The UNMC College of Pharmacy and UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division partnered this fall to offer the first interprofessional student-run immunization clinics in Kearney.
Pharmacy students have administered flu vaccinations on the Omaha campus for years as part of Operation Immunization. Meanwhile, Kearney division nursing students have held longstanding immunization clinics for UNMC students, faculty and staff on the Kearney campus.
But this fall’s effort, over three days in late October, marks the first interprofessional clinics. The team learned to work together to plan and conduct a clinic in which 114 faculty, staff and students on the Kearney campus were immunized.
“In addition to the opportunity for students to practice essential skills, the clinic serves to reinforce the importance of preventative care and responsibility for community wellness,” said Linda Sobeski, PharmD, associate dean of pharmacy for the Kearney campus.
“This joint venture showcases the impact of academic partnerships and interprofessional education.”
The UNMC College of Nursing has had a Kearney division since 1991, while this is the first Kearney class of UNMC pharmacy students.
“The collaboration between nursing and pharmacy went very well,” said Kami Loeffelholz, instructor of nursing, who facilitated the partnership with Kearney pharmacy faculty Kristen Driver, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and science, and Kyle McCartney, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and science. “Hosting our first collaborative flu shot clinic with the addition of the UNMC College of Pharmacy is a testament to the strength of interprofessional partnership and shared mission to promote community health. We look forward to hosting future clinics.”
“We’re so grateful to be able to offer this clinic in conjunction with our UNMC College of Nursing colleagues,” Dr. McCartney said. “Kami Loeffelholz and her team of nursing students were wonderful to work with, and I truly felt as though we came together as a team.”
Dr. Driver added: “This immunization clinic provided our first-year pharmacy and nursing students with an exciting opportunity to practice interprofessional collaboration. It was beyond enjoyable to watch the students grow in confidence while serving our campus community. I can’t wait to see what next year brings with even more students, staff and faculty to serve”