Cynthia Valdez Dougherty, PhD, MSW, FANP is the Director of Interprofessional Practice and Education Engagement at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Dougherty has long been an advocate for collaborative practice in community and healthcare settings. Her interprofessional interest started in community health and elementary schools focused on collaborative models for school improvement. She now leads the implementation of the Interprofessional Community Scholars Program and other community-engaged IPE. She has a wide range of experience serving children, families, older adults, and communities through direct practice, program development, evaluation, administration, and grant writing. She recently served as the Director of the Office of Geriatrics and Interprofessional Aging Studies at the OSU College of Medicine. Dr. Dougherty earned an MSW and a PhD in Social Work from OSU. In addition to being a proud Buckeye, Cynthia is also a proud Ohio University and AmeriCorps alumni.