Rutgers Health has reached a milestone in its effort to prevent osteoporosis and reduce fall risk across New Jersey communities.

Since the Rutgers Interprofessional Osteoporosis and Fall Risk Screening Program began in 2019, it has screened more than 1,000 adults from around the state. The collaborative initiative brings together students from the School of Health Profession’s physical therapy program, the School of Nursing, and the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy who train together virtually and then perform in-person screenings in their respective communities.

The program began in-person and transitioned to a virtual, two-day interprofessional training experience following the Covid pandemic Over the past five years, 1,084 Rutgers students have completed the training and performed an individual osteoporosis and fall-risk screen.

The initiative is built around an interactive, three-part learning model. Students first virtually educate one another in small interprofessional groups on discipline-specific components of the screening protocol. They then complete an in-person screen with a volunteer, develop a SMART health objective addressing a risk identified during the screening, and reconvene online for peer review and debriefing.

Faculty from the three programs created the program out of a shared commitment to strengthen prevention education and expand community awareness.

Their collaboration—and involvement in New Jersey’s Interagency Council on Osteoporosis—helped secure a network of facilitators, including faculty from multiple disciplines, adjunct instructors, alumni, community clinicians, and members of the council.

Program leaders note that this model stands apart because it moves beyond case-based exercises: each student performs a full screen within their community, gaining hands-on experience while delivering a valuable prevention service.

“As founders, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to this interprofessional experience over the past five years,” said Anita Van Wingerden, SHP assistant professor and one of the founders.

“Their commitment has made this a rewarding and sustainable program for Rutgers students and has increased awareness of osteoporosis and fall risk in communities throughout New Jersey”

This year, the team welcomed Dr. Ashley Pianko, who joins the leadership team of Van Wingerden, Mary L Wagner, associate professor at the pharmacy school, and , Kiyonga Yang, associate professor, at the nursing school, in shaping the program’s future.