Students from across Wisconsin, studying various health fields, earned cash prizes for winning first, second and third place at a statewide healthcare case competition organized by Wisconsin AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) on Friday January 12, 2018.
Taking first-place and a $3,000 cash prize, representing Northeastern AHEC were team members: Adam Koopmann (Concordia University of Wisconsin, PharmD), Elizabeth Bajczyk (Concordia University of Wisconsin, PharmD), Katie Pellino (UW-Madison, MPH), and Alexandra Restaino (Concordia University of Wisconsin, OT).
Taking second-place and a $2,000 cash prize, representing South Central AHEC were team members: Delaney Cairns (UW-Madison, Pre-Med), Sarah Kohn (Madison Area Technical College, Pre-Med), Henry Thompson (Madison Area Technical College, Healthcare Chaplain), and David Scott (UW-Milwaukee, Biomedical Sciences).
Taking third-place and a $1,000 cash prize, representing Northwest AHEC were Wisconsin Indianhead Technical students: Debra Ledin (WITC, ADN), Sarah Lowe (WITC, ADN), Jamie Zar (WITC, RN), Kari Williams (WITC, RN), and Angela Berg (WITC, CNA).
Nine finalist teams chosen from 18 that applied competed in the event. The teams were made up of students from private and public universities across the state with each of the seven Wisconsin AHEC regions represented. The students were assigned a case study of a complicated situation, and worked together for two months to conduct an analysis of the efforts and opportunities at the hospital and within the community. The team then traveled to the Wisconsin Dells to present their findings and recommendations for enhanced interprofessional collaboration. On the competition day, each team presented its findings and recommendations for collaboration to a panel of judges.
The panel of judges consisted of leaders from multiple disciplines within Wisconsin’s healthcare community: Tammy L. Filipiak, Vice President of Clinical Development for Midwest Dental; R. Shelly Lancaster, Assistant Dean/Director of Pre-Licensure Programs for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; Kathy Loppnow, Education Director for Health Sciences at the Wisconsin Technical College system; Kristin Stearns, Executive Director of LakeShore Community Health Centers; and Hailey Bussan, WI AHEC Alumni and UW- Madison Associate Research Specialist.
The Wisconsin AHEC System is a non-profit organization funded by federal grants, the State of Wisconsin, the state’s health professions training programs, and local communities. It consists of seven regional centers and one statewide program office. Wisconsin AHEC is a health professions education and outreach program that is part of a nationwide network of programs working to improve accessibility and quality of primary health care while encouraging universities and educators to partner in addressing local health care problems. Wisconsin AHEC provided meals and lodging for students attending the competition, along with opportunities to network with healthcare professionals from around the state. Photo album available here