Barb Manz Friesth, PhD, RN is a clinical professor and assistant dean for learning resources at the IU School of Nursing (IUSN) and the interim director for the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center (IU IPE). In addition to her roles with IU IPE and IUSN, she serves as the co-director for the Encouraging Learning, Innovation & Technology Excellence (ELITE) Center, and on the board of the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall.

Barb earned her nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her PhD degree from Indiana University. She has extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and graduate levels and is an expert in the use of numerous instructional technologies. Dr. Friesth has been the recipient of the Trustees Teaching Award and the Indiana University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology.  Dr. Friesth joined IU School of Nursing faculty as a clinical associate professor in 2006 and has been active in IPE through her work at the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall since 2009.

Brittany Daulton, PhD, is the Director of Evaluation at Indiana University’s Interprofessional Practice and Education Center. She has a BS in Psychology from Transylvania University (Lexington, KY), a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, KY); and a PhD in Evaluation, Statistics and Measurement from The University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN).

Dr. Daulton has conducted program evaluation and student learning outcome assessment in a variety of areas of higher education, as well as worked in Institutional Research and Assessment both internally and as a consultant. Much of her research has focused on the development of student success models measuring non-cognitive factors, identifying at-risk students before they drop out of college, evaluating student support services and programs, and developing best-practices in student retention. Before joining the IPE center, Dr. Daulton was a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas (Conway, AR).

Dr. Daulton directs the development, implementation, and dissemination of the evaluation efforts of the center, focusing on all interprofessional programs and the TEACH! Curriculum. She also leads the design and review of the TEACH! Curriculum.

April D. Newton, PT, DPT, MA, FNAP, is the Director of Interprofessional Practice Development she is also an Assistant Professor in the IU School of Medicine’s department of family medicine and an adjunct Assistant Professor in the department of physical therapy.

Dr. Newton is responsible for developing and integrating interprofessional clinical practice curricula; promoting and developing innovative interprofessional clinical training models; and collaborating with administrators, faculty, clinical faculty, healthcare providers, staff, and learners throughout academia and at varying healthcare facilities regarding team-based care. She is currently involved in interprofessional collaborative practice with the Comprehensive Pain Clinic (CoPAC), the Well Child and Oral Health Clinic, and the IU Student Outreach Clinic (IU SOC) in Indianapolis.

Prior to joining Indiana University, Dr. Newton was at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS), North Chicago, in the DeWitt C. Baldwin Institute for Interprofessional Education and department of physical therapy. In the Institute, she held roles as the Executive Director, Director of Interprofessional Education and Clinical Experiences, and Interprofessional Clinical Specialist. Dr. Newton was an assistant professor in the department of physical therapy and coordinated interprofessional education and global health experiences.  Previously, she was the Director of Clinical Education in the department of physical therapy at Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and presented nationally and internationally on interprofessional education and collaborative practice, clinical education, and global health.

Dr. Newton received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from A.T. Still University and a Master of Physical Therapy degree from The University of Iowa. She is a member of the Alpha Eta National Scholastic Honor Society for Allied Health Professions. Additionally, she has a certificate in Health Professions Education from RFUMS and holds an MA in Mass Communications and Journalism from Drake University and a BBA from East Tennessee State University.

In 2016, Dr. Newton was named a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. She also received the 2016 Interprofessional Advocacy Award from the College of Health Professions at RFUMS. She was awarded the 2018 RFUMS Deans’ Award for Diversity and Inclusion in  and was presented the inaugural 2019 Legacy Award from the Interprofessional Community Clinic for her leadership and contributions of the RFUMS’ “student-run” clinic.  Dr. Newton is a charter member of the National Interprofessional Education Consortium in the American Council for Academic Physical Therapy and of the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative. She is active in the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Physical Therapy Education.

Dr. Newton has been instrumental in leading a student-facilitated and faculty collaborative, pro-bono Interprofessional Community Clinic, developing and integrating an Interprofessional Community Health Fair, and coordinating interprofessional socialization experiences for health professions students and faculty. Her primary interest is in creating and implementing interprofessional collaborative practices with healthcare providers, clinical faculty, and health profession students.

She has presented nationally and internationally on interprofessional education and collaborative practice, clinical education, and global health at the Iowa Physical Therapy Association conferences, APTA NEXT conferences, APTA Combined Sections Meetings, and APTA PT/PTA Student Conclave in addition to interprofessional conferences that include Collaborating Across Borders and All Together Better Health.

Laura Romito, DDS, MS, MBA, is Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Engagement at the IU Interprofessional Practice & Education Center and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Comprehensive Care at the Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD).

As a practicing dentist, Dr. Romito’s growing interest in health behavior change and its interrelationship to oral and systemic health led her to earn a master’s degree in health promotion in 2001 from Nebraska Methodist College. She began her full-time academic career at Creighton University School of Dentistry (CUSD) and in 2005 joined IUSD. In 2008 she completed training at the Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Education Program and was certified as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist.  At IUSD, she serves as a clinical instructor, course director for several pre-doctoral courses, and director of the school’s tobacco dependence education program and chair of the school’s IPE working group.

She has been involved with interprofessional education for since 2011. She collaborated with an interprofessional group of IUPUI faculty to develop and implement an introductory level learning activity for dental hygiene, nursing, physician assistant and social work students. She served on several committees which provided the framework for the creation of the IU Interprofessional Practice & Education Center and was one of IU IPE founding leaders. Dr. Romito is a member of the ADEA Special Interest Group on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, and a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.

Dr. Romito leads faculty development in IU IPE by providing leadership in all areas of professional development and promoting best practices among IU’s health science schools in teaching and learning in interprofessional education and practice. In conjunction with IU IPE staff and faculty, Dr. Romito works with faculty, students and staff from participating schools to develop, implement, and assess learning opportunities and training in interprofessional education and practice. She promotes faculty engagement in and recognition for teaching, research and service related to interprofessional education and practice.

What does IPE mean to me? To me, interprofessional education means opportunity – an opportunity for those in different professions to learn to work together and communicate effectively, sharing their unique perspectives, skills and resources, to support each other, and improve healthcare outcomes for the individuals they care for, and ultimately, the community at large.

Zach Weber, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, CDCES, FASHP is the Director of Interprofessional Education and Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice for Purdue University College of Pharmacy and the Assistant Dean for Education with the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center.  He received his PharmD degree from Purdue University and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice residency at the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN followed by a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Specialty residency at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC. He is a board-certified pharmacotherapy and ambulatory care specialist, and a certified diabetes educator.

What does IPE mean to me? IPE means opportunities to collaborate. As healthcare professionals, it is our responsibility to provide our patients and communities with the best possible healthcare. This is accomplished through collaboration and using our unique skills and knowledge to support each other and optimize patient care. It is very exciting to be in a position where I get to collaborate with so many amazing colleagues and professions, while teaching our students how to do so as well.

Alex has a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Indiana University. He earned his Master’s degree in Executive Development at Ball State University.

He previously worked at Kelley School of Business, Kelley Direct as the Associate Director of Student Engagement, where he supervised the academic advising staff and assisted in course and curriculum development.

Prior to that, he was the Assistant Director of Student Life at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, where he assisted with academic advising and new student orientation.

Alex lives downtown Indianapolis and has a passion for sports, movies, and spending time with his friends and family.

What does IPE mean to me? I look at IPE as the opportunity for students to learn and practice skills that improve their ability to collaborate. Through the experience of learning from those in other disciplines, students also develop leadership qualities, which prepares them for work on teams and in settings where collaboration is a key to success.

Jennifer Burba serves as the Deputy Director for the Interprofessional Practice and Education Center. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University and a master’s degree in Adult Education from Indiana University.  Serving as the operations manager, Jennifer provides day-to-day management for IU IPE, including staffing, finances, and programs management. She enjoys developing curricula to enhance learner engagement and retention.  As well her background in organizational behavior and training lends itself well to the interprofessional collaboration IU IPE educates and practices.

Beyond her professional role, Jennifer enjoys bass fishing with her husband, Phil, visits from her grandchildren, diamond painting and quilting.

What does IPE mean to me? “IPE is so important to increasing quality patient care through collaboration and teamwork. When we work together, we create improved health outcomes, reduce provider burnout, and increase patients’ ability to reach health goals. IPE means we work BETTER TOGETHER.”

Jinae joined the Interprofessional Practice and Education Center team in the fall of 2019.  As Program Coordinator, she assists the center with TEACH! event planning & logistics.  Prior to joining IPE, Jinae worked as a business office manager, most recently for an award winning design + build firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

As a new resident to Indiana in 2019, Jinae enjoys exploring all the antique shops, yummy eateries, and beautiful scenery that our state has to offer.  After spending many years living in Michigan and Tennessee, Jinae and her family have settled in the Fishers community.

Kathy provides executive support and coordination of activities and operations at the Interprofessional Practice and Education Center. She assists the team in developing and implementing interprofessional events and activities throughout the state.

Kathy has an associate’s degree from Ball State University. Most recently, she worked as an Administrative Services Manager for QBE the Americas, a property and casualty insurance company, for 16 years. Prior to that, she worked as an Executive Assistant for General Casualty, which was purchased by QBE the Americas.

Kathy and her husband, Dan, have two grown sons, five dogs and live in Fishers. Kathy enjoys gardening, baking, and volunteers at the Hamilton County Humane Society in her spare time.

What does IPE mean to me? It is comforting to me to know that healthcare students are being trained to work together as a group of professionals to take care of me and/or my family.  When people ask me where I work and what I do, I am proud to state that we are training tomorrow’s healthcare “teams.”

Dave Plough has spent nearly a decade working with Indiana University. During this time, he’s created and grown numerous social media accounts, produced/hosted podcast for IU McKinney, and emceed multiple live events.

In 2018, Dave earned his MA in Public Relations from Indiana University. While working through that program he created the Indiana State Department of Health’s “Eat. Sleep. PrEP. Repeat.” campaign. The goal was to promote the PrEP regimen which is used to reduce the spread of HIV.

Prior to his time with Indiana University, Plough worked with WXIN 59/WTTV 4 in Indianapolis, IN as an editor and production assistant. He’s also spent time as a freelance production assistant, a counselor for autistic children, and an employee of Sam Goody. He holds a BS from Ball State University in Telecommunications/Film and Television Production.

Trent is a graduate of Ball State University where he earned his degree in Sociology. He joins the Interprofessional Practice and Education Center as a Project Coordinator aiding in the development of TEACH! logistics.

Trent currently lives in Broad Ripple and has a passion for hiking, cycling, kayaking, canoeing and anything adventurous. He has high aspirations of completing the Appalachian, Greater Patagonian and Pacific Crest trails one day.