Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Case Of Sweet Syndrome In A Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Malia’Ka Hall, Do, Elizabeth Hutshinson, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Sweet syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by the abrupt onset of high fevers and exquisitely tender, erythematous skin lesions that may appear on virtually any area of the body. These lesions typically manifest as papules, nodules, or plaques and often evolve rapidly, contributing to the dramatic clinical presentation. Although uncommon—with only several hundred cases documented in the literature—Sweet syndrome remains an important diagnostic consideration due to its distinctive combination of cutaneous findings and systemic symptoms, as well as its potential association with underlying malignancy, infection, or medication exposure. Presentation: A …

Individuals Deemed Low Risk For Cardiotoxicity With Her2-Directed Antibody Therapy Developed Modest Incidences Of Treatment-Related Lvef Decline And Heart Failure Across A Large Western Us Hospital System, Cameron Smith1, David Page1, Michael Layoun, Li Hsin-Fang

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: Incidence of anti-HER2 cardiotoxicity varies widely from 3-30%. Baseline cardiac risk factors can drastically affect an individual's risk of cardiotoxicity while on anti-HER2 therapies. Risk stratification calculators like the HFA-ICOS tool can estimate relative risk of cardiotoxicity based on preceding risk factors. High risk factors: Heart failure (HF), CAD, severe valvular heart disease. Mild-moderate risk factors: HTN, DM, CKD, age 65-79, anthracycline use, arrhythmia, smoking history, BMI>30. De-intensified surveillance has been proposed for low-risk patients. Objective: Characterize incidence and predictors of cardiotoxicity in a real world population of early-stage breast cancer patients receiving anti-HER2 therapies. Evaluate incidence of …

Postpartum Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection With Multivessel Arteriopathy, Devon Schaefer, Do, Cody Paiva, Do

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Case Presentation: Hospital Day 0 – Presentation: 43-year-old postpartum female (s/p C-section 4-months prior) presenting with recurrent central chest pressure after several days of intermittent symptoms. She was hemodynamically stable but had diffuse T‑wave inversions and a marked troponin rise. Treated with aspirin, nitroglycerin, and heparin for presumed NSTEMI. Coronary angiography planned. Hospital Day 1 -- Initial Angiography: TTE showed mildly reduced EF with apical akinesis. Angiogram read as mild diffuse mid-distal LAD disease (Figure 1), but no evidence of obstructive disease or culprit lesion. Working diagnosis was MINOCA, stress cardiomyopathy, or an occult SCAD. Hospital Day 2 -- Diagnostic …

Diagnostic Overlap In Hus: An Atypical Case, Ryan Daily, Med, Do, Andrea Roast, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Atypical HUS (aHUS) is a rare type of Thrombotic Microangiopathy distinguished by complement dysregulation and overall clinical progression. We present a diagnostically ambiguous case with early intervention that preserved end-organ function with discussion of future pregnancy implications. Case Presentation: A 36yo F (G2P1) with hypothyroidism, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), and intermittent urticarial rashes presented with fever, abdominal pain, and 3 days of bloody diarrhea. Discussion: This case highlights an atypical presentation of aHUS with diarrheal prodrome and normal complement function, features that typically suggest Shiga toxin–mediated HUS. We saw clinical change after admission, allowing real-time monitoring. Maintaining a …

Optimizing Behavioral Health Integration In Primary Care Through A Targeted Didactic, Ravneet Dhaliwal, M.A., Behavioral Health Intern, Joshua Morris

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: The integration of behavioral health into primary care settings is an essential strategy for improving patient outcomes, increasing access to mental health services, and achieving the Triple Aim of healthcare.1, 2 To maximize this integration and bridge the gap for primary care providers (PCPs), targeted didactic training and continued education are pivotal. National surveys indicate that PCPs often report low comfort levels in managing psychological concerns due to a lack of formal training, despite the high prevalence of these issues in primary care. 3, 4 Brief didactics facilitated by embedded behavioral health psychologists offer an accessible, adaptable method for …

Revolutionizing Hematology/Oncology Education With Visual Storytelling And “Gamification” For Internal Medicine Residents, N Smith1, A Patel1, J Dechet, C Powell

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Hematology/oncology ranks among the lowest scoring sections on in-training exams for internal medicine residents. Prior resident feedback expressed a need for an improved didactic curriculum that was applicable to internal medicine residents and board examinations Aim: To enhance curriculum through multimodal education by integrating traditional didactic presentations along with specific lectures utilizing visual storytelling, memory palaces, and gamification. Methods: Trainees completed a 5-point Likert scale survey on their perceptions of hematology and oncology with a 16-question quiz before and after the curriculum. Multimodal lecture series created using "murder mystery" and "jewel heist" to teach hemolytic anemia, team-based Jeopardy-style format …

Breakthroughs In Cervical Cancer Screening: Hpv Self-Collection At Pmg Milwaukie Family Medicine Clinic, Brandon Bartlett, Sataj Johnson, Emily Miyasako, Rachel Gallagher, Daniel Ruegg

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: Cervical cancer screening is a cornerstone of preventative healthcare and cancer screening in primary care. Based on data from the CDC, in the US alone, the rate of new cervical cancers each year is ~13,000, accounts for ~4,000 deaths annually, and disproportionally effects people of color and people of low SES (CDC, 2025). In our clinic (PMG Milwaukie), the rate of cervical cancer screening has remained around 70% for years, which is below the national average of ~75% (Healthy People, 2021). Primary HPV screening with self-collected swabs has been used successfully for years outside of the US, improving screening …

Improving Post-Hospital Medication Reconciliation In A Rural Primary Care Clinic Through An Rn-Led Workflow, Jack Kennady

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Context/background: Adverse events after hospital discharge are common and represent a major patient safety concern. Approximately 1 in 5 patients experience a safety event after discharge, and 39% of these events are adverse drug events (ADEs), with 26% considered preventable. Medication discrepancies during transitions of care contribute significantly to these events, with an estimated 40% of medication errors resulting from inadequate medication reconciliation. Rural primary care clinics face additional challenges, including limited communication between inpatient and outpatient systems and inconsistent reconciliation workflows. Improving medication reconciliation during the transition from hospital discharge to outpatient follow-up represents an important opportunity for family …

Improving Recognition Of Chronic Kidney Disease In A Federally Qualified Health Center Through A Quality Improvement Initiative, Rachel Monroe, Evan Saulino, Kathleen Mckenna

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Context/background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 15% of adults in the United States, yet nearly 90% of affected individuals are unaware of their diagnosis. Early identification in primary care enables interventions such as blood pressure optimization, renin –angiotensin system blockade, and kidney -protective medications that can significantly delay disease progression and postpone dialysis. Screening and diagnosis gaps disproportionately affect high -risk populations, including Latinx patients and immigrant agricultural workers commonly served in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). National CKD screening rates among patients with diabetes or hypertension remain low, leaving many high -risk individuals unscreened for kidney disease. Improving …

Increasing Structured Inpatient Teaching In A Family Medicine Residency, Eric Waelbroeck, Mh Choe

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: What is not measured cannot be improved. Residents at Providence Milwaukie Family Medicine Residency identified a need to increase structured teaching on inpatient rotations. Other projects aimed at increasing structured teaching during family medicine training have demonstrated improvements in resident confidence in key areas of practice, licensing exam performance, and resident satisfaction with their training. However, without a system of measurement, the number of teaching opportunities cannot be reliably improved. Objectives: Develop a method of documenting structured inpatient teaching that occurs at Providence Milwaukie Hospital. Then, implement interventions using a quality improvement model to increase structured teaching over time. …

Interactive Associations Between Physical Activity And Sleep Architecture On Cognition In Community-Dwelling Older Black Adults, Joshua L. Gills, Anhiti Dharmapuri, Rachel Mccray, Shreshtha Shah, Anthony Q. Briggs, Purbanka Pahari, Dominique Tanner, Mark A. Bernard, Elena Valkanova, Korey Kam, Ankit Parekh, Lisa L. Barnes, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Omonigho M. Bubu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Growing evidence suggests an interactive relationship between physical activity (PA) and sleep in shaping cognitive performance. Enhanced sleep features, like greater K-complex density and slow-wave activity, may reflect mechanisms through which PA and restorative sleep improve cognitive function. PURPOSE: To examine how PA and sleep architecture interact to influence cognition in older Black adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 51 participants (mean age: 63.1 ± 15.8 years) from NYU’s Aging Research In Sleep Equity and Dementia Prevention Program. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing, polysomnography, clinical evaluation, and seven days of actigraphy to assess PA and sedentary behavior. Cognitive tasks measured processing …

Use Of Resistive Exercise Snacks To Improve Upper Body Fitness In Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Zachary Abouelkawaam, Kevin Vaughan, Alexander Rothstein, Abdelmohsen Mossolem, Jean-Paul Dodier, Carlos Africa, Freddie Leong, John Handrakis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Graduate/undergraduate students lack time for consistent physical activity, leading to declines in fitness. Exercise snacks (ExSnck), short bouts of submaximal exercise performed throughout the day, may offer a solution. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a 6-week upper body ExSnck program on endurance, strength, power, and enjoyment compared to a 1-set maximal exercise (MaxEx) protocol and a control group. METHODS: 43 participants were randomly assigned to ExSnck (n=15), MaxEx (n=16), or Control (n=12) groups. The ExSnck group performed 33% of their maximal push-ups and plank time for 3 sessions/day (sessions ≥2hrs apart). The MaxEx group performed the same …

Association Between Coaching Behavior Styles And Athlete Well-Being: A Systematic Review, Matthew Benavides, Olivia Evola, Devjja V. Joshi, Arpita M. Bedarkar, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Coaching behavior plays a critical role in shaping athlete outcomes, including motivation, performance, satisfaction, and burnout. PURPOSE: Evaluates how different coaching styles are associated with athlete well-being and the psychological mechanisms involved. METHODS: A detailed search of ProQuest, Gale and EBSCO databases was done. Five peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria of college student athletes competing in NCAA or NAIA in the US or Canada and studies involving the coaching styles of either autocratic, democratic, transformational, congruent leadership or intrinsic motivation were systematically reviewed. 1,900 athletes were evaluated in the included studies of relationships between coaching behaviors and student …

Handgrip Strength, Handgrip Endurance And Bmi: A Comprehensive Approach To Health Assessment Among The General Population Of Madikeri, Dr Asha S. Das, Dr Ravikiran Kisan, Dr Suhas Y. Shirur, Dr Narasimha Rai K, Dr Sanjay Bhagoji

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Being physically fit is essential for lowering the risk of illness and enhancing longevity. While Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used to evaluate body composition, Hand Grip Strength (HGS) and Hand Grip Endurance (HGE) are important indicators of general well-being. Goal: To assess BMI, HGS, and HGE and ascertain how they correlate in a selected group of subjects. Methods: Fifty participants between the ages of 20 and 40 years participated in a comparative cross-sectional study at the Department of Physiology, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri. Participants were divided into three BMI groups after anthropometric measurements were taken. …

Intouch Week Of April 27, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Tracey Milligan, M.D., FAAN, and Sarah Parauda, M.D., Honored on National Stage with Top Neurology Awards
• White Coat Ceremony Ushers SLP Class of 2027 into Clinical Training
• D.P.T. Class of 2028 Steps into Clinical Education
• SOM Class of 2028 Marks Milestone as Clinical Training Begins
• NYMC Celebrates Earth Day with Campus Sustainability Initiatives
• A Pawsitive Break for the NYMC Community
• Student Spotlight: Ashley Abing-Mesropyan Follows a Path Towards Meaningful Care

An Ot Educational Program For Individuals With Upper And Lower Limb Amputations, Laurie R. Spinks Mrs, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

An OT approach to reducing prosthetic abandonment with an accessible guide to promote self sufficiency and community connections for individuals with amputations.

Psychological Safety In Health Care: A Prerequisite For High Reliability, Sonali Thosani

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

This paper presents a viewpoint on how psychological safety contributes to patient safety, teamwork, and high reliability.

Kobayashi Maru, Daniel Mahoney

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

This poem invites the reader to consider the uncertainty of facing an unwinnable situation. Kobayashi Maru is a reference to a fictional leadership test from Star Trek, designed to confront participants with a no-win scenario. While the test is famously “beaten” by the show’s hero, this piece aspires to depict the often unwinnable circumstance of caring for a child with incurable illness. The reader is provided space to consider how the balance of emotions and values may shift when read through the eyes of a parent, clinician, or observer.

The Weight Of The White Coat, Jonathan Cunningham

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

This is a poem reflecting on the mission of the medical provider through the image of the white coat.

Beyond Boundaries: A Model For Boosting Staff Retention And Morale Through Career Mobility, Tiffany Hughes, Abigail Caudle, Robert Ghafar, Brandon Freudensprung, Paloma Vasquez

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Retention and morale in health care are strategic imperatives that directly influence patient care, quality outcomes and operational stability. At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we found a significant gap in the career advancement opportunities for our clinical and administrative staff. Employees lacked visibility into career growth pathways, leaving them disengaged and increasing the overall turnover rate. In response, our division launched a structured, transparent Career Mobility Model to provide employees with the clarity and tools needed for advancement. This model integrates career mapping, shadowing programs, and leader-led career conversations, all of which led to measurable gains …

Advancing The Anesthesia Workforce: The Md Anderson Anesthesia Technology Fast Track Program, Miranda M. Phillips, Mary Sizemore, Sally Raty, Tanveer Khan, Homero Lozano

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

The Anesthesia Technology Fast Track Program (ATFTP) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was initiated in 2024 to mitigate a significant national deficit of trained anesthesia technologists. This 40-hour continuing education program, developed in accordance with the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists & Technicians’ (ASATT) Practical Experience Pathway, assists experienced yet non-certified anesthesia technicians in obtaining the Certified Anesthesia Technologist (Cer.A.T.T.) credential. The fully online, asynchronous 10-week CEU program is tailored for working professionals. The course focuses on patient safety, evidence-based practice, and certification preparedness and concludes with two extensive practice examinations and an ASATT CEU requirement–aligned …

Clinical Medical Emergency Team Training Simulation (Cmetts): An Interprofessional Simulation For Medical Students And Nursing Residents, Allan John R. Barcena, Marvin R. Bernardino, Dominic Karl M. Bolinas, Kitz Paul D. Marco, Toni Edwards, Shelita Kimble, James Cavalier, Marites P. Melancon, Jillian R. Gunther

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Effective teamwork and communication are critical during medical emergencies, particularly in oncology, yet health care professionals are often trained separately, creating challenges for interprofessional collaboration. Evidence-based frameworks like Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) offer structured tools to optimize team performance. This study describes a simulation-based program, the Clinical Medical Emergency Team Training Simulation (CMETTS), designed to instill foundational teamwork skills in early-stage learners. First-year medical students and newly graduated nursing residents participated in an interprofessional simulation involving medical emergency scenarios followed by structured debriefing sessions guided by TeamSTEPPS principles. We evaluated the program’s effectiveness …

Lessons Learned For Improving Trainee Engagement And Utilization Of Education And Training Materials For Cancer Research, Katerina M. Santiago, Tania Galindo, Michaela A. Dinan

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: A core component of the National Cancer Institute Cancer (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant requires cancer centers to coordinate research career enhancement and related activities. The Yale Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, established the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) component in 2016. In response to the needs of trainees, CRTEC has developed several initiatives that we have identified and described here as best practices to engage and support trainees.

Methods: We had 2 aims to improve engagement: 1) increasing our visibility and trainee awareness of CRTEC and nurturing bidirectional communication and 2) offering …

Centralizing Communication Intake To Improve Workflow Visibility And Engagement: A Quality Improvement Project In A Cancer Center's Education Division, Menatalla El-Sharkawi, Mohamed Ait Aiss

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: In large or complex organizations, multiple teams may be charged with managing different components of a project, initiative, or administrative assignment. When these teams have overlapping needs for information, the absence of a structured intake and tracking process can limit transparency, reduce efficiency, and hinder coordination across communication channels.

Methods: Drawing on principles of strategic communications and project management, we created a structured and centralized information sharing process for teams within the education division of a comprehensive cancer center. The intervention included workflow redesign, development of a standardized intake system, and use of real-time dashboard analytics to support operation …

Icu Decision Tool Impact On Rebound Hyperglycemia, Daniel J. Donovan, Emily Highsmith, Sonya Khan, Michelle Horng

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Hyperglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level ≥180 mg/dL in the hospitalized patient, is linked to negative outcomes including longer hospital stays, increased infection risk, and higher morbidity and mortality rates. In addition to critically ill patients with diabetes, hyperglycemia can develop in individuals without diabetes due to factors such as steroid use, continuous tube feedings, and an elevated stress response. Patients who have uncontrolled hyperglycemia are often placed on continuous insulin infusions (CII), but rebound hyperglycemia frequently occurs after CII discontinuation if the maintenance insulin regimen (MIR) is insufficient. Implementation of a MIR decision support tool integrated within an …

Transforming Patient Safety And Care Practices Through Interprofessional Education, Kaleena Ramirez, Claudia C. Tamara, Jennifer Sells, Karen Clatt, Banan Abuharb, Mary Coolbaugh-Murphy, Iris Culwell, Anca Fumurescu, Mary Gust, Lori Simmons, Delores Whiteing, Annie Koenig, Sara Martinez, Wilton Muriithi, Shaun T. Caldwell, Susan Lee, Mary Sizemore, Kimberly Ann H. Krumwiede

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

As healthcare increasingly relies on interdisciplinary teams to deliver safe and effective care, the development of interprofessional collaboration competencies among students in health care professions has become an educational priority. In response, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions integrated a longitudinal interprofessional education curriculum to foster collaborative practice readiness and prepare students for team-based interdisciplinary environments that ensure safe and patient-centered care. The curriculum was guided by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative 2016 and 2023 core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice, reinforced with the Real Colors® Personality Instrument and Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance …

Viral Hepatitis Screening In Early Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Cancer Therapy: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Katherine Klein, Jessica Hwang, Vicente Valero, David Ramirez, Jaime Kaushik

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend screening all patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) before initiation of cancer therapy. Cancer patients receiving cancer therapy represent a vulnerable population, and reactivation of undetected hepatitis virus can lead to devastating consequences. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, rates of hepatitis screening for all cancer patients have been historically low. The overall aim of this quality improvement (QI) study was to increase rates of HBV and HCV screening to at least 50% in early-stage breast cancer patients before cancer therapy in the Breast Medical Oncology clinic at MD …

Interprofessional Education Development In An Oncology-Focused Healthcare Institution, Mary Sizemore, Michael Morris, Mohamed Ait Aiss, Gregory Botz, Jolyn Taylor, Joshua Kuban, Diane C. Bodurka

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Despite growing recognition of the value of interprofessional education (IPE), most IPE work has focused on undergraduate learners, leaving a critical gap in postgraduate and clinical environments. This report describes a phase 1, formative, pre-implementation quality improvement (QI) initiative to establish an institution-wide IPE program at an oncology center without a traditional medical school.

Methods: We used a developmental, multiphase mixed methods design integrating 3 inputs: (1) Virtual Interprofessional Teaching and Learning (VITAL) faculty-development feedback, (2) IPE Steering Committee feedback, and (3) simulation evaluation used as an applied context (not the sole focus). Surveys were administered to VITAL participants, …

Spatial Computing With The Apple Vision Pro In Minimally Invasive Procedure Simulation: A Randomized Crossover Feasibility Study, Sydney Cooper, Aaron Kyle Jones, Rahul Anil Sheth, Koustav Pal, Bruno Odisio, Mark Blaylock, Shelita Kimble, Justin Bird, David Rice, Daniel Shoenthal, Emil Patel, Vipin Kamath, Sanjay Gupta, Jeffrey Siewerdsen, Joshua Kuban

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of wearing the Apple Vision Pro (AVP), a mixed-reality headset that integrates augmented and virtual reality, while performing minimally invasive procedures. While studies have demonstrated that spatial computing technology can improve surgical precision and reduce the risks of surgical complications, to our knowledge, no studies have specifically addressed the impact of the AVP on task performance during simulated image-guided procedures.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen diagnostic and interventional radiology residents performed image-guided central venous catheter placement, thoracentesis, and paracentesis on simulation models. Each participant completed a non-timed practice followed by the procedures once …

Utilization Of Hybrid Angiography-Ct Suites In An Interventional Oncology Practice, David Irwin, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi, Ryosuke Taiji, Aaron Kyle Jones, Gouthami Chintalapani, Roland Bassett, Steven Y. Huang, Sanjay Gupta

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: To evaluate operational trends in an interventional oncology practice at a tertiary academic center before and after the addition of hybrid angiography–computed tomography (Angio-CT) rooms.

Materials and Methods: The procedure volumes and types performed in the hybrid Angio-CT rooms were retrospectively collected from 2016 to 2020. Procedures were divided into categories, including arteriography, endovascular interventional oncology, ablation, venous intervention, non-vascular catheter placement (biliary, nephrostomy, gastrostomy, etc.), and osseous interventions. Procedural trends in the Angio-CT rooms and the frequencies of combination procedures that used both CT and angiography were assessed.

Results: A major shift of catheter-based tumor-directed cases to Angio-CT …