Lightning Talk

Leading Collaborative Interprofessional Pro Bono Care to Elevate Student Learning and Community Impact

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CDT
collaborationequityengagement

This Lightning Talk presents an innovative interprofessional model at the Birmingham Free Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where students and faculty across diverse health professions collaborate to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Once a month, teams including Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students and faculty, medical students, attending and resident physicians, nurses, pharmacists, AmeriCorps volunteers, interpreters, and community health workers lead team-based assessments and interventions to address patients’ complex medical, functional, and social needs.

Student feedback, using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS), demonstrates significant growth in core competencies such as communication, role clarity, teamwork, and conflict management. These interprofessional learning outcomes support the Quadruple Aim by improving student wellness, increasing value-based care, and enhancing patient experience and health outcomes. Firsthand student narratives underscore the transformative power of this collaborative model. Additionally, patient feedback was collected, highlighting the clinic’s community value, informing clinic improvements and deepening student learning through real-world community impact.

Designed for participants new to or with some experience in interprofessional education, this session provides a replicable example of integrating community engagement with interprofessional practice. Attendees will gain practical insights into designing community-based learning experiences that prepare students for interprofessional collaborative practice while addressing health disparities.