On Thursday, October 9, the University of Michigan’s Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (CIPE) marked a decade of transforming how students, educators, and clinicians learn, lead, and practice together. The 10-Year Anniversary Celebration at the Michigan League brought together faculty, staff, and learners from across the university’s three campuses and Michigan Medicine to reflect on CIPE’s progress, honor the 2025 IPE Awards recipients, and look ahead to the future of interprofessional practice and education. The day’s theme, Healing Through Teamwork, Connection, and Relationships, was evident in every session.
Rajesh Mangrulkar, MD, FNAP, CIPE Director, opened the event by highlighting the Center’s history and its impact over the past ten years. He also unveiled a small but purposeful update to the Center’s name. Formerly the Center for Interprofessional Education, the organization is now the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. The addition of “Practice” emphasizes CIPE’s commitment to collaborative, team-based practice in clinical and community settings while preserving the familiar CIPE acronym. The change reflects the Center’s growth across education, clinical care, and community engagement, and mirrors recent updates at national interprofessional education organizations.
As part of the celebration, attendees could explore a visual timeline display chronicling the Center’s milestones over the past decade—from its founding and first interprofessional learning experiences to its current initiatives that bridge education, practice, and community impact. The exhibit invited guests to reflect on how far the Center has come and the collective efforts that shaped its journey.
The day featured interactive workshops designed to build skills in teamwork, leadership, self-awareness, and engaging students as collaborators. Participants could explore personality and leadership through the Enneagram, apply team development theory to foster cohesive teams, or consider strategies for empowering student leaders in curriculum, research, and practice. One attendee said, “I loved the workshops! They were relevant and gave us tools to apply to our projects and work.”
Vicki Ellingrod, PharmD, FCCP, FACNP, Dean of the U-M College of Pharmacy, reflected on the atmosphere of the event. “It’s inspiring to see how the CIPE team continues to build bridges across the health science schools and professions,” Ellingrod said. “By creating spaces where faculty, students, and practitioners can connect, they are laying the foundation for stronger teams and better outcomes.”
Keynote Highlights Social Capital in Healthcare
Thomas Lee, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Press Ganey and Editor-in-Chief of the NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) Catalyst, delivered the keynote address focused on social capital. A practicing internist and cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Lee emphasized the unique opportunity at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine to foster environments where trust and connection allow teams to thrive.
“I am inspired by the leaders I met during my visit, and I truly feel that the University of Michigan is exceptionally well-positioned to build environments of trust and connection in their health system and across the university’s campuses,” Lee said. “When teams can rely on strong relationships and shared purpose, they are better equipped to provide excellent care, innovate, and support each other as learners and professionals.”
Interdisciplinary Panel Sparks Conversation
A morning highlight was an interdisciplinary panel moderated by Dr. Mangrulkar. Panelists included Stacy Vo, DDS candidate at the School of Dentistry; Chris Friese, PhD, RN, Vice Provost for Academic & Faculty Affairs and Elizabeth Tone Hosmer Professor of Nursing; Thomas Lee, MD; Nancy Kuemin, JD, patient experience coach; and Amy Cohn, PhD, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Chief Transformation Officer at Michigan Medicine.
The panel explored the real-world impact of interprofessional collaboration and social capital in education, clinical care, and organizational change. Panelists shared strategies for building trust, fostering teamwork, and integrating perspectives across disciplines. Many attendees noted the value of hearing both student and faculty voices alongside organizational leaders.
Reflections on Learning and Collaboration
Valeria Bertacco, PhD, MS, U-M Vice Provost for Engaged Learning, highlighted the exciting work happening at CIPE and its impact on student learning. “The Center is creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage across disciplines in ways that transform how we teach and learn at Michigan,” Bertacco said. “By bringing people together, CIPE is shaping the next generation of learners to collaborate effectively, innovate, and approach complex problems as teams.”
The celebration concluded with lunch, the presentation of the 2025 IPE Awards, and a forward-looking closing from Provost Laurie McCauley, DDS, MS, PhD, about the Center’s vision for the future. “The past ten years established CIPE as a transformative leader in interprofessional education,” said Provost McCauley. “The next ten years are about growing that impact and expanding what has already been demonstrated is possible when we all come together.” Attendees left with new connections, actionable insights, and a renewed appreciation for the power of interprofessional learning.
Over the past decade, CIPE has demonstrated that fostering teamwork, relationships, and trust across disciplines is essential for shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders and advancing the quality of care at Michigan Medicine.