2024 George E. Thibault Nexus Award

The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education is pleased to announce that the University of California Irvine Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care Fellowships Program has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 George E. Thibault Nexus Award.

University of California, Irvine Health Affairs (UCI Health Affairs) brings together various health disciplines across the university to create a powerful alliance aimed at advancing healthcare. In 2021, the Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP) Collaborative was established to unite experts across the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences. This collaborative spans medicine, nursing, pharmaceutical sciences, public health and integrative health, focusing on delivering world-class healthcare while advancing research, education and community initiatives. The goal is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and improve health outcomes for diverse populations. One notable example of IPEP Collaborative’s impact is its support of the Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care Fellowships Program.

In response to the national mental health crisis, the TNT program employs interprofessional education and practice frameworks to enhance patient outcomes and broaden access to critical healthcare services. By adopting a broad definition of "Primary Care," the program trains a diverse group of healthcare professionals—physicians, pharmacists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners—to deliver inclusive care in behavioral health and addiction medicine. This approach bridges the gap between physical and mental health services, setting new standards for collaborative, holistic care. The core objectives of the TNT program include elevating behavioral health expertise, integrating addiction medicine training, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting community and youth engagement, championing leadership in behavioral health integration, and ensuring continuous improvement through evidence-based practices. Graduates of the program have become national leaders, with over 60% actively teaching these critical skills to their primary care colleagues. By establishing a new benchmark for interprofessional collaboration and leadership development, the TNT Primary Care Fellowships provide educators and providers with practical strategies to address the increasing demands and complexities of modern healthcare delivery. This innovative program not only equips healthcare professionals with the skills to advance primary care but also addresses a critical need within the local community and nationwide. Through the integration of diverse specialties and strong academic-practice partnerships, the program enhances patient outcomes and prepares participants to implement quality, evidence-based practices essential for the future of healthcare delivery.

TNT team photo