Pioneer Valley Interprofessional Practice and Education Collaborative (PV IPEC)

About PV-IPEC

Established in 2013 by the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield, the Pioneer Valley Interprofessional Practice and Education Collaborative (PV-IPEC) was created in response to the growing demand for health professionals across all disciplines to work together more effectively. Grounded in standards set forth by the Joint Commission and the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), PV-IPEC fosters cross-institutional collaboration to advance interprofessional practice and education in Western Massachusetts.

PV-IPEC serves as a neutral, centralized hub for healthcare workforce development. It brings together faculty, academic deans, simulation specialists, and clinicians from a diverse network of higher education institutions and healthcare organizations. By coordinating shared resources, aligning educational goals, and leveraging collective expertise, PV-IPEC ensures a more integrated and prepared healthcare workforce.

Our Mission

PV-IPEC’s mission is to lead, develop, and facilitate interprofessional healthcare education and practice among members of all health professions. This mission is shaped by the diversity of the region’s academic programs and healthcare settings, and it is grounded in the belief that team-based, collaborative care improves health outcomes, patient safety, and the quality of care.

Through intentional partnerships and aligned curricula, PV-IPEC prepares current and future health professionals to communicate effectively, respect professional roles, and coordinate care in a wide range of healthcare environments.

Guiding Frameworks and Standards

PV-IPEC’s work is informed by two national frameworks:

• The Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative (HPAC): Guidance on Developing Quality Interprofessional Education for Health Professions (2019)
• The Joint Commission (TJC): Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals (2021)

These frameworks recognize the critical role of interprofessional collaboration in ensuring patient safety and advancing care quality. Many of PV-IPEC’s participating programs and healthcare partners are accredited by organizations that endorse these guidelines, reinforcing the collaborative’s alignment with national best practices.

Our Approach

PV-IPEC has established a coordinated infrastructure to support the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of interprofessional education (IPE) and practice initiatives. Our approach includes:

• Interdisciplinary Workgroups: Tasked with implementing IPE activities that span foundational education, graduate training, and clinical practice.
• Aligned Academic Calendars and Resources: Institutions coordinate efforts to facilitate shared learning across programs and semesters.
• Longitudinal IPE Integration: Academic and healthcare partners implement a sequenced series of interprofessional learning experiences that extend from classroom instruction to clinical and community-based practice.
• Commitment to Best Practices: All activities are informed by the HPAC’s and TJC’s recommendations for quality interprofessional education.

Signature Programs and Highlights

Aphasia Virtual IPE Program
Featured in the 2023 Stroke Onward annual report, this innovative virtual learning experience explores communication challenges and team-based care strategies for patients with aphasia.

Public Health Blog Series
Beyond Medicine: A Deeper Dive into Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health
Monthly blog posts that explore equity, cultural competence, and the intersection of social determinants and interprofessional care.

Interprofessional Simulation Events
Annual in-person and virtual simulation experiences that bring students together from across disciplines to address real-world clinical scenarios and community health challenges.

Recognition and Awards

2021 Excellence in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Award
Awarded by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in recognition of PV-IPEC’s innovation in team-based learning and commitment to advancing collaborative healthcare education.

National Affiliations and Endorsing Organizations

PV-IPEC aligns with nationally recognized leaders in interprofessional education and quality standards:

• Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) – Connecting health professions to advance patient-centered care.
• The Joint Commission (TJC) – Global leader in healthcare quality and safety.
• Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative (HPAC) – Enhancing accreditation to support graduates’ readiness for interprofessional collaborative practice.

Looking Ahead

As healthcare continues to evolve, PV-IPEC remains committed to growing its regional impact by fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning. With strong academic and employer partnerships, the collaborative is poised to meet future challenges through shared vision, innovation, and the preparation of a healthcare workforce ready to work—and lead—together.