SCU鈥檚 Summer IPE Week Brings Together Over 200 Students from Eight Different Academic Programs

A record-breaking week of immersive, team-based learning prepares future healthcare professionals to lead in integrative, whole-person care.

From July 28, 2025, to August 1, 2025, the SCU Center for Interprofessional Education hosted Summer IPE Week on campus. The week brought together more than 200 students for hands-on learning that strengthened teamwork, communication, and whole-person care across health disciplines.

Students from eight programs worked side by side:

• Ayurveda
• Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Chiropractic
• Occupational Therapy
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Accelerated Sciences
• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
• Master of Science in Medical Science

Faculty designed activities that mirrored real clinical settings, so students could practice skills they will use with patients and teams.

鈥淚PE at SCU is where integrative, whole health comes to life,鈥� said Karina Madrigal, EdD, MA, Dean of Interprofessional Education. 鈥淥ur model is bold, inclusive, and transformative鈥攂ringing together students from both complementary and conventional medicine.鈥� She noted that interprofessional education is an institutionalized system embedded across more than 15 academic programs. Students learn with, from, and about one another, and they graduate ready to practice in team-based care settings. SCU鈥檚 model blends Eastern and Western care traditions to match how modern health systems operate and to prepare graduates to lead in integrative care.

Students rotated through team scenarios that required clear roles, shared decision-making, and direct communication with patients and caregivers. Sessions focused on three high-impact skills:

• Identifying system failures and contributing to a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement
• Handing off patients in a structured way to support safe care transitions
• Speaking with patients, families, and the care team in plain language to align on goals

These scenarios matched the pace and pressure of real practice, so teams could learn, adjust, and improve in the moment. Among the highlights was SCU鈥檚 signature care coordination simulation, which brought multiple disciplines together to co-manage complex cases in real time.

Pre- and post-assessments showed gains across IPEC core competencies: Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams/Teamwork. The results also aligned with SCU鈥檚 鈥淟earning in Action鈥� measure, which tracks applied skills. 鈥淭he data confirm that our model not only changes what students know鈥攊t changes how they think and work,鈥� said Madrigal.

Skills from IPE Week translate directly to clinics and community sites. Students practiced structured handovers that reduce errors. They clarified the scope and responsibility so teams can respond faster. They used shared care plans that keep the patient and family at the center. As a result, students left not only with greater confidence, but with a strengthened ability to work across disciplines 鈥� ready to lead and collaborate as part of interprofessional teams united by a shared goal: advancing integrative, whole-person health and improving outcomes for the patients and communities they serve.

Collaboration starts early at SCU. Students experience interprofessional learning from their first year, so teamwork becomes second nature. By the time they enter clinical placements, they already know how to listen across disciplines and keep care plans aligned with patient goals.

This year鈥檚 Summer IPE Week set a new bar for participation and impact. It showed how SCU鈥檚 interprofessional model helps students grow as clinicians and as teammates. It also showed how a campus community can come together around a shared aim: to deliver whole-person care for every patient in every setting.

Learn more about Interprofessional Education at SCU and how our programs prepare students for team-based practice.

SCU Welcomes Inaugural Genetic Counseling Cohort

91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) is proud to welcome the inaugural class of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program, an extraordinary group of future healthcare leaders who will shape the next chapter of integrative, person-centered care.

On September 2, 2025, these students made history as the first-ever cohort in SCU鈥檚 MSGC program, a highly anticipated launch aligned with the university鈥檚 mission to transform healthcare education through a Whole Health lens.

A New Generation of Leaders

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide, this first class embodies the traits that define exceptional genetic counselors: academic excellence, compassionate communication, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives.

鈥淥ur inaugural MSGC genetic counseling cohort is nothing short of extraordinary,鈥� said , Program Director of the MSGC program. 鈥淓ach student brings a unique blend of talent, heart, and drive to the program, and we are honored to walk alongside them on this journey.鈥�

Gandomi adds that SCU鈥檚 MSGC program is built on more than just curriculum and clinical training鈥攊t鈥檚 about building a community of support and investing in students’ holistic development from the moment they begin.

鈥淭he MSGC Leadership Team is deeply committed to supporting their whole-person development鈥攆rom clinical excellence and board exam readiness to wellness, professional growth, and career success. We don鈥檛 just educate students鈥攚e invest in them as individuals, because we believe that鈥檚 what true leadership in genetic counseling looks like.鈥�

Designed With the Student in Mind

From the start, the student experience in the MSGC program reflects SCU鈥檚 commitment to meaningful connection, individual support, and thoughtful preparation. Students received personalized welcome packages, curated resources, and the opportunity to connect with faculty and peers before starting classes online.

鈥淎t MSGC, our Leadership Team is wholeheartedly invested in each student鈥檚 journey,鈥� said Gandomi. 鈥淲e prioritize their overall wellness, clinical acumen, professional development, board exam preparedness, and career readiness, including job searching and networking support.鈥�

This deeply personal approach sets SCU apart. Each student is viewed not just as a learner, but as a future leader in healthcare鈥攁nd they are supported accordingly.

Meet the Trailblazing Class

Why It Matters

The field of genetic counseling is evolving rapidly, playing an essential role in personalized medicine, preventative care, and equitable access to genetic information. SCU鈥檚 MSGC program prepares students to thrive in this dynamic landscape with rigorous training in clinical care, psychosocial support, and culturally responsive practice.

The MSGC program is embedded in a university rooted in Whole Health. SCU provides a unique advantage for students who want to integrate compassion, science, and community impact.

A Whole Health Approach to Graduate Education

With mentorship from experienced faculty, support from a dedicated leadership team, and access to cutting-edge clinical training, students in the MSGC program are positioned not only to succeed鈥攂ut to lead.

Their presence marks a new era at SCU, one that reflects the university鈥檚 continued commitment to innovation in healthcare education.

Interested in Becoming a Genetic Counselor?

SCU鈥檚 Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program offers a personalized, forward-thinking path for students ready to make a difference in patients鈥� lives. Whether your background is in science, healthcare, or advocacy, the MSGC program equips you with the tools to thrive鈥攁cademically, professionally, and personally.

Learn more and apply to start your journey as a Genetic Counselor.