The Greater Texas Gulf Coast Engage Me Series (GTX-GEMS), led by the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice (OIPEP), exemplifies how sustained community forums can bridge academia, healthcare, government, and advocacy sectors to advance public health and interprofessional collaboration.
Hosted monthly from September to May, each GTX-GEMS session features panelists representing diverse professions and perspectives—including UTMB clinicians and researchers, public officials, advocacy leaders, and health system representatives. Topics span critical regional and national issues, such as adolescent behavioral health, health disparities, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and their new frontier on addiction treatment, headaches, and the healthcare workforce talent pipeline Events are free and open to the public, promoting equitable access and fostering inclusive dialogue through structured panels, community breakfasts, and live Q&A sessions.
GTX-GEMS is guided by an interdisciplinary Think Tank composed of faculty, students, and community stakeholders who identify emerging topics and analyze event presentations and discussion for potential advocacy, research or public health initiatives. This collaboration has led to a proposed interprofessional policy advocacy program, student capstone or dissertation projects, and public health partnerships, making the initiative a model for advocacy-driven, interprofessional engagement.
Preliminary data from the 2025 series shows strong participation from medical students and health professionals. Observational and survey data continues to inform improvements to accessibility and representation. Looking ahead, OIPEP plans to integrate predictive AI tools to develop an annual economic health report, using insights from these forums to forecast trends and inform regional policy.
This lightning talk will explore how GTX-GEMS fosters authentic interprofessional collaboration across sectors, empowers student involvement in public policy, and supports community-engaged learning. Attendees will gain insight into replicable strategies for designing inclusive public health dialogues that activate partnerships, inform research, and shape healthier futures for individuals, families, and communities.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
