WHEREAS, Virginia is home to thousands of healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, technicians, and public‑health professionals whose coordinated efforts strengthen the Commonwealth’s healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, interprofessional healthcare — defined by collaborative practice among multiple disciplines—has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce medical errors, and enhance care coordination, particularly for individuals with chronic or complex conditions; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s academic medical centers, including those at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, and Eastern Virginia Medical School, train thousands of students annually in team‑based care models that prepare them for modern healthcare environments; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth’s hospitals and health systems increasingly rely on interprofessional teams to address critical needs such as behavioral health, maternal health, aging populations, and rural healthcare access; and

WHEREAS, interprofessional collaboration is essential to Virginia’s emergency preparedness and response efforts, including coordinated work across public health, EMS, hospitals, and community partners; and

WHEREAS, April provides an opportunity to recognize the dedication of Virginia’s interprofessional healthcare workforce and to promote continued collaboration that strengthens patient care and community health across the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize April 2026, as NATIONAL INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.