Honoring Collaboration and Champions
Texas Tech Health El Paso Celebrates IPE Day with IPE Leaders Awards Ceremony
Texas Tech Health El Paso proudly celebrated its first official Interprofessional Education (IPE) Day, a new annual tradition dedicated to championing collaboration, connection, and community within health professions education.
The day brought together faculty, students, and staff from across all four schools to recognize those who are driving the university’s IPE efforts forward. The institutional IPE Initiative, known as TECHReady, was launched as part of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for institutional academic reaccreditation in 2023. Since its launch, interprofessional education has become a cornerstone of the Texas Tech Health El Paso experience—empowering students to learn with, from, and about one another in ways that directly impact patient care and health outcomes.
The celebration was marked by a special luncheon and awards ceremony, recognizing students, faculty, and staff whose service, innovation, and leadership are shaping the future of team-based care. Opening remarks were shared by Alyssa C. Benavides, Ph.D., M.PA., managing director of interprofessional education, and Scott Crawford, M.D., FACEP, FSSH, CHSOS, chair of the IPE Curriculum Council, and Texas Tech Health El Paso President Rick Lange, M.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Benavides reflected on the significance of the day, noting, “At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we don’t just teach interprofessional collaboration—we live it. Today we celebrate the leaders who are not only preparing our students to be team-ready, but also transforming how we deliver education, service, and care throughout our community.”
Student Leadership and Service Awardees:
1st Place – Alejandra Muñoz and Briana Olivares, Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: Recognized for initiating a high school mentoring program and a STEM lab for local high school students.
2nd Place – Dental Distinction Team: Jeremy Masten, Gentry Nielson, Hayden Harrison, Carla Sanchez, Maya Nair, Conley Green, and Katlyn Arndt, Hunt School of Dental Medicine: Honored for creating an innovative interprofessional collaboration experience between dental and GSBS students.
3rd Place – Kyanna Spain, Hunt School of Dental Medicine: Celebrated for her leadership, exceptional communication skills, and dedication to creating spaces for team-based learning and student voices.
Additionally, IPE leadership graduation cords were awarded to students who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing interprofessional collaboration as members of the institution’s IPE Student Leadership Committee:
Helen Castruita and Sofia Enriquez Perales, Hunt School of Nursing
Lupita Aleman, Alejandra Muñoz and Briana Olivares; Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Sydnye Fields, Hunt School of Dental Medicine
Applauding Faculty and Staff Excellence
The awards also honored faculty and staff champions whose efforts are ensuring IPE remains central to the student experience:
Brian Wilson (TECHS) – Honored for his leadership in simulation-based education and commitment to student-centered learning.
Brian Wilson and Eddie Luevano – Jointly recognized for their collaboration in organizing impactful IPE simulation events like TeamSTEPPS.
Meghan LaMont (Hunt School of Nursing) – Celebrated for her work in IPE curriculum development, mentorship, and integration across nursing programs.
TECHS North and South Teams (accepted by Eddie Luevano and Hector Aranda) – Acknowledged for delivering high-impact simulation experiences to interprofessional student teams.
Dr. Scott Crawford, Julie Blow, Ph.D., Ana Diaz, and Dr. Alyssa C. Benavides – Applauded for designing common core learning experiences that foster collaboration across all four schools.
Ana Diaz (Office of IPE) – Recognized individually for her exceptional coordination, ambassador mentorship, and leadership behind the scenes of every IPE success.
A New Tradition with Deep Roots
The establishment of Texas Tech Health El Paso IPE Day marks a new milestone—bringing visibility, energy, and institutional pride to the growing culture of collaboration on campus. From mentoring and simulation to outreach and research, IPE is now embedded in the way Texas Tech Health El Paso teaches, learns, and serves.
As the awards ceremony came to a close, one message echoed throughout the room: interprofessional collaboration is no longer an option—it’s essential. And at Texas Tech Health El Paso, it’s happening every day. Together, we are building a healthier, more connected future.