Eastern Michigan University trains future health care workers to collaborate across disciplines with strong focus on patient care

Upcoming event to shed light on pandemic and its impact on mental health and delivery of care

Students from different CHHS programs work together treating a person acting as a patient at the 2018 IPE event.
Above, students from different CHHS programs collaborate at the 2018 IPE event. This year's event will be hosted virtually.

YPSILANTI –The Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) will virtually host more than 150 students and faculty from nine different CHHS programs during the EMU Excellence in Interprofessional Education (IPE) event -- an interprofessional education gathering from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12. 

The EMU Excellence in IPE event is designed to reinforce and strengthen collaboration across multidisciplinary teams through interprofessional education. In this setting, students are introduced to real-world case studies in an effort to further improve the dynamics between health care professionals across disciplines. 

“Many reports have captured the significant impact the pandemic has had on hospital systems, patient care and mental health,” said EMU Associate Professor and Co-Director of Nursing and IPE Simulation Kathy Seurynck. “This year’s event will expose students to frontline health care professionals from different professions who all were impacted during the pandemic.”

Students will learn first-hand about the mental health toll the pandemic has had on health care workers and participate in breakout sessions to further explore these issues. The event will conclude with a session on how to deal with the mental stress of the pandemic. Students will receive a certificate for their participation.  

“Interprofessional education events are critical to the profession because we’re able to learn from each other and inform our future providers,” said EMU Associate Professor and Co-Director of Nursing and IPE Simulation, Linda Myler. “These key learnings help strengthen our caregivers and equip them with the necessary tools to help improve the quality of care patients value and expect.”

This event is part of EMU’s Interprofessional Education initiative, a collaborative approach to develop healthcare students as future interprofessional team members. IPE fosters an educational culture that provides pre-professional learning opportunities that integrate disciplines and teach the teamwork approach to patient-centered care.

To learn more about the event, contact EMU Associate Professor and Co-Director of Nursing and IPE Simulation//EMU Excellence in IPE, Kathy Seurynck, at kseurync@emich.edu or EMU Associate Professor and Co-Director of Nursing and IPE Simulation/EMU Excellence in IPE, Linda Myler, at lmyler@emich.edu. Students can also register with their faculty champions. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

October 27, 2021

Written by:
Melissa Thrasher

Media Contact:
Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu
734-487-4401