FNU Faculty Members Melanie Morrison and Stephanie Collins with Health Wagon Founder Sister Bernie Kenny
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) regional clinical faculty (RCF) Dr. Stephanie Collins and Dr. Melanie Morrison hosted the second annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) case day. Joyce Parker and Carmen Chavez, both FNU family nurse practitioner students, presented complicated cases for discussion with nurse practitioner students from Frontier and pharmacy students from the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP). Dr. Kris Preston, professor and director of IPE at ACP, worked in conjunction with FNU regional clinical faculty to make this event a success.
The purpose of IPE is to develop and demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other health professionals. The realization that each healthcare profession and practitioner possess unique skills and perspective helps improve the quality and safety of healthcare across professions. The overall goal is to provide and promote a team approach to patient care and healthcare management.
FNU also partnered with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy and The Health Wagon in October at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in Grundy, Va. At the event, Dr. Morrison and Dr. Collins, along with students Christy Lambert and Joyce Parker, volunteered their time and expertise to see local citizens who rely on the no-cost clinic for their healthcare needs. While at the event, Frontier nurse practitioner students worked with faculty and students from ACP to learn how to accurately perform ankle-brachial index testing.
For Dr. Morrison and Dr. Collins, this was the third RAM event at which they have volunteered in affiliation with The Health Wagon of Virginia. In March 2018, they plan to attend a RAM event in Buena Vista, Va., and will serve as preceptors for any FNU students who would like to volunteer. The ACP has also planned to volunteer at this event and has agreed to again work with FNU nurse practitioner students.
“FNU values our relationship with ACP,” said FNU Dean, Dr. Julie Marfell. “Our students learn valuable information about each other’s professional scope of knowledge and practice. This collaborative learning strengthens their ability to work together in clinical settings.”
