Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Recycling Infrastructure And Its Benefits: A Literature Review Of Economic And Community Impact, Grace Kollars

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Lincoln currently relies on a recycling system with private haulers and limited recyclables collection sites. To increase recycling rates and waste diversion, this review focused on the economic benefits of implementing city-wide recycling, the costs of implementing that recycling program, and the economic effects of making no change to the recycling program. Subjects of job creation, landfill costs, and virgin materials are discussed, along with the analysis of the economic, environmental, and social costs of each recycling program scenario. By the end of this project, I have identified the best recycling program option for the City of Lincoln to implement …

The Association Between Economic Outcomes And Abortion: A Scoping Review, Larisa Nicole Stephenson

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Abortion access is not just an issue of autonomy, but an economic issue as well. Evidence of the intersectionality of abortion health care and economics has endured due to the financial cascading effects a denial of an abortion, or the inability to access an abortion, has on one’s personal, professional, and economic upward mobility. A change in recent policies impacting access to abortion warrants an updated synthesis examining the relationships between economic outcomes and abortion access for people of reproductive age in the United States (U.S.).

Aim: This scoping review summarizes evidence pertaining to the association …

Transgender And Gender-Diverse Health Care Access And Availability Of Care According To Resident Leaders In The Mahoning County, Ohio, Robin A. Perry

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse health is significantly under attack in the United States and there is a continued need to further research to identify ways to increase their access to both inclusive care as well as gender affirming care. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and supportive factors that professionals and community leaders perceive surrounding the availability and accessibility of inclusive and gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse people in Mahoning County, Ohio.

METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted with professionals and community leaders who could be considered “facilitators” helping transgender and gender diverse …

Improving Oral Hygiene Practices In A Long-Term Care Setting For Individuals With Advanced Dementia: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Rachel L. Mcinerney

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This quality improvement project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to enhance oral hygiene practices in a long-term care setting for individuals with advanced dementia. Advanced dementia often leads to significant oral health challenges due to the individuals’ inability to communicate needs or independently manage oral care. Poor oral hygiene results in pain, systemic infections, and reduced quality of life. The project aimed to identify and address barriers to effective oral care delivery by focusing on organizational factors such as leadership, training, and caregiver support. This capstone paper provides insights into the quality improvement initiative’s aims, background, and methodology, while emphasizing its …

Active Shooter And Radiological Contamination Full-Scale Exercise, Elise M. Lowe

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Planning and conducting exercises in rural settings highlights the unique features and challenges of emergency preparedness in rural America. Exercise designers must employ creative solutions to plan for player/controller contingencies, limited resources, and patient management across large geographical areas. This paper outlines the process by which a full-scale mass casualty exercise was conducted in a small Wyoming town. It analyzes some of the major problems encountered in rural exercise development and the solutions employed. The focus is on the success and failures of the exercise design based on direct observation/participation, hotwash forms, the after-action review, and direct feedback from participants. …

Kansas City Health Department – Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program – Quality Improvement, Hanh Pham

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This capstone manuscript evaluates the Kansas City Health Department's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program’s effectiveness. Through comprehensive data analysis of grant utilization, return-on-interest (ROI) and participant satisfaction evaluation, the project will provide actionable recommendations for improving sustainable long-term outcomes in lead poisoning prevention.

Assessing The Impact Of Atrazine And Paraquat On Parkinson’S Disease Prevalence In Rural Nebraska Counties, Alex Egbuchiem

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This study examines the association between exposure to the herbicides atrazine and paraquat and the prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in various counties of Nebraska. PD is a neurodegenerative disorder that impacts rural agricultural regions in Nebraska, where pesticide application is prevalent. Through a thorough analysis of data sourced from the Nebraska PD Registry, environmental monitoring databases, and pesticide usage, this research aims to establish a correlation between the concentrations of atrazine and paraquat in both groundwater and surface water and the incidence of PD within this region. The study will employ statistical techniques to evaluate this association while accounting …

Integrated Primary Care And Mental Health In Rural Communities: A Comprehensive Literature Review To Understand Barriers, Zinab Alaskar

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This comprehensive literature review capstone project identifies structural barriers to integrating primary care and mental health services in rural areas. It examined reliable literature and validated research articles to determine challenges and barriers to the adoption and expansion of integrating primary care and mental health services in rural communities. The hypothesis of this work is that the issues of workforce shortages, financial constraints, technological limitations, and stigma in a society limits the development and viability of integrated healthcare models. These structural limitations must be addressed to address issues related to access to health care, costs and patient well-being. As it …

Enhancing Safety In Healthcare Construction: A Comprehensive Training Program On Managing Construction Dust, Melissa Nalath

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

In healthcare settings, construction activity poses significant risks due to the formation and release of construction dust containing allergens, pathogens, and toxic substances. This culminating project will develop a comprehensive training course for contractors to mitigate these risks while ensuring the safety of patients, employees, and construction workers. The training programs will raise awareness of the health risks associated with construction dust and educate contractors on proper dust handling techniques and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Key elements such as containment, ventilation, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use will be emphasized. The program will also underscore the potential for …

Examining The Association Between Diabetes And Hypertension Among Women 40 Years And Older Using The Framingham Study, Stefanie F. Starinsky

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objectives: To investigate the association between diabetes and hypertension over 24 years using the Framingham Heart Study in women 40 or older.

Methods: The study utilized a subset of data from the Framingham Study (initiated in 1948), a longitudinal prospective cohort study, which followed participants for 24 years. The exposure was diabetes, while hypertension was the outcome. Women aged 40 years or older who had no missing data on diabetes or hypertension were included (N=2,187). Logistic regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Adjusted models controlled for body mass index, smoking, …

The State Of Abortion Training In Medical School And Family Medicine Residency Curricula: A Scoping Literature Review, Eric James Reece

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This project aims to assess how abortion education has been integrated into medical training over the past decade, with a particular focus on understanding its current state in medical schools and family medicine residencies, including those offering specialized programs affiliated with RHEDI (Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine) and TEACH (Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare). Given the ever-evolving legal landscape following the June 4^th, 2022 Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, this review explores how both federal- and state-level legal restrictions impact access to abortion training and attempts to identify gaps …

A Landscape Analysis Of Rapid Evidence Curation During The 2022 Sudan Virus Disease Outbreak In Uganda, Jemimah J. Wachap

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Uganda's 2022 Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak emphasized the need for rapid and effective evidence curation in public health emergencies. This analysis examines evidence curation practices during the SVD response, identifying challenges and assessing the timeliness and effectiveness of strategies in low-resource settings. While global responses to previous outbreaks, like COVID-19, have advanced evidence synthesis, the SVD outbreak revealed infrastructure and data integration gaps. The study aims to map the evidence curation landscape, focusing on models and tools, such as data-sharing platforms, mobile Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) labs, and Integrated Management Systems (IMS). It will also address gaps in surveillance, …

Evaluating The Nebraska Medical Center's Repatriation Of Inter-Hospital Transfers, Natalie Crump

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Bed capacity challenges at large academic medical centers delay the transfer of rural patients, negatively impacting their safety and quality of care. Repatriating inter-hospital transfer (IHT) patients to referral facilities upon completing specialized care can improve tertiary hospital bed capacity and community hospital financial sustainability.

Objectives: This project aims to identify the barriers and facilitators to successful IHT repatriation and the process and outcome variables influenced by the Nebraska Medical Center’s reverse transfer program.

Study Design: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators of NM’s IHT repatriation program.

Methods: Descriptive and comparative analyses of …

A Research Report: What Are The Challenges That Refugee Women Experience When Seeking Healthcare Related To Pregnancy In The United States?, Manuela Krieger-Adi

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background

Refugees in the United States, including African refugee women, face many challenges in seeking healthcare after moving to the United States to resettle. It is urgent and essential to look into some of the health challenges the refugee community faces here in Omaha, Nebraska, that prevent them from seeking healthcare, especially when pregnant. This Capstone research project aims to focus on African refugee women, specifically in Omaha, Nebraska, and the challenges they face seeking healthcare related to pregnancy.

Methods

This research report involved five in-depth interviews conducted over Zoom. The target population was refugee mothers who had given …

Assessing The Association Between Total Cholesterol And Hospitalized Myocardial Infarction In Women Ages 32-70: An Analysis Of The Framingham Heart Study, Jolene L. Stapleton Duree

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women that may go undiagnosed due to unexpected symptoms. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the effect of total cholesterol on the odds of hospitalized myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

This analysis used a sample of 2,445 women from the Framingham Heart Study, an observational prospective cohort study. The exposure was total cholesterol, and the outcome was hospitalized MI. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR). The adjusted models controlled for age, blood pressure, and diabetes. Effect modification by diabetes status was evaluated in …

Building Empathy Through Storytelling: A Living Library Program Focused On Women’S Health, Jess King, Belinda Boelter, Catherine Medici-Thiemann

Posters and Presentations: Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library

An academic health sciences library hosted a grant-funded living library program titled “Bringing Stories of Women’s Health to the Forefront.” With a campus that is increasingly focused on incorporating the humanities into medical education, the library added to this momentum by offering a program which encouraged empathy through the art of storytelling. The program was delivered via three routes: an in-person event for the city’s metro community, a virtual event for the university community and their clinical partners, and oral interview video recordings that are hosted on the library website. In order to host a successful event that met the …

Disability-Related Diversity In Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review, Molly Whitlow, Allison Singh, Johana Cedillo, Brady A. Harrison, Sydney Wondra

Posters and Presentations: Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Vaginal Vs Cesarean Deliveries Based On Gestational Age In Ama Oneworld Pregnancies, Brittany Hauke, Melanie Menning, Peter Schindler

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Palliative Care Education To Heart Failure Patients, Lindsay Thompson, Emily Lydiatt, Madison Thramer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: This project aims to increase heart failure patients' knowledge of the benefits of palliative care for improved quality of life, advance understanding of the difference between palliative and hospice care, promote attendance at heart chat classes, and increase referrals to outpatient palliative care clinics.

Methods: This quality improvement project used a one-group, descriptive, exploratory design with pre-and post-testing. The study was conducted on a cardiac unit at a large urban medical center, involving heart failure patients. A tailored educational pamphlet and heart chat class were provided to promote understanding and attendance, along with pre-and post-tests to measure changes in …

The Truth Lies In Her Eyes, Jake Herber, Jason Meredith, Ross Mathiasen

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Kaposi Sarcoma: A Case Of Mistaken Identity In The Immunocompetent, Daniela Cortes Reyes, Melanie Menning, Ellie Staab, Brittany Hauke, Morgan Zabel

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Trying To Ace Her Headache Away, Brittany Weaver, Jason Meredith, Ross Mathiasen

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

An Unhandy Presentation, Jackson Bagby, Ross Mathiasen, Jason Meredith

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Eye Spy Ai: Analysis Of The Implementation Of Outpatient Ai-Driven Diabetic Retinopathy Screening, Nathan Richling, Cody Masters, Jenenne Geske, Hannah Christianson

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Improving Postpartum Depression Screening Rates In The Doc Family Medicine Clinic, Hannah Wesslund, Neil Kalsi, Jenenne Geske

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Travel Load On Milb Injuries Part 2: Injury Frequency By Position, Spencer Cooper, T. Jason Meredith, Samuel Wilkins, Adam Rosen

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Comparing Adenoma Detection Rate And Polyp Detection Rates As A Tool For Colonoscopy Quality Metrics, Quintin Ireland, Jenenne Geske, Robert Messbarger

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Pitch Clock Rules On Pitching Injuries In Milb From 2012 To 2024, Scott Goodsell, Jason Meredith, Samuel J. Wilkins, Adam B. Rosen

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Temporal Trends Of Obesity Among Nebraska Adults: Emr Data Shows A More Rapid Increase Than Projected, Elizabeth Gibson, Jenenne Geske, Birgit Khandalavala

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Ai Made Simple: A Practical Guide For Pt Practice, Stacie Mae Larreau Christensen, Brad Dexter, Megan Frazee

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.