The Choose Your Major Conference at UCI’s Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences stands out as a pioneering event that redefines healthcare education pathways. By integrating interprofessional collaboration and interactive learning experiences, this conference uniquely prepares high school students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, for successful careers in healthcare. Organized by the Health Affairs Interprofessional Education and Practice Collaborative and the Center for Educational Partnerships, this initiative represents a bold step towards inclusivity and excellence in healthcare education.
This talk will showcase the Choose Your Major Conference’s innovative approach to fostering interprofessional collaboration and enhancing educational pathways for future healthcare leaders, and demonstrate how educators can leverage their own resources to develop their own interprofessional experiences. The conference brought together 150 high school students to engage in immersive, hands-on activities designed and led by a diverse faculty and students from nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and public health. These sessions offered a unique, real-world glimpse into various healthcare professions, demonstrating the critical importance of interdisciplinary teamwork.
The Choose Your Major Conference is distinguished by its comprehensive interprofessional collaboration and innovative educational methods. It provided students with a realistic, hands-on understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork and directly involved them in patient care simulations. During the interaction sessions participants are exposes high school students to the diverse roles and responsibilities within various healthcare professions, helping them identify which career path best aligns with their interests and goals. This event not only prepares students for their future careers but also serves as an exemplary model for faculty looking to engage in impactful IPE-related experiences.
Addressing the Summit’s theme, the conference exemplifies cutting-edge strategies for relationship-building across education and community settings. It serves as a model for interprofessional practice that improves outcomes by leveraging the collective expertise of multiple disciplines. This event underscores the importance of integrated educational models in tackling health disparities and preparing a diverse, team-oriented healthcare workforce.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the practical application of interprofessional collaboration in educational settings. The talk will detail how interactive activities, such as public health demonstrations, surgical simulations, and nutrition education, provided students with comprehensive, engaging learning experiences. By sharing measurable outcomes, including enhanced student understanding of healthcare careers and improved readiness for higher education, the talk will highlight the tangible benefits of this innovative approach.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
