiative (RIPHI) and Carolina COVID-19 Student Services Corps (Carolina CSSC), over 2,000 students have participated in an unfolding case focusing on rural population health, 170 students have been embedded in 9 rural communities, and over 1,800 students have volunteered 34,000 hours to pandemic relief.
2022
Carlene Taylor, EdD, LMHC, NCC, ERYT, ESMHL University of North Florida Brooks College of Health
Danielle Free, MS-CMHC, MSPP University of North Florida Brooks College of Health
Jessie Stapleton, PhD, MSEd University of North Florida Brooks College of Health
Project: OspreyPERCH: Prevention, Early Intervention and Resiliency through Counseling & Holistic Health: An Integrative Behavioral Health Clinical Training Program
Offering help that inspires hope, University of North Florida's OspreyPERCH is a behavioral health clinical training program that supports students in well-being.
2021
Ibtihal Al-Makhzoomy, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE Kean University School of Nursing
Mahchid Namazi, MS, PhD, CCC-SLP Kean University School of Communication Disorders and Deafness
Mariann Moran, OTD Kean University Department of Occupational Therapy
Project: The Effectiveness of Patient Navigation using Motivational Interviewing and m-Health Technology on Patient Activation & Engagement for Self-management Practices in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Pilot Study
The Kean University Center for Health Equity, Education, Research & Practice shared a community-based program to promote access and equity for racial and ethnically diverse populations with chronic conditions who were affected by COVID-19.
2020
Jennifer N. Smith, PharmD, BCPS University of the Sciences
John R. Patro Jr., OTD, OTR/L Monmouth University
Luzan Phillpotts, DO, MPH Nova Southeastern University
Project: An Interprofessional Approach to International Outreach Experiences
An intercollegiate partnership between University of the Sciences, Monmouth University, and Nova Southeastern University led to the development of interprofessional, international medical outreach experiences to Jamaica and Guatemala.
2019
Patricia A. Reidy, DNP, FNP-BC, RN MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing
Marya J. Cohen, MD, MPH Crimson Care Collaborative, Massachusetts General Hospital
Project: Crimson Care Collaborative: An Interprofessional Academic-Practice Partnership
A student-faculty clinic, the Crimson Care Collaborative provides primary care through several clinical sites.
2018
Robert P. Pack, PhD, MPH East Tennessee State University Center for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Angela Hagaman, MA, LPCA East Tennessee State University Center for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Alice McCaffrey, Director Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition
Project: East Tennessee State University Responds to the Opioid Epidemic Through Interprofessional Education, Community Engagement, Research, and Clinical Care
The evolution of East Tennessee State University's response to the opioid epidemic shows how communities, universities, and providers can and should work together.
2017
Heather Peralta, DHSc, MSN, RN College of Nursing, University of Central Florida
Judith S. Simms-Cendan, MD College of Medicine, University of Central Florida
Priya K. Patel, BS College of Medicine (MedPACt), University of Central Florida
Alexander Diaz, BS College of Medicine (MedPACt), University of Central Florida
Project: Harnessing the Strength of Inter-Professional Teams to Provide Comprehensive Care for the Farmworkers of Apopka, Florida
With the Farmworkers Association, teams of University of Central Florida students and faculty provided free clinics for uninsured farmworker families.
Honorable Mention Projects
Each year, honorable mention finalists are selected from across the country to represent innovative projects connecting higher education and health care. Click on a year below to explore the recognized projects and teams.
Thank you to all project team members for the work you’ve done—and continue to do—to improve the health, knowledge, and wellness of your students and communities!
Health Communications & Health Technology Florida Gulf Coast University Interprofessional Training to Prepare Future Health and Related Service Providers for Working with Individuals with IDD Across the Lifespan
Behavioral Health University of California, Irvine Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care Fellowships - An Interprofessional Workforce Model Advancing Behavioral Health Equity and Care Delivery
Public Health Infrastructure Creighton University The Interprofessional Practice Navigator (IP-Navigator): A Community-Driven Approach to Addressing Barriers to Psychiatric-Mental Health Care in an Urban Safety-Net Clinic
Community Empowerment Stony Brook University Promoting Public Libraries with Heart: An Innovative Interprofessional and Community-based Team Model for High Blood Pressure Care
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities Samford University Enhancing Dementia Knowledge, Awareness, and Sensitivity through Interprofessional Training
Health Communications & Health Technology University of Hawaii at Hilo and University of Hawaii at Manoa TELepresence InterProfessional RoboT (TELIPoRT) for Pharmacy and Nursing Students in Hawaii
Behavioral Health University of Mary Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Experiential Learning Project: Its Impact on Physical and Respiratory Therapy Students Using ISVS-21
Public Health Infrastructure Florida Gulf Coast University Disaster Day Simulation
Community Empowerment Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Worcester Enhancing Interprofessional Education through a Community-Based Falls Awareness Event for Older Adults
Health Communications & Health Technology West Virginia University Using Telemedicine Simulation to Prepare Interprofessional Teams for Transitions of Care
Behavioral Health Clinical Experience with Improved Patient Outcomes
Public Health Infrastructure University of Alabama at Birmingham Alabama Health Professionals Opioid and Pain Management Education (ALAHOPE)
Community Empowerment Stony Brook University Promoting Community-Academic Partnerships through an Innovative Interprofessional Team Based Model: The Stony University at Buffalo
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities University at Buffalo Harmony in Hematology: Interprofessional Strategies for Educating Students about Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities Salisbury University Transformational Stories: Transgender Individuals Experiences Seeking Services in the Salisbury MD-DE Metro Area
Behavioral Health University of Mary Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Student IPE Community Project
Public Health Infrastructure University of Georgia Modeling Collaborative Interprofessional Care through a Mass Outbreak Simulation
Community Empowerment University of South Dakota Child and Adult Advocacy Studies Interprofessional Simulation
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities University at Buffalo University at Buffalo’s Lighthouse Clinic: Reducing Barriers to Care and the Impact of Social Determinants of Health
Health Communications & Health Technology Yale University Virtual Interprofessional Education (VIPE)
Behavioral Health Concordia University Wisconsin Safe Seniors In-home Visit Collaboration – Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
Public Health Infrastructure Winona State University Bridges Health: An Innovative and Replicable Interprofessional Community and Public Health Clinical Education Model Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Advancing Health Equity
Community Empowerment New York University Educating Students Early About Fostering Interprofessional Relationships Focused on Patient-Centered Care to Build Long Lasting Relationships for the Future
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities University of Illinois Chicago Addressing Healthy Eating and Lifestyles in a Federally Qualified Health Center: An Interprofessional Quality Improvement Project
Health Communications & Health Technology Oregon Health & Science University Interprofessional Care Access Network (I-CAN)
Behavioral Health Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education A Suite of Three Interprofessional Education Public Health Programs: Impacting Students and Patients
Public Health Infrastructure University of North Texas Health Science Center Learning Health Literacy through Interprofessional Service Learning
Community Empowerment University of Missouri–Kansas City University of Missouri Kansas City Health Professions Dramatic Sexually Transmitted Disease/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Education Project
Health Communications & Health Technology Rosalind Franklin University Improving Access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Through Student-Led, Interprofessional Collaboration
Behavioral Health University at Buffalo University at Buffalo’s Lighthouse Clinic: An Interprofessional Initiative to Address Prominent Health Disparities in Western New York
Public Health Infrastructure St. Louis University IPE 4900 Interprofessional Community Practicum
Community Empowerment Wayne State University Community Homeless Interprofessional Program (CHIP): Navigation and Functioning in Student Teams
Health Communications & Health Technology Rosalind Franklin University Telemedicine: Crossing Global Barriers to Health Education and Patient Care to Prevent Lower Extremity Amputation
Behavioral Health University of Utah Utah Health & Homes Collaborative (UHHC): A Community-based Interprofessional Education (IPE) Approach for Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Public Health Infrastructure MGH Institute of Health Professions S-IHP’s CAP: Spaulding–IHP’s Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program
Community Empowerment Howard University Howard University Interprofessional Workgroup: Confronting the Epidemic of HIV/AIDS
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities Stony Brook University Leveraging Synergies: Using Interprofessional Teams to Amplify Clinical Preventative Services Access and Utilization among Vulnerable Older Adults
Health Communications & Health Technology Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Community Paramedicine
Behavioral Health University of Alabama at Birmingham Bridging the Gap: Caring for Birmingham’s Most Vulnerable Populations
Public Health Infrastructure MGH Institute of Health Professions Crimson Care Collaborative: An Interprofessional Academic-Practice Partnership
Community Empowerment East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse Working Group
At Risk and Vulnerable Communities University of Alabama at Birmingham Increasing Access to Healthcare Services through an Interprofessional, Student-Led, Health Education and Medical Screening Program for Homeless Men in Birmingham Alabama
