November 29, 2017

Annette Willgens, PT, PhD and Michele Rattigan, MA, ATR-BC hosted an interprofessional workshop titled “Mindfulness: for Clinical Practice & for Life” on October 4, 2017. In their own words:

“We had over 55 students from a variety of CNHP disciplines join us to learn about the theory of mindfulness. Our goal was to introduce students to a practice that could promote self-care and wellness during their time here at Drexel University. In the current culture of esteem building, competition and perfectionism, we challenged students to consider excellence, intention and compassion for oneself instead.

We talked about stress, the allostatic load, self-criticism and conflict and shared the evidence base for mindful practice and the neural circuitry associated with default mode as compared to mindful awareness. We discussed a fMRI scan of "this is your brain on meditation," and then we practiced meditation. Students participated in an art-making activity to elucidate their thoughts and feelings. As we move forward with more planning, we are reminded that shared goals such as student self-care give everyone a strong foundation. Excellence, humility, temperance and resilience—these are the qualities of the future healthcare provider.”

The IPER Collaborative is awed by the many faculty and students who are creating and experiencing enriched learning opportunities with their CNHP peers. Any faculty member who has an idea about developing an interprofessional experience or project should contact iper@drexel.edu or any IPER Collaborative member. We are happy to support you in your endeavors!

Thank you, 

IPER Collaborative