Interprofessional Education Awards

Online Via Zoom
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 1pm-4pm

Register Here by Wednesday, April 1, 11:59 pm
Registered participants will be sent the Zoom link.

Submit Award Nominations Here by Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59pm

Submit Abstracts Here for Spotlight Presentations/Lightning Talks by Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59pm

Overview

The first annual IPER Research & Awards Showcase highlights scholarship, innovation, and excellence in interprofessional education (IPE) at Texas A&M.  This event features research and programmatic initiatives that advance collaborative practice, team-based learning, ethics, systems thinking, and workforce readiness in the health professions.

Awards & Recognition

The Showcase includes recognition of excellence in interprofessional education, including awards for:

• Innovation in IPE Design
• Excellence in Evaluation and Outcomes
• Advancing Collaborative Practice
• Outstanding Student Contribution
• Faculty Leadership in IPE

Award criteria and categories are detailed in the tabs to the left.

Scholarship

Distinct from the broader IPER Symposium, the Showcase focuses specifically on the design, implementation, evaluation, and impact of interprofessional education.

This year’s Showcase includes three presentation formats:

• Clarion Address & Feedback Forum — Featuring winners of the local student Clarion Competition
• Spotlight Presentations — 15-minute in-depth presentations
• Lightning Talks — Concise, high-impact summaries (3-5 minutes)

Together, these formats create a dynamic event for sharing evidence-based practices and innovations that strengthen collaborative health professions education.

Clarion Address & Feedback Forum

The Clarion Talk showcases the winning team of the local Clarion Competition. These students exemplify excellence in communicating interprofessional concepts clearly and persuasively to broad audiences. 

The Clarion format emphasizes:

• Clear articulation of interprofessional challenges
• Insightful analysis of team-based care or education models
• Compelling storytelling grounded in evidence

Learn more about the Clarion Competition:  https://health.tamu.edu/iper/student-learning/clarion/index.html

Spotlight Presentations

Spotlight Presentations provide approximately 10 minutes each for deeper exploration of IPE-focused scholarship. These talks highlight:

• Curricular design and program evaluation related to interprofessional education
• Student assessment aligned with IPEC Core Competencies
• Interprofessional simulation and experiential learning innovations
• Outcomes related to collaborative practice readiness
• Ethical and systems-based interprofessional case development

Spotlight sessions allow presenters to examine methodology, implementation strategy, evaluation metrics, and implications for scalable IPE practice.

Lightning Talks

Lightning Talks are fast-paced presentations designed to communicate key findings and ideas succinctly. These brief talks emphasize:

• Emerging IPE initiatives
• Pilot data or program evaluations
• Practice-based insights
• Innovations in faculty development or assessment

Lightning Talks foster cross-program exchange and catalyze dialogue across disciplines engaged in IPE.

Who Should Attend

The IPER Research & Awards Showcase is designed for:

• Faculty and staff engaged in IPE curriculum and assessment
• Students participating in IPE initiatives
• Educational leaders and program directors
• Staff and partners supporting collaborative practice training

 Questions:  iper@tamu.edu

Overview

The Office of   Interprofessional Practice, Education, & Research  (IPER) offers two types of awards:

1. Interprofessional Education (IPE) Excellence  awards (by nomination), and
2. Spotlight Presentation & Lightning Talk  awards (by People's Choice at event).

The purpose of these awards   is to encourage, recognize, and reward distinguished individual and team efforts within and in collaboration with Texas A&M Health. These awards and related guidelines were developed by the  IPE Leadership Team , which includes representation from all Texas A&M Health colleges/schools.

These awards are presented annually. Up to $8,000 in total is awarded in faculty, staff, student, and community partner categories (see Excellence & Lightning Talk Award Amounts). Each awardee receives a certificate and is featured on the IPER website and social media. Awards are only given when there is a qualified nominee and does not need to be given every year.

Terminology

• Interprofessional Education (IPE) “occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes” (World Health Organization, 2010, p. 7)
• Collaborative practice, also called interprofessional practice (IPP), occurs when “multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, carers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care” (World Health Organization, 2010, p. 7).
• Research focuses on the pedagogy for interprofessional education and/or collaborative practice (Excellence Awards, Spotlight Presentations, and Lightning Talks)
  
  • Basic science submissions are not appropriate for this venue.
• Teaching encompasses didactic, simulation, clinical, online, and service/experiential learning settings.

References

World Health Organization. (2010).  Framework for action on interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

• Faculty and staff must be employed by Texas A&M University or Texas A&M Health to be eligible for Excellence and Showcase awards.
• Students must be enrolled at least part-time at Texas A&M University or Texas A&M Health to be eligible for Excellence and Showcase awards.
• Individual nominees for Excellence awards must not have received the award previously.
• Individual faculty nominees for the Excellence in IPE, Teaching award must have had IPE teaching or supervisory responsibilities directly with health professions students at Texas A&M University or Texas A&M Health; faculty team nominees must have had a leader or co-leader position with the same.
• For faculty to be eligible for Showcase IPE Activity award, the interprofessional activity submitted must be registered in the IPE Learning Activity Registry.
• Nominations for the Community Partner Award for Interprofessional Excellence must be for organizations that have contributed significantly to promoting the opportunity or environment for interprofessional learning.

Members of the IPE Leadership Team (or their college proxy) will evaluate nominations for Excellence Awards submissions. The review will consist of members from at least two health professions disciplines.  Any IPE Leadership Team member (or their proxy) who is nominated for an Excellence Award will not be included in the review process for their award category.

Lighting Talk awards are based on People's Choice and are voted on by symposium participants during the event.

Leadership Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type - Individual, Faculty
Purpose - To recognize a leader whose contribution has had a significant impact on IPE at Texas A&M Health or Texas A&M University
Criteria - Demonstrates excellence in leading IPE through at least 3 of the following 5 criteria:

• Acting as an organizational champion for interprofessional education and inspiring others across Texas A&M Health and Texas A&M University to engage in IPE activities
• Promoting collaborative practice among Texas A&M health professions learners and in the local or regional community
• Serving as an exemplary role model of the IPEC Core Competencies
• Developing organizational and/or institutional structures to support the development/implementation of IPE
• Actively contributing toward the mission of Texas A&M Health IPE

Teaching Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type - Individual/Team, Faculty
Purpose - To recognize an individual(s) whose efforts have made a significant and sustained impact on interprofessional learning for Texas A&M health professions students
Criteria - Exhibits excellence in facilitating interprofessional learning groups by meeting at least 3 of the following 4 criteria:

• Engages in interprofessional curriculum development, implementation, and/or evaluation and/or facilitates programmatic initiatives for learners of two or more professions simultaneously to foster a climate of mutual respect and shared values (Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice)
• Actively involved in or coordinates/leads initiatives that motivate learners to use knowledge of their own roles and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of patients/clients and to promote and advance the health of populations (Roles/Responsibilities)
• Promotes communication with and among learners, peers, and professionals in health and other fields in a respectful and responsive manner that supports a team approach (Interprofessional Communication)
• Educates learners on relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different team and leadership roles (Teams and Teamwork)

Research Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type - Individual/Team, Faculty
Purpose - To recognize excellence in academic research that informs and advances pedagogy for interprofessional education and/or the field of collaborative practice
Criteria - Nominee must have conducted research that is directly related to interprofessional education and/or collaborative practice (see Awards Overview & Terminology) and grounded in the relevant literature. This includes, but is not limited to theoretical perspectives, methodologies, evaluation, and generation of evidence-based knowledge. The research direction should be indicative of innovation which has the potential to encourage further research, either by the faculty member or others in the field.   Note: Research conducted by interdisciplinary teams does not automatically qualify for this award. See Awards Overview & Terminology. For questions, contact IPER Assistant Vice President, Chris Kaunas at ckaunas@tamu.edu.
Appropriate Areas for Scholarship - For this award, appropriate areas of scholarship directly inform and advance interprofessional education and/or collaborative practice to achieve the Quintuple Aim. The main focus of the Journal of Interprofessional Care, the Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, and the Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice and Education is interprofessional education and collaborative practice. These publications provide numerous examples of areas of scholarship that are an appropriate focus for this award.

Pillar Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type -  Individual, Staff
Purpose - To recognize the outstanding commitment and invaluable contribution of staff to  interprofessional education at Texas A&M
Criteria - Nominee must have participated in a service capacity for at least one interprofessional activity organized through the Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education, & Research (e.g., data collector for Disaster Day). Nominee must demonstrate knowledge of the IPEC Core Competencies and how they apply to students, staff, and faculty.

Student Leadership Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type -  Individual/Team, Student
Purpose - To recognize a student(s) whose efforts have resulted in a sustained impact on interprofessional education at the Texas A&M
Criteria - Exhibits excellence in contributions to interprofessional education at Texas A&M through at least 3 of the following 4 criteria:

• Assumes a leadership role in programmatic activities where students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other simultaneously to foster a climate of mutual respect and shared values (Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice)
• Plays a leadership role in programmatic activities that encourages students to use knowledge of their own roles and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of patients/clients and/or to promote and advance the health of populations (Roles/Responsibilities)
• Promotes student communication with peers and professionals in health and other fields in a respectful and responsive manner that supports a team approach (Interprofessional Communication)
• Applies and advances training in the principles of team dynamics and relationship building values to effectively perform in different team roles to develop programmatic activities and deliver patient and/or population-centered care in future practice (Teams and Teamwork)

Community Partner Award for Interprofessional Excellence

Type - Organization
Purpose - To recognize and thank community partners across the state of Texas that provide and sustain transformative learning opportunities for Texas A&M health professions students from two or more professions to learn about, from, and with each other
Criteria - Eligible partners are those that support the Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education, & Research’s mission, which was developed by the IPE Leadership Team, to:

• provide faculty and students with transformative interprofessional learning experiences that support the development of skills needed for patient-centered, collaborative practice;
• advance research and scholarly activity of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice; and/or
• advance the practice of effective and efficient interprofessional team-based care to improve individual patient and population health outcomes.

Nominator's should review this document, which is a .pdf of the Excellence Award Nominiation Form, before submitting the Excellence Award Nomination Form.  This will aid in ensuring nominators are awared in advance of submission what is required for a nomintation.  For example, nominator's must include the following documents:

• Letter of Nomination from Dean(s) which emphasizes how the nominee or team meets the award criteria
  • If the nomintation is for a team, the single Letter of Nomination should be on behalf of/signed by all relevant deans.
• 1-3 Letters of Support (students, faculty, other collaborators), which focus on the nominee’s or team's distinguished efforts to elevate interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

Files should be in .pdf format.  Use the file naming conventions in the examples below.

• Smith_School.pdf (individual nomination)
• Team Name.pdf (team nomination)

Spotlight Presentations & Lightning Talks

Overview

Spotlight Presentations and Lightning Talks provide an opportunity for Texas A&M health professions students, faculty, and staff to share their efforts and research related to interprofessional education (IPE) or collaborative practice (IPC).

Abstracts should focus on either of the areas below:

1. Interprofessional Activity (e.g., in the classroom, co-curricular, simulation, experiential learning, learning in practice, etc.)
2. Research related to IPE or IPC
   • For examples of the types of IPE and IPC research that will be accepted, review submissions to the journals listed on this webpage.
   • NOTE: Basic science research is not appropriate for this venue.

Abstract Acceptance Criteria

Submitted abstracts are accepted based on the criteria below.

• Interprofessional Activity
  • Focus on IPE or IPC
  • Educational Purpose of Activity
  • Description of Activity Development
  • Mapping to IPEC Core Competencies
  • Student Assessment and/or Activity Evaluation
  • Potential for Sustainability

• Research related to IPE or IPC
  • Focus on IPE or IPC
  • Well-defined Aims/Background
  • Appropriate Methodology
  • Appropriate Analytical Interpretation
  • Sound Discussion
  • Potential for Publication

Spotlight Presentations & Lightning Talks

Presenter Information

For accepted abstracts, presenters may be the submitting author (for individual submissions) or an individual selected by a team on behalf of the team's effort.

The presenter must:

• attend the IPER Research & Awards Showcase to present their talk during the scheduled session
• prepare and submit a slide deck for Spotlight Presentations or submit one slide for Lightning Talks
  • The IPER Office team will share and advance slides during the sessions.
• prepare a 10 minute talk for Spotlight Presentations or a 3–5-minute talk for Lightning Talks

People's Choice Award Criteria

Awards are based on People's Choice and are voted on by Showcase participants during the event.  Participants will be encouraged to select presentations that: 1) demonstrate clarity of purpose, 2) have substantial impact on IPE/IPC, and 3) are well organized and professionally presented.

2024 Award Recipients

Congratulations! Below are the awardees for the 2024 Interprofessional Education Excellence Awards and Lightning Talks Awards.

Excellence Awards

Student Leadership Awards for Interprofessional Excellence - Students

Karyme Naik-Santana

College of Nursing

Lexie Discher

College of Nursing

Teaching Awards for Interprofessional Excellence - Faculty

Tara Maxa

College of Nursing

Leadership Award for Interprofessional Excellence - Individuals

Carly McCord

TeleHealth

Lightning Talks: People's Choice Awards

TOPS: Texas Wide Support for TEXAS HB 3908 "Tucker's Law" Initiatives Designed to integrate Evidence-Based Prevention Education with Innovative Upstream Solutions for at-risk students, School-Based Care Models, Community Awareness & Engagement, and Insights: Cutting-edge Field-based GIS Data Technology.

Dr. Joy P. Alonzo, M.Eng, PharmD, COP; Dr. Marcia Ory, PhD, MPH, SPH; Dr. Ninfa Purcell, PhD, MCHES, SPH; Dr. Keith Biggers, PhD, TCAT

IPER Symposium Past Awardees