Interprofessional Practice, Education & Research
Interprofessional education (IPE) brings together students from different health professions, empowering them to learn about, from, and with one another. By collaborating across disciplines, future health care leaders gain the skills they need to deliver better patient care and improve population health, work as effective teams, and make a positive impact on health outcomes.
ABOUT IPER
The Texas A&M Health Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education & Research (IPER) brings together students, faculty, staff, and partners across the health professions to learn, work, and advance knowledge collaboratively. IPER:
- Integrates interprofessional education (IPE) throughout health professions curricula
- Helps colleges meet profession-specific IPE accreditation requirements
- Provides experiential learning, faculty development, and resources for effective team-based care and population health
- Advances the scholarship of IPE and collaborative practice
IPER's work is carried out with the Texas A&M Health colleges and schools. It is guided by an IPE Leadership Team of dean-appointed representatives and supported by faculty and staff planning committees from the participating professions.
IPER Mission
The Texas A&M Health Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education & Research (IPER) advances collaboration across the health professions. Working with Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and other professional programs and partners, IPER supports interprofessional education, scholarship, and practice that prepare learners for collaborative care and improve patient and population health outcomes. Read more about IPER's Mission
Vision Statement
The IPE Leadership Team, which represents Texas A&M Health colleges, schools, and programs, envisions a learning culture where interprofessional education is integral to student preparation, every graduate enters practice collaboration-experienced and collaboration-ready, and our approach to IPE is a national model for the field.
Supporting Texas A&M University's Strategic Direction
IPER's work directly supports Texas A&M University's Beyond 150: One University for Good vision and 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. Through interprofessional education, collaborative practice, and scholarship, we help prepare future-ready graduates, connect health-related programs, and serve communities across Texas. See how IPER aligns with Beyond 150.
IPEC Core Competencies
IPER's curriculum, learning experiences, and assessment are grounded in the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies. This national framework guides interprofessional education and team-based care across the health professions. IPER follows the most recent update, Version 3 (2023), which organizes collaborative practice into four competencies:
- Values and Ethics: Work with other professions in a climate of shared values, ethical conduct, and mutual respect.
- Roles and Responsibilities: Understand one's own role and the roles of other professions to meet patient and population health needs.
- Communication: Communicate clearly and respectfully with patients, families, communities, and team members.
- Teams and Teamwork: Apply team principles and processes to deliver safe, effective, person-centered care.
See Student Learning Opportunities below
About
Student Learning Opportunities
Accreditation & Competencies
Research & Awards
Resources
- Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Guide (Medical Sciences Library Guide)
- IPE Centers
- TX IPE Consortium
- Education for Healthcare Professionals
Christine Kaunas, EdD, MPH
Assistant Vice President Interprofessional Practice, Education, & Research (IPER)- ckaunas@tamu.edu
- 979-436-1197
Plan Ahead: Key Events & Dates
-
October 21, 2026| 12pm-1pm | TeamSTEPPS® Facilitator Training
-
October 29, 2026 |3pm-5pm | TeamSTEPPS® Student Training*
Bolded activities are student learning events; non-bolded activities are faculty/staff events.
*Fall TeamSTEPPS training includes Dentistry (D1s), Pharmacy (P1s), and Public Health (all levels).
The Collaborative | IPER Newsletter
See what's happening across interprofessional education, practice, and research at Texas A&M Health. The Collaborative, IPER's newsletter, features program updates, upcoming events, resources, professional development opportunities, and important information from across our interprofessional community.