Each year University of New England AHEC CUP Scholars compete in a case competition where they are tasked with identifying solutions to a complex health scenario. The Scholars compete in interprofessional teams composed of various health professionals including medical, dental medicine, dental hygiene, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, nursing, social work, public health, and occupational therapy students.
This year’s case was co-written by Courtney Vannah (MCD Global Health) and Holly DeYoung, former CEO of Eastport Health Care. The case articulates the many challenges that a family of a young Mid-Coast Maine girl experience while attempting to navigate the oral health system. Educational support is provided to the teams (11 of them, composed of 4 students per team) in the form of various supplemental presentations aimed at developing the knowledge base required to tackle this case. Supplemental presentations were provided to this year’s AHEC CUP Scholars by Courtney Vannah, as well as Dr. Kailee Williams (Waterville Community Dental).
The case competition wraps up in November with all 11 teams presenting their analysis of the case and proposed solutions for a panel of judges. A public presentation session by the three finalist teams will take place on Zoom on November 16th from 6–8pm. This session will be of great interest to many stakeholders in our Network!