Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Identifying Phytoremediation Performing Plant Species That Can Be Utilized In The Improvement Of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils, Ashley Clark*, Samuel Mutiti

Graduate Research Showcase

Heavy metal pollution is a problem associated with industrialization and development. Two major metals that are commonly mined and can enter the environment, which can jeopardize communities’ health, are copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). There are different options for reducing heavy metal pollution in the environment via remediation efforts, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. However, physical and chemical remediation can be costly and labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for regions that do not have the funds to utilize these practices. Biological remediation is a more cost-conservative practice that has been shown in many studies to be effective in the gradual …

1) Comprehensive Body Composition Assessments In College Aged Students, Erica Chapman, Marshuna Dalton, Natalie Izevbigie, Maddison Wilkes

Graduate Research Showcase

Introduction: According to the spring 2023 American College Health Association health survey, 5.5%, 22.8%, and 16% of college students self-reported being underweight, overweight, and obese, respectively. These statistics align with CDC figures suggesting 35-40% of college students are overweight and/or obese. Unfortunately, the vast majority of college students are not meeting national physical activity or nutritional standards. This trend towards unhealthy body composition, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor dietary habits has the potential to promote the development of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. These risk-factors are avoidable and hold substantial physical, social, and economic …

1) Early Onset Osteopenia Assessments In College Aged Students, Elizabeth Czarick, Paul Grazzini, Emily Long, Natalie Stampfly, Kaitlin Vanvoorhis

Graduate Research Showcase

Introduction: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are diseases of severe bone mineral density loss. Approximately fifty-million individuals in the United States over the age of fifty suffer from osteopenia or osteoporosis; with seventy-five percent of cases effecting women. There has been a noted thirty-five percent increase in diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis since 2008, with a dramatic increase in cases regarding women under thirty years of age. Typically, the onset of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women has occurred around fifty years of age, making these recent diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis in young females quite alarming. As early onset osteopenia and osteoporosis …

Molecular Detection Of Human And Dog Fecal Pollution In Pensacola, Florida, Logan Mccullers, Jodel Nicholas, Dave Bachoon

Graduate Research Showcase

Pensacola, Florida (USA), has a thriving coastal community that depends on its coastal areas for recreation, shellfish harvesting, and fisheries. However, increasing levels of fecal pollution pose a potential threat to the water quality of these coastal systems. Identifying the source and abundance of contaminants in these environments is critical to controlling fecal pollution in these areas. This study aimed to use Microbial Source Tracking techniques to determine the source of pollution in five sites (Bayou Texar Lower, Willard Norris Road Creek, Clear Creek Boat Ramp @ 87, Quinette River Boat Ramp and Pensacola Bay Bridge) in the Pensacola area. …

Increasing Annual Depression Screening For Adults In A Primary Care Setting, Sandy Zachery, Sheryl Winn, Flor Culpa-Bondal

Graduate Research Showcase

Increasing Annual Depression Screening for Adults in a Primary Care Setting

Background:

Depression is a mental illness that's common worldwide, which can cause an individual to function poorly in society and can progress to suicide. Because of several barriers, patients in a primary care environment are not being seen or treated for depression. Even though the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all adults in primary care receive annual depression screening that delivers effective treatment with the correct diagnosis and accurate follow-up, patients are still not being screened for depression.

Purpose:.

This project aims to improve …

The Influence Of Cultural Factors On Health-Seeking Behaviors Regarding Prostate Cancer Among African Immigrant Men In The United States., Kaitlin Van Voorhis, Ernest Kaninjing, Rae Walker, M E. Ogunsanya, G Asiedu, A Kokayi, M E. Young, F T. Odedina

Graduate Research Showcase

Background: African immigrants represent a rapidly growing segment of the United States immigrant population reshaping the rich diversity of US Blacks. Despite this growth, there is a dearth of research examining the impact of immigration on this subpopulation, particularly regarding chronic diseases like cancer. Little is published about whether SSAIs adapt to health behaviors more common in their new setting or remain immersed in the values, beliefs, and practices reflective of their culture of origin. To better understand drivers of health disparities in prostate cancer outcomes among Blacks, this study explored cultural factors among SSAIs to illuminate the health …

Menopausal Awareness: Use Of A Menopausal Questionnaire To Assess Symptomology In Menopausal Transitional And Postmenopausal Women, Lori Dalcour, Debby Macmillan, Sallie Coke, Jessica Marcus

Graduate Research Showcase

INTRODUCTION: Many women experience the debilitating symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss and vaginal dryness during the perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal period. Limited knowledge and awareness about the menopausal experience by patients and clinicians has been correlated to delays in recognizing and managing symptoms. The practice site for this quality improvement project did not have a formal process for screening, evaluating and educating patient’s menopausal awareness and goals for quality of life.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a process for routinely screening and educating all patients between 40 and 65 years seen …

Determining Ankle Stability In Collegiate Athletes Using The Biodex Balance System, Delayne Rotolo

Graduate Research Showcase

Context: An ankle injury is the most common lower extremity injury in sports because of the amount of force that goes through the ankle. Understanding the athlete’s ankle stability can better inform a medical team on the probability of an ankle injury occurring and help to mitigate the risk. Objective: The Biodex Balance System (BBS) was used to investigate potential fluctuations in ankle stability over an athlete’s season. Design: Experimental study Patients/Participants: A total of 30 Division II college athletes (25 female, 5 male; ages 18-22) volunteered as subjects. Methods: Athlete single leg test and the Clinical Test of Sensory …

Perception Of Athletic Trainer’S Social Support During An Athlete’S Injury, Alexa Pellack

Graduate Research Showcase

Objective Psychological support for an athlete is equally as important as physiological support when it comes to injury recovery. The purpose of this research was to determine if athletic.trainers feel comfortable and equipped to provide social support for athletes during injury recovery and understand athletic trainers’ views on sports psychology course offerings within an accredited athletic training program. Design A 16 questions Qualtrics survey with 4 demographic questions, 7 yes/no questions, and 5 scaled questions (1 = least comfortable to 4 = most comfortable) was used. Participants 29 certified athletic trainers, recruited via convivence and snowball sampling met inclusion criteria …

The Effects Of Oral Contraceptives On The Mental Health Of Active Females, Sarah Alligood

Graduate Research Showcase

Background: The use of oral contraceptives (OC) to regulate athletic performance has increased in recent years. Literature indicates as OC usage increases, feelings of well-being among those using OCs have decreased. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of OCs on the mental health of active females. I hypothesized that OC-users would report lower values related to well-being and higher values related to depressive symptoms compared to those using other forms of hormonal contraceptive (HC) and no contraceptive. Participants: 74 biological females, over the age of 18, that engaged in 150 minutes of exercise per week. …

Factors That May Affect Job Satisfaction And Commitment To The Career Within The Profession Of Athletic Training., Michael Hill Jr.

Graduate Research Showcase

The primary goal of this study was to analyze factors that may affect the

longevity and commitment of a career within the profession of athletic

training. Aspects that were assessed include salary, perceived value,

scheduling, hours worked, work demands, available leisure time,

parenting, and family responsibilities.1 Previous research focused heavily

on work life balance in the athletic training profession. More specifically,

what challenges certified athletic trainers (ATs) face within their

workplace that may cause conflict in establishing as well as maintaining

work life balance and its impact on retention of ATs in the profession.

Literature supports many ATs experienced burnout …

Knowledge Of Red-S Among Collegiate Athletes, Becca Goldman

Graduate Research Showcase

Knowledge of Relative Energy Deficiency Among Collegiate Athletes

Low energy availability (LEA) can produce negative health and performance effects for collegiate athletes. It is defined as a deficit between the athlete’s caloric intake and the energy expended during competition or training. The body is then unable to support certain physiological functions that are needed to maintain optimal health. One component of the female athlete triad is disordered eating which can result in low energy availability. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport is an extension of the female athlete triad, created to take a more holistic approach and include male athletes as …

The Prevalence Of Red-S Among College Athletes, Johnny Nguyen

Graduate Research Showcase

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) is a phenomenon established by the International Olympic Committee to expand on the previously known condition as the female athlete triad, to include male athletes. Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports is a physiological functioning impairment due to athletes with low energy availability. Low energy occurs when athletes expend more energy (calorie burn with activity) than they consume (daily caloric intake) for an extended period. Leading to alter or impaired physiological function. College is a period where individuals gain their independence. Collegiate student-athletes are learning to juggle multiple aspects of their life. Along with excelling …

Increasing The Knowledge Of Opioid Use Disorder (Oud) And Medication Assisted Treatment (Mat) In Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (Aprns) In Georgia, Angela Queen Roberts, Jennifer Goldsberry Dnp, Msn, Fnp-Bc, Aprncne,, Gail Godwin Ph.D. Pmhnp-Bc,Cne, Sallie Coke Ph.D., Aprn, C-Pnp, C-Fnp, Pmhs

Graduate Research Showcase

The national opioid crisis has had devastating effects on the United States (US) healthcare system with the financial burden totaling more than $2 trillion from 2015 to 2018 (White House Government, 2020) and the physical burden of 128 overdose-related deaths daily (Centers for Disease Control, 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some of these deaths are the result of deficits in education to healthcare providers about pain management treatment (CDC, 2020). Improved education for healthcare providers has resulted in a significant decline in the total number of opioid prescriptions from 2016-2019 which suggests that successful containment of …

Correlation Between Pitching Velocity And Plyometric Output, Landon Childers

Graduate Research Showcase

Baseball pitchers are constantly trying to find an edge to operate at peak performance. With many training techniques available intended to enhance performance, plyometrics should be strongly considered as this specific technique mirrors the explosive and ballistic nature of baseball. Plyometrics are defined as powerful muscular contractions after a rapid stretch or dynamic loading of the same muscle group. The purpose of this study was to provide further validation of using plyometrics to increase velocity in a baseball player’s pitch. In this study, a plyometrics exercise (vertical jump) was measured along with pitching velocity in 2 different sessions, separated by …

The Implementation Of A Validated Csec Screening Tool For Youth Age 11 - 17 In A Pediatric Emergency Room, Julie Clark, Josie Doss, Krystal E. Canady, Yameika Head Md

Graduate Research Showcase

Abuse of children is a public health issue covering a range of inflicted harm from neglect to physical to sexual abuse. A severe form of child sexual abuse is the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). This phenomenon involves sexual crimes against children, including exploitation for gain. High-risk indicators are noted throughout the literature to aid in identification, but some children are vulnerable because of their young age. Perpetrators can be family, friends, or acquaintances and choose their potential victims by recognizing a child’s vulnerabilities. Inevitable physical and mental health consequences are associated with CSEC involvement; hence these youth seek …

Shifting The Focus Of Mental Health Onto Graduate Students, Rosanna Jaramillo

Graduate Research Showcase

The transition from undergraduate to graduate school has the potential to increase demands among students surrounding coursework as well as fiscal responsibilities. The increased demand has the potential to alter the student’s physical activity which can negatively affect mental health. Physical exercise has the potential to reduce depression as well as negative mood symptoms, such as stress. Exercising also allows for boosting energy, improvement of sleep quality, and relaxation quality. The purpose of this research study was to examine the mental health of the graduate participants prior and after a two-week exercise regimen. The presented study focused on a two-week …

Implementing An Evidence-Based Preceptor Program To Improve The Orientation Process, Emily Nobles

Graduate Research Showcase

This Quality Improvement project conducted at a 245-bed acute care hospital in the southeastern United States, aimed to develop an evidence-based preceptor program to improve retention rates. Specific goals were to create a positive experience for preceptors and preceptees by improving the training, support, and recognition. Secondary goal was to increase the number of trained preceptors. The training focused on safe practice, employee satisfaction, and self-efficacy. Retention data supplied by HR for 2020 showed increasing trend of nursing turnover with a 33% total nursing turnover, and 50.25% turnover rate for nurses with less than three years of experience. A 2019 …

Implementation Of A Decision Tree To Address Moral Distress, Tijuana Milton, Flor Culpa-Bondal, Sheryl Winn, Debra Hagerty

Graduate Research Showcase

Problem: According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), moral distress (MD) is a major issue in the healthcare profession (2015). Many healthcare workers (HCW) are not aware of MD. The inability to recognize MD may lead to departing the profession.

Purpose: To offer an educational workshop about MD 1) explore the frequency and level of MD (2) establish a decision tree to mitigate MD.

Background: MD occurs when a person understands what they should do but cannot, due to organizational policies. The pandemic has exacerbated MD.

Design: A mixed-method study: Measure of Moral Distress for -Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP) …

Brachial Plexus Injury In 16 Year Old Football/Soccer Player, Becca Goldman

Graduate Research Showcase

Background: This subject of this case is a 16-year-old football offensive tackle/defensive end and soccer player. The subject is undersized for his position, weighing in at about 190 pounds. The injury occurred during the football season but was not reported to the athletic trainer until after the football season was over. The actual moment the injury occurred is unknown. During a weight training day after the end of the season the subject complained to the athletic trainer that he was unable to bench press because of pain in his right shoulder. Upon further examination, the athletic trainer discovered significant atrophy …

Resilience 101: A Resilience Education Intervention For College Freshmen, Angie Childre

Graduate Research Showcase

This evidence-based project sought to evaluate resilience in freshmen college students enrolled in a Bridge scholar program (BSP) in a liberal arts university in the southeastern United States. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that stress and anxiety were the top two indicators for impacting academics in 2019 and had been at the top since 2009 at the university of study (ACHA, 2019). The study used a pretest and posttest design method with the implementation of a five-week resilience education intervention. The research questions (Q1-5) were: Q1: What effect did the intervention have on BSP student's resilience? Q2: What …

Chiari Malformations, Rosanna Jaramillo

Graduate Research Showcase

A UNIQUE CASE OF CHIARI MALFORMATIONS IN A DIVISION II SOFTBALL PITCHER, ROSANNA JARAMILLO. MILLEDGEVILLE, GA

Background: This case presents a 20-year-old female who pitches collegiately for a Division II college. The patient suffered from headaches, more severe than migraines since she was 12 years old. The athlete was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, Type 1, at the age of 12. During her high school 2016 softball season, things began to take a turn for the worse. Her memory of playing a softball game that day was gone. Once admitted into the hospital, doctors concluded she had fluid backing up in …

Sexual And Reproductive Health Awareness Among Adolescents And The Utilization Of Their Resources And, Deja Lester

Graduate Research Showcase

Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the sexual health awareness of adolescents and level of effectiveness for sexual health information provided in high schools and other available resources.

Design: The study was conducted at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia. The design followed a quantitative approach using a questionnaire with a total of 30 participants aged at 18-19 years old. The study included 16 males and 14 females. Four ethnicities were recorded, and 53.3% were Caucasian/ White (n = 16), 26.6% were African American (n = 8), 13.3% were Hispanic/ Latino (n = 4), and …

Early Mobilization Following Elbow Dislocation And Immobilization, Grant Pheil

Graduate Research Showcase

Early Mobilization following Elbow Dislocation and Immobilization; Pheil G, Georgia College & State University: Milledgeville, GA.

Background: This case presents a 16-year-old male junior high school soccer athlete. His injury occurred during a homecoming kickball game in which he hyperextended his elbow. The hyperextension resulted in an audible popping sound. Differential Diagnosis: There was an obvious deformity and swelling seen at the athlete’s olecranon process and cubital fossa. The athletic trainer identified a dislocation and reduced the humeroulnar joint on the first attempt. The athletes’ parents were immediately contacted, and he was transported to the orthopedist in town. Neurovascular assessments …

Implementation Of An Opioid Risk Assessment Tool In An Acute Pain Service, Emoshoke Owie

Graduate Research Showcase

The U.S is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic because of the number of people that died from an opioid overdose. An estimated 10 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids in 2019. Studies have shown that applying a systematic method for risk stratification for all patients considered for opioid therapy could be vital to screening patients at risk for opioid misuse to ease the opioid epidemic. Based on the assumption that the Diagnosis Intractability Reliability Efficacy (DIRE), an opioid risk assessment tool, would substantially change the providers’ prescribing decisions, it was implemented in an Acute Pain Service. Purposive sampling …

Improving Self-Confidence Of Nursing Students Through Implementation Of A Workplace Violence Virtual Simulation, Tara Mosher

Graduate Research Showcase

Patient violence against nurses is a constant and valid local and global concern, and is an issue requiring action and advocacy on the behalf of novice nurses, as they are often more vulnerable to possible harm from workplace violence (WPV) than other health care providers A practice gap was identified within an undergraduate nursing program that no courses within the curriculum addressed the management of WPV against nurses. Current literature supports the need for awareness and strategies to prevent WPV against nurses and measures to improve nurses’ self-confidence in managing violent situations they may encounter in the workplace.

The purpose …

Inferior Shoulder Dislocation With Anterior Bankart Tear, Anfernee Powell

Graduate Research Showcase

Inferior Shoulder Dislocation with Anterior Bankart Tear in Multi-Sport Adolescent Athlete Powell AM*: *Georgia College & State University

Background: During football practice, a 16-year-old male multi-sport athlete hit another player with his right shoulder and immediately felt discomfort and stated that it felt like it was “out.” The involved athlete was hit in the top of his shoulder when the injury occurred. The AT observed an obvious dislocation of the right glenohumeral joint in an inferior direction. A reduction of the joint was performed, and neurovascular vitals were within normal limits. The athlete was provided a sling and referred to …

A Quality Improvement Project To Increase Intimate Partner Violence Screening On College Campuses, Becky Murck

Graduate Research Showcase

Abstract

A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Intimate Partner Violence Screening on College Campuses

Background: Sexual assault or rape on college campuses can be a life-changing event and goes unreported 80% of the time. Women are not screened for intimate partner violence (IPV) regularly when being seen in university student health settings, even though females ages 18 to 24 have the highest rape and sexual assault rates compared to females in all other age groups. Students that are victims of IPV may not report because of fear, embarrassment, or being unsure who to or where to report. Student health settings …

The Effect Of Lifestyle Modification Educational Intervention On Increasing Knowledge Of Hypertension Management Among African American Adults, Margaret Josiah

Graduate Research Showcase

Abstract

Hypertension is a public health crisis that disproportionately affects the African American population more than other races (CDC, 2019). There is a direct link between hypertension and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in the United States (CDC, 2019). Though tremendous efforts have been made in the treatment and management of hypertension, it continues to be a challenge worldwide. African Americans that receive only pharmacological therapy have not shown significant control over hypertension (Kimani, 2019). Therefore, to improve the health outcomes in the African American community, a systematic comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modification and medication adherence is crucial. …

A Dnp Quality Improvement Project Addressing Low Hiv Screening Rates Of College Students, Kimberly Griffin

Graduate Research Showcase

Abstract

A DNP Quality Improvement Project Addressing Low HIV Screening Rates of College Students

The overall HIV testing rate is very low in the United States. HIV is easily preventable with safe sexual practices, and early HIV screening is effective in identifying individuals affected and assuring linkage to care. The rate of HIV testing among college students reflects the low numbers of the national average. This quality improvement project evaluated attitudes towards HIV testing of undergraduate college students. The project aimed to determine attitudes of college students towards testing as well as relationships between demographic factors, frequency of HIV testing, …