For the inaugural year of Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day™ (HCEP Day) at Nemours Children’s Health, a team consisting of continuing medical education, nursing education and the medical library gathered to plan a week-long celebration for the healthcare professionals involved in continuing education. The team settled on a theme of inclusivity and teamwork interprofessional healthcare education. Each daily activity was designed to enhance and celebrate teamwork and inclusivity and is described below.
The “Accreditation Adventure” Escape Room, designed for our CE team members, kicked off the week with a virtual escape room. This activity not only tested our problem-solving skills but also fostered collaboration among continuing education team members as they worked together to test their accreditation knowledge and “escape” within the allotted time. Teams were intentionally built with members who rarely work together to promote the development of new relationships.
Also for the CE team, a “Discover and Connect” Scavenger Hunt was the second day highlight. It featured a virtual scavenger hunt designed to help team members learn more about each other outside of their role on the team. This fun and interactive activity encouraged participants to connect on a personal level, strengthening our sense of community among the CE team. Team members were sent on a hunt to capture photographs for a series of items that would be shared at the end of the hunt. This activity gave the team insights into their colleagues’ lives outside of their role on the team.
An Education Grand Rounds, designed for all education professionals, was presented midweek. The organization hosted Jackie Hunter, NMD, DC, MHA, from the American Hospital Association to give an accredited grand rounds lecture titled, “Empowering Educators, Elevating Excellence.” This activity was advertised both internally and externally and gathered more than 100 interprofessional healthcare education stakeholders. The presentation provided valuable insights and strategies for fostering inclusivity and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare education.
On the fourth day, our planning committee saw an opportunity to incorporate our theme of inclusion into the medical library’s monthly regularly scheduled series Healthcare and Humanities Series session. The session discussed the motivational reflection with a vignette from “Waiting for Health Equity” created by the Denver Center for Health Progress. This reflective activity allowed team members and participants to share their thoughts and experiences related to social injustices and health disparities. The activity promoted a deeper understanding and appreciation of our diverse backgrounds through narrative medicine.
The week of celebrations culminated in an Award Ceremony, where the outstanding contributions of our CE professionals were honored. The ceremony featured the presentation of merit awards to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in their roles. Additionally, the unique talents and personalities within our team were celebrated by giving out superlative awards, adding a fun and memorable touch to the event. This ceremony not only recognized the hard work and achievements of our colleagues but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and appreciation among all attendees while highlighting their contributions to our collective success.
Finally, to gauge the success of our CE Professionals Day celebration, a survey was conducted among the team. Overwhelmingly positive comments were received, with participants expressing their appreciation for the thoughtfully planned activities and the recognition they received. The feedback highlighted the event’s success in fostering a sense of community, boosting morale and promoting inclusivity, making it a truly memorable week for everyone in\volved. We look forward to continuing these traditions and building on this year’s success in future CE Professionals celebrations.