Teams from each of AHEC Wisconsin’s seven regional centers converged once again this year at the Interprofessional Healthcare Case Competition. The challenge, held at the Kalahari Resort from January 9 to 10, 2020, gave both graduate and undergraduate students pursuing various healthcare careers the opportunity to collaborate in teams and exhibit their innovative solutions to contemporary healthcare dilemmas.
First-place team members were Medical College of Wisconsin students representing Milwaukee AHEC: Megan Cory (MCW, Medicine), Wasif Osmani (MCW, Medicine/PhD), and Cassandra Rucks (MCW, Pharmacy).
The second place team represented Northeastern AHEC: Bailey Morrow (Concordia University of WI, Physician Assistant), Anna Gomez (Concordia University of WI, Pharmacy), Alan Banh (Concordia University of WI, Pharmacy), Kiley Hopf (Concordia University of WI, Social Work) and Rebekah Hadle (Concordia University of WI, Occupational Therapy).
Third place went to a team representing Northwest AHEC: Ashley Rauwolf (WITC-Superior Gerontology), Kjera Gustafson (WITC-Superior AD Nursing ), and Lynette Wester (WITC-Superior, AD Nursing).
The panel of judges comprised of the following notable figures within Wisconsin’s healthcare community: Betsy Roesler, Richland County Drug Free Communities Coordinator; Rachelle Lancaster, Assistant Dean/Director of Pre- Licensure Programs at University of WI-Oshkosh; Roger Rego, CFO of Bridge Community Clinic; Kristin Stearns, Executive Director of Lakeshore Community Health Centers; and Logan Stiegman, AHEC Alumni.
The students were assigned a case encapsulating an area for healthcare improvement, and each team worked together for two months to conduct an analysis of the efforts and opportunities within this community setting.
In addition to the challenge, Wisconsin AHEC also hosted an interprofessional resource fair this year known as the I.P. Village. The walk-around fair accommodated stations for 16 professionals from multiple health professions. The hosts of the I.P. Village stations included a registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, nurse educator, EMT, public health worker, AmeriCorps member, social work and counselor/therapist. Touring the I.P. Village and talking with professionals at the stations gave students an opportunity to explore roles and responsibilities through the perspective of different healthcare professionals.