Rachelle Ashcroft is recognized for her outstanding contributions to advancing Interprofessional Education

Ivy Oandasan, Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, presents Associate Professor Rachelle Ashcroft with the Ivy Oandasan Leadership Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions in Advancing Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Associate Professor Rachelle Ashcroft was recognized with the Ivy Oandasan Leadership Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions in Advancing Interprofessional Education (IPE) on May 19. 

Each year the University of Toronto’s Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education (CACHE) presents awards to those who have demonstrated dedication and engagement in interprofessional collaboration, education, and practice. The awards not only celebrate outstanding achievements but also recognize unwavering commitment to advancing interprofessional collaboration in health care, social care and education.  

In addition to her role at FIFSW, Ashcroft is chair of U of T’s InterFaculty Curriculum Committee (IFCC), which is responsible for U of T’s Interprofessional Education (IPE) Curriculum in partnership with the Toronto Academic Health Science Network, which includes 14 hospitals and 12 health and social care professional training programs. 

Since 2013, Ashcroft has also been actively involved in developing curriculum and providing mentorship in  TUTOR-PHC (Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care) — an interprofessional training program focusing on primary care research and leadership. The focus of her growing body of research is on team-based practice in interprofessional primary care settings.  

Ashcroft has been a leader in promoting a national vision and building capacity for the role of social work in Primary Health Care. In collaboration with Associate Professor Keith Adamson, she has worked to develop the Canadian Association of Social Work’s National position and vision for the future of social work in primary care. She also led the development of a six-module e-learning program for social workers in primary care and social work learners considering a future practice in primary care.  

In October 2025, Ashcroft and Adamson, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Social Workers, held the first National Summit on Social Work in Primary Care, which brought together social work clinicians, researchers, teachers, and policy makers from across the country to advanceda strategy to redefine primary health care with social work among the essential contributors. 

Congratulations to Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft on being recognized with this prestigious award!