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The inaugural Together in Health: Canberra Interprofessional Challenge, 2021 was a huge success for collaborators, The Australian National University (ANU) and University of Canberra. The challenge was held over several weeks, with the final round to award the winners held in early May. 

The opportunity to participate in the challenge was available to all final year nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, pharmacy and third and fourth year medicine students from the two universities. It allowed participants to develop knowledge and skills in interprofessional teamwork, network with students from other courses and receive mentoring from Canberra Health Services and university health professionals.

In total, 36 students were placed in interprofessional teams to develop collaborative skills and work together through a person centred case study challenge. More than 30 mentors from both Canberra Health Services and university faculty guided student teams.

On Wednesday 5 May, student teams presented their management plan, for a patient with complex health issues, to an expert panel of judges. Judges included Health Care Consumers Association CEO, Ms Darlene Cox; Mr Todd Kaye, ED Allied Health, Canberra Health Services; and Ms Jacinta George, Health System Planning and Evaluation, ACT Health.

The winning prize was awarded to the Lego Rangers team (pictured).

Congratulations to the team responsible for designing and organising the pilot challenge:

• Professor Michelle Lincoln, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, University of Canberra
• Ms Sarah Chapman, Interprofessional Learning Coordinator Allied Health Clinical Education Unit, Canberra Health Services            
• Dr Jane Frost, Associate Professor in Nursing, University of Canberra                     
• Ms Karlee Johnston, Pharmacist and Associate Lecturer, ANU Medical School          
• Professor Zsuzsoka Kecskes, Director ANU Medical School