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Welcome! The Center for the Advancement of InterProfessional Practice, Education and Research (CAIPPER) at UIC exists to create and support effective interprofessional education learning experiences, interprofessional collaborative practice models and to contribute to research evidence supporting both.

UIC is extremely well positioned to advance interprofessional practice, education, and research on several fronts. UI Health, the clinical enterprise at UIC, includes a wide range of health professions education programs, clinical services and community partnerships that address a diversity of populations and settings and provide extensive support for scholarship. Beyond UI Health, UIC’s comprehensive, research intensive, community-engaged academic and service activities offer more opportunities to develop and study interprofessional education and practice than could ever be taken advantage of.

CAIPPER’s success depends primarily on strong partnerships with stakeholders. As a Center within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, CAIPPER is positioned to convene participants from within and outside UIC communities in the examination of complex health, healthcare, and health related social challenges and the development of solutions that are informed by diverse perspectives. CAIPPER strategic priorities are closely aligned with the strategic priorities of UI Health and with UIC as a whole and in close alignment with our mission are the driving force for our work.

Achieving our mission relies on the contribution of many individuals. While it may be a challenge to recognize the many people and teams who contribute to our success – we are committed to doing exactly that. Please visit this website frequently to learn about CAIPPER activities and achievements and the individuals and teams who are our valued partners.

History of IPE at UIC: A timeline

In 2007 a grassroots group of faculty from the seven UIC health science colleges initiated small scale interprofessional education experiences. Students and faculty participated in these learning experiences as co-curricular 2 day workshops that involved 20-30 students in interprofessional group discussion, simulation activities and community building, This grassroots faculty group, self-identified as the Collaborative for Excellence in Interprofessional Practice and Education or CEIPE, created IPE opportunities that students participated in on a voluntary basis for several years before approaching the Provost at that time to get resources to scale the experiences to include more students and to focus on meeting accreditation required that had come to specifically address interprofessional education that led to competence in interprofessional collaborative practice competence. The Provost supported the initiative and the continued growth is outlined below:

  • 2009-2011

    The first IPE immersion programs were held on the Chicago campus for 22 students from 9 programs in 2009 and 30 students from 11 programs in 2011. A faculty group, the Collaborative for Excellence in Interprofessional Education led the planning.

  • 2012-2014

    In 2012, at the urging of the Provost, the decision was made to expand the IPE immersion program to include 12 health professions programs in Chicago and Rockford. 850 students participated in campus wide event in 2013 and 2014.

  • 2015-2017

    In 2015, the position of Special Assistant to the Provost for IPE was created. A 5-year strategic plan was completed in 2016 and the IPE Initiative moved to the OVCHA in 2016 as Director of IPE. Annual campus wide IPE immersions events continued in Chicago, Peoria and Rockford.

  • 2018-2020

    In 2018, planning for the FICP program was initiated and piloted with select programs at the Chicago campus in 2019 and 2020. The Annual Campus  wide IPE Immersion events continued.

  • 2021

    In 2021, the Foundations of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (FICP) program replaced the IPE program to include 1,249 students in 12 health professions programs at all six UIC campuses solidifying consistent IPE foundations training for all UIC health professions students.

  • 2022

    The Illinois Board of Higher Education gave temporary approval to the Office of Vice Chancellor for Health Affair’s (OVCHA) proposal to establish CAIPPER – the Center for the Advancement of Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research

  • 2023-2025

    CAIPPER appointed faculty leadership roles for each of CAIPPER’s core functions including curriculum development, faculty development, and student development.

Learn More About CAIPPER