IPE Day 2024

Moderator: Phyllis Simon, OTD, OTR/L, FNAP, Occupational Therapy

Jide Williams MD, MS in Public Health of VP&S and Mailman presents on “Desegregating Care in Neurology.”

Maura Abbott, PhD, AOCNP ​​ of the School of Nursing and recently announced Director of the Division of Nursing Practice presents on the increase in health access and equity afforded by the new nursing division.

Moderator: Monica Lypson, MD, MHPE, VP&S Vice Dean for Education 

Amy Herbert, DDS, Director of CDM Mobile Dental Clinic presents on the community accomplishments of the Mobile Dental Clinic in serving children, seniors, and patients at CHHMP Student-Run Clinic.

Lindsey Maclay leads the Student-Run Clinics of CUIMC and will describe the health services afforded to community patients in CoSMO, Q-Clinic, CPAP, CHHMP, and the Behavioral Health Services.

Bethel Assefa (MPH Student), Audrey Canoy (OT Student), Praneetha Inampudi (Dental Student), Stephanie Smith (SW Student) and Sara Stoffmacher (SW Student)   

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

This workshop will explore current trends and risk factors for substance use among older adults, as well as tools and strategies for engagement when supporting clients/patients. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this workshop will also explore the use of Motivational Interviewing and narrative therapy as intervention tools and allow participants to practice both. The goal of this workshop is for participants to better understand the impact of substance use on the health of older adults and feel better equipped to support impacted communities.   

Melissa Patterson (MD, MBA), Sophie Rivera (LMSW), and Javier F. Urrutia (MA, MT-BC, LCAT)

 In-Person

This workshop will bring together faculty from an interdisciplinary team with expertise in geriatric medicine and palliative care to raise awareness of the importance of planning and supporting patients, families, and their loved ones during difficult decision making at the end of life, particularly in patients with advanced dementia.

Nishita Dsouza (PhD, MPH), Kevonyah Edwards (MSW, LMSW), Charles Lea (PhD), and Elwin Wu (PhD)                     

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Imposter syndrome is a pervasive feeling of not belonging, feeling like a fraud, and fearing that one's "deceit" will be found out by others. Co-facilitated by a team that spans the academic lifespan from doctoral student to full professor, this multimodal workshop will engage participants regarding who is at increased risk of imposter syndrome (those from minoritized and/or marginalized groups); how it manifests variously for different people, contexts, and professions; strategies to cope with imposter syndrome at the individual level; and organizational and institutional ways to address and redress imposter syndrome. 

Ross Frommer (JD) and Heather Krasna (PhD, MS, EdM) 

 In-Person

Good ideas are wonderful; good ideas supported by evidenced based practice are even better. But how do health care or public health experts, professionals, students, and patients convert these good ideas into policy? In this session we will attempt to have students learn some basic advocacy skills and apply those skills in a mock lobbying visit with an elected official. 

Bella Brocato (she/they), (MPH Candidate in Sociomedical Sciences), Jennifer Glick (Esq, Survivor Advocate - CUIMC), Shivangi Kwatra (She/Her) (HBSc, MS Candidate, Peer Educator) and Michele Paolella (LMSW, Assistant Director, SVR-CUIMC)                                                                                                                                 

 In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The word consent has been understood within two primary contexts: socially during sexual interactions and medically when providing informed consent in healthcare settings. Join us to explore and broaden our shared understanding of the word “consent.” Participants will work in small groups to explore the social impacts of applying consent-seeking behaviors. We will then focus more deeply on the concept of consent in medical settings. Using the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam best practices for consent seeking, we will explore several situations in which patients might or might not provide consent.

Carli Wargo (LCSW, CASAC) and Lee Westover (MS, OTR/L)                                                                                                                                                                        

Viritual                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Overdose deaths are at an all-time high, treatment-as-usual is not keeping pace, and homelessness is at crisis levels. Providers will encounter, and thus must be prepared to address, substance use and homelessness regardless of their practice setting. In this workshop, participants will develop a deeper understanding of Harm Reduction as a treatment framework and facilitate an exploration of how to apply principles across settings.  

Soren Glassing (BFA)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 In this workshop Palliative Care Chaplain, artist and Zen Monk Soren Glassing will present how he brings art into working with the dying. Through the therapeutic tools of looking at art, writing, and making art, Soren will present ways in which he has helped patients and families at the end of life. He will cover the specific needs of the dying, and ways in which participants can explore and use art as a tool for healing. The second half of the workshop is experiential in that Soren will lead the group in a simple spiritual art exercise. Requirements for participation: curiosity, a sense of play and no art experience needed, this workshop will be a great practice of selfcare.        

Laurel Abbruzzese (PT, EdD, FNAP), Hetty Cunningham (MD) and Ashley Graham-Perel (EdD, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE)                                                              

In-Person                                                           

This workshop will gather an interprofessional team of faculty and students to discuss ways to integrate critical race theory and organizational psychology frameworks to build the capacity of the next generation of health professionals to work together in diverse teams with the goal of maximizing healthcare quality and safety.

Rabbi Ralph Kreger                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Virtual AM & PM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

NYC is by far the most diverse place in our country. One group who you will certainly encounter while treating patients is the Orthodox/ Hassidic Jewish Community. While caring for this patient population you will encounter many behaviors and decision making which you will not experience from other patients. The purpose of this presentation is to equip the clinician with knowledge so he or she will not be blindsided by unusual requests while treating this crowd. Topics include Jewish Medical Ethics (end of life) and more.

Benjamin Schwartz (MD)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

In this workshop, we’ll take an unusual, creative approach to examining the fundamentals of communication and alliance-building. We'll use cartoons to practice skills of attention, observation, imagination, and collaboration as participants work in pairs to recreate humorous drawings that have been described to them but not shown. No drawing experience necessary!

Kyle Murray (MS RD CDCES) and Ana Rodriguez (MPH RD)                                                                                                                                                                                    

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Food insecurity is prevalent in the communities New York-Presbyterian Hospital serves, and negatively impacts the health outcomes of low-income and minority New Yorkers. To address issues that are systems-driven, interdisciplinary cooperation is key. Clinical expertise and intervention are only as effective as the world we put it to work in. How are we as community health professionals working together to build a safer and better-fed New York? Community Nutrition experts Ana Rodriguez and Kyle Murray of the New York-Presbyterian CHALK (Choosing Healthy and Active Lifestyles for Kids) will lead this discussion and question and answer session.   

Nicole Bayne (RN, MPH) and Mary Beth Terry (PhD)                                                                                                                                                                                                 

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Research has long been exclusionary, led by clinical and academic institutions and done to – instead of with – communities. With the recent increase in attention to the need for community engagement in research, it is important to understand that involving community is more than a box on a checklist. Effective, inclusive research with the goal of achieving health equity requires important questions to be addressed: How is “community” defined? Who is involved in and what are their roles? What outcomes can be achieved together that cannot be accomplished in silos? In this IPE workshop, facilitated by individuals from across Columbia University schools and COMMUNITY Center partners, we will discuss health disparities, health equity and strategies for establishing bidirectional partnerships to develop innovative interventions. The COMMUNITY Center, which brings together an interdisciplinary team of investigators, health care providers and community organizations, was formed to address disparities in multiple chronic diseases throughout New York City. This workshop will highlight co-creation and advocacy, community-based participatory research, and community science, allowing participants to explore the resulting implications for health and justice. We will emphasize how an interprofessional network can disrupt norms as we strive for equity.

Janis Cutler (MD)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

In-Person (9:00am-12:15pm) Traveling Via Bus                                                                                                                                                                                             

Creedmoor Psychiatric Center is a state psychiatric hospital in Queens with an art studio/display space called the Living Museum. This field trip will consist of interacting and observing with the art that was created by patients of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. There will be two vans picking students up at 9:00am and they will return at 12pm.

Kassandra Harrelson (Doctor of PT 25), Sam Rosenberg (Doctor of PT 25), Joanna Samuel (Doctor of PT 26), and Sabrina Wu (Doctor of PT 25)                                

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

This workshop explores underserved groups of people that healthcare professionals will interact with in their professional careers. (Categories are 1. Substance abuse/addiction 2. Unhoused groups 3. Immigration status 4. Ableism 5. Transgender/non-binary bias) Participants will proactively and collaboratively seek out information and resources within their respective professions and exchange dialogue with other professions to create a creative product (poster, video, song, dance, picture, story, presentation). 

Lisa Bernstein (MSW Candidate), Jasmine Chaparro (MD Candidate), Lindsey Maclay (MD Candidate), and Claire Theriault (MSW Candidate)                                         

 In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

In 2023, the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons Student Run Free Clinics (SRFCs) and the Columbia School of Social Work formed a new student led partnership to provide sustainable and centralized social work support for patients of the five SRFCs, to bridge the gaps in healthcare and social determinants of health for vulnerable populations in New York City. Join us for this workshop, which aims to highlight this important partnership and offers the opportunity to practice assessment skills through case studies and larger group discussions.

 Dr. Adrian Matthew Zytkoskee (PhD English / Certified Mind-Body Medicine Facilitator)                                                                                                                                  

 In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Do you ever wish that you were in the habit of journaling but struggle to find the time? Do you see stories in everyday life, both personal and professional, but are not sure how to translate them into language? Do you have experiences that could use venting, processing, and honoring? Please join Dr. Matt as he guides participants through a range of journaling prompts and techniques designed to help writers improve wellbeing and have fun in the process! Sharing is optional and no writing experience is necessary.

Dr. Nia Adimu-Ceja Josiah (DNP, MSN, RN, PMHNP), Kristy Deyeso (DNP, RN, CCRN, CHSE, CHSOS, CPAN), Mary Moran MS, FNP, MPH, RN, CCRN-K, FAAN, and Anthony Young (MSN, RN, CPHQ)                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Step into the Healthcare Interprofessional Education Escape Room and immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure designed to strengthen collaboration and communication among healthcare providers on Interprofessional Education Day. This interactive experience invites nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, social workers, case managers, and occupational and physical therapist to join forces in solving a series of healthcare-related puzzles and challenges. Participants will find themselves in simulated clinical scenarios where effective teamwork is critical for optimal patient care. From diagnosing complex medical cases to devising treatment plans and coordinating care transitions, every puzzle reflects the interconnected nature of healthcare delivery. Through the immersive nature of the escape room, participants will practice sharing information, delegating tasks, and leveraging each other's expertise to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals. By working together under pressure, healthcare providers will develop a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions of each profession and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving patient outcomes and beyond. Are you ready to unlock the potential of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare? 

Anis Alibhai (MPS, RP, MS Narrative Medicine), Olga Lucia Torres (JD, MS), Derek McCracken (MS, MA) and Marcus Mosley (MD, MS)                                       

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Although patients must understand both oral and written communication from their physicians, communication breaks down even when patients and doctors speak the same language. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Project views every healthcare encounter as cross-cultural, and studies have shown that people of every age, race, income, and education level face barriers in obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health information. The responsibility for health literacy doesn’t lie only with patients; rarely are doctors asked to think about how patients discern meaning from the information they receive during a visit. Health literacy aims to respond to this inequity. In these workshops, we will discuss health literacy as it relates to ourselves (Part 1) and our relationships with others (Part 2). Both workshops will include a combination of narrative medicine methods (close reading of a healthcare narrative followed by reflective writing) and best-practice health literacy strategies. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize, frame and address health literacy in a socio-medical context.

Anna Allen (MA), M. Anne Cunney (MS), Siva Rajamarthandan (MS Candidate Narrative Medicine), and Doris Ullendorff (MA, LCSW, MS)                                            

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

In this collaborative workshop, we will explore how listening attentively to another’s story and sharing our own can create a reciprocity of care between provider and patient, or any two individuals. Caring for others is not self-sacrifice; the act allows for the personal and professional gratification that comes from bridging a divide and truly connecting with another, a fundamental need for supporting health literacy. In addition, the result of this experience can provide both self-discovery and self-care. Participants are encouraged to also attend the afternoon session, which is Part 2 of "Stories and Health: Using Narrative Medicine to Enhance Health Literacy.” 

Leah Katz (MD, MPH), Huzaifah Mahmood (MD), Laurel Mayer (MD), and Arthur Smerling (MD)                                                                                                                         

In-Person                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The art of email, text, phone, and EMR communication among care teams can potentially optimize the level of cooperation among a group, as well as contribute to a culture that works to decrease disparities among both workers and patients alike. The increasing volume of communication, however, can also increase team member stress and fractured attention, leading to higher levels of burnout and lower levels/quality of doctor to patient empathy, especially for that of minoritized groups. Learning about how modern modes of communication affects us as caregivers is vital in allowing us to improve our personal use of communication, as well as that within a team-based ecosystem. This workshop will work with students to develop the skills to set necessary boundaries with technological communication to allow them to thrive.  

Michael Devlin (MD) and Erin Ferenchick (MD) 

In-Person

This workshop will introduce students to the concept of “messy painting” and walk them through a guided exercise to turn-off self-censoring and shape, rebuild and transform through art. Students will have the opportunity to explore individually and collectively what is messy and what is magnificent in their lives right now and how this may influence not only caring for patients, families, and communities but, importantly, themselves.     

Latisha Hanson (PMHNP-BC), Patricia Precein (PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA), and Phyllis Simon (OTD, OTR/L, FNAP)  

 In-Person

This workshop will illustrate the challenges faced by members of the interprofessional team when working with victims of trauma. An overview of trauma- informed care principles will be presented through an interprofessional lens. Case presentation and small group discussion will explore factors and considerations needed to address the cultural and clinical sensitivity surrounding trauma. Trauma informed care strategies, techniques, and mechanisms for integration into clinical practice will be reviewed.          

Stephen Douglas (MDiv, MFA), Melissa (Missy) Trull (MDiv, BCC), and Claire Slusarz (CPNP)

In-Person 

“When despair for the world grows in me…I come to the peace of wild things” -Wendell Berry Human beings have sought solace in nature since the beginning of time. Paying attention to the natural elements around us can help us connect to our bodies, our spirits, and our stories. This presentation shares a nature-based, story-telling project first designed for pediatric patients, but applicable to all ages. In this intervention, patients reflect on their medical experience and identity through nature exploration and play. Their nature experiences serve as metaphors to their self-reflections— “tree of me.” Patients also have an opportunity to share their findings through a book-making project. In this presentation we will set up three stations: “Exploring Nature,” “Exploring Self,” and “Sharing with Others.” We hope you join us! 

Lauren Clinton (PhD, Licensed Psychologist) 

In-Person

Patient death is an inevitable part of providing health care. Providers often experience significant emotional impact, accumulated stress, and vicarious trauma from patient loss. These impacts may be experienced most significantly when providers have limited emotional self-care. This workshop will explore the effects of provider grief on both patients and health-care workers, as well as provide tools for navigating and coping more effectively.

Alissa Davis (PhD-Epidemiology), Sara Landers (MSW- Social Work) and Yihang Sun (MSW-Social Work)

In-Person

Many health interventions are developed without community input and engagement, which limits their uptake and relevancy in local communities. Join us for an interactive workshop describing citizen science approaches to intervention development, with a particular focus on crowdsourcing. Participants will gain an understanding of what citizen science is, how to use citizen science approaches in their own work and see examples of content created by youth citizen scientists in Kazakhstan.

Angie Heller (MSW, LMSW) and Sonia Scott (MSSW, LCSW)

 In-Person 

During this experiential workshop, participants will engage in the practice of Schwartz Rounds, a structured forum for interprofessional conversation focusing on the social and emotional experiences of giving care. The Rounds originated at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1997 and have since been adopted by more than 500 healthcare organizations around the world, including CUMIC. Schwartz Rounds have been shown to increase compassion towards patients and families as well as healthcare colleagues, and -- with regular participation -- to improve the psychological wellbeing of participants. (Lown 2010; Maben 2018) The workshop will be led by Sonia Scott and Angie Heller, New York Presbyterian social workers and seasoned facilitators of the Schwartz Rounds program at CUIMC. 

Melissa Patterson (MD, MBA), Sophie Rivera (LMSW), and Javier F. Urrutia (MA, MT-BC, LCAT)

 In-Person

This workshop will bring together faculty from an interdisciplinary team with expertise in geriatric medicine and palliative care to raise awareness of the importance of planning and supporting patients, families, and their loved ones during difficult decision making at the end of life, particularly in patients with advanced dementia.

Ross Frommer (JD) and Heather Krasna (PhD, MS, EdM) 

 In-Person

Good ideas are wonderful; good ideas supported by evidenced based practice are even better. But how do health care or public health experts, professionals, students, and patients convert these good ideas into policy? In this session we will attempt to have students learn some basic advocacy skills and apply those skills in a mock lobbying visit with an elected official. 

Michelle Chen (Social Work Student), Danielle Goldberg (Social Work Student), Grace Hu (MPH Student), and Insa Mannstadt (MD Student)   

  In-Person

The workshop "Aging in Place – or Not: The Hidden Reality of Housing among Older Adults" will delve into the challenges faced by older adults when attempting to age in their own homes. It highlights the disparity between the desire to remain at home and the practical obstacles that are faced by older adults. The workshop uses a narrative medicine approach, incorporating visual aids, case studies, group exercises, and lectures to help participants comprehend the intricacies of aging in place.     

Bella Brocato (she/they), (MPH Candidate in Sociomedical Sciences), Jennifer Glick (Esq, Survivor Advocate - CUIMC), Shivangi Kwatra (She/Her) (HBSc, MS Candidate, Peer Educator) and Michele Paolella (LMSW, Assistant Director, SVR-CUIMC)

In-Person

The word consent has been understood within two primary contexts: socially during sexual interactions and medically when providing informed consent in healthcare settings. Join us to explore and broaden our shared understanding of the word “consent.” Participants will work in small groups to explore the social impacts of applying consent-seeking behaviors. We will then focus more deeply on the concept of consent in medical settings. Using the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam best practices for consent seeking, we will explore several situations in which patients might or might not provide consent.

Soren Glassing (BFA)

In-Person

In this workshop Palliative Care Chaplain, artist and Zen Monk Soren Glassing will present how he brings art into working with the dying. Through the therapeutic tools of looking at art, writing, and making art, Soren will present ways in which he has helped patients and families at the end of life. He will cover the specific needs of the dying, and ways in which participants can explore and use art as a tool for healing. The second half of the workshop is experiential in that Soren will lead the group in a simple spiritual art exercise. Requirements for participation: curiosity, a sense of play and no art experience needed, this workshop will be a great practice of selfcare.

Mark Nathanson (MD) & Faculty

In-Person

This workshop evolves from the case of a frail, homebound, geriatric patient with complex comorbidities, unable to access traditional community-based services, and previously impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic restrictions. The interprofessional faculty facilitates exploration of the psychosocial, nursing, oral health, medical, rehabilitation, nutritional, spiritual, neuropsychiatric, and public health issues raised in this case. Students participate in shared learning and problem-solving small work groups. The emphasis centers on the role of teamwork, understanding and use of community and clinical resources, treatment planning, improvement in quality of life, and the challenges in the delivery of care in the home.

Kyle Murray (MS RD CDCES) and Ana Rodriguez (MPH RD) 

 In-Person

Food insecurity is prevalent in the communities New York-Presbyterian Hospital serves, and negatively impacts the health outcomes of low-income and minority New Yorkers. To address issues that are systems-driven, interdisciplinary cooperation is key. Clinical expertise and intervention are only as effective as the world we put it to work in. How are we as community health professionals working together to build a safer and better-fed New York? Community Nutrition experts Ana Rodriguez and Kyle Murray of the New York-Presbyterian CHALK (Choosing Healthy and Active Lifestyles for Kids) will lead this discussion and question and answer session.  

Richelle Matarazzo (MSW- CSSW) and Stephani Shivers (MEd, OTR/L)      

In-Person   

 "‘Dementia’ Perspectives - Act 2" is a story-telling production featuring individuals living beyond their diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s, or another Dementia. They will share their unique story and lived experience woven into a reader’s theater script. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a facilitated discussion with the goal of inspiring, informing, and educating the diverse field of healthcare professionals on the best practices when working with people who have dementia or related illnesses as we enter this new era of early diagnosis, disease modifying treatments, comprehensive dementia care models and payment reform.

Elwin Wu (PhD)

 In-Person

 White supremacy culture pervades all facets of society, including healthcare professionals’ lives, workplace, educational endeavors, and service delivery/professional practice(s). Come to this workshop to learn how white supremacy culture operates as a universal milieu as well as more discipline-specific/salient manifestations; interactively and collectively brainstorm and problem-solve ways to redress white supremacy culture in healthcare organizations, interdisciplinary and multi-racial/ethnic teams, and service provision; and build commitment and skills to continue a lifelong journey of undoing white supremacy culture in your professional and personal lives.

Jeanne Churchill (DNP, CPNP), Helen Towers (MD), Irene Sprung, LCSW, Senior Social Worker), Mary Tresgallo (DNP, MPH, ACHPN), and Daniel H. Yang (MDiv, BCC)

In-Person

This workshop addresses some of the more common ethical issues in pediatric healthcare. Utilizing a case-based approach with examples, we will address topics such as maternal fetal conflict, consent, adolescent autonomy, truth telling and conflict resolution. An Ethics Committee is a diverse gathering of providers across multiple different subspecialties and disciplines. The registrants in the workshop will participate as ethics consultants and members of an Ethics Committee where they will analyze and discuss the issues of each case and provide recommendations. This approach will address the main themes and goals of the IPE by highlighting interprofessional collaboration in action and strengthening ethical responsive and accountable care.  

Moneek Madra (PHD) and Tirissa Reid (MD)

In-Person

Though food should be one or our easiest decisions our current environment has made food choice extremely difficult. In this workshop we hope to reacquaint students with the importance of mindfulness in eating and how in doing so there can be benefits to diet, health, and overall wellbeing. 

Elizabeth J. Berger (MS, NBCC) 

 Virtual

Misconceptions perpetuated in a recent peer-reviewed publication underscore the need for better interprofessional understanding about what clinically trained professional chaplains do for patients, families, and colleagues. Chaplain Elizabeth Berger uniquely understands the fraught relationship of medical science to other worldviews. After a secular-scientific upbringing, Elizabeth found her calling attending to the inner lives of healthcare professionals. In this experiential workshop, we will explore narrative medicine methodology as a vehicle for clinician well-being, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered care.

Dr. Nia Adimu-Ceja Josiah (DNP, MSN, RN, PMHNP), Kristy Deyeso (DNP, RN, CCRN, CHSE, CHSOS, CPAN), Mary Moran MS, FNP, MPH, RN, CCRN-K, FAAN, and Anthony Young (MSN, RN, CPHQ) 

In-Person

Step into the Healthcare Interprofessional Education Escape Room and immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure designed to strengthen collaboration and communication among healthcare providers on Interprofessional Education Day. This interactive experience invites nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, social workers, case managers, and occupational and physical therapist to join forces in solving a series of healthcare-related puzzles and challenges. Participants will find themselves in simulated clinical scenarios where effective teamwork is critical for optimal patient care. From diagnosing complex medical cases to devising treatment plans and coordinating care transitions, every puzzle reflects the interconnected nature of healthcare delivery. Through the immersive nature of the escape room, participants will practice sharing information, delegating tasks, and leveraging each other's expertise to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals. By working together under pressure, healthcare providers will develop a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions of each profession and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving patient outcomes. The Healthcare Interprofessional Education Escape Room offers a dynamic learning environment where participants can apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges in a safe and engaging setting. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a student just beginning your healthcare journey, this experience will enhance your ability to work effectively within interprofessional teams and beyond. Are you ready to unlock the potential of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare?   

Dr. Adrian Matthew Zytkoskee (PhD English & Certified Mind-Body Medicine Facilitator)

In-Person

Too often, those navigating illness and grief feel pressure to “stop talking about it” and “move on” with their lives. This can be equally true for those who work in fields involving exposure to trauma. However, research shows that exploring our experiences through reflective writing can provide significant health benefits. Please join Dr. Matt as he guides participants through a range of reflective writing exercises designed to help participants release emotion, process uncertainty, bear witness to the human condition, and build community connections. There will be no forced self-disclosure and no writing experience is necessary!

Gracie Bagdon (MSPH 2024), Wagdy Eissa (CDM 2027), Shreya Misra (CDM 2025), and Callie Pettigrew (MPH 2024)

 In-Person

This workshop aims to foster discussion between different disciplines of healthcare on how to provide resources and care for people living with disabilities. First, an overview of the Social Model of Disability and the disability in the United States will be presented. Next, case studies and small group discussions will explore the ways interprofessional care teams can best support people with disabilities within their practice and provided care. Throughout the entire session, inclusive and disability-informed practices will be reviewed.

Alyson Fox (MD, MSCE), Aimee Muth (MSW), and Akhil Shenoy (MD) 

Virtual 

Some end-stage diseases can only be treated by organ replacement. Unfortunately, organs are a limited commodity, and tough decisions must be made about who will and will not have this opportunity. Please observe and participate in the process of a multi-disciplinary team charged with managing these hard decisions.   

Joyeeta Dastidar (MD, MS), Shirley Huang (MS Candidate in Narrative Medicine), Derek McCracken (MS, MA), and Marcus Mosley (MD, MS)    

 In-Person

 Cultural humility teaches that while we can learn about others’ cultures, and this is essential to providing competent clinical care, we cannot presume to understand the entirety or complexity of the Other’s existence. In this narrative medicine workshop on health literacy, we will use visual art as a springboard to discuss the importance of delving beyond the surface of our patients’ lives. We will also use text from a case narrative to understand how things can go awry if we try to promote health literacy in absence of cultural humility. This exploration of health literacy from the perspective of The Other pairs well with morning sessions focusing on The Self, but also may be attended independent of its morning counterpart. 

Sarah Caston (MS Candidate Narrative Medicine), M. Anne Cunney (MS), Olga Lucia-Torres (JD, MS), and Shreya Tamma (MS Candidate Narrative Medicine)  

  In-Person

Although patients must understand both oral and written communication from their physicians, communication breaks down even when patients and doctors speak the same language. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Project views every healthcare encounter as cross-cultural, and studies have shown that people of every age, race, income, and education level face barriers in obtaining, processing, and understanding basic health information. The responsibility for health literacy doesn’t lie only with patients; rarely are doctors asked to think about how patients discern meaning from the information they receive during a visit. Health literacy aims to respond to this inequity. In this workshop, we will discuss health literacy as it relates to our relationships with others. We will employ a combination of narrative medicine methods (including close reading followed by reflective writing) to examine issues of bilingualism, multiculturalism, and access to education. Together, we’ll explore how to use narratives as an entry point to learn about relating to others with humility. 

Jane Kang MD, MS (Bioethics)

In-Person

Using art, this interactive workshop will focus on the skills of observation and evaluate how our lenses, which are affected by our identities or backgrounds, can influence how we see ourselves and others. Through interdisciplinary conversations, we will exchange perspectives, discuss how lenses can affect healthcare delivery and access, and identify ways to advance health equity and justice.   

Leah Katz (MD, MPH), Huzaifah Mahmood (MD), Laurel Mayer (MD), and Arthur Smerling (MD)

In-Person

The art of email, text, phone, and EMR communication among care teams can potentially optimize the level of cooperation among a group, as well as contribute to a culture that works to decrease disparities among both workers and patients alike. The increasing volume of communication, however, can also increase team member stress and fractured attention, leading to higher levels of burnout and lower levels/quality of doctor to patient empathy, especially for that of minoritized groups. Learning about how modern modes of communication affects us as caregivers is vital in allowing us to improve our personal use of communication, as well as that within a team-based ecosystem. This workshop will work with students to develop the skills to set necessary boundaries with technological communication to allow them to thrive. 

Michael Devlin (MD) and Erin Ferenchick (MD)   

In-Person

This workshop will introduce students to the concept of “messy painting” and walk them through a guided exercise to turn-off self-censoring and shape, rebuild and transform through art. Students will have the opportunity to explore individually and collectively what is messy and what is magnificent in their lives right now and how this may influence not only caring for patients, families, and communities but, importantly, themselves.  

Esther Kentish (BA, MS, MSc, PHD)

Virtual

The Emotional Healing Behind WORDS workshop is based on a poetic corpus and critical metadata analysis project that delves into the realms of emotional, psychological, and spiritual development through the medium of poetry. This living, literary organism is designed as a structural catalyst for individuals to express themselves, reflecting on the intricate facets of life. The book presents a comprehensive cross-textual and metadata visualization analysis of a collection of self-authored poems featured in "The Emotional Healing of Words." The textual analyses aim to establish quantitative and statistical correlations between the thematic and literary content and the actual words used in the poems. This unique approach creates a binary relationship between the textual elements and numerical findings, offering insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of God, the surrounding world, and one's innate self. By exploring the emotional and psychological dimensions through the lens of poetry, this project seeks to unravel pertinent information about the human experience. Overall, "The Emotional Healing Behind WORDS" is not just a collection of poems but a journey through quantitative analysis, allowing readers to connect with their emotions, explore the human condition, and gain a profound understanding of the self and the world. The workshop will help writers discuss topics via writing and spoken word.

Latisha Hanson (PMHNP-BC), Patricia Precein (PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA), and Phyllis Simon (OTD, OTR/L, FNAP)

 In-Person        

This workshop will illustrate the challenges faced by members of the interprofessional team when working with victims of trauma. An overview of trauma- informed care principles will be presented through an interprofessional lens. Case presentation and small group discussion will explore factors and considerations needed to address the cultural and clinical sensitivity surrounding trauma. Trauma informed care strategies, techniques, and mechanisms for integration into clinical practice will be reviewed.  

Stephen Douglas (MDiv, MFA), Melissa (Missy) Trull (MDiv, BCC), and Claire Slusarz (CPNP)

 In-Person

 “When despair for the world grows in me…I come to the peace of wild things” -Wendell Berry Human beings have sought solace in nature since the beginning of time. Paying attention to the natural elements around us can help us connect to our bodies, our spirits, and our stories. This presentation shares a nature-based, story-telling project first designed for pediatric patients, but applicable to all ages. In this intervention, patients reflect on their medical experience and identity through nature exploration and play. Their nature experiences serve as metaphors to their self-reflections— “tree of me.” Patients also have an opportunity to share their findings through a book-making project. In this presentation we will set up three stations: “Exploring Nature,” “Exploring Self,” and “Sharing with Others.” We hope you join us! 

Lauren Clinton (PhD, Licensed Psychologist)

In-Person

Patient death is an inevitable part of providing health care. Providers often experience significant emotional impact, accumulated stress, and vicarious trauma from patient loss. These impacts may be experienced most significantly when providers have limited emotional self-care. This workshop will explore the effects of provider grief on both patients and health-care workers, as well as provide tools for navigating and coping more effectively.

Angie Heller (MSW, LMSW) and Sonia Scott (MSSW, LCSW)

In-Person 

During this experiential workshop, participants will engage in the practice of Schwartz Rounds, a structured forum for interprofessional conversation focusing on the social and emotional experiences of giving care. The Rounds originated at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1997 and have since been adopted by more than 500 healthcare organizations around the world, including CUMIC. Schwartz Rounds have been shown to increase compassion towards patients and families as well as healthcare colleagues, and -- with regular participation -- to improve the psychological wellbeing of participants. (Lown 2010; Maben 2018) The workshop will be led by Sonia Scott and Angie Heller, New York Presbyterian social workers and seasoned facilitators of the Schwartz Rounds program at CUIMC.