Benjamin Jolley, a student in the Salus at Drexel University O&P program, won first prize at the New Jersey American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists conference in the student poster division for his study on “Enhancing clinical interprofessional competence of Salus healthcare students through an immersion-level interprofessional education experience,” which he coauthored with Virginia Muthard, CPO/L, FAAOP, assistant professor.
“I was surprised, honored, and excited,” said Jolley. “The presentations given by my colleagues from Salus/Drexel, along with those by the students of the University of Hartford’s O&P program were very thorough and so well done. I did not anticipate winning something like this during my first go around. I had never performed research at this level before and I certainly never expected it to be recognized at one of the largest AAOP meetings in the country.”
The other Salus at Drexel University students presenting posters with original research at the conference included Carly Hampton, Danielle Davis, and Logan Tonini, all students in the programs 2026 cohort.
Instructor Jacalyn Harris, MPO, CPO/L, said the program is looking to expand these types of research opportunities for future students.
The purpose of Jolley’s study was to observe the effects that an interprofessional education experience for O&P, physician assistant studies, and occupational therapy students’ education had on their confidence and understanding of roles within an interprofessional team.
The Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCPe) program, a free, cocurricular, microcredential badge program is open to all students in the university’s professional programs. Salus/Drexel developed the IPCPe program as a professional development opportunity for students to acquire the practice competencies required for collaborative care. These competencies include attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behavior.
Jolley’s research evidence indicated that the addition of an IPE experience in the students’ education had a positive impact on their confidence and understanding of the roles and communication techniques necessary to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Editor’s note: This story was adapted from materials provided by Salus at Drexel University.
