Digital Commons Network^™

Designing A Multilingual Instructional Language Tool For Patient Communication In Interventional Radiology, Ahlam Houssein, Samuel Almodóvar, Gregg Khodorov, Md, Mba, Sahib Sohal, Md, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd, David Dwyer, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Language barriers in healthcare contribute to medical errors, reduced patient adherence, and increased procedural risk among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), particularly in interventional radiology (IR), where real-time verbal instruction is essential for procedural success. Current virtual translation services lack the immediacy, specificity, and workflow integration required for intraprocedural communication. This project asks how a digital platform can enable IR professionals to communicate procedural instructions to LEP patients accurately and efficiently in real time, hypothesizing that a structured, phrase-based translation system will improve procedural efficiency and safety.

Methods: On-site interviews and workflow observations were conducted with IR physicians, …

Improving Options For Prehospital Management Of Hyperthermia, David Azizi, Connor Coyle, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd

Phase 1

Introduction: Hyperthermia, particularly heatstroke, is a life-threatening failure of thermoregulation that requires rapid cooling to prevent serious sequelae. Despite effective hospital-based systems, prehospital and austere environments lack portable solutions capable of achieving timely temperature reduction. This project investigates whether a lightweight, field-ready garment incorporating endothermic salts can improve prehospital hyperthermia management.

Methods: We conducted a literature review and expert interviews with emergency and wilderness medicine clinicians to identify limitations of existing tools and define design requirements. A prototype was designed with a thermally conductive inner layer and insulating outer layer integrating off-the-shelf chemical cold packs. Planned testing includes quantifying heat …

Temperature Control Vest For Use In Acute Hyperthermic Episodes, Connor Coyle, David Azizi, Isaac Kravatz, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd

Phase 1

Introduction: In the acute treatment of acute hyperthermia that is treated in austere conditions, there is a lack of a portable, effective, and inexpensive device that can rapidly lower the temperature of the patient back to baseline levels. With rapidly rising global temperatures, we anticipate an increase in acute heat strokes where correction by cooling can save countless lives. We want to create a medical device that is effective in cooling a patient with hyperthermia to increase survival and recovery outcomes. Our main inquiry is whether it is reasonable to design, produce, and test a cooling device that fits within …

A 3d-Printed Enclosure To Improve Precision And Reduce Tearing In Laser Fenestration Of Endovascular Grafts, Tuyaa Bi, Babak Abai, Md, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd

Phase 1

Introduction

In-situ laser fenestration has become increasingly critical in endovascular surgery. However, the higher risk of endoleak and microthrombosis has raised concerns about achieving optimal outcomes.

In a previous study, researchers performed laser fenestration on several commonly used graft materials and compared fabric fraying and directional tear propagation. However, the experimental environment was suboptimal because the fenestration angle was not controlled. This may limit the validity of the results.

In this SI project, we aim to create a more controlled environment for laser fenestration by designing and 3D printing an enclosure that mimics the anatomy of the aorta and the …

Auravena, Isaac Kravatz, Bassem Fayek, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd

Phase 1

Introduction: Over 200 million peripheral IVs are placed annually, serving as critical access points for medications and therapies, yet up to 40% fail on the first attempt. While heat is often used to support IV placement, current methods are insufficient compared to what the literature suggests. Therefore, we asked: how might heat be applied more efficiently and sustainably to improve first-attempt success rates for patients with difficult IV access?

Methods: We began by interviewing nursing staff at an outpatient infusion center, uncovering a significant gap in care for patients with difficult IV access. These insights drove iterative design cycles focused …

Beyond Naloxone: A Human Centered Overdose Response And Education Kit To Destigmatize Opioid Use Disorder For First-Year Medical Students, Hope Friel, Justin Leggin, Madeleine Peele, Donya Zarrinnegar, Abigail Kay, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Opioid related deaths are a leading cause of death in adults in the United States and Thomas Jefferson University equips each first year medical student (M1) with a box of Narcan at the White Coat Ceremony. Research has shown that there are knowledge and training gaps in M1s and harmful stigmas surrounding drug users. This project examines how we might provide an education-focused opioid overdose response kit and intervention for JeffMD M1s in order to reduce stigma and improve clinical readiness for drug-related emergencies.

Methods: Class of 2029 M1s will take a pre-post survey to capture the baseline level …

Beyond Naloxone: A Human-Centered Overdose Response And Education Kit To Destigmatize Opioid Use Disorder For First-Year Medical Students, Justin Leggin, Abigail Kay, Md, Madeleine Peel, Hope Friel, Donya Zarrinnegar

Phase 1

Introduction: Opioid overdose remains a leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States and is particularly prevalent in Philadelphia. While first-year medical students commonly receive brief training in overdose recognition and naloxone administration, such instruction often overlooks stigma toward people who use drugs(PWUD). Sidney Kimmel Medical College implemented a two-step model in which students received naloxone at their white coat ceremony and later completed a clinical skills–based overdose response session. This study assessed how this training influenced first-year students’ overdose knowledge and attitudes toward PWUD.

Methods: Students completed the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS; 0–39)and Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale …

Beyond Naloxone: A Human Centered Overdose Response And Education Kit To Destigmatize Opioid Use Disorder For First-Year Medical Students, Madeleine Peel, Justin Leggin, Hope Friel, Donya Zarrinnegar, Abigail Kay, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Over 1,413 unintentional opioid-related deaths occurred in Philadelphia in 2022,indicating a public health crisis. Medical students can assist in overdose responses, driving our question: how might we provide an education-focused opioid-overdose response kit for first-year JeffMD students to reduce stigma and improve clinical readiness for opioid-related emergencies? We hypothesize that a naloxone kit with educational materials will improve preparedness and empathy and reduce stigma toward people who use drugs (PUD) compared with standard naloxone training.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted among first-year JeffMD’s class of 2029 using pre- and post-surveys administered before and after a naloxone training. Surveys …

Beyond Naloxone: A Human Centered Overdose Response And Education Kit To Destigmatize Opioid Use Disorder For First-Year Medical Students, Donya Zarrinnegar, Justin Leggins, Madeleine Peel, Hope Friel, Abigail Kay, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: The opioid crisis remains a leading cause of accidental death among U.S. adults under 45. Yet, medical education often inadequately prepares trainees to recognize overdoses, administer naloxone, or provide stigma-free care for people who use drugs (PWUD). These gaps contribute to reduced treatment engagement and underutilization of lifesaving interventions. This project examined whether an education-focused opioid overdose response intervention for first-year JeffMD students (Class of 2029) reduces stigma and improves clinical preparedness for drug-related emergencies.

Methods: We administered a baseline survey prior to the White Coat Ceremony and a follow-up survey after a naloxone training. Surveys incorporated validated instruments, …

Chiefcomplaint: An Ai Based Application For Self Regulated Learning And Practicing Clinical Skills, Said Omer Sadat, Jeffrey Ratliff, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: As a constantly evolving field, medicine is prone to change with acquisition of new knowledge and information. As such, medical learners are obligated to practice Self-Regulated Learning (SRL); being behaviorally, metacognitively, and motivationally proactive in the learning process. With this project, we attempt to explore the use of AI as a tool to mimic clinical encounters and advance SRL.

Methods: Python was used to build an application that stimulates patient interactions under guidance of an instructor. Written case scenarios and AI instructions were parsed, chunked and stored into vectors using LangChain. To facilitate the clinician-patient interaction, OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o-mini was …

Designing A Multilingual Instructional Language Tool For Patient Communication In Interventional Radiology, Samuel Almodóvar, Ahlam Houssein, Gregg Khodorov, Md, Mba, Sahib Sohal, Md, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd, David Dwyer, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Current efforts to provide language-inclusive radiological care fall short, resulting in suboptimal imaging, increased procedural time, and greater radiation exposure. Inadequate language accessibility results in poor communication, suboptimal care, and increased patient dissatisfaction. A digital language tool was developed to provide patient instructions during interventional radiology (IR) procedures, addressing this gap and enhancing patient care.

Methods: Observations were carried out to better understand workflow during IR procedures and identify how to incorporate the tool. We conducted interviews with IR physicians, nurses, and technologists to gather common procedural phrases and patient instructions. Spanish and Mandarin were selected because they are …

Aura Vena, Bassem Fayek, Isaac Kravatz, Robert Pugliese, Pharmd

Phase 1

Introduction: Peripheral intravenous (IV) access remains a common problem faced across healthcare, leading to significant healthcare losses in terms of working hours, resources, as well as patient pain and discomfort. At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s (TJUH) infusion center, many healthcare workers utilize hot towels and disposable heat packs to warm patients’ arms if IV access is difficult- a wasteful solution that provides limited heating.

Methods: Nurses at TJUH’s infusion center were interviewed to define the problem and identify optimal product requirements for healthcare workers. In conjunction with market research, a heat-warming sleeve is designed and created. The design of the …

Patient Perceptions Of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits: Findings From A Pilot Survey, Payton Mccready, Amy Cunningham, Susan Parks

Phase 1

Purpose

Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) were introduced in 2011 to promote preventive care among Medicare beneficiaries, yet patient satisfaction remains understudied. Participating in the  Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative, Jefferson Health’s Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) is redesigning its AWVs to align with Age-Friendly principles. This study aimed to obtain baseline data on Medicare patients’ familiarity, experience, and satisfaction with AWVs in a geriatrics practice before implementing the redesigned model.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2025 at Jefferson Health’s CHA, a geriatrics practice serving about 2,000 Medicare patients. Eligible participants were Medicare-enrolled CHA patients. An eight-item survey …

The Effect Of Prior Work And Educational Experience On Medical School Small Group Case-Based Learning, Alexandra Kelleher, Alisa Losasso, Md

Phase 1

Purpose

Medical students have varied academic and professional backgrounds, many taking gap years in healthcare or research before matriculation. Prior studies suggest these experiences may reduce burnout, enhance patient skills, and improve teamwork capabilities, but their impact on early case-based learning (CBL) performance and perceived comfort level is unclear. This study explores how prior healthcare and research experience influence perceived preparedness and participation for first-year medical students in CBL at SKMC.

Methods

This mixed-methods study was conducted among 66 rising second-year JeffMD students. Participants completed an online 15-item survey assessing undergraduate background and self-reported confidence in CBL. Ten students were …

Understanding The Benefits Of Sustainable Ir Fellowship To A Large Public Hospital In Kenya, Abigael Gebremariam, Kevin Anton

Phase 1

In 2021, Kenya had 10 interventional radiologists for a population of about 54 million. RAD-AID, a non-profit organization improving global radiology, partnered with the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta National Hospital to establish the first IR fellowship program in Kenya in 2021. Through the program, the number of practicing IRs in Kenya has nearly doubled; however, their practice is limited by capital and supply resources. This study will demonstrate the benefit of the program to the hospital system and the patient population in Kenya.

The project employed a retrospective and comparative analysis of IR services at a large public hospital …

Identification Of Gene Signatures Of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease In Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Via Whole Transcriptome Sequencing, Chaitanya Karimanasseri Bse, Pongsakorn Choochuen Md, Phd, Yotsawat Pomyen Phd, Hien Dang Phd

Phase 1

Introduction
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While the only curative treatment for PDAC is surgical excision of the tumor, often surgery is ineffective due to early metastasis to other organs. A better understanding of PDAC’s risk factors would contribute to earlier PDAC diagnoses and thus more effective surgical resections before metastasis occurs.

One pathology related to PDAC is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a metabolic disease leading to triglyceride accumulation in the liver. MASLD is known to cause worse PDAC outcomes versus non-MASLD PDAC. Further elucidating the mechanism through which MASLD increases …

Mapping The Pathology Competencies For Medical Education (Pcme) To The Sidney Kimmel Medical College’S Jeffmd Gi Curriculum, Emma Sanders, Alexander Macnow, Md, Mhpe

Phase 1

Introduction/Purpose: Sidney Kimmel Medical College’s competency-based curriculum, JeffMD, is structured around SMART objectives. However, evaluation of the alignment of these objectives against the PCME, a collection of graduation competencies published by the Association for Academic Pathology, has not yet been performed. This study investigated how comprehensively the GI/Liver block of the JeffMD curriculum addresses the corresponding PCME learning objectives, thereby piloting a pathology curriculum map and allowing evaluation of this curriculum.

Methods: In this study, a curriculum map was created of all learning events covered within the JeffMD GI/Liver block. Each learning event was cross-matched with competencies within the gastrointestinal …

Interviewing Rural Primary Care Physicians To Inform Learning Objectives For A Rural Health Curriculum, Luke May, Caleb Gayman, Robert J. Motley, Md, Mhcds

Phase 1

Introduction/Purpose: Pennsylvania has a large rural population with too few physicians to meet medical needs. The Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) at SKMC works to address the shortage of primary care physicians in rural Pennsylvania. To adequately prepare future rural physicians, this project sought to obtain input from practicing PSAP graduates to inform learning objectives for a future curriculum intervention for preclinical PSAP students.

Methods: The target learner population is preclinical PSAP students at SKMC. A codebook was generated based on SKMC Graduation Competencies. Semi-structured interviews with PSAP graduates were conducted via video call, focused on those graduates practicing primary …

Interviewing Rural Primary Care Physicians To Inform Learning Objectives For A Rural Health Curriculum, Caleb Gayman, Luke May, Robert J. Motley, Md, Mhcds

Phase 1

Introduction/Purpose: There is a significant shortage of physicians in rural Pennsylvania. Programs like the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) at SKMC aim to address this gap by providing support and guidance for medical students who grew up in rural areas and hope to return to practice in a rural area. This project focuses on identifying rural health topics and modes of delivery recommended by practicing primary care physicians to inform new learning objectives (LOs) for a future curriculum intervention for first and second-year medical students.

Methods: SKMC PSAP graduates practicing in rural areas were interviewed using semi-structured interviews that included …

Artificial Intelligence In Case-Based Learning: A Survey Of Student Current Practices In Small Group Self-Directed Learning Pedagogy, Clarice Pamplona, Joshua Kim

Phase 1

Introduction: Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to become an essential clinical tool, its incorporation into the undergraduate medical curricula is disproportionately lacking. Notably, limited research remains on medical student use and perspective on AI, specifically within small-group learning settings. This study explores AI use and perspectives among medical students within Case-Based Learning (CBL) groups at Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) with the aim to establish a formal AI curriculum.

Methods: The population studied includes the Class of 2028 at SKMC. An anonymous Qualtrics survey was distributed within the class Group Me between April and May 2025, exploring student demographics, …

Simulated Or Traditional Clinical Learning Environments: Comparison Survey To Assess Learner Preparation, Audrey Zapletal, Ms, Otd, Otr/L, Cla, Chse, Joanne Baird, Phd, Otr/L, Chse, Faota, Jean Prast, Otd, Otrl, Chse, Tracy Van Oss, Dhsc, Otr/L, Chse, Faota, Maureen Hoppe, Edd, Ma, Otr/L Chse, Ketki Raina, Phd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

• Occupational therapy is a cornerstone rehabilitation profession that provides client-centered care for individuals experiencing a loss of independence at any age. 
• Over 90% of occupational therapy educational programs use simulation.⁶
• Research suggests that simulation can be used to prepare occupational therapy students for their full-time clinical placements.^1,5
• However, little is known about occupational therapy students' perceptions of the effectiveness of simulations compared to introductory clinical fieldwork experiences to enhance specific clinical skills.

Ai Scribe Use In Residency Training: A Call For Specialty Society Guidance In Graduate Medical Education, Julia A. Giordano, Elizabeth Jones

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used for documentation purposes in clinical practice, yet guidance for resident use is limited. Given the substantial documentation burden on medical trainees, AI-powered scribing tools may offer benefits, but their integration into residency training raises educational, supervisory, and patient safety considerations. This study aimed to assess the availability of resident-specific guidance on AI scribe use from major medical and specialty organizations and to summarize current evidence on AI scribes in residency. We reviewed five major medical and specialty society websites (AAD, AMA, ACGME, AAMC, ABMS) via website searches and direct emails and conducted a PubMed …

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose As A Mucoadhesive Polymer In Ethanol-Free Buprenorphine Gel For Neonatal Sublingual Delivery, Sanskruti Dave, Viren Soni, Samarth A. Shah, Walter K. Kraft, Gagan Kaushal

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

Buprenorphine (BUP) is widely used in the treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). However, the most compounded formulation contains 30% ethanol, despite regulatory and clinical concerns regarding ethanol exposure in pediatric patients. Thus, this research aimed to develop an ethanol-free sublingual (SL) gel formulation of BUP that would be safe, stable, and suitable for NOWS. Multiple polymers were screened as gelling agents, with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) emerging as the ideal base polymer for the formulation due to its optimal pH, rheological characteristics, and stability. The formulated gels were stored at room temperature and refrigerated conditions for 30 days and …

Itbs Stimulation Of The Bilateral Ifg/Ipl Alters The Oscillatory Pattern In Asd, Mitra Assadi, Reza Koiler, Ryan Ally, Richard Fischer, Rod C. Scott

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication, reciprocity, and adaptive behavior. Converging neurobiological evidence suggests that these clinical features arise from aberrant connectivity and dysregulated neuronal oscillations across distributed brain networks. In particular, dysfunction within the mirror neuron regions, concentrated in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and inferior parietal lobule (IPL), has been implicated in deficits of imitation, empathy, and social cognition in ASD. Non-invasive neuromodulation using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown modest behavioral benefits in ASD. However, most studies apply the conventional protocols targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The …

Identifying Barriers And Facilitators To Audit & Feedback In General Practice In Italy: A Qualitative Study, Anna Acampora, Andriy Melnyk, Emanuele La Gatta, Angelo Nardi, Laura Angelici, Rosemary Frasso, Nera Agabiti

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Audit & Feedback (A&F) interventions are recognized as effective strategies for enhancing healthcare quality, yet they remain relatively underutilized in Italian primary care settings. Recent literature highlights the importance of examining the factors influencing the implementation of these interventions across diverse clinical and organizational settings. Thus, this study aimed to identify such factors by exploring the experiences of professionals involved in an A&F intervention tailored for General Practitioners (GPs) treating chronic illnesses.

METHODS: Using qualitative research methods, this study organized focus groups (FGs) separately for each professional role involved in A&F: GPs, GPs acting as internal group coordinators, Public …

Dupilumab Beyond The Airway: Decreased Morbidity In A Real-World Analysis, Emma J. Anisman, Spencer Short, Emma Tam, Benjamin F. Bitner, Abdulghafoor Alani, Marc Rosen, Mindy Rabinowitz, Damaris Pena Evertz, Elina Toskala, Gurston G. Nyquist

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: Post hoc analyses of clinical trials have characterized dupilumab's adverse effects, yet the real-world impact in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and asthma is not well described. This study aims to characterize the risks of lymphoma, cardiovascular events, eosinophilia, joint pain, inflammatory arthritis, and sleep apnea in dupilumab-treated CRSwNP and/or asthma patients compared to those not taking dupilumab, and to other biologics.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used TriNetX, a de-identified database containing over 100 million patient records. Demographics and adverse effects associated with immunotherapy use were collected.

Results: We identified 21,249 dupilumab-treated CRSwNP and/or asthma patients. After …

Shoulder Strength And Total Arc Range Of Motion: Associations With Upper-Extremity Joint Kinetics And Ball Velocity In Adolescent Baseball Pitchers, Tomohiro Ide, Stephen J. Thomas, Takato Ogasawara, Adam B. Rosen, Brian A. Knarr, Kazuma Akehi, Samuel J. Wilkins

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Adolescent baseball pitchers are vulnerable to upper-extremity injuries because of the repetitive, high-stress nature of throwing movements. While shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM) are commonly measured, they are often interpreted in isolation during injury prevention assessments.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between clinical measures (shoulder ROM and strength) and throwing arm joint kinetics in adolescent baseball pitchers.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS: This study was conducted in a laboratory setting. A total of 43 adolescent baseball pitchers (age, 15-18 years) were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants underwent clinical assessments of shoulder ROM and isokinetic concentric strength …

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Perceptions Among Noncollege Young Adults And Tiktok Influencers: Qualitative Study, Amelia Burke-Garcia, Dasha Afanaseva, Erin Cutroneo, Kayla Madden, Angela Sustaita-Ruiz, Estefany Rivera Sanchez, Amy Leader

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a proven and effective tool for preventing several types of cancers, yet vaccination rates among young adults remain suboptimal, particularly among those not enrolled in 4-year colleges. This population can be more difficult to reach due to fewer established institutional touchpoints, limited engagement with campus-based health services, and greater variability in access to preventive care. At the same time, social media has become a dominant source of information for young adults, with TikTok (ByteDance) emerging as one of the most widely used platforms. Approximately 41% of TikTok's users are between the ages of 16 …

Translating Social Accountability Values Into Practice: Doctors’ Experiences From Problem- Based Learning Medical Curriculum In The United Arab Emirates, Nihar Ranjan Dash, Ahmed Alrazzak Hasswan, Mayar Abbas Ahmed Essam Samaha, Kamel A. Samara, Mohamed Hassan Taha

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Purpose: Medical schools play a crucial role in preparing future doctors to address the health needs of patients and their communities. Graduates are expected to provide socially accountable care by upholding values such as relevance, equity, quality, and cost- effectiveness. This study explores how these values are understood and applied by medical graduates trained in problem-based learning (PBL) curricula. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among University of Sharjah medical graduates to assess their exposure to and practice of social accountability values. Results: Of the 689 graduates invited, 503 (73%) responded, including 329 (65%) women. Most respondents, 375 (75%), …

Mutations Altering The Dna Binding Domains Of The Human Rad52 Protein Exert Distinct Effects On Homologous Recombination Repair In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Glenn M. Manthey, Elise W. Wolf, Jason Xu, M. Cristina Negritto, Renee A. Bouley, Ruben C. Petreaca, Adam M. Bailis

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

RAD52 is a conserved member of the homologous recombination repair (HRR) apparatus from yeast to humans. Mutating conserved amino acids in the internal and external DNA binding domains of the human RAD52 protein (HsRAD52) has discrete effects in vitro. Previous studies have shown that HsRAD52 supports multiple mechanisms of HRR in budding yeast, suggesting the utility of this model system for exploring the correspondence between losses of HsRAD52 function in vitro and their impact in vivo. We report that disrupting the internal and external DNA binding domains of HsRAD52 produced distinct effects on the repair of genomic DNA double-strand breaks …