Since 2012, the Interprofessional Initiative (IPI) has helped drive an educational revolution at OHSU. Interprofessional education (IPE) occurs when learners from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other in order to collaborate more effectively. Working across OHSU's schools and programs, our IPE program aims to create healthcare workers who are committed to making team-based, patient-centered care the new standard. The success of the Interprofessional Initiative relies on collaboration among administrators, faculty, students, community partners and patients.

OHSU’s Interprofessional Education Initiative is a signature experience for students in the clinical health professions at OHSU. We offer a variety of interprofessional educational opportunities for our students across many of our programs.

The core of our initiative is the IPE Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice Course, where incoming clinical program students take part in an institution-wide course. The course focuses on the four IPE Core Competencies (teams/teamwork, communication, roles/responsibilities, ethics/values), patient safety, and collaborative care. This collaboration with two other Oregon institutions – Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology - is only possible thanks to the continued financial support of OHSU and sustained joint efforts of our programs, faculty, students, and staff.

The Campus for Rural Health (CRH) Program offers another opportunity for interprofessional education. In clinical rotations offered through the CRH, students from across programs learn, live, and work together while engaging with the local community, deepening their understanding of collaborative practice in challenged rural healthcare settings.

While there are core courses dedicated to IPE, there are also electives, events, and experiences offered throughout our programs - please explore all of the ways we practice interprofessional education at OHSU. Under the direction of the IPI Steering Committee, composed of members from different schools and programs, OHSU will continue to facilitate and grow quality interprofessional education, practice, and research.

Nominations now open for the IPE Education Curriculum Development Award!

Faculty from across OHSU's missions, Schools and Colleges are eligible. This award recognizes an individual or team for outstanding contributions to the development of IPE curricula involving courses, activities, sessions, or collaborations in the didactic, clinical, simulated or community environment. The award will be given at the annual OHSU Education Symposium closing plenary as a physical award, recognition of accomplishments, and award money up to $3,000 to be used for attendance at an IPE-related conference for the following academic year.

The nomination deadline is April 1, 2025. Please nominate through Smartsheet (to be updated in 2025).

Nominations are open to:

• Faculty from all missions (clinical, education, research, community outreach), schools and colleges within OHSU
• Self-nomination or colleague nomination 

The IPI steering committee will review applications, decide on the winner, and give the award at the OHSU Education Symposium.  Applications should include:

• Letter outlining contributions to IPE curriculum 
• Updated CV(s) 
• Additional letters of support (optional) 

Questions? Email ipe@ohsu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

IPE Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice

2023-2024 In person (and some online sections) IPE Foundations