Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

The Voices I Never Heard: Reflections From A Public Health Advocate On Representation, Silence, And Struggle, Araya Gautam

Patient Experience Journal

Representation of ethnic minorities among trial participants in the UK is poor. It is true that the need for diversity and inclusive language is important in research, but the practicality of making this a reality for patients from under-represented groups has not generally been the case. As a patient advocate, I have been a participant in clinical trial reviews and advisory boards during the past three years and have engaged in a national-level conversation about patient voice and equity. I draw connections between structured frameworks for patient and public involvement (PPI) in the UK and the more informal, community-based caregiving …

The Quiet End Of The Visit, Avinav Biswas

Patient Experience Journal

Reassuring language is a common and often well-intentioned feature of clinical encounters, frequently used to convey clinical confidence and bring visits to a close. This personal narrative reflects on an observed outpatient encounter during a physician shadowing experience in which reassurance appeared to function not only as comfort, but also as an implicit signal of conversational closure. From the perspective of a student observer, the piece describes a moment of patient hesitation that arose after reassurance was offered, then quietly disappeared as the visit concluded. Although the encounter was clinically appropriate and efficient, the unspoken pause highlighted how uncertainty can …

Navigating Medical Ambiguity: A Patient's Perspective On Communication, Timing, And Risk, J. Hansen

Patient Experience Journal

This essay recounts the experience of navigating re-vaccination decisions after an initial diagnosis of vaccine-associated myocarditis. A diagnosis later contested by other specialists. It is not a tale of medical error, but of diagnostic ambiguity and divergent clinical reasoning. My intent is to show how, in the absence of consensus, a patient was compelled to assume a central role in adjudicating between competing medical narratives. Recommendations are offered to make medical advice more available to patients and bridge a growing gap between medicine and the public.

Human Experience, The Boarding Crisis, And Moral Injury-A Call To Action, Thom Mayer, Wendy Dean

Patient Experience Journal

Patient experience has evolved to a broader definition of human experience, including workforce experience, and community experience. Hospital boarding is a common, pervasive problem facing healthcare, which threatens all levels of human experience, from patient experience, to workforce experience (moral injury and burnout in healthcare professionals), and community experience (delayed and denied access to care for patients, Emergency Medical Services, and even interhospital transfers. Effective system leadership across the systems and processes of healthcare, as well as stakeholder and boundary management, will be essential to deliver acceptable human experience, in addition to solutions to smooth surgical flow, improve discharge systems, …

Human Experience: A Catalyst For Global Connection, Jason A. Wolf

Patient Experience Journal

As I think about the state of play in our world today, I find we have two choices in how we react. One is with a sense of despair driven by the intentional efforts to disconnect humanity being perpetuated by some. The other, with a sense of hope, that even in the face of these forces, there are those that strive relentlessly to foster connection and opportunity. I find the path forward in holding the tension of pragmatic idealism – that we can dream, with big and noble goals, while recognizing our path forward must be grounded in practical and …

Post-Covid Update: Magic Can Still Happen, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, Dr. Michelle Dziurgot addresses the persistent staffing shortages in dentistry six years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares personal insights on managing a leaner practice by utilizing virtual assistants, cross-training existing staff, and emphasizing the "TEAM" philosophy—Trust, Education, Accountability, and Magic. Dziurgot discusses the transition to new practice models and the importance of patient communication during times of limited personnel. Ultimately, the piece encourages practice owners to find innovative ways to maintain high standards of care and team morale despite a difficult labor market.

How Do I Set Up New Hires For Long-Term Success?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

HR expert Jodi Schafer addresses the common challenge of employee retention through effective onboarding strategies. She clarifies that onboarding is a long-term process of integration and belonging, distinct from simple orientation. The article provides practical tips for reducing new-hire anxiety, such as sharing first-day agendas and assigning mentors. Schafer emphasizes the importance of pacing training, setting clear performance expectations, and establishing ongoing feedback loops during the first few weeks. By measuring metrics like time to proficiency, practices can refine their integration processes to build a stable and committed workforce.

Endorsed Programs News, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This section provides updates on services and resources endorsed by the MDA to help members succeed in practice. It covers critical compliance topics like OSHA employee alarm standards and emergency evacuation procedures. Financial advice is offered for associates looking to purchase a practice, focusing on credit scores and debt management. Additionally, it promotes tools for increasing revenue through PPO negotiation and lowering insurance costs via risk management training. The source also mentions the availability of free, confidential counseling through the MDA Member Assistance Program.

What Ce Do I Need To Take To Renew My Dea License?, Rachel Sinacola Dds, Ms

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This resource provides practical answers to member questions about licensure and association events. It explains the new DEA requirement for a one-time eight-hour training on substance use disorders and highlights available MDA courses that fulfill this mandate. The source also details significant changes to the MDA Annual Session registration process, which now uses a simplified pass system rather than individual course registration. Additionally, it offers guidance on renewing dental licenses through the MiPLUS platform and downloading the MDA member logo.

Expanding Waste Segregation Initiatives To Reduce Regulated Medical Waste: A Multi-Departmental Quality Improvement Project, Emily M. Su, Anuja L. Sarode, Mohammed Sami, David R. Nehring, Erica L. Laipply, Mustafa Culcuoglu

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Regulated medical waste (RMW) drives up health care costs, largely due to misclassification of general waste, especially in operating rooms (ORs), intensive care units (ICUs), and obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) departments. This study aimed to reduce RMW volume and costs at Akron City Hospital (ACH) through department-specific interventions aligning with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Methods

Periodic analyses compared hospital-wide aggregate RMW volume, pick-up frequency, and disposal costs before and after interventions. The ORs initiated interventions in October 2022, expanding to ICUs and OBGYN by February 2024. Strategies included staff education, flyers …

Operational Factors Influencing Branch Revenue In Multi-Branch Child Therapy Services, Muhammad Luthfi

Jurnal Administrasi Bisnis Terapan

The management of multi-branch child therapy services requires a strong understanding of operational factors that contribute to revenue performance. This study aims to analyze the relationship between operational days, occupancy rate, service attendance, and the number of practitioners in relation to branch revenue within a child therapy service organization operating in urban areas in Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed using operational data collected from 24 child therapy services. This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design using branch-level operational data collected in December 2025 from 24 child therapy service branches. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the …

Mastering The First Year Of Ownership, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column provides a reflective look at the first year of dental practice ownership, describing it as a mix of exhilaration and pressure. It highlights the importance of transitioning from a clinical mindset to one focused on financial clarity, cash flow variability, and team dynamics. The author discusses the necessity of developing efficient systems to resolve bottlenecks and understanding the patient base on a deeper level. The piece emphasizes that leadership confidence grows through action and adjustment.

How Do I Avoid Burning Out My Staff?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column details the financial advantages of utilizing MDA-endorsed vendors to improve practice profitability. It explains the vetting process performed by volunteers to ensure vendors offer meaningful discounts and vetted solutions. The source highlights specific services, such as PPO fee negotiation, dental marketing, and insurance verifications, which can save a practice over $58,000 annually. By leveraging collective bargaining, members gain access to revenue-boosting solutions without exhaustive trial-and-error searching.

How Much Could You Save Using Mda Services Endorsed Vendors?, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This column details the financial advantages of utilizing MDA-endorsed vendors to improve practice profitability. It explains the vetting process performed by volunteers to ensure vendors offer meaningful discounts and vetted solutions. The source highlights specific services, such as PPO fee negotiation, dental marketing, and insurance verifications, which can save a practice over $58,000 annually. By leveraging collective bargaining, members gain access to revenue-boosting solutions without exhaustive trial-and-error searching.

Endorsed Programs News, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Endorsed news section outlines several financial and operational resources endorsed by the MDA to support dental practices. It highlights practice financing through Bank of America, significant savings on credit card processing with Best Card, and AI-driven marketing trends via ProSites Additionally, the news features the MDA Medicare Educational Seminar and wealth management services offered by DBS Investment Advisers. These programs are designed to enhance practice efficiency and provide professional guidance for dentists at all career stages.

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

The Relationship Between Registered Nurse Burnout, Organizational Engagement, And Quality Outcomes In Acute Care Hospitals, James E. Parsons

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Registered Nurse (RN) burnout remains a significant challenge in acute care hospitals, with far-reaching consequences for staff well-being, organizational performance, and patient care outcomes. Characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment, burnout among RNs contributes to decreased job satisfaction, increased turnover, and compromised care quality. Despite extensive research on burnout, few studies have integrated theoretical frameworks such as the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) with large-scale, nationally representative data to empirically test how burnout influences organizational engagement and healthcare quality outcomes.

This quantitative, non-experimental study examined relationships among RN burnout, organizational engagement, and patient care …

Burnout And Workforce Outcomes Among Registered Nurses, Madeline Willcoxen

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between staffing and organizational support interventions and workforce outcomes among registered nurses providing direct patient care in hospital settings. The study focused on three measurable outcomes: emotional exhaustion, absenteeism, and annual nurse turnover. The population included hospital-based registered nurses, and the comparison involved standard staffing and support conditions.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between 2015 and 2026 were identified using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. Inclusion criteria required quantitative studies examining staffing or organizational support interventions among registered nurses in …

From State House To World Health Assembly: The Distinct Missions Of National And International Leadership In Oral Healthcare, Robert A. Faiella Dmd, Mmsc., Mba, William R. Calnon Dds, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Leadership in oral healthcare has long been treated as a skill assimilated over time through experience rather than intentionally defined, taught, and assessed. Unlike clinical practice, education, research, and infection control, leadership in oral healthcare lacks consistent standards despite its critical role in integrating these systems and guiding the profession’s future. As healthcare becomes increasingly collaborative and global, dentistry must deliberately develop leadership capabilities at multiple levels. This article examines leadership at the national and international levels, using the American Dental Association’s role within U.S. and global health and dental organizations as examples. It explores why these leadership contexts require …

The Ethics Of Dental Insurance Submission And Adjudication, Robert Rosenthal Dds

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental insurance claims sit at the intersection of professional ethics, contract administration, and regulatory oversight. This article argues that claim submission and payer adjudication should be treated as ethical practices grounded in truthfulness, fair use of shared resources, and respect for patient autonomy. Common failure modes range from misunderstandings of benefit provisions to intentional misrepresentations of diagnosis, procedure coding, dates of service, or supporting narratives. Because payer communications and attachments become part of the claim file, inaccuracies may create downstream harm, including patient financial confusion, audit exposure, recoupment, network consequences, and professional discipline. This article offers practical guidance to help …

Tele-Psychiatry Adoption And Its Effect On Rural Mental Health Service Availability, Anna Heineman, Kaylee Canterbury, Taylor Carpenter

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose of study: This study examined the association between tele-psychiatry implementation and mental health service availability in rural healthcare settings. The analysis compared tele-psychiatry to traditional in-person psychiatric care among rural populations, focusing on access and utilization outcomes, including time to first psychiatric appointment, number of completed visits, and appointment no-show rates.

Methods: A qualitative literature review following a systematic approach was conducted using peer-reviewed articles published between 2016-2026. Databases included PubMed, ProQuest Health, CINAHL, Journal of Medical Internet Research, and the National Library of Medicine, with Google Scholar used as a supplemental source. The review followed PRISMA …

What Is A Standard? Perspectives On Acd’S Standards For Leadership In Oral Healthcare, N. Karl Haden Phd, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American College of Dentists’ new Standards for Leadership in Oral Healthcare mark the first attempt in dentistry to articulate standards specifically for leadership, complementing the broader orientation offered by the Ethics Handbook for Dentistry. This article explores the basic question, “What is a standard?” Close reading of the document indicates at least three distinct but related senses of the term: an expectation, a norm, and a guiding principle. The article offers an interpretation of how these three senses fit together coherently. Referencing the Handbook, the article argues that the leadership standards are most impactful only when habituated, when practiced …

Standards For Leadership In Oral Healthcare: Applying Local And Regional Standards In Practice, Teresa A. Dolan Dds, Mph, Facd, Robin Henderson Dds, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The dental profession has well-established standards governing clinical practice, education, and research, yet has lacked comparable standards to guide leadership behavior. The American College of Dentists (ACD) Standards for Leadership in Oral Healthcare Task Force developed a comprehensive framework spanning four levels: 1) core; 2) team; 3) local and regional; and 4) national and international. This article describes the local and regional standards, which include 10 standards organized into three themes—Building Foundation, Leading with Purpose, and Developing Others—and their application through interactive workshops at the ACD Spring Leadership Conference 2026. Using structured role-playing exercises, Section leaders and Regents stress-tested the …

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2b

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care.

The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Revenue Cycle Management And Financial Performance In Healthcare Organizations, K’Reesa Webster

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this review was to examine how artificial intelligence–enabled revenue cycle management (AI-enabled RCM) systems have been associated with financial performance outcomes in healthcare organizations. A literature review following a systematic process consistent with PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted to identify quantitative studies published between 2015 and 2026. Eligible studies were required to report at least one financial outcome related to claim denial rate, days in accounts receivable, or operating margin. Twenty-seven studies met all inclusion criteria. Findings across these studies indicated that AI-enabled RCM systems have been associated with lower denial rates, shorter accounts receivable timelines, and …

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy And Alcohol Use Disorder, Zoe R. Evans

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This current paper has studied whether the psilocybin-assisted treatment has been linked with meaningful shifts in three clinical outcomes among adults 18 years old and above diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD): percentage of heavy drinking days, abstinence rates, and neural responsiveness to alcohol-related cues. A literature review following a systematic approach was performed using guidelines from PRISMA 2020 based on four databases, namely PubMed and PsycINFO, and Scopus and CINAHL, where peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2026 were included. A semi-structured professional interview with a clinical researcher in the Division of Addiction Sciences of Marshall University was also …

Self-Leadership And Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence: A Single-Case Study, Patrik Garren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this single-case qualitative project is to uncover how self-leadership’s behavioral and cognitive strategies influence perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI adoption. While existing literature acknowledges that there is an association between self-leadership, technology’s perceived usefulness and ease of use, as well as comfort with AI preparedness and its professional impact, there is limited research on how self-leadership shapes perceptions of AI and AI adoption in real-life contexts. To fill this gap in contemporary literature, this project analyzes qualitative semi-structured interviews with 25 healthcare professionals involved in the implementation of ‘AI Model 1’ at their mid-sized United …

Core Standards For Leadership In Oral Healthcare, Sir Nairn H.F. Wilson Cbe Dsc(H.C.) Ddent(H.C.) Phd Msc Bds Fcgdent Fds Rcs Edin, Eng(Hon) & Rcps Glasg(Hon) Ffd Rcsi(Hon) Fcdshk(Hon) Fracds(Hon) Drd Fhea Facd Ficd Fadm Fpfa Frsm Fkc

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This article introduces the American College of Dentists’ core standards for leadership in oral healthcare, grounded in well-established ethical principles and in response to ever-increasing expectations for patient-first care. It is suggested that the new standards must be consistently upheld to maintain patient trust and professional credibility. Effective leadership, in contrast to management, improves patient engagement and outcomes, team performance, and resilience. The article calls for more leadership training in dentistry, beginning in dental schools, and highlights the need for effective leadership in oral healthcare to strengthen the profession’s standing and status.

Standards For Leadership In Oral Health Care. A Project Of The Board Of Regents Of The American College Of Dentists, Robert A. Faiella Dmd, Mmsc., Mba, Teresa A. Dolan Dds, Mph, Facd, N. Karl Haden Phd, Facd, Sreenivas Koka Dds, Ms, Phd, Mba, Mas, Facd, Sir Nairn H.F. Wilson Cbe Dsc(H.C.) Ddent(H.C.) Phd Msc Bds Fcgdent Fds Rcs Edin, Eng(Hon) & Rcps Glasg(Hon) Ffd Rcsi(Hon) Fcdshk(Hon) Fracds(Hon) Drd Fhea Facd Ficd Fadm Fpfa Frsm Fkc

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This section of the Journal of the American College of Dentists presents professional conference proceedings and/or published guidelines relevant to dentistry, ethics, education, leadership, policy, or clinical care. Conference proceedings may also include documents from affiliate organizations in dentistry.

Enhancing Military Health System Organizational Efficiency And Quality Of Care Through A Social-Ecological Framework, Eric L. Peipelman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Timely and fair adjudication of incivility-related actions within the Department of Defense (DoD) and Military Health System (MHS) is increasingly crucial for maintaining accountability, mission readiness, and quality of care. Ongoing delays in resolving workplace complaints and inefficiencies in resource-heavy adjudications highlight the need to shift from reactive complaint handling toward proactive civility promotion and transparent decision-making. This Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) introduces the Peipelman Civility Discussion and Assessment Toolkit (PCDAT)—a comprehensive, evidence-based framework designed to improve civility, optimize resources, and enhance communication, even in the MHS. Based on the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) and adapted from the Workplace Power and …