What is Interprofessional Education (IPE) at Iona?
A Signature Feature of an Iona Health Professions Degree
Learn Together. Serve Better.
Interprofessional Education (IPE) prepares future healthcare professionals to collaborate across disciplines to meet the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities. Through IPE, students learn with, from, and about one another—developing the skills required for effective, team-based practice.
At Iona University, IPE is embedded throughout professional preparation to improve outcomes, support provider wellbeing, advance equity, and strengthen the quality and effectiveness of care and services.
What Makes IPE at Iona Distinctive
Integrated Curriculum
IPE is fully embedded within discipline-specific coursework and experiential learning—not added on, but built in.
Competency-Based Learning
Students progress through scaffolded learning experiences aligned with nationally recognized interprofessional competencies established by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC).
Real-World Preparation
IPE mirrors contemporary practice environments where collaboration, communication, and shared decision-making are essential.
I loved how we got split up into groups and each one of us was from a different field. This is what the future will look like as practicing professionals so it was nice to get this experience now.
How Students Learn Through IPE
Foundational Experiences
Full-day interprofessional learning retreats held each fall and spring.
Applied Learning Opportunities
IPE Community-based fellowships • Interprofessional simulation laboratory experiences • Real-world IPE experiences in student training clinics • Educational programming opportunities in the community
Wellbeing & Professional Sustainability
Students can earn a microcredential in Interprofessional Education that highlights their skills in teamwork, communication, and collaborative practice—helping them stand out to employers and enter the workforce prepared for team-based, real-world settings.
Guided by the Quintuple Aim
IPE at Iona aligns with the Quintuple Aim, reflecting the priorities of effective interprofessional collaborative practice to:
- Advance health and educational equity
- Enhance provider experience and wellbeing
- Improve care and service outcomes
- Enhance the experience of individuals, families, and communities served
- Improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of care and service
Core Competencies for Collaborative Practice
IPE learning experiences are grounded in the IPEC “Core Four” competencies:
- Values & Ethics – Practice with mutual respect and shared values
- Roles & Responsibilities – Understand and value each profession’s expertise
- Interprofessional Communication – Communicate clearly and effectively across teams
- Teams & Teamwork – Apply team dynamics to deliver coordinated, person-centered care
Working all together is a ticket to the best patient-centered care. Every role is essential to helping the patient holistically…All of these professions are connected in some manner, whether it is all at once or only a few, working together is the only way.
I liked how this workshop challenged us to see other perspectives and look within ourselves to identify biases that might affect our quality of care given.
Preparing Collaborative Leaders
IPE at Iona prepares graduates to enter the workforce ready to collaborate, lead, and innovate across healthcare, educational, and community settings—improving outcomes and advancing wellbeing across the lifespan.
