Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Can Mentoring Improve Professional Skills For Mentors And Mentees?, Emilie Keeton, Msod, Myles Chandler, Eric T. Rush, Susan B. Hathaway, Jacqueline Hill

Posters

Introduction/Background: We implemented a structured 10-month mentoring program at our pediatric academic hospital designed to assist faculty in actualizing professional and personal goals through developing trusted, mutually rewarding relationships. Goals/Hypothesis: To evaluate if faculty participants in the 2 inaugural mentoring program cohorts improve scores on 6 behavioral competencies related to maintaining effective communication, aligning expectations, assessing understanding, addressing diversity, fostering independence, and promoting professional development. Methods/Approach We used pre- and post-program Mentoring Competency Assessments to assess changes in 26 skills across 6 competencies and gather feedback on program elements from participants. Results/Outcomes: 19/35 (54%) mentees and 15/29 (52%) mentors completed …

From Story Time To Self-Esteem: Using Books To Foster Positive Body Image In Pediatric Athletes, Emma Lieser

Senior Theses

This creative project explores the relationship between sport-specific musculature development and body image among pediatric girls, addressing how differing athletic movements shape both physical form and self-perception. Research indicates that girls often disengage from sports at a young age due in part to negative body image and comparison with peers, despite the physical and psychological benefits of participation. This project examines how common athletic movements—such as running, jumping, throwing, and skating—develop distinct muscle groups, contributing to diverse yet functional body types. In addition, the project investigates the influential role of children’s literature in shaping perceptions of body image and physical …

Feeding The Mind: Dietary Consumption And Neural Aging, Bhavani Tuppale

Senior Theses

Neural aging is the process of physiological decline in the brain and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are associated with aging and the interaction of genetics and lifestyle choices. Previous research studies have connected Alzheimer’s disease with dysfunction in the metabolic system. To combat age-associated dysfunctions in the metabolic system, research studies propose using the ketogenic diet, which utilizes ketone bodies as an energy source instead of glucose. The thesis analyzes literature on the effect of neural aging on various model organisms, how a ketogenic diet affects aging model organisms, and how aging and …

Loss Of Sarm1 Affects Myelin Uptake And Clearance In Macrophages, Grace J. Bergeron

Senior Theses

Clearance of myelin debris is an essential step in nerve regeneration after injury in both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), a process that is primarily carried out by macrophages. Failure to phagocytose and clear myelin can prolong inflammation and impair recovery. Sterile alpha and TIR motif-containing protein 1 (SARM1) is well researched as a regulator of axonal degeneration, yet its role in macrophages is still unclear. This study investigates how sarm1 deletion and cytokine signaling influence macrophage uptake and clearance of CNS and PNS myelin in vitro. Splenic macrophages isolated from wild-type (WT) and sarm1 …

The Role Of Community Health Workers In Rural South Carolina, Sarah W. Haselden

Senior Theses

This paper aims to explore the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in rural South Carolina through a literature review as well as the data supplied from the Community Health Alignment Initiative (CHAI) and Community Health Workers Changing Outcomes in SC (CCOSC). Through reviewing the collection of materials and data, the effectiveness of CHWs can be studied. Community Health Workers (CHWs) provide a unique aspect to primary care within communities through their aid in prevention of health conditions. CCOSC and CHAI collected data throughout South Carolina to determine the needs of communities and how CHWs can work to address those …

Discovering Drug-Like Compounds By Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions Using A Yeast-3-Hybrid System, Chesley C. Blake

Senior Theses

Protein-protein interactions are important targets in cancer biology as they can make historically “undruggable” proteins viable drug targets. However, the current approach to targeting protein-protein interactions relies on the use of small molecule drugs, which have low efficiencies as they must cover a large surface area of the interaction. Further, traditional drug therapies often lead to off-target toxicity, limiting therapeutic specificity. The objective of this project is to develop a selection system in yeast to identify short peptide sequences that can disrupt protein-protein interactions specific to cancer cells. Following proof of principle and development of the AH109 yeast strain having …

Exploring Synthesized Cbd Derivatives: Implications Of Therapeutic Strategies For Neuroinflammation, Josephine Mosser

Senior Theses

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis Sativa with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its clinical utility is limited by moderate receptor selectivity, rapid hepatic metabolism, and broad pharmacological activity on the central nervous system (CNS). This thesis describes the design and partial execution of a multi-step synthetic route aimed at generating CBD/CBD-derived chalcone intermediates for potential therapeutic applications for neuroinflammation. The steps encompass an O-methylation, O-acetylation, and a Fries rearrangement. The first three steps were completed successfully and reproducibly shown through 1H-NMR and 12C-NMR; however, purification of the fourth step was not successful within the available …

Antibiotics And You: A Comprehensive Guide, Brady Haas

Senior Theses

Antibiotic resistance is a rapidly emerging issue within public health. As resistance grows, the effectiveness of traditional antibiotic therapies diminishes while risk of treatment grows. Alongside novel therapies, public knowledge is a strong combatant of the resistance-related risks of antibiotic usage. Through a comprehensive review of current literature, this work serves as an accessible guide to the mechanisms of antibiotics, bacterial resistance, and the challenges related to current antibiotic usage. Additionally, the ability of current policy and emerging novel treatments, such as nanoparticles and bacteriophage therapy, to fight antibiotic resistance is evaluated. This analysis highlights the importance of improving public …

Cell-Free Mitochondrial Dna (Mtdna) Triggers Vascular Dysfunction Via Toll-Like Receptor 9 (Tlr9)-Dependent Activation Of Inflammasomes, Mohin Amin

Senior Theses

Hypertension is the leading global risk factor for mortality and is closely associated with vascular inflammation and dysfunction. Damaged mitochondria release cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA), which activates toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). The binding of TLR9 to mtDNA activates the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines via gasdermin D (GSDMD), therefore worsening inflammation. However, the mechanisms linking mitochondrial injury to inflammation-induced vascular dysfunction remain unclear. We hypothesize that cf-mtDNA triggers TLR9-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributing to vascular and endothelial dysfunction. To assess that, adult male C57BL/6 were exposed to 28 consecutive days of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) or …

The Role Of Outer Setting Health System Factors In The Use Of Hydroxyurea For Ugandan Children With Sickle Cell Anemia, Rollins Angela, Joseph Rujumba, Ruth Namazzi, Deogratius Munube, John Chandy, Russell Ware, Doreen Apolot, Andew Ssali, Henry Nancy, Robert Opoka

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) causes childhood morbidity and mortality in Uganda and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Hydroxyurea is safe and effective, but not currently widely used in Uganda. We piloted a toolkit to support hydroxyurea use in two public health clinics: a regional referral hospital in a peri-urban area and a district hospital in a rural area. Implementation supports included a manual, expert training, and coaching over 2 years. We conducted key informant interviews and focus groups with national stakeholders, hospital leaders, healthcare workers, patient caregivers, and patients early in Year 1 and later in Year 2. Embedded research …

A Mixed-Methods Research Study: Nc Health Department Directors’ Perspective On Local Impact Of Early Medicaid Expansion, Asma Warrich

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

North Carolina became the 41^st state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The bipartisan expansion addressed longstanding challenges; however, little is known about how Local Health Departments (LHDs) adapted to this policy change, especially in the 24 months following expansion. This study sought to fill that gap by documenting the perspectives of LHD Directors in North Carolina utilizing a ten-question REDCap survey with closed- and open-ended questions. Purposeful sampling targeted all 86 LHD Directors. Data was collected anonymously between November 2025 and January 2026. Descriptive and thematic analyses were conducted. Thirty LHD Directors completed the survey, which …

Bias Analysis And The Movement Toward A Bias-Free Curriculum, Haley J. Mcmahon, Denyelle Kenyon

Scholarship Pathways Program

Implicit biases within medical education can influence learners’ perceptions, clinical reasoning, and future patient interactions. This study analyzed implicit bias within the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine’s (USD SSOM) Pillar I pre‑clerkship curriculum using a two‑phase mixed‑methods approach. Phase I consisted of a subjective content analysis of randomly selected lectures across ten system blocks, examining both textual and visual materials for evidence of bias in eleven domains identified by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Phase II employed quantitative survey data from the MD Class of 2027, who rated perceived bias in lecture content, lecture images, exam …

Alumni Journal - Volume 97, Number 1, Loma Linda University School Of Medicine

Alumni Journal, School of Medicine

Editorials
2 | From the Editor
4 | From the President
6 | From the Dean

News
8 | This & That
12 | Alumni News
16 | School of Medicine News
18 | AIMS Report: Whispers From God
20 | AIMS News
22 | Department Report: Dermatology
24 | Students: Learning In Community

APC 2026
26 | Annual Postgraduate Convention (APC) 2026 in Review

Features
42 | Dr. Nava's Last Lecture: To Medical Students
45 | A Legacy of Humble Acts
46 | A Life of Service & Impact
48 | Spiritual Care
49 | Alumni Gatherings
50 | …

Program Development For Maternal Mental Health During The Transition To Motherhood, Lindsey A. Lindsley, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The transition to motherhood can be both rewarding and challenging, with many women experiencing increased vulnerability to postpartum depression (PPD). This capstone project focused on developing and implementing a six-week maternal mental health program designed to support postpartum women through education, occupational engagement, and peer connection. Grounded in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), the program used a hybrid format combining in-person and virtual sessions to improve accessibility. Program outcomes were evaluated using surveys, the Occupational Self Assessment (OSA), and participant feedback. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge of postpartum mental health, greater confidence in their maternal roles, and improved ability to …

Occupational Therapy For People With Internet Gaming Disorder: A Concept Paper, Samuel R. Bender, Steven Gerardi

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is associated with occupational imbalance and disrupted routines, contributing to challenges in occupational participation and performance. Due to there being a gap in occupational therapy-based research and guidance for people with IGD, this capstone project focused on the development of a concept paper informed by The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) that frames problematic video gaming as an occupational issue. The concept paper organizes assessment strategies, identifies problems, outlines intervention ideas, and discusses potential next steps for assisting people with IGD within occupational therapy. This capstone project is intended to help current occupational therapists more effectively …

Integrating Maternal Pelvic Floor And Mental Health In Occupational Therapy, Diana S. Theodore, Lesley Sally Khan-Farooqi, Amanda Ciecior, Teresa Martinez, Brooke Caldwell

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster highlights an integrated occupational therapy approach to maternal pelvic floor and mental health. Postpartum recovery is often addressed in fragmented ways, separating physical symptoms from emotional and functional impact. This work emphasizes the connection between pelvic floor function, nervous system regulation, and daily activities. Drawing from clinical experiences across acute, outpatient, and community settings, this project presents practical, client-centered strategies to support recovery. Key areas include breathing, bowel and bladder health, and functional movement. By focusing on occupational performance, such as toileting, mobility, sleep, and caregiving. This approach demonstrates the role of occupational therapy in supporting whole-person postpartum …

Health Disparities For Pneumonia And Sinusitis Antibiotic Treatment In The Emergency Department, Joshua Saucedo, Leslie Hueschen, Amanda Nedved, Rana El Feghaly Md

Posters

Optimal antibiotic selection and duration are pillars of antimicrobial stewardship efforts. In our emergency department (ED), >80% of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) are treated with first-line (FL) guideline-concordant antibiotics. Differences in care based on socioeconomic factors (race, ethnicity, language, and insurance status) have not been characterized. We sought to compare differences in antibiotic choice and duration for different socioeconomic factors, and analyze changes after quality improvement (QI) efforts. Multidisciplinary QI team used multiple Plan- Do-Study-Act cycles and was successful in improving antibiotic duration for CAP and ABRS from a baseline of 13% to 61% (January …

Building A Better Onboarding Process: The Addition Of A 30-Minute 1:1 For New Faculty, Heather Mcneill, Enam Haddad, Sarah Tsai, Ruba A. Abdelhadi, Jacqueline Hill

Posters

Our faculty development office examined the addition of a 30-minute personalized 1:1 session to the broader faculty onboarding strategy at our pediatric teaching hospital. We surveyed 106 new faculty who participated in a session from 2023-2025 to assess its usefulness. Of the 69 (65.7%) respondents, a large majority (92%) “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the session was a valuable use of their time. Several faculty commented that the most useful information was learning about career development resources (e.g., mentorship program, writing center), understanding how to prepare for academic promotion, and having time to ask questions. Most new faculty thought the …

Validity And Reliability Of The Wut Hydration System When Assessed In The Afternoon, Peyton A. Hines, Rosie Perez, Rebecca Allen, Shawn Wierick, Xiujing Zhao, Corey Butts, Brendon Mcdermott

2026 Honors Symposium

The WUT (weight, urine color, and thirst) Venn diagram is recommended for individuals to self-assess their hydration status. However, current research is limited to comparisons between morning first-void markers and 24-hour markers. PURPOSE: To examine the validity and reliability of afternoon WUT scores in comparison to 24-hour hydration status. METHODS: Fifty participants (25 ± 8y, 72.2 ± 14.9kg) voluntarily participated in this study. Participants collected afternoon spot urine between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and 24-hour urine samples on three out of seven consecutive days. Body mass (BM), urine color (Ucol), urine osmolality (Uosm), urine specific gravity (USG), and thirst perception …

Paws And Practice: Overcoming Barriers To Mindfulness, Hazel Norris

2026 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents & Media

With the rise in chronic illnesses, healthcare professionals have sought to improve habits and behaviors to extend longevity and quality of life. However, for many people, unhealthy habits, such as smoking or binge eating, may develop as a way of coping with life stressors, which can make behavior changes harder to implement. Recently, there has been an increase in new research on whether improving mindfulness could be used to combat this problem. If mindfulness does encourage more engagement in health-promoting behaviors while protecting against risky behaviors, mindfulness-based behavior interventions could be very valuable for improving the health of college students …

Iris Melanoma: A Case Report And Review, Emily Scully Od, Breyne Middleton Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Uveal melanoma is the most common primary cancer of the eye. It can be diagnosed with fundus exam and ancillary tests. Metastasis occurs in about half of primary uveal melanoma patients and is very often fatal. The liver is the most common site of metastasis. Iris melanomas are the least common type of uveal melanoma. Choroidal and ciliary body melanoma are the most common. Iris nevi are quite common and the rate of transformation into melanoma is low but early detection is critical given the high mortality rate associated with metastasis.

Case Report: This case highlights the importance of …

Pathways To Independence: A Transitional Education Program For Adults With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Joseph Ribaudo, Zeida Gutierrez

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Pathways to Independence is a transitional education program implemented into the young adult program of a school for individuals with neuro developmental disabilities (NDD). The objective of program implementation was to progress the skills of the adult with NDD students to promote increased independence upon the transition out of IDEA services. The program was delivered to 20 adult with NDD students ranging from 18-21 years old.

Predictors Of Filipino Life Satisfaction Using The Revised Filipino Satisfaction With Life Scale, Razel Bacuetes Milo, Patricia Calero, Maria Luisa Ramira, Kathleen Soon, Maria Fontimayor, Cynthia D. Connelly

School of Nursing and Health Science: Faculty Scholarship

Background: 

Mental health stigma serves as a significant barrier to seeking help, often leading to maladaptive coping strategies. Given these complexities, it is essential to validate the Satisfaction With Life Scale Revised (SWLS-R) within the Filipino context to assess its psychometric reliability, cultural relevance, and suitability for evaluating well-being and mental health outcomes among Filipinos.

Objective: 

The aims of this study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SWLS-R and describe the relationships and significant predictors of life satisfaction among Filipinos living in the United States.

Methods: 

A purposive sample of Filipino adults, fluent in both English and Filipino, …

3rd Place Contest Entry: "Examining Physicians’ Behaviors Regarding Buprenorphine Prescribing For Opioid Use Disorder", Khashayar Eshtiaghi

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

This is Khashayar Eshtiaghi's submission for the 2026 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, a summary of their research project on physicians' behaviors regarding buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorde, and their bibliography.

Khashayar is a student in the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Marc Fleming.

Exploring The Impact Of Cat Nutrition On Consumer Purchases: An Examination On Feline Microbiome, Health, And Owner Responses, Cassidy Curry

Honors College Theses

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome plays a critical role in feline health, influencing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), kidney disease, and other digestive disorders. Diet is a major factor affecting microbial balance, yet many cat owners lack sufficient knowledge of feline nutrition. This may lead to suboptimal feeding practices that negatively impact microbiome stability. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between an owner’s nutritional knowledge and their pet food purchasing decisions. Specifically, it examined feeding schedule, food type and consistency, supplement use, and veterinary engagement. A 13- question survey was administered to 84 Murray State University Honors College …

Supporting School-Based Adaptive Movement: Developing Resources For The Flip For Function Program, Isabel C. Creasey

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was conducted in collaboration with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that incorporates occupational therapy principles to serve children with and without disabilities. The primary aim of this project was to facilitate the expansion of adaptive movement programming into school-based settings through the development of structured resources, evaluation tools, and educational materials. A comprehensive literature review was completed to examine the relationship between physical activity, executive functioning, self-regulation, and school-related outcomes in children with disabilities. Guided by these findings, key deliverables were developed, including a school-based implementation guide, outreach materials for school personnel, a teacher-reported …

The Significance Of Vaccine Education In Vaccination Status, Emma Webb

Honors College Theses

In recent years, more of the general population of the United States has become skeptical about vaccines and overall vaccination numbers have declined. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines have become somewhat of a controversial topic due to varying opinions about the adverse reactions and effectiveness of vaccines. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between a person’s overall knowledge of vaccinations and a person’s vaccination status by asking a series of questions about the science used in vaccines and identifying the participant’s vaccination status in regards to influenza and Covid-19. This study also asked …

Burnout Sentinel: An Early Warning System For Student Burnout Using Workload And Recovery Indicators, Minh Duy Do

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Video Essay Presentation

• Biological & Life Sciences
• Health Sciences & Health Professions
• Physical & Applied Sciences
• Service-Learning
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Improving Interprofessional Communication: Efficient Huddles In Outpatient Care, Emily Holston, Kate Green, Alison Hernandez, Sarah Swatzell, Bela Patel, Cori O'Neal

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Dry Needling For Migraine: A Critically Appraised Topic, Deanna Lowry, Christopher Hurt

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions