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By: Amy Charles | November 6, 2025
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) Elliott School of Nursing (ESON) successfully hosted a dynamic Interprofessional Education (IPE) simulation event on October 27 in collaboration with the Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP). The event, held at the university’s state-of-the-art simulation center in the College of Nursing and Human Services, brought together nursing and pharmacy students for a day of innovative, hands-on learning.
The event consisted of two sessions, held in the morning and afternoon. It highlighted the university’s advanced simulation capabilities, featuring real-time participation from virtual ACP students in Roanoke and Abingdon, Virginia, who interacted seamlessly with the nursing students on campus.
This year’s simulation was distinguished by its content, which was co-developed by a unique team of experts. Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s (ARH) Director of Medication Safety and Quality, Nathan Mills, Pharm.D., ARH’s Director of Behavioral Health Pharmacy, Colby Newsome, Pharm.D., ACP’s Director of IPE, Kris Preston, Pharm.D., ESON’s Clinical Simulation Educator, Sarah Stratton, BSN, RN, and ESON’s Director of Simulation, Ashlie Newsome, MSN, RN, CHSE, elevated this IPE simulation to an entirely new level.
“By bringing together this powerhouse team, we created a dynamic and authentic learning experience that truly bridged education and real-world practice,” said Ashlie Newsome. “What made this simulation especially impactful was the innovative integration of ACP’s virtual pharmacy students from the Abingdon and Roanoke campuses.”
Two immersive scenarios were presented, challenging students to work together across disciplines. This collaboration showcased a powerful integration of clinical expertise, interprofessional teamwork, evidence-based practice, and innovative learning modalities. Using UPIKE’s Zoom-enabled classrooms and iPads for live, telehealth-style interactions, remote students collaborated in real time with on-campus pharmacy and nursing students, mirroring modern healthcare teamwork.
During debriefing, students shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, expressing how much the experience opened their eyes to the roles, expertise and value each profession brings to patient care.
“Many shared that they now feel more confident reaching across professional lines to collaborate, consult and communicate, recognizing that strong interprofessional teamwork isn’t just a goal, but a pathway to better patient outcomes,” said Ashlie Newsome. “This was more than a simulation; it was a transformational step forward in preparing future clinicians for true collaborative practice.”