Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Dermatology Access On Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes, Joseph H. Kelly, Marcus L. Frohm

Scholarship Pathways Program

Impact of Dermatology Access on Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes

Joseph H. Kelly MD

Mentor: Marcus L. Frohm, MD

Introduction: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a locally aggressive rare dermal sarcoma with a relatively high rate of local recurrence. Incidence in the United States has been reported around 4 occurrences per million people per year, and recurrence rates have been reported between 2 to 19%. Recurrence poses a higher risk for sarcomatous transformation, increasing the risk for metastasis. Early and accurate diagnosis, coupled with appropriate management, is essential to minimize these risks. This study extended previous research by evaluating whether access to dermatology care …

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 …

Celiac Plexus Radiosurgery For Retroperitoneal Pain In Advanced Cancer: A Pre-Specified Secondary Analysis Of Health-Related Quality Of Life In A Phase Ii Single-Arm Trial, Aisling Barry, Ronen Fluss, Laura Dawson, David Hausner, Michael Buckstein, Talia Golin, Laurence Freedman, Marcin Miszczyk, Dayssy Diazpardo, Artur Aguiar, Dror Limon, Raphael Pfeffer, Moaz Ben-Ayun, Liat Hammer, Ziv Symon, Ofir Morag, Gali Jacobson, Adam Dicker, Jerzy Wydmanski, Camilla Zimmermann, Yaacov Lawrence

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal pain syndrome seen in pancreatic cancer is a major clinical challenge. Celiac plexus radiosurgery, a new palliative technique for retroperitoneal pain syndrome, decreased pain levels in a phase II study. Here Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) outcomes are reported.

METHODS: Evaluable patients, who were enrolled between January 2018 and December 2021, in an international single-arm Phase II ethics-approved study (NCT03323489), were included. The pre-specified secondary endpoint-change in HRQOL from baseline to 3- and 6-weeks post-treatment, was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) version 4 questionnaire. Mean change was deemed clinically significant (CS) if …

Community Composition Of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Marisa Martin, Colin Jackson

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an important resource for transportation, economic development, and recreation. Given its economic and cultural importance, it is crucial to maintain clean and safe conditions along the coast for public health, but other than routine beach monitoring, few studies have examined microbial contamination of coastal waters in this region. This study aimed to determine the quantity, composition, and distribution of bacteria resistant to six different antibiotics (Vancomycin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, or Amoxicillin) in seawater at seven public beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. No bacteria resistant to Ciprofloxacin were detected, and bacteria resistant to Kanamycin …

Lifestyle And Activity Patterns Of The Classic Period Maya From Chac Balam And San Juan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Abigail L. Hornbeck

Honors Theses

Bioarchaeological research often uses skeletal remains to reconstruct patterns of activity and labor in past populations. This study examines potential sex-based differences in long bone morphology among individuals from the Classic Maya sites of Chac Balam and San Juan on Ambergris Caye, Belize. These coastal communities participated in maritime trade networks, and daily activities such as cargo transport, canoe travel, and fishing may have placed distinctive mechanical stresses on the skeleton. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether measurable differences in bone structure between males and females reflect differences in habitual activity patterns.

Two complementary methods were used …

Anatomy Of Teamwork: Leveraging Peer Feedback To Build A Bespoke Team Charter Assignment, Emily Tenniswood, Stefanie Attardi

Posters

Post-COVID-19, students in our M1 Anatomical Foundations of Clinical Practice (AFCP) courses increasingly request faculty guidance or intervention in managing intra-dissection team conflict.

Head Impacts In Collegiate Rodeo Athletes: An Observational Study, Colton D. Carlson, Jacob Miller, Jason C. Dorman, Verle D. Valentine, Thayne A. Munce

Scholarship Pathways Program

Head Acceleration Events in Collegiate Rodeo Athletes

Colton Carlson, MS4

Mentor: Thayne Munce, PhD

Introduction: Brain health has been a growing concern across a wide range of contact sports in the last three decades. While most of the early brain health research was focused on identifying and preventing concussions, newer research has found that an accumulation of repetitive head impacts (RHI) is more predictive of long-term brain health than the number of concussions sustained. Consequently, being able to assess RHI in sports despite the lack of outward symptoms has become paramount in promoting the long-term health of athletes. While the …

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy With Patient Education, Belle Grady, Victor Huber

Scholarship Pathways Program

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy with Patient Education

Belle Grady, MD | Mentor: Victor Huber, PhD

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex global issue, exacerbated by pandemics and social media. In addition to hesitancy, state policies loosening childhood vaccine requirements and alternative vaccination schedules may contribute to recent vaccine-preventable illness outbreaks in the United States. In South Dakota alone, kindergarten vaccination rates have gradually declined over the past decade. Such vaccine hesitancy and decreasing vaccination rates is a public health concern and must be addressed. Accessible patient education resources on the topic are necessary to increase vaccination rates.

Project Description: This project …

Examining The Relationships Between Work Environment And Stress Coping Mechanisms With Burnout In Medical Students, Oluwafunke O. Ogunremi, Valeriy Kozmenko, Ethan Noble

Scholarship Pathways Program

Examining the relationships between work environment and stress coping mechanisms with burnout in medical students

 Oluwafunke Ogunremi, MS4

Mentor: Valeriy Kozmenko, MD

Introduction: Throughout the duration of medical training, learners are oftentimes overworked and faced with high levels of stress and pressure; this can decrease quality of life for many individuals.The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of how work environments and stress coping mechanisms play a role in the amount of burnout experienced by medical students. Burnout as defined by the Maslach’s Model, focuses on 3 key aspects: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishments. Here, …

Clinical Outcomes Of A Non-Diffractive Extended Depth Of Focus Intraocular Lens In Post-Refractive Eyes, Collin Olevson, John P. Berdahl, Tanner J. Ferguson

Scholarship Pathways Program

Clinical outcomes of a non-diffractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens in post-refractive eyes

 Collin Olevson, MD¹ | John Berdahl, MD^1,2 and Tanner Ferguson, MD^1,2

¹University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD

²Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD

Introduction: Eyes with prior corneal refractive surgery (i.e laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)) pose challenges during cataract surgery due to altered corneal curvature. The AcrySof IQ Vivity intraocular lens (IOL) is a non-diffractive extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL designed to provide a broader range of vision. Limited data exists on its …

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota, Mariah Shafer, Denyelle Kenyon

Scholarship Pathways Program

Menstrual Hygiene Screening Needs Assessment In South Dakota

Mariah M. Shafer, MD | DenYelle Kenyon Ph.D. Assoc Dean, Community Health and Engagement, MPH Program Director.

 Introduction: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is essential to women’s reproductive health; literature demonstrates there are mental, social, and economic consequences to inadequate MHM in rural and developing countries. Emerging studies show that US women who are impoverished, experiencing homelessness, or incarcerated also face poor MHM. To understand implications of poor MHM in South Dakota, a largely rural state, a thorough gynecologic health history is essential; this needs assessment explores the scope of MHM questions asked …

Licensed Massage Therapists On The Frontline Of Skin Cancer: Enhancing Early Detection And Prevention In Rural South Dakota, Kianna Thelen, Leah Naasz, Meagan Kray, Marc Dvorack

Scholarship Pathways Program

Title: Licensed Massage Therapists on the frontlines of skin cancer detection: A pilot educational intervention in rural South Dakota

Authors:

Kianna Thelen, MD | Mentor: Marc Dvoracek, MD

Introduction: Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States. Early detection improves outcomes, yet rural communities face barriers to dermatologic care. Licensed massage therapists (LMTs) are uniquely positioned to observe skin changes during client encounters. This intervention aims to assess the impact of a tailored educational intervention on rural LMTs’ knowledge, confidence, and practices for identifying suspicious skin lesions.

Methods: Between July 2023 and January 2024, 46 LMTs and …

Evaluating Headache Treatment Efficacy Across Rural And Urban Emergency Departments, Logan Stacey, Alan Sazama, Benjamin Aaker

Scholarship Pathways Program

Evaluating Headache Treatment Efficacy Across Rural and Urban Emergency Departments

Logan Stacey, MD | Alan Sazama, MD, Benjamin Aaker, MD

Introduction: Headaches are a common chief complaint in emergency departments (EDs), with rural patients facing unique challenges such as geographic isolation and limited access to care. This study aims to compare treatment efficacy for this top five ED chief complaints between rural and urban EDs.

Methods: Patients treated for headaches from 2020-2023 were identified using diagnosis codes and electronic health records. Treatment plans and patient demographics were abstracted from identified charts. EDs were categorized as rural (populations under 50,000) or …

Ama And Sdsma Membership After Graduation, Sydney Payne, Keith Hansen, Susan Puumala

Scholarship Pathways Program

AMA and SDSMA Membership After Graduation

Sydney Payne, MD | Keith Hansen, MD | Susan Puumala, PhD

Introduction: One way to foster collaboration, community engagement, and continuing education is for medical students to participate in medical associations. At the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, medical students are provided with memberships to the South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) and American Medical Association (AMA). In this study, the primary goal is to determine if student membership increases membership in the SDSMA and AMA after graduation.

Methods: This project received approval from the University of South Dakota …

Visual Arts And Humanities In Medical Education, Lauren Schild, Craig Uthe

Scholarship Pathways Program

Introduction: In medicine today, physicians are expected to be impartial, emotionally intelligent, and have the observational skills to pick up on and interpret ambiguous body language, skin changes, and hygiene factors which may aid in a diagnosis. However, medical students are often not directly taught these observational or emotional intelligence skills. Art has historically been used by the artist to express thoughts and emotions for themselves and to allow viewers to explore their own feelings. The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to advance their observation and communication skills through the study and creation of …

Visual Outcomes And Quality Of Life In A Randomized Trial Of Topography-Guided Lasik With Novel Gis-Software Versus Wavefront Optimized Lasik, Elise V.H. Meide, Tanner J. Ferguson, John P. Berdahl, Vance M. Thompson, Daniel C. Terveen

Scholarship Pathways Program

Visual Acuity and Quality of Life Results in a Randomized Trial of Topography-Guided with GIS-Software Versus Wavefront Optimized LASIK

Elise V.H. Meide, MD | Daniel C. Terveen, MD

Purpose: To compare post-operative visual acuity, refractive outcomes and patient-reported visual quality of life between topography-guided (TG) laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with novel geographic imaging system (GIS) based software versus wavefront-optimized (WFO) LASIK. Main outcome measures included the rate of patients with uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/16 or better 3 months post-operatively. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), residual refractive error, low contrast visual acuity, …

Calcineurin-Mediated Immunosuppressants In Binge Ethanol Drinking And Stress Responsivity, E. Kirschenmann, J. Agar, T. P. Beresford, P. J. Ronan

Scholarship Pathways Program

Calcineurin-Mediated Immunosuppressants in Binge Ethanol Drinking and Stress Responsivity

Emily Kirschenmann MD | Patrick J. Ronan PhD

Introduction: Previous research has found that the calcineurin-mediated immunosuppressants cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus inhibit binge alcohol drinking in mice. Further research has shown that this effect is mediated directly in brain, as intracerebroventricular administration also significantly decreases drinking. As these immunosuppressants have severe systemic toxic effects along with dangerous inhibition of immune function, our goal is to determine proximal mechanisms by which these immunosuppressants are working in order to develop effective treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) with fewer side effects. One …

Assessing Trends In Medical Students’ Perceptions Regarding Statistical Analysis, Ethan Noble, Valeriy Kozmenko, Paul Thompson

Scholarship Pathways Program

Assessing Trends in Medical Students’ Perceptions Regarding Data Analysis and Statistics Knowledge and Skills

Ethan Noble, MD | Mentors: Valeriy Kozmenko, MD, Paul Thompson, PhD

Introduction: The use of evidence-based medicine requires that physicians are able to properly analyze and interpret the results of new research. The development of new research and medical knowledge is swift, and a strong foundation in statistics and research is needed for physicians and medical students to keep up with new research. Curriculum in medical education often lacks in-depth coverage of the subject, and additional curriculum has been shown to enhance student confidence and ability …

Using Geospatial Analysis To Compare Metropolitan Greenspace And Adolescent Obesity, Rachel Schild, Denyelle Kenyon, Zachary Schild

Scholarship Pathways Program

Using Geospatial Analysis and Machine Learning to Compare Metropolitan Greenspace and Rates of Adolescents with Obesity

 Rachel Schild MD | DenYelle Kenyon PhD

 Introduction: Insufficient outdoor activity, influenced by limited access to exercise-friendly greenspaces, may contribute to increasing childhood obesity rates. However, rigorous evaluation of greenspace quality on a citywide scale is lacking. This study aims to characterize greenspace vegetation types and correlate them with adolescent obesity outcomes, identifying optimal characteristics for promoting health. This data could aid city planners in optimizing greenspace allocation and improving vegetation choices.

Methods: Satellite imagery and municipal data were used to map ten cities, …

Nudging Implementation Of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation: A Stepped Wedge, Cluster Randomized Trial, Meeta Prasad Kerlin, Michael O. Harhay, Fan Li, Dylan S. Small, Yingying Lu, Wei Wang, Barry D. Fuchs, Mark E. Mikkelsen, Teresa Tran, Aerielle Belk, Jasmine A. Silvestri, Tamar Klaiman, Stefania Scott, Elizabeth Levy, Michael W. Sjoding, Rachel Kohn, Karsten J. Roberts, Rinad S. Beidas, Scott D. Halpern

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: "Nudges" embedded in the electronic health record (EHR) facilitate desired decisions while preserving autonomy and may provide a scalable strategy to overcome the common implementation barrier of lack of knowledge about a best practice. We sought to test whether EHR-based nudges targeting two intensive care unit (ICU) clinician groups would safely increase evidence-based use of low tidal volume ventilation.

METHODS: We performed a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized, hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial in 12 ICUs from February 2021 to May 2023 to test three nudges targeting clinicians responsible for order entry and respiratory therapists responsible for operationalizing orders and documentation. …

Comparative Behavioral Impacts Of Neuroactive Pharmaceuticals On Crayfish Locomotion, Grace Elizabeth Smith

Masters Theses

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly recognized as contaminants of concern in aquatic ecosystems, often entering waterways due to incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants. Despite frequent detection, the effects of these compounds on non-target, neurochemically sensitive organisms such as crayfish remains underexplored. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that binds to presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels and reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release, is one such emerging contaminant. Given crayfish’s ecological importance and sensitivity to neuroactive substances, exposure to gabapentin may disrupt key behaviors such as locomotion. To place gabapentin’s effects in context, we also examined escitalopram (Lexapro), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that elevates synaptic 5-HT, and …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis: Psychometric Properties Of Functional Tests In The Cancer Population, Mckenna Culter, Austin Schlater, Grace Molfenter, Mary Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

An After-School Adaptive Cycling Program For Children With Disabilities: A Pilot Study, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, Trisha A. Renner, Kate Burkart, Emma Feldman, Raegan Oehler, Kennedy Dedario, Britney Kozlowski, Terri Dinkelaker, Mary Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Drop Vertical Jump And Running Biomechanics Among Varying Experience Levels With Running, Jacob Hamme, Joaquin Barrios

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Ccu Disease Hunters: Putting Undergraduate Research To Work To Improve Community Health And Training The Next Generation Of Doctors, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

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.

Restoration Of Neural-Based Function: Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Research To Develop Neurorehabilitation Knowledge, Measures, And Tools To Improve Function In The Real World, Steven A. Kautz

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Development And Implementation Of A Tai Chi Group In A Community-Based Brain Injury Program, Haley D. White

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My capstone was completed at NeuroRestorative, a Neuro community-based setting that provides Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and speech-language pathology. The purpose of the ALE and Capstone Project is to develop and implement a weekly tai chi group within a community-based brain injury setting that incorporates tiered modifications to address varying cognitive and physical abilities. The program is designed to promote improved overall functional participation while reducing periods of downtime and inactivity among participants. To support long-term sustainability and carryover, educational handouts and training materials will be provided to staff to facilitate ongoing implementation of the group intervention.

The goals of …

I Am God's Masterpiece: Ministry For Adults With Idd, Raegan M. Wilson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with Parkway Ministries in Corbin, Kentucky. My Applied Leadership Experience (ALE) took place in a community-based faith setting and focused on the ACOTE areas of Program Development, Education, and Advocacy. As part of a collaborative project to develop an inclusive Vacation Bible School (VBS) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), my individual focus was supporting caregivers through education, resource development, and community engagement. A needs assessment and literature review identified caregiver burden, social isolation, limited educational resources, and reduced access to support services as common challenges for caregivers of adults with …