Succession Planning Strategies for Sustaining Interprofessional Leadership Continuity
As healthcare systems continue to evolve, the need for sustainable leadership in interprofessional practice and education (IPE) has never been more urgent. High turnover, burnout, and an aging workforce threaten the continuity of interprofessional initiatives that are essential to improving health outcomes, especially in underserved and rural communities. This workshop offers a practical, inclusive, and outcomes-driven approach to succession planning as a strategic tool for sustaining interprofessional leadership.
Participants will be introduced to strategies for succession planning that include leadership gap analysis, leadership development, and alignment with organizational goals. The session will include a real-world case study of a new IPE director who inherits a leadership role with limited documentation, mentorship, or strategic guidance. This scenario will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore collaborative problem-solving and strategy development.
The workshop is designed to be interactive and inclusive. It is co-facilitated by a diverse team, ensuring the strategies presented reflect the lived experiences of various learners and communities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to differentiate between succession and replacement planning, apply tools to assess leadership gaps, and design a succession plan tailored to their organization’s IPE mission.
This workshop directly supports the NEXUS Summit 2025 theme of Developing and Sustaining Leadership in Interprofessional Practice and Education. It also fulfills several of the Summit’s priority criteria. It emphasizes measurable outcomes such as improved retention and leadership readiness and provides strategies to sustain IPE efforts. Furthermore, it is designed to impact the Quintuple Aim by enhancing patient experience, improving population health, increasing value, and promoting the well-being of the healthcare team while advancing health equity.
Ultimately, this session empowers participants to promote leadership pathways that are inclusive, strategic, and sustainable. By embedding succession planning into the fabric of interprofessional practice, organizations can ensure that their collaborative efforts not only endure but thrive while advancing health for all.
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.