Digital Commons Network^™

The 2026 Mda Award Winners: Recognizing Outstanding Service, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article lists the recipients of the 2026 MDA awards, highlighting their contributions to the dental profession and public health. Notable winners include Dr. Christopher Smiley, recipient of the Meritorious Award for a lifetime of achievement in dental journalism and leadership, and Dr. Charles Burling, honored as Dentist Citizen of the Year for his community service. The feature also recognizes educators, legislative advocates, and volunteers in the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program who provide care to vulnerable populations.

Ethical Engagement In Global Missions: A Qualitative Inquiry Into Planner Motivations And Host Experiences, Harrison J. Ihrig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Short-term mission (STM) trips are limited duration service experiences, commonly organized by faith-based organizations (FBO), in which volunteers travel domestically or international to provide ministry, community outreach, and/or health-related services. In recent decades, the number of these trips organized by organizations in the United States has increased exponentially, but the phenomenon is difficult to accurately measure due to its decentralized nature and the lack of standardized terminology. Despite their prominence, limited research has been conducted to examine planning, implementation, and evaluation processes of international STMs organized by FBO, particularly through a public health lens. The purpose of this study was …

Pastoral Listening Skills Training In The Black Baptist Church: Equipping Clergy To Better Support Congregants, Regina Pair Allen

Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses

This study engages a historical survey of qualitative studies of perspectives of Black pastors regarding pastoral care, examining various avenues for training in pastoral listening and the role of ministers as theological clinicians in supporting church ministries and community needs. The findings highlight the ongoing need for professional development among pastors as primary educators and theological clinicians. The study underscores the importance of equipping Black Baptist pastors to address the clinical pastoral needs of African American congregants. The significance to this field of study is providing Black Baptist clergy with practical skills and tools, grounded in theological principles, to better …

Intergenerational Programming: An Initiation For Implementation For Individuals With Dementia, Joshua Dano

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

Church Of Christ's Organizational Involvement Related To Human Trafficking: Awareness, Knowledge, And Prevention, Veronica D. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if any relationship exists, and to what extent, between human trafficking and prevention measures taken by Churches of Christ located along Highway 20 corridor between Birmingham, Alabama, and Atlanta, GA. The goal of this study brings awareness to any gaps identified in Churches of Christ organizations related to their awareness, knowledge base, prevention, service to community, youth, and victims related to trafficking. The researcher also examined whether there is a relationship with local law enforcement related to human trafficking prevention and making basic referrals for medical services. Human trafficking is …

Sunscreen Is Not Just For White People: Church-Based Sunscreen Education For Black Women, Lauren Mitchell

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: African American women are an undeserved population in healthcare, particularly regarding skin cancer prevention. The lack of education and misinformation surrounding skin cancer has resulted in general mistrust of the healthcare system amongst African Americans. Proper education on sunscreen use and skin cancer screening is essential to prevent late diagnosis of skin cancer and to promote prevention efforts.

Purpose: This quality improvement project utilized evidence-based practice to provide education on the proper use of sunscreen and skin cancer screening to African American women in a faith-based setting in Southern Connecticut.

Methods: A pre-survey was conducted to assess …

Religious Parents’ Awareness Of And Attitudes Toward Their Adolescent Children's Utilization Of Sexual Health Services, Ashley Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents are a key influence on their adolescent children's sexual health care decisions. Few researchers have considered the impact of religious environments and parental expectations on adolescents’ use of sexual health services, and research on religious parents’ awareness of adolescents’ use of sexual health services in Christian environments is scarce. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore religious parents' awareness of and attitudes toward their adolescents’ use of sexual health services. The social ecological theory provided the conceptual lens for this study. Eight Christian parents participated in in-depth virtual interviews to discuss their encouragement or discouragement of …

Sickle Cell Disease And Adolescents’ Perspectives On Self-Care Management Resources, Dora L. Clayton-Jones, Jill B. Hamilton, Kristin Haglund, Lee Za Ong, Kalen C. Kennedy, Sylvia Peña, Coretta Jenerette

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) face unique challenges, especially during the critical health care transition from pediatric to adult care. The purpose of this study was to gather the perspectives of adolescents living with SCD and to describe their self-care management experiences prior to their move into the adult health care system.

Methods

Guided by the Theory of Self-Care Management for Sickle Cell Disease, this qualitative descriptive study used semi-structured interviews with 11 adolescents with SCD (M = 16.63 years, SD = 1.15). In addition to a demographic survey, adolescents answered interview questions about their perceptions of their …

Religious Parents’ Awareness Of And Attitudes Toward Their Adolescent Children's Utilization Of Sexual Health Services, Ashley Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents are a key influence on their adolescent children's sexual health care decisions. Few researchers have considered the impact of religious environments and parental expectations on adolescents’ use of sexual health services, and research on religious parents’ awareness of adolescents’ use of sexual health services in Christian environments is scarce. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore religious parents' awareness of and attitudes toward their adolescents’ use of sexual health services. The social ecological theory provided the conceptual lens for this study. Eight Christian parents participated in in-depth virtual interviews to discuss their encouragement or discouragement of …

Podium Presentation: Promoting Holistic Health: Impact Of Vocati On The Spiritual And Moral Development In Youth, Joann Long, Jeremy Smith

2022 Providence Nurse Research Conference

Background: Approximately one out of every six individuals are adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19. Promoting health and reducing risks for this age group has life-long health and societal consequences. Evidence suggests positive and negative risk-taking behaviors cluster in this population. Models for the promotion of positive youth development have shifted in focus from avoidance of risk-taking behaviors to emphasis on psychosocial competence and holistic well-being. Evidence suggests spiritual wellbeing, regardless of conceptual definition, is more often than not associated with positive health outcomes and development in youth. However, few studies have included spiritual and moral constructs in …

Implementing Obesity And Comorbidity Education In A Faith-Based Setting, Tammy Lynn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The aim of the study was to increase knowledge of the damaging consequences of obesity and related comorbidities. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions on a global scale and increases the potential health risk of many associated diseases. Faith-Based organizations have been found to be optimal resources for public health education. The shared beliefs and comradery are a source of support and encouragement for those who face many of life’s challenges, as well as life’s joys. The purpose of the project was to investigate the effectiveness of education delivered in a Baptist church on the topics of obesity and related comorbidities. …

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Program And Policy Development- Selah Freedom, Ashley N. Jones

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Child trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and affects more than 2 million children each year (Guardian Group, 2021). Involvement in human trafficking at a young age induces trauma that has a lasting effect on the victim’s personality and coping skills. A review of literature confirmed a need for more support of the use of occupational therapy with sex trafficking survivors. Despite support for the implementation of occupational therapy in similar trauma populations like domestic violence, homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and disaster survivors, there is limited literature supporting the use of OT with human trafficking survivors (Gorman & …

Implementing A Health Promotion Physical Activity Program For Middle School Youth In A Rural, Faith-Based Organization, Karmin Maher-Hasse

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem: Childhood obesity is more prevalent in rural areas, and these areas have fewer resources to address it. Geographic distance to available resources, health care provider shortages, parental obesity, and poverty contribute to higher prevalence of obesity in rural children compared to urban children.

Rationale: Obesity prevention and treatment often requires long-term healthy lifestyle behavior changes including nutrition counseling and physical activity (PA). It is likely an obese pre-adolescent will have obesity as an adult, and the likelihood increases if obesity continues into adolescence. Pre-adolescence provides a window of opportunity to influence healthier PA habits to prevent overweight (OW) and …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Spirituality: Partnering With A Special Needs Ministry, Kelsey Stockton, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with special needs frequently face obstacles and barriers to inclusive participation in various activities among their peers; most commonly due to mental, physical, and/or social limitations and deficits (Mathur & Koradia, 2018). One activity in particular impacted by such barriers is participation in spiritual activities within a church (Jacober, 2007; Lee, 2010).

While several highly successful special needs ministries have been established globally, many churches currently either lack appropriate evidence-based volunteer and staff training, adequate resources and accommodations to meet each child’s needs and functional capabilities or are unable to provide any accommodation services. (Avis, 2019; Jacober, 2007; Lee, …

Commencement Program 2019, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

1 | Message from the President

3 | 2019 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

7 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | The Good Samaritan

10 | University History Highlights

12 | Loma Linda University Song - "Healing Love"

13 | Criteria for Institutional Awards—Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Health

15 | Loma Linda University Health and Loma Linda University Honorees

34 | The Programs, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

• School of Medicine, 35
• School of Pharmacy, 66
• School of Dentistry, 79
• School of Allied Health Professions - Allied Health Studies, Cardiopulmonary Sciences, …

Education Of Clinic Providers To Promote Improved Diabetes Management, Olubunmi Roseline Awe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is one of the most common major illnesses in the United States population and can lead to severe complications if not properly managed. Research has shown that over the past 2 decades there has been an increase in the prevalence of prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and associated complications and chronic diseases. Diabetes management is an ongoing challenge faced by providers nationally and it is the focus of this staff education development project at the outpatient clinic site. The purpose of this project was to ensure that clinic staff used an evidence-based approach to identify patients with diabetes, manage patients …

The Santa Clara, 2018-11-01, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

College Of Nursing, Matt Schmidt, Christine Delfanian, Dave Graves, Emily Weber

College of Nursing Magazine

FEATURE
[Page] 2 Student-athletes balance busy schedules

COLLEGE NEWS
[Page] 6 LeBeau honored
[Page] 8 Student receives Avera Wokini Scholarship
[Page] 10 College receives HRSA grant
[Page] 11 Simulation receives provisional accreditation
[Page] 12 Regional Health Rapid City's student room
[Page] 14 Population Health Evaluation Center opens

FACULTY NEWS
[Page] 16 Honors
[Page] 18 New Faces

ALUMNI NEWS
[Page] 22 Classes of 1959 and 1968 visit
[Page] 23 VabderWoude, Damgaaed honored
[Page] 24 Patient interaction drives Morrision
[Page] 26 Salter creates unique gift
[Page] 27 SDSU Foundation

Putting The Patient Back In Patient Care: Health Decision-Making From The Patient’S Perspective, Bill R. Garris, Amy J. Weber

The Qualitative Report

This research explored health decision-making processes among people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Our analysis suggested that diagnosis with type 2 was followed by a period of intense emotional and cognitive disequilibrium. Subsequently, the informants were observed to proceed to health decision-making which was affected by three separate and interrelated factors: knowledge, self-efficacy, and purpose. Knowledge included cognitive or factual components and emotional elements. Knowledge influenced the degree of upset or disequilibrium the patient experienced, and affected a second category, agency: the informants’ confidence in their ability to enact lifestyle changes. The third factor, purpose, summarized the personal and …

A Critical Analysis Of The "Young Life" Program: Implications For The Creation Of A "Leader" Manual, Christina Anne Romano

Senior Theses

The goal of this project was to create a useful and informative manual for current Young Life leaders in Columbia, South Carolina based on research from developmental literature about adolescent needs. Young Life is a nondenominational Christian youth group made up of volunteer leaders and staff people who go into local high schools to build relationships and develop an opportunity for ministry and sharing the Gospel. This project intends to critique what Young Life could be doing better in terms of catering to the needs of adolescents in this critical stage of development while coming from the perspective that the …

Six Principles To Consider When Working With Roman Catholic Clients, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Although the majority of Americans consider themselves to be Christian and affiliated with various Protestant denominations, a quarter of the American population identify themselves as Roman Catholics who are the largest single religious denomination in the country. Yet, surprisingly, fairly little research has been published in the professional psychology literature about working with this very large and diverse group. Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to be aware of and respectful to diversity including diversity based on religious background, affiliation, and perspectives. The purpose of this brief reflection is to offer 6 important principles to keep in mind for professional psychologists …

Four Lessons Learned From Treatingcatholic Priest Sex Offenders, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Perhaps there is no one in our society more despised and vilified than sex offenders, especially those who sexually violate young children. And during the past decade perhaps no particular subgroup of sex offender has been more despised than those who are Roman Catholic priests. We need to be attentive to the state-of-the-art facts, best practices, and create policies and procedures to keep those who might harm children away from children. To do otherwise is foolish and harmful. Yet strong opinions, advocacy, and hysteria sometimes gets more attention than actual evidence-based quality research and practice which is not ultimately in …

Nursing Students Follow God’S Call, Becky St. Clair

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara, 2014-04-10, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Alumni Journal - Volume 85, Number 1, Loma Linda University School Of Medicine

Alumni Journal, School of Medicine

Features
8 | Those Who Came Before Us: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the First Six Graduates
12 | APC 2014
22 | Portraits of Rural Medicine: Past to Present
30 | Cambodia: Teaching Grounds

News
4 | School of Medicine News
32 | Alumni in the News
33 | In Memoriam

Editorial
2 | Bridging the Divide

From the Dean
6 | Remembering our Roots

Interview
18 | The Anatomy of a Disaster: An Interview with Dr. Tamara L. Thomas '87

Historial Snapshot
40 | The Physician's Desk

What's Up Doc?
41 | Dr. Kaarsten Lang '87

The Santa Clara,2014-02-20, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara, 2014-02-06, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Preaching With Power, Ashleigh Jardine

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara, 2014-01-30, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

The Santa Clara, 2014-01-16, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.