AUHS School of Pharmacy Spotlight: National Recognition for Excellence in Interprofessional Education
By Mohammed A. Islam, PhD, RPh, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor
The AUHS School of Pharmacy has earned national recognition for its leadership in interprofessional education (IPE). A recent American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE) narrative review¹ identified the work of Dr. Mohammed Islam and colleagues² as one of the few fully developed, published, evidence-based models of IPE plan evaluation among U.S. pharmacy programs.
The review highlighted Islam and colleagues’ 2024 publication as a detailed example of how a PharmD program can design, implement, and evaluate a longitudinal IPE curriculum using an intentional learning framework. Their three-year IPE plan—organized around the Exposure, Immersion, and Competency (EIC) developmental stages—demonstrates how scaffolded learning can progress students from introductory concepts to applied, team-based collaborative practice.
A defining strength of the AUHS model is its deliberate use of multiple assessment methods, including validated tools (SPICE-R, RIPLS, IPEC assessments), structured debriefings, and guided reflections. By triangulating quantitative and qualitative data from students, faculty, and preceptors, AUHS showed consistent achievement of or surpassing of interprofessional competence benchmarks. This mixed-method, multimodal approach aligns directly with national recommendations and illustrates how programs can generate reliable, valid evidence to support continuous quality improvement.
The AJPE review noted that the AUHS model embodies the core elements of high-quality IPE: intentional design, diverse perspectives, ongoing program improvement, and a commitment to preparing graduates for collaborative, patient-centered care. This national recognition reflects the dedication of AUHS faculty, preceptors, and students and reinforces the AUHS’s mission to prepare compassionate, team-ready health professionals who Live, Learn, and Serve.
For further reading:
- Gallimore CE, Barnett SG. Strengthening interprofessional education plan evaluation through evidence-based practices. Am J Pharm Educ. 2025;89:101883. doi:10.1016/j.ajpe.2025.101883
- Islam MA, Uvero M, Omut D, Dutta A. A longitudinal and deliberate interprofessional education program in a pharmacy school. Health Professions Education. 2024;10(1):9. Available from: https://hpe.researchcommons.org/journal/vol10/iss1/9
