Presenters:
Elizabeth Swann, Sherrica Taylor, Terry Nelson, Dana Famularo, Rosemery Estevez, Shari Rone-Adams, Christina Kane, and Daniel Segura
In today’s healthcare environment, collaboration across disciplines is essential for safe, effective patient care. To prepare students for this reality, we’ve developed a unique educational experience that bridges academic learning with clinical practice using TeamSTEPPS—a nationally recognized framework for improving teamwork and communication in healthcare.
This initiative brings together students from multiple health-related programs to learn and practice essential team-based skills in both classroom and clinical settings. Through interactive simulations, real-world scenarios, and guided reflection, students gain hands-on experience in communication, leadership, mutual support, and situational awareness—skills that are critical in any healthcare setting.
Faculty play a central role in this process. By integrating TeamSTEPPS principles into their teaching, instructors help students connect theory to practice, fostering a deeper understanding of how collaboration impacts patient outcomes. The program also encourages faculty from different disciplines to work together, modeling the very teamwork we aim to instill in students.
This approach not only enhances student learning but also strengthens the connection between academic instruction and clinical application. It supports a culture of safety, respect, and shared responsibility—values that benefit both learners and the communities they will serve.
Whether you teach in health sciences or another field, this model offers valuable insights into how interprofessional education can be woven into curriculum design. Join us in exploring how TeamSTEPPS can transform the way we teach, learn, and care—together.
