Center for
Interprofessional
Education
Center for Interprofessional Education
Dear SCU Community,
During the week of November 3, the SCU Center for Interprofessional Education (IPE) hosted its Fall IPE events—dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that brought together students and faculty from multiple health disciplines. These events reinforced a core principle: high-quality, whole-person care emerges when professionals learn with, from, and about each other.
Record-Breaking Fall IPE Participation
This year, more than 350 students from 10 academic programs participated—a new record for SCU IPE events. Programs included:
- Ayurveda
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Doctor of Chiropractic
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy – California
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy – Arizona
- Master of Science: Physician Assistant
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
- Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
- Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics
- Master of Science in Medical Sciences
Integrative Learning in Action
Students worked on complex, real-world patient cases, integrating conventional and complementary health practices. These immersive sessions highlighted the impact of interprofessional collaboration in improving patient outcomes.
Participants strengthened essential skills, including:
- Collaborating effectively with patients, caregivers, and colleagues to provide coordinated care
- Applying the unique expertise of each health profession to optimize patient outcomes
Student Leadership in Action
Students in the California Occupational Therapy program served as student facilitators, developing skills in team management, mentoring, and feedback. Their leadership enriched the learning experience for all participants.
Measured Growth in Competencies
Fall IPE emphasized two core Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies: Roles and Responsibilities and Teams and Teamwork—the foundation of effective, collaborative healthcare. Pre- and post-assessments showed meaningful gains, demonstrating students’ readiness to engage confidently in team-based clinical practice.
Faculty Leadership and Gratitude
The success of IPE relies on faculty facilitators who guide, mentor, and model collaborative practice. We extend sincere gratitude to the faculty and staff whose expertise and dedication made this Fall IPE season possible:
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM)
- Blake Christian Daniels, DC, BS
- Eric (Lung-Cheng) Hsiao, PhD (China), BS, L.Ac
- Henry Hwang, DC, MAOM, L.Ac
- Jenny Yu, DACM, L.Ac
- Lawrence Hsiao, MCM, L.Ac
- Sivarama P. Vinjamury (Prasad), DACM, MPH
Ayurveda (AYU)
- Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, PhD, BAMS, MAOM, L.Ac, FAIHM, C-IAYT
- Naomi Boas, MA
Chiropractic (DC)
- Saharut “Sunny” Nilchavee, DC, MSEd, BS
Foundational Health Sciences
- Preetideep Singh, MD, FAIHM, MBBS
Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Brett Buford, OTD, OTR/L
- Emily Grullon, OTD, OTR/L, BS
- Joanna Seber, OTD, OTR/L, MS, BA
- Kalyn Briggs, PhD, OTR/L
- Karen Keptner, PhD, OTR/L
- Rachelle Murphy, DHSc, OTR/L, DipACLM
Physician Assistant (MSPA)
- Ruben Mora, MD, BS
- Joel Tetzlaff, DC, MSPA, PA-C
- Sonya Earley, EdD, MA, CDCES, PA-C
- Daniel Walk, MSPA, PA-C
- Kristy Goodman, MS, MPH, PA-C
- Roshalda Williams, DMSc, MS, PA-C
Physical Therapy (PT)
- Mohammad H. Hadadzadeh, PT, MPT, PhD
- Breanne Fletcher-Hardy, PT, DPT
Center for IPE Staff
- Nicole Amaro
- Dia Bonifacio
Looking Ahead
SCU’s IPE programming continues throughout the academic year, offering students, faculty, and community partners ongoing opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and lead in advancing integrative whole health.
Whether returning or joining for the first time, we invite you to be part of SCU’s commitment to interprofessional, whole-person care. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare—one team, one patient, one learning experience at a time.
Happy IPE,
Karina Magridal, EdD, MA
Dean of Interprofessional Education