Michelle M. Milic

Discipline: Physician

Funding awarded to: Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

IMproving PAlliative Care Teamwork in the ICU- Interprofessional Education: IMPACT-IPE

To someone just entering the ICU, the sights and sounds may seem chaotic. However, for someone entrenched in this environment, there is a smooth choreographed dance of teamwork, respect, and communication, which paves the way for supportive, dignified care and, at times, transitions to end-of-life. I am grateful to bear witness to the outcomes of this graceful care and I am passionate about creating caring moments and developing the skills that promote this seamless teamwork, in the ICU where I work and in ICUs across the country. The foundation of the IMPACT-IPE model is to improve the functioning of the care team based on education that (1) trains all levels of the interprofessional care team so they can learn with, about, and from each other, (2) provides core fundamentals of team communication, and culturally respectful care, and (3) incorporates clinician support to reduce Moral Distress and Acute Trauma Stress.

At MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, our motto is cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Our academic and medical communities in Washington, DC, are committed to education addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as racial disparities in health care. My goal is to be recognized as a national leader in embedding compassionate, values driven, team-based Palliative Care in the ICU to better serve our most vulnerable critically ill patients. I will advocate for education, communication, teamwork, and culturally respectful care in diverse communities across the county, and I envision using the IMPACT-IPE model as the first step in creating grass roots culture change where primary PC becomes the standard of care for all patients in the ICU.