Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Volunteering: Service To Humanity Is The Best Work Of Life, William Chase Dds, Maom

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. William Chase reflects on a 45-year career enriched by dental volunteering and humanitarian missions. Chronicling his experiences treating patients in the Philippines and Brazil, he illustrates how altruism provides professional satisfaction that transcends financial gain. The article outlines various domestic opportunities for service, such as the MDA Foundation’s Mission of Mercy and the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. Chase provides a checklist for interested volunteers and encourages colleagues to emerge from their comfort zones to provide life-altering care to underserved populations locally and abroad.

Endorsed Programs News: Mda Insurance Receives High Honors, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This report covers updates on MDA-endorsed programs designed to provide value and operational support to members. It announces that MDA Insurance has won the 2025 "State Administrator of the Year" award for its professional liability programs. The document also promotes the environmental benefits of recycling dental scrap metal through D-MMEX Easyrefine and introduces the cost-saving benefits of MEDVA virtual assistants for administrative tasks. Additionally, it advertises upcoming Medicare educational seminars to help member dentists and their staff navigate retirement planning and health insurance transitions effectively.

Using Ai-Based Predictive Scheduling To Improve Patient Flow And Reduce Wait Times In Healthcare Clinics, Oscar Martinez

Posters - 2026

• Healthcare systems face increasing challenges in patient access and wait times
• Average wait times for specialist care continue to rise, creating:
  • Delays in treatment
  • Reduced patient satisfaction
  • Increased system inefficiencies (Sanford, 2025)
• A major contributor is operational bottlenecks, defined as:
  • Points of congestion that slow or disrupt service flow
• Hospitals typically operate under process layouts, which:
  • Handle diverse patient needs
  • Reduce specialization efficiency
• Contributing factors to bottlenecks:
  • Physician shortages and burnout
  • Administrative burden
  • Inefficient scheduling systems (Moura & Pinho, 2025)
• AI offers potential solutions through:
  • Predictive scheduling
  • Automation of administrative processes
  • Data-driven optimization of patient flow

Community Pharmacies Face Critical Sustainability Challenges In The United States: Academic Pharmacy Can Help, Karl M. Hess, Peter Lim

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Community pharmacies in the United States (US) face an increasingly unsustainable future due to declining third-party reimbursement (remuneration) and ongoing cash flow challenges following the elimination of retroactive direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees. These pressures have contributed to widespread pharmacy closures, the emergence of pharmacy deserts, and reduced access to care for millions of patients. Despite these challenges, community pharmacy remains the most common employment setting for pharmacy school graduates in the US. However, currently required community pharmacy Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student rotations may offer limited exposure to business, management, and entrepreneurial activities, potentially leaving students underprepared …

Strategic Planning Time Horizons And Hospital Performance Outcomes, David Meyer

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite widespread adoption of strategic planning in healthcare, empirical evidence linking strategic planning time horizons to hospital financial and quality performance outcomes remains limited. Healthcare executives invest substantial resources in strategic planning processes, yet lack evidence-based guidance on whether longer or shorter planning horizons yield enhanced financial and quality-related results.

Methods: This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design combining executive survey data with archival performance data. A REDCap survey was administered to 22 hospital CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives between January and February 2026. Survey responses were matched to publicly available financial and quality performance data from …

Transformational Leadership In Higher Education, Dr. Jewel Hale, Jr., Kristi Apostel

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

A crisis can highlight the critical need for resilient leadership within higher educational settings. Educational leaders encounter extraordinary difficulties, ranging from different learning options to prioritizing the well-being of both staff and students, necessitating flexible and innovative methods. By exploring how school leaders apply transformational techniques in actual educational environments, this article addresses the impact of the four I’s of transformational leadership, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, on building educator resiliency, sustaining school effectiveness, and promoting student achievement in higher education.

Fierce Leadership-Perspectives Of Black Women Educational Leaders: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Janice Taylor, Dianne Reed

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

The authors of this transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of Black women based on their perceptions, values, and beliefs about the complexities of leadership and the kind of leadership required to succeed in their respective roles, as educational leaders. This study was framed by the adaptive leadership theory. Adaptive leadership recognizes the need for leaders to stay flexible and resilient in fast-paced environments (Nelson & Squires, 2017). The three Black women leaders in this study were fierce adaptive leaders. The information acquired from this study is significant and highlights how Black women educational leaders developed the …

Research Literacy And Research Production Skills As Core Competencies In Leaders, Kk O'Byrne

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

No abstract provided.

Spatial Narrative Beyond The Proscenium: Set Design As A Tool For Wellness, Christina Griffey

LSU Master's Theses

Inspired by a health crisis that led to spending time in medical settings, this thesis examines how our surroundings impact our well-being. By developing a framework that explores the topics of storytelling, space, place, theatre, and expanded scenography, I propose that set design can be used as a tool for wellness. I explore several disciplines through the lens of set design and highlight the disciplines, professionals, and designers that are contributing to the creation of therapeutic environments using scenographic practices.

Unpacking Low Glycaemic Index (Gi) Food Purchase Intentions In An S-O-R Framework: The Multidimensional Moderating Roles Of Consumer Knowledge And Trust, Cao Henglei

Student Works (2020-2029)

Research aim: Examine Malaysian consumers’ decisions to purchase low-GI foods using the S–O–R framework, while considering how knowledge and trust shape these decisions. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative survey was conducted among 302 Malaysian consumers, with data analysed via confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling, and moderation analysis. Research findings: Attitudes toward low-GI foods are shaped by health consciousness, environmental concern, and social influence, but not price perception. Purchase intention is directly influenced by trust, with moderation observed only for subjective knowledge. Theoretical contribution/Originality: Extends the S–O–R framework through differentiating knowledge type and clarifying the role of trust in low-GI food consumption. …

Documenting For Success: A Case Study Of A Graduate Writing Retreat, Elliott Rose, Denise Wetzel, Sara C. Kern, Katie O'Hara-Krebs, Laurin Davis, Salah Seoudi, Carmen Cole

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students often find themselves balancing the demands of research and writing while managing complex academic and personal needs. Writing retreats provide an intentional space for graduate students to focus on their academic goals while supporting community-building, institutional belonging, and a welcoming environment. This proposal outlines a model for academic librarians and staff to plan and implement an effective graduate writing retreat designed to support graduate student academic activities through intentional collaboration and documentation.

Penn State University’s (PSU) Graduate Student Writing Retreat started as an event housed within the University Library’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) department. The retreat …

Redesigning Online Graduate Orientation To Foster Academic Resilience And Prevent Underperformance, Stella Michael-Makri, David E. Rodriguez

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Graduate students in fully online programs often begin their academic journey without adequate preparation for the emotional, structural, and cultural challenges of graduate-level work. For students who are first-generation, racially marginalized, international, or returning to education after time away, this lack of scaffolding can lead to early disengagement, underperformance, or attrition. Orientation, often treated as a checklist of logistical tasks, represents a missed opportunity for meaningful academic intervention. This manuscript proposes a five-module conceptual model for online graduate orientation designed to proactively support online graduate students in the domains of emotional regulation and academic identity, time management and executive functioning, …

Courageous Conversations: A Dental Professional’S Most Powerful Skill, Katherine Eitel Belt

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Many professionals avoid difficult conversations out of fear of conflict or failure, but avoidance only worsens problems and erodes trust. This article by Ms. Katherine Eitel Belt offers practical tools for having courageous, productive dialogues. The author shared tips, including listening first, starting from agreement, suspending judgment and emphasizing choice. Ms. Eitel Belt makes a case that by approaching conversations with empathy, openness, and curiosity, leaders can resolve issues more effectively, strengthen relationships, and build healthier, more collaborative teams.

J Mich Dent Assoc March 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The March 2026 (Volume 108, No. 3) issue of the Journal is published in a digital format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

This issue includes feature articles on Most-Asked Dental Benefit Questions, an interview with ADA Speaker Dr. Deb Peters, …

News You Need, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This comprehensive news section covers a wide range of association updates, including previews of the 2026 Annual Session and the Mission of Mercy volunteer event. It provides critical "Dental Benefit Briefs" regarding claims appeals, CMS rule changes for prior authorization, and code deletions affecting reimbursement. The source also features a Q&A with the new ADA 9th District Trustee and highlights new guidelines for using generative AI in dental journalism. Additionally, it reports on community grants and charitable programs like Livingston District’s "Gold for Food".

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.

When Toxic Behaviors Sneak Into Practice, Amrita Patel, Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article addresses the challenge for new dentists in identifying and managing toxic workplace behaviors. It details common red flags such as chronic negativity, poor communication, "blame culture," and excessive production pressure that compromises ethics. The author explains how these environments can lead to burnout and practicing defensively rather than confidently. The source emphasizes the importance of developing self-awareness, seeking external mentorship, and establishing professional boundaries. It concludes that recognizing when to leave an unhealthy practice is an act of professional self-respect and essential for long-term career satisfaction.

Credit Card Reform Tops Legislative Wins For Dentistry, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Several new laws of interest to dentistry were passed in 2025 and two of them were NYSDA’s own proposals, making the 2025 legislative session a productive one for the State Association, arguably the best in years.

Dental Rankings: Relevant Or A Psychological Rollercoaster?, Stuart L. Segelnick Dds, Ms

The New York State Dental Journal

It may take a village of dentists honing in on their own rankings to reverse the profession’s downward trend.

Dentistry Is The Life For Me, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, the author reflects on her long career in dentistry and shares recent experiences with practice management and technological upgrades. She details the challenging but successful process of renegotiating PPO contracts to improve reimbursement rates and the financial benefits of moving to a more efficient office space. The author also highlights the clinical benefits of new equipment, such as a hand-held X-ray unit, and expresses her continued passion for the profession. The piece serves as both a personal reflection and an encouragement to colleagues to find joy and efficiency in their practices.

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.

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 …

Protecting ‘Punks’: The Shortcomings Of The Prison Rape Elimination Act, Rachel Goldsmith

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Prisoner-on-prisoner sexual abuse is widespread in US male prisons, with inmates “turning each other out” by sexually assaulting each other. While the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) received unanimous support in Congress in 2003, motivated by the Human Rights Watch Report “No Escape: Male Rape in Prisons,” scholars argue that the PREA fails to protect prisoners from prison rape: for example, its standards may be ineffective or criminalize consensual sex between prisoners. This essay will examine the shortcomings of the PREA, drawing on current legal scholarship, and propose solutions to enhance the law's effectiveness in protecting prisoners. The US government …

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 …

Emotional Intelligence And Problem-Solving Correlations And Impact On Employability: A Case Study From The Uae, Ganka Ivanova, Rakan Alhrhasheh

All Works

In this study, we aim to address questions about how UAE Leadership Development Plans and Employability connect with current students in UAE classrooms by evaluating the correlation between the employability of UAE university students and their emotional intelligence (EI) and problem-solving skills. Moreover, we cover what must be considered in the curricula of UAE Universities to prepare future leaders to lead the workforce. To that end, we employed an employability test developed by AQR International UK and collected data from 310 undergraduate students aged 17 to 55. Both EI and problem-solving skills were strongly positively correlated with employability (p < .001). Even though male participants scored higher than female participants for EI and problem-solving skills, analysis of variance revealed nonsignificant gender differences (p > .05 …

Leo Ii...A Remembrance, The Flor-Ala

Documents

A special edition issue of The Flor-Ala in remembrance of Leo II.

New Honor For Leo Ii: May Be First In Nation, Cheri Shipper, Dr. J. R. Holladay, Dr. Wayne Cotton

Documents

This news release announces the exciting news that Leo II was selected as "Honorary ChairAnimal for National Pet Week" May 7-13 in the Shoals.

Tv Helps Leo Overcome Boredom, Karen Jackson

Documents

TV always makes people (and animals) happy!

*Article from The TimesDaily*

See The Lion At Una, Vacation Guide

Documents

A short write-up about the only African lion which serves as a school mascot-Leo II.

King Of The Jungle, Scott Burcham/Staff

Documents

Leo II playing with his new toy pig on the eve of UNA's game against Texas A & M Kingsville in Florence.