Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Effectiveness Of A Mobility Aide On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jamie L. Granatowicz, Laura N. Rogers, Leeza A. Struwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobility aide on a medical-surgical inpatient unit to improve patients’ surgical outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, and decrease the number of falls.

Design: A retrospective review was conducted to determine the effects of a mobility aide implemented on a medical-surgical unit. The intent was to ensure the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for early mobilization before and after implementation. Two-month periods were analyzed before and after implementation.

Findings: The results demonstrated clinical significance for patients when implementing a mobility aide. The mean length of stay was 1.044 days …

Reducing Emergency Department Overuse Through Patient Education, Maddie Pieper, Joshua Heuertz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background/Introduction

Emergency departments (EDs) are designed to provide rapid evaluation and management of acute, life-threatening, and time-sensitive conditions. However, EDs are frequently used for nonemergent or low-acuity concerns that could be managed in primary care or urgent care settings. This overuse contributes to rising healthcare costs, resource strain, longer wait times, and overcrowding. Underserved populations may rely more heavily on ED services because of barriers such as limited primary care access, language differences, low health literacy, restrictive work schedules, transportation challenges, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. These factors can make the ED seem the most accessible source of care. …

Tale Of Two Pharmacies, Katie R. Jadin

Honors Theses

Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers in the United States and play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes. This study observes whether geographical distance and demographic differences influence patient healthcare needs within community pharmacy settings. Communities in Wisconsin and Mississippi, approximately 800 miles apart, were compared due to differences in population demographics, socioeconomic factors, and disease burden.

A survey was distributed to community pharmacy employees, including pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians, to assess common disease states, medication patterns, pharmacy workload, and patients' barriers to care. Twelve responses were collected from pharmacy employees.

Despite the …

The Impact Of Hearts For The Homeless On Students At The University Of Mississippi, Ellie Menszer

Honors Theses

Hearts for Homeless (H4H) is an international organization that works to help one of the most vulnerable populations for cardiac disease, the homeless, due to the lack of access to health care and information. At the University of Mississippi, H4H is a registered student organization that volunteers weekly at the Oxford Community Market (OXCM) to provide free blood pressure screenings and heart health information. H4H helps the community while also providing students with hands-on patient care experience. The goal of this research is to determine how volunteering with H4H impacts students at the University of Mississippi. A literature review informed …

Illness Perception, Depression, And Anxiety Among Middle-Aged Adults With End-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease, Zioleyda Soto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Fall Prevention In A Behavioral-Health Urgent Care Setting, May Nnenna Akalemeaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Library As A Partner In Wellness: A Curated Resource Collection For Medical Students, David Stewart

Posters

Medical education involves intense stress; 82% of students experience high distress, facing higher rates of burnout and mental illness than the general population2,3. This is often attributed to a medical culture prioritizing technical efficiency over humanistic care1 . Medical libraries are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap, as students perceive them as safe, confidential communal spaces2 . Despite this, only 18% of U.S. medical libraries currently offer dedicated wellness resources2 . To address this, Narrative Medicine, the engagement with patient stories, has emerged as one way to foster narrative competence1 . These interventions improve clinical connections and self-perspective, helping students …

Science In Service Of Society: My Journey In Immunology And Public Engagement, Prakash Nagarkatti

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Perspective On Speech Therapy, Aac Devices, And Community Support: A Case Study Of A Caregiver Of An Adult With Down Syndrome, Ella Harris

Honors College Theses

For someone with a disability such as Down syndrome (DS), they often present with deficits in speech and language. These individuals typically require a caregiver for their physical, mental, and social needs, and their caregiver also often serves as their primary communication partner. This study explored caregiver perspectives on how they facilitate communication including their experiences with speech therapy services, augmentative and alternative communication, and community communication supports. A caregiver of an adult with DS participated in a structured interview to discuss their experiences as a caregiver for an individual with complex communication needs. The data from the interview was …

Motivating Lung Cancer Screening Uptake: An Experimental Test Of Didactic Versus Narrative Messages For Lung Cancer Screening Among Individuals Who Currently Smoke Or Formerly Smoked, Honor M. Woodward

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been associated with a 20% reduction in lung cancer-related mortality. Despite the obvious benefits of lung cancer screening with LDCT, screening is heavily underutilized compared to other cancer screening tests. Thus, it is critically important to develop strategies that help motivate screening uptake among eligible individuals. This study explored the effectiveness of narrative messages for motivating lung cancer screening uptake among individuals eligible for lung cancer screening who currently smoke or formerly smoked. Drawing from …

An Educational Module On Safe Nighttime Medication Administration In A Correctional Setting, Linda Asongtia Foleke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Intersection Of Faculty Perceptions Of Student Evaluations Of Teaching And Nursing Retention: The Challenges Of Undergraduate Nursing Programs In Higher Education Institutions, Melissa Wolff

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

For over 100 years, higher education institutions in the United States of America have been using student evaluations of teaching (SET) to evaluate course effectiveness and teaching quality. SETs are used to inform faculty about areas where course improvements are needed, if course objectives have been met, and the strength of their teaching ability. Even with the longstanding integration of SETs in higher education their reliability and validity have been questioned. Various factors negatively influence student ranking of faculty including class size, faculty appearance, ethnicity, and gender. SETs also impact faculty’s ability to earn tenure and promotion, which raises concerns …

Investigating The Relationship Between Student Nurse Perceptions Of Faculty Caring Interactions And Their Reported Professional Quality Of Life, Lynette A. How

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Burnout and compassion satisfaction in academic clinical contexts are critical dimensions of professional quality of life (ProQOL) in nursing education, yet their influence on student perceptions of faculty caring remains underexplored. Guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and a social constructivist lens, this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study examined relationships between nursing students’ self-reported professional quality of life and perceptions of faculty caring interactions. Data were collected from 207 prelicensure nursing students enrolled in practical, associate, and baccalaureate programs at two Midwestern institutions. Two validated instruments were employed: the Professional Quality of Life Scale – Short Version (Short ProQOL) …

Multi-Site Dms Probing Reveals Higher-Order Structure Of Rna-Protein Complexes In Living Cells, Irfana Saleem, Thomas Miller, Lucas Kearns, Anthony Hoang, Joshua Meehan, Ritwika Bose, David Mitchell, David H Price, Calla M Olson, Chase A Weidmann, Anthony M Mustoe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Identifying tertiary structures and protein binding sites in RNA molecules remains a key challenge in RNA biology. We describe multi-site dimethyl sulfate (DMS)-mutational profiling (MaP) (msDMS-MaP), a strategy that enables simultaneous measurement of RNA secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures via a single DMS chemical probing experiment. Optimized reverse transcription decodes typically invisible DMS N7-methylguanine (N7-G) modifications via a tautomer-induced mutational signature concurrent with N1 and N3 modifications. We show that N7-G reactivity reports on higher-order RNA structures, revealing key functional motifs such as pseudoknots and protein binding sites. Using msDMS-MaP, we find that E. coli ribosomal RNAs encode numerous independently …

Cellular And Molecular Basis Of Pfcoronin Function In Artemisinin Resistance In Plasmodium Falciparum, Imran Ullah, Eva S Istvan, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Artemisinin combination therapies are central to malaria control, but their efficacy is threatened by the emergence of resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. While the role of Pfkelch13 mutations is well established, mutations in Pfcoronin have also been implicated in treatment failure, revealing layers of resistance complexity. Here, we define the cellular mechanism of Pfcoronin‑mediated artemisinin resistance. PfCoronin interacts with PfActin and localizes to the parasite plasma membrane, the digestive vacuole membrane, and small vesicles containing host cell material. Mutations in PfCoronin disrupt its localization and perturb PfActin homeostasis, altering the distribution of ring‑stage morphologies, including a reduced proportion of parasites adopting …

Genetic Analysis Of The X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Gene Abcd1 In Drosophila Uncovers A Conserved Phenotype, Joshua Manor, Sharayu V Jangam, Hyung-Lok Chung, Pranjali Bhagwat, Jonathan C Andrews, Hillary Chester, Shu Kondo, Saurabh Srivastav, Juan Botas, Ann B Moser, Suzette M Huguenin, Michael F Wangler

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss-of-function (LOF) mutation in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily D member 1 (ABCD1) gene, leading to the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This disorder exhibits striking heterogeneity; some male patients develop an early childhood neuroinflammatory demyelination disorder, while other patients, including adult males and most affected female carriers, experience a chronic progressive myelopathy. Adrenocortical failure is observed in almost all male patients, with the age of onset varying, sometimes being the first diagnostic finding. The gene underlying this spectrum of disease encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that …

Mind Over Measure: The Role Of Self-Care Practices In Mitigating Mental Health Strain Among K-12 Educators, Jerry Burkett, Ryan Hulla

School Leadership Review

Teacher mental health is a critical concern in K-12 education, with high rates of burnout demanding effective protective strategies. This study investigated the relationship between five dimensions of teacher self-care (Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Spiritual, and Professional) and overall mental health outcomes, while specifically exploring differences between elementary (K-5) and high school (9-12) educators. A sample of K-12 teachers completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and the Self-Care Inventory. Correlational analysis found that all five self-care dimensions were significantly and positively associated with mental health, with Professional Self-Care demonstrating the strongest link (r=.48, p

Evaluating Referral Coordination And Scheduling In Primary Care: A Qualitative Study Of Workflow Gaps, Aprupa Alahari, Philycia Foote, S. Vincent Grasso

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Healthcare referral workflows remain fragmented despite widespread adoption of electronic health records. Primary care to specialty referrals frequently rely on fax, phone calls, manual scheduling, and disconnected communication systems, creating delays, incomplete referrals, and administrative burden.1,2 Prior literature has identified a lack of referral tracking, referral leakage, and lack of closed-loop communication as major barriers to coordinated care. Altogether, efforts are required to keep cases from falling into the “referral black hole” that plagues health systems.2-4

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that:

1. there is substantial patient burden

2. there is substantial operational fragmentation

3. current referral systems contain limited visibility or verification

Methods …

Effect Of Parkinson’S Disease On The Lateralization Of The Digastric Muscle In A Rodent Model, Estelle Richardson, Francois Gould

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In Parkinson’s disease, the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra can cause dysphagia, which affects all phases of swallowing. In swallowing, bilateral pairs of muscles under the control of independent unilateral neural mechanisms must simultaneously activate to coordinate their movements and produce a swallow. However it is unknown how Parkinson’s disease impairs the activation of the right and left sides of those muscles. In this study we tested how Parkinson’s disease impacts the lateralization of the digastric muscle in rats. We hypothesized that Parkinson’s disease will cause a difference in activation of the right and left digastric muscles …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Confusion Assessment Method For The Icu (Cam-Icu) In Reducing Length Of Stay Among Critically Ill Patients: A Scoping Review, John Simmons, Fay Nelson, Keith Hunt, Lindsey Waller, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Delirium is a prevalent complication among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. The Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) is a validated tool designed to aid in the early identification of delirium; however, systematic screening remains low among healthcare professionals. This scoping review aims to evaluate the efficacy of the CAM-ICU in identifying delirium and its potential impact on reducing ICU length of stay.

Method

            This scoping review began by establishing inclusion criteria to ensure the results were applicable to the researchers’ patient population, including …

Improving Engagement In Community Activities At Whitetail Springs Memory Care Community, Kylie T. Klavon

Public Health Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project, in collaboration with Whitetail Springs Memory Care Community, is to encourage consistent attendance and engagement among residents and staff in community activities, thereby enhancing residents’ well-being through greater meaningful engagement. This was done by assessing communication gaps between the clinical and activities teams, developing an educational infographic and scheduling template, and conducting an interactive presentation introducing these deliverables. This project was facilitated by observing current engagement and communication procedures at Whitetail Springs. After observations, brief interviews were conducted with the Life Enrichment Director and the Health Services Director to understand where each team needs support …

Developing A Comprehensive Resource Guide For Caregivers Within The Area Agency On Aging, Aiden R. Murphy

Public Health Capstone Projects

This project developed a new universal caregiver resource guide for caregivers within the Area Agency on Aging, in order to improve resource navigation and workflow efficiency. Resources were collected, verified, and organized into a new, streamlined guide via the ARIA chatbot, covering multiple needs. Caregiver resources were collected and verified by the capstone student and mentor, Michael Kroeker, and organized into a centralized knowledge base within the ARIA chatbot. A mixed methods evaluation was conducted utilizing a 5-point Likert scale with three quantitative questions and one open-ended qualitative question. The data was given to the SeniorLine staff, who wanted to …

Using Group Activities To Improve Engagement And Help Alleviate Loneliness Among Older Adults At Macedonia Face, Taylor Corcoran

Public Health Capstone Projects

Introduction: Social isolation and loneliness are increasing public health concerns due to their association with heightened risk for chronic disease and their disproportionate impact on Black older adults (BOA). This project was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of culturally relevant, low-cost activities on engagement rates among older adults during unscheduled program periods at the Macedonia Family Community Enrichment Center (FACE).

Methods: This project used a mixed methods approach over a 4-week implementation period. Three activities were introduced by the student facilitator, including UNO!, Name That Tune (NTT), and coloring pages. Engagement was measured by comparing the …

Building Nurse Managers’ Knowledge And Confidence To Lead Clinical Ladder Success: A Theoretically Informed Educational Framework, Michelle Joann Chlebinski

Doctoral Projects

Background: Clinical Ladder Programs (CLPs) offer a structured pathway for nursing professional growth, fostering clinical excellence while improving nurse satisfaction and longterm retention. Although nurse managers play a pivotal role in facilitating the CLP, there is currently no comprehensive educational framework to enhance their knowledge and confidence in supporting clinical ladder advancement. Purpose: The aim of this DNP project is to develop implement, and evaluate an educational framework grounded in Benner’s Novice-to-Expert framework and Watson Caring Science® to enhance nurse managers' knowledge and confidence in leading nurses towards clinical ladder success. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study using a single-group, pre-post …

Dropping Into The Expressive Art Therapy: A Community Engagement Arts Based Project, Sydney C. Smith, Meg Chang

Expressive Therapies Theses

This community engagement capstone explores how expressive arts practices (EXAP) may complement surf-based programming by supporting reflection, empathy, and meaning-making among participants. Research has demonstrated that surf therapy can promote emotional well-being, resilience, and social connection through embodied engagement with the ocean and supportive community environments. Integrating expressive arts practices within surf-based programs may extend these benefits by providing opportunities for reflection, creative expression, and interpersonal exchange. Grounded in expressive arts therapy (EXAT) theory and arts-based research (ABR) paradigms, this project examines how creative expression can support relational and emotional experiences within surf therapy settings. Using an arts-informed community engagement …

Methadone-Associated Qt Prolongation: The Importance Of Early Recognition And Monitoring In The Emergency Department, Uma Murrugappan, Kelsey Murray, James Espinosa Md, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 43-year-old female with cervical cancer and bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes receiving high-dose methadone maintenance therapy who presented to the emergency department with bilateral flank and abdominal pain. She denied cardiac symptoms. Electrocardiogram obtained during evaluation revealed marked QT prolongation (QTc 596 ms) following recent methadone dose escalation. The patient was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring and intravenous magnesium was ordered. While intravenous access was being obtained, she developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia consistent with torsades de pointes and became pulseless. Advanced cardiac life support was initiated including defibrillation and magnesium administration, with return of spontaneous …

Not All That Scratches Is Infection: Sweet Syndrome Mimicking Cat Scratch Disease, Clara Keum, Neelesh R. Parikh

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Sweet syndrome, or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by painful erythematous skin lesions, neutrophilic dermal infiltration on histopathology, and rapid response to corticosteroid therapy. Although classically associated with fever and leukocytosis, atypical presentations without systemic symptoms are increasingly recognized, often leading to diagnostic confusion.

The clinical presentation of Sweet syndrome frequently overlaps with infectious processes such as cellulitis, particularly when lesions involve the lower extremities. This overlap may result in misdiagnosis and delayed appropriate treatment. Distinguishing between infectious and inflammatory etiologies is critical, as management strategies differ significantly.

We present a case of Sweet syndrome …

Case Report: Bilateral Pneumothorax Following T2–T5 Medial Branch Nerve Block, Jenna Rapone Md

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Bilateral pneumothorax is an uncommon but clinically significant complication of thoracic spinal interventions. We report the case of a 20-year-old female with underlying scoliosis who developed acute pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and persistent cough immediately following bilateral T2–T5 medial branch nerve block injections performed in an outpatient pain management setting.  Thoracic medial branch blocks are generally considered low-risk procedures; however, the proximity of the pleura to posterior thoracic elements places patients at risk for iatrogenic pleural injury, particularly in individuals with altered spinal anatomy such as scoliosis. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for …

Acute Appendicitis With Concomitant Testicular Torsion, Thuc Vu, Clara Keum, Swet Patel, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This case report presents a 13-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain radiating to the right lower quadrant, accompanied by nausea and decreased appetite. Diagnostic evaluation revealed right-sided testicular torsion concurrent with acute appendicitis. Although acute appendicitis represents the most common surgical emergency in the pediatric population, clinicians must maintain a broad differential diagnosis to identify potential concomitant acute pathologies, including testicular torsion in this scenario.

Acute Ischemic Stroke In Hemoglobin Sc Sickle Disease Requiring Emergent Exchange Transfusion And Neurocritical Transfer, Julian Coz, Trent Malcolm, Andrew Iskandar, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute ischemic stroke is a well-recognized complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), with historical estimates suggesting that up to 11% of patients experience an overt stroke by early adulthood. Stroke represents a hematologic and neurologic emergency requiring rapid reduction of the circulating hemoglobin S (HbS) fraction to prevent infarct progression. The American Society of Hematology recommends emergent exchange transfusion within two hours of presentation for patients with acute neurologic deficits [1,3].

Management is particularly nuanced in hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease. Compared with hemoglobin SS disease, patients with HbSC typically have higher baseline hemoglobin concentrations, increasing blood viscosity and the risk …