Author: Christina M. Cauble, MBA, LNHA, HSE, Geriatric Education Specialist
We are seeking sponsorship from community organizations serving older adults and caregivers to benefit the education of the future workforce.
About the competition:
The Minnesota Northstar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (MN GWEP) will facilitate the third annual Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition in autumn 2022. The competition kicks off in September and offers students across several university campuses a unique opportunity to develop interprofessional collaboration skills by creating a culturally responsive plan of care for a simulated, medically complex older adult. The friendly competition involves not only students from the University of Minnesota campuses, but those from St. Louis University and other Missouri schools as well. The competition culminates with the University of Minnesota’s top team competing against the winning team from St. Louis University’s GWEP.
If you are able to co-sponsor this educational event, please click here to become a sponsor. The funds go directly to support prizes for the top-scoring student teams. We are immensely grateful for support from Minnesota community organizations serving older adults and caregivers, especially those interested in being involved in our annual competition. By sponsoring this event, organizations are helping develop a future workforce that will improve the care of older people. In turn, health science students learn about Minnesota community organizations that support this interprofessional learning opportunity.
Who participates:
The leader of the University of Minnesota Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition is Kristine Talley, PhD, CNP, RN, FGSA, associate professor in the School of Nursing. Every year approximately 90 students from more than 10 different disciplines participate in the competition, including nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, public health, management, social services, physical/occupational therapies, allied health, liberal arts, and more. On average, the case competition also engages close to 40 community experts and faculty members as coaches and judges. Coaches mentor students providing insights and suggestions on their progress as they build their plan of care. Judges will decide the best plan of care and the winning group based on student presentations. The first, second, and third place winners will each receive a modest financial prize that is split among team members. All competition participants receive a subscription to Geriatrics At Your Fingertips®, an annually updated reference that provides quick, easy access to the specific information clinicians need to make decisions about the care of older adults.
What’s new:
The Minnesota Northstar GWEP’s grant is restricted from contributing to financial prizes for students, which is why the GWEP is looking at partnering with community sponsors who want to support interprofessional geriatric education. This year Christina Cauble was hired as a geriatric education specialist to coordinate geriatric education across health sciences. Her background is in long-term care operations, and she had the idea that this experience would be a great way to bring students and potential future employers together in a unique way. With nearly 70% of nursing homes limiting admissions in 2021 due to staffing shortages (2021, Long Term Care Workforce Survey), it’s more important than ever to inspire the next generation of geriatric providers and caregivers to give back to this population.
2022 sponsors of the Interprofessional Geriatric Case Competition:
- GOLD SPONSOR: Pathfinder Care Management
- MAROON SPONSOR: HealthPartners
- COMMUNITY SPONSOR: Minnesota Gerontological Society
- COMMUNITY SPONSOR: Ms. Rebecca Cassidy, in honor of her parents Raymond J. and Anita K. Monsoor, both of whom were Navy WWII veterans and experienced Alzheimer’s
- More to be announced!