Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

When A Rare Neuromuscular Disorder Meets Covid-19: A Challenging Case Of Myotonic Dystrophy In The Intensive Care Unit, Pradeep Rajbhandari, Lawrence San Jose, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Dapagliflozin On Diastolic Function In Asymptomatic Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Observational Study, Pankti Shah, Kumar Abhishek, Pratyush Kumar, Aradhana Pandey

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Xylazine Associated Progressive Cutaneous Ulcerations With Non-Injectable Fentanyl Use, Briana Saravanan-Dougherty, Gazala Parvin

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Precipitated By Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use, Karin Cha, Sparshitha Adapa

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Interventions To Reduce 30-Day Re-Hospitalization Rates In Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Systematic Review, Pradeep Rajbhandari, Karl E. Minges, Lawrence San Jose, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Correlation Analysis Of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes In Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Examining Associations With Tumor Grade, Histologic Grade, And Lymph Node Status At A Tertiary Hospital In The Philippines, John Paul Ladera, Duebrt Guererro

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

One-Stop-Shop (Oss): Community Health Nursing: (For Undergraduate Nurses), Sarmad Muhammad Soomar

Books

No abstract provided.

First Steps: Supporting Infant Development And Family Bonding, Katana M. Evans

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

First Steps: Supporting Infant Development and Family Bonding is a capstone project that was developed to bring awareness to the importance of development within the first few months of life, as well as exploring occupational therapy’s role with this population. The project focused on areas of program development, education, and clinical skill development, which were all developed following the completion of a scoping review. Educational materials, including a video library, were created for families to continue to access materials following the completion of the experience. These videos covered topics including safe sleep, milestones, tummy time, and more. Additionally, two sessions …

Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Shannon N. O'Donnell

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Rheumatic conditions affect nearly one in four adults in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.) and are characterized by chronic, often progressive symptoms, requiring long-term self-management. Despite this need, accessible and non-pharmacological resources remain limited. The capstone project, Rheumatic Resilience: An Occupational Therapy Approach, was developed to address this gap by promoting sustainable symptom management strategies through programming and education, while increasing awareness of occupational therapy (OT)’s role in chronic pain management. This project focused on areas of program development, education, clinical practice, and advocacy. A 10-week, in-person program based on Lifestyle Redesign principles was …

Holistic Healing Through Horses: An Evaluation Of Interdisciplinary Collaboration In Equine-Assisted Services And Associated Pilot Program, Catherine M. Balestrini, Kathleen Hughes-Butcher

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Holistic Healing through Horses: An Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Equine-Assisted Services and Associated Pilot Program was an occupational therapy doctoral capstone project conducted through Misericordia University. This project involved the implementation of equine-assisted services to improve occupational capabilities of physically disabled community-dwelling adults and research related to interdisciplinary collaboration in the equine-assisted service industry. The education component of this capstone disseminated information regarding safe techniques and procedures for volunteers involved in the Holistic Healing through Horses program. The program component of Holistic Healing through Horses involved 12 weekly sessions designed to target goal areas of the respective participants. Progress …

Let's Go Play: Creating Adaptive Play Opportunities For Children, Haleigh J. Merriman

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Children experiencing chronic conditions or life-threatening diseases are at a significantly greater risk of having poor mental health, with symptoms including anxiety, depression, aggression, physical impairment, and problems with academics and socialization (Nijhof et al., 2018). The Let’s Go Play project focuses on program development and education to provide children with disabilities opportunities to play. Play is an important occupation that children engage in. Play is a way that children learn new things, including developing resiliency, overcoming challenges, cooperating, and negotiating with others in a social sense. This program includes weekly video modules on hospital play and switch-adapted toys. This …

Harmony In Health: Supporting College Students Through Multidimensional Wellness, Hannah Strong

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Young adults entering college face a critical developmental transition in which they assume greater responsibility for managing their health and wellness, often without adequate guidance or supportive structures. National data indicate rising rates of mental health concerns, sleep deprivation, and food insecurity among college students, highlighting the need for holistic, context-specific wellness initiatives. The Harmony in Health doctoral capstone project was developed to address this gap by applying occupational therapy’s holistic, occupation-based perspective to promote balance across the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Eight Dimensions of Wellness within the Misericordia University community. The purpose of this capstone …

Emerging Through The College Experience: Supporting The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Higher Education Institutions, Kaitlyn Dixon

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Emerging Through the College Experience was a doctoral capstone project designed to support students during the pivotal transitions of college while substantiating the role of occupational therapy (OT) in higher education. Inspired by the Emerging statues by Dugan located on Misericordia University’s campus, this project focused on developing institutional resources to support college students as they adjust to the college lifestyle. A scoping review was conducted to explore the role of OT in supporting college students with emphasis on adult life skill training. Results from the scoping review identified life skills development as foundational for increasing confidence, academic success, and …

Aging With Mercy, Thriving In Place, Emma Layne Katzman, Karen Weis, Jennifer Rugletic Washko

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Occupational engagement, spirituality, and quality of life are recognized as important dimensions of aging, however, these factors remain underexplored among older adults residing within faith-based communal living environments. This doctoral capstone experience, Aging with Mercy, Thriving in Place, consisted of two distinct but complementary components: an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved mixed methods research study and a quality improvement initiative. The purpose of the research study was to explore occupational engagement, occupational role transitions, spirituality, identity, and perceived quality of life among older adults residing within a faith-based communal living environment. Quantitative data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality …

Transformative Paths: Advancing Inclusive Healthcare Education, Morgan Young

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Transgender individuals continue to experience significant healthcare disparities, provider bias, discrimination, and barriers to accessing affirming healthcare services (White Hughto et al., 2015; World Professional Association for Transgender Health [WPATH], 2022). Despite increasing awareness of these disparities, healthcare education often lacks comprehensive training related to gender-affirming care (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2021; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], n.d.; White Hughto et al., 2015). A concurrent scoping review was conducted to answer the research question: Among healthcare providers, how do educational strategies grounded in transgender perspectives and lived experiences affect provider competence in transgender healthcare? The review …

Successful Anesthetic Management Of Patient With Marfan Syndrome: Optimizing Cardiovascular Stability And Maternal Outcomes, M Roberts, C Cox, K Leavitt

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Embracing The Green Thumb: Occupation-Based Resources For Stroke Recovery, Brianna Padovano

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Stroke recovery requires ongoing effort from survivors, caregivers, practitioners, and communities to promote meaningful participation in long-term engagement in daily life. Despite the growing amount of evidence supporting continued recovery beyond the acute stages of stroke, accessible resources that address the needs of these stakeholder groups remain limited (Chen et al., 2019). This doctoral capstone experience aimed to bridge these gaps through the development and dissemination of educational, clinical, and advocacy-based resources designed to support stroke rehabilitation across various stakeholders. An evidence-informed, occupation-based stroke recovery guide, which includes relevant theories, decision-making flowcharts, sample protocols, and resources, was created for new …

Breaking Barriers In Bariatric Care, Morgan Lapshanski

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

The doctoral capstone project titled Breaking Barriers in Bariatric Care was established to promote equitable care and increase the quality of healthcare services provided to bariatric patients. Breaking Barriers in Bariatric Care was implemented to address the areas of education, research, and advocacy. With the focus being on these areas, the student worked to promote levels of accessibility and inclusivity within the healthcare system. The capstone project included an asynchronous virtual educational program for healthcare students at Misericordia University to enhance knowledge in the areas of bias reduction, safe handling, and providing appropriate care to bariatric patients. The student conducted …

Harmony In Healing: Addressing The Psychosocial Needs Of Individuals Living With Lymphedema, Bria K. Brombacher

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Lymphedema is a chronic and incurable condition associated with significant physical and psychosocial challenges, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, and reduced quality of life. Despite increasing recognition of these concerns, limited interventions exist that specifically address the psychosocial needs of individuals living with lymphedema. Additionally, individuals within this population often report limited provider awareness of lymphedema within the healthcare system. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project, Harmony in Healing: Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Individuals Living with Lymphedema, was to promote well-being, improve quality of life, and increase awareness of the psychosocial implications of lymphedema through occupational therapy intervention. …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk, Yasir A. Alshehry, Matthew S. Halquist Phd, Sandro R.P. Da Rocha Phd

Graduate Research Posters

Background

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance …

Comparative Evaluation Of Conventional Ct And Dual-Energy Ct In The Detection And Characterization Of Intracerebral Stroke, Aidan Rosado, Shakiba Jalili, Hap Tain, Saleha Zafar

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

Navigating Nursing Professional Governance: Unveiling Its Significance, Part 2, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Misty Daugherty

Podcasts

Learn about the fundamental principles and practices of NPG to elevate nursing practice, foster professionalgrowth, and enhance patient outcomes.

Revolutionizing Nursing Care: Implementing Acuity Based Staffingstrategies, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Natalie Denson, Marshall Stephenson

Podcasts

On this episode, we are discussing an innovative approach to staffing based on tailoring nurse staffing to meet patient needs, and how this can lead to enhanced patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction.

Navigating Nursing Professional Governance: Unveiling Its Significance, Part 1, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Tammy Webb

Podcasts

Children’s Health Chief Nurse Executive Tammy Webb discusses some of the key components of nursing professional governance or NPG and why we transitioned to this new model. Together, Tammy and Brennan laid the groundwork and spearheaded the strategy for NPG at Children's Health.

Cultivating Wellness: Nurturing Gratitude And Resilience, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Elaine Beardsley, Alison Kell

Podcasts

This heartfelt discussion on the power of wellbeing and gratitude in nursing practiceoff ers practical strategies to gear up for the busy season, prioritize wellness and recognize the invaluable contributions of your nursing colleagues.

Fueling Nursing Excellence: Exploring New Talent Pipelines, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Deb Echtenkamp, Christina Smith

Podcasts

Learn about an innovative talent pipeline developed to help build our clinical nursespecialist team, and how they are shaping the next generation of nursing professionals that will lead the way in care delivery.

Neighborhood-Level Social Vulnerability And Cognitive Outcomes In Older Adults With Solid Tumors, Ahmed Qaedi, Ariann Nassel, Mackenzie Fowler, Elizabeth Baker, Smith Giri, Gabriela Oates, Grant Williams, Noha Sharafeldin

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 research poster

Small Vessels, Big Consequences: It’S Not Always Lupus Nephritis, Hinal Rathi, Carlo Castillo, John Fanning

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2026 clinical vignette poster

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals In The Workplace, M'Kenna J. Henson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

My doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and focused on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) areas of education and program development. The project involved developing a nationally-accessible asynchronous continuing education e-course, The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals in the Workplace, to increase occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' and students' knowledge of neurodiversity, workplace inclusion, and evidence-based employment supports.

Current literature highlights significant barriers to employment for neurodivergent individuals. Approximately 20% of people are neurodivergent, yet nearly 80% of neurodiverse adults are unemployed, demonstrating the need for greater …

Investigating Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perception On Bilingual/Multilingual Aac Intervention And Quality Of Care., Lillian Griffith

2026 Research Poster Competition

In recent decades, the caseloads worldwide of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have become increasingly linguistically diverse (Soto & Yu 2014). However, current research in the field of communication sciences and disorders is primarily focused on monolingual populations, with a similar lack of research in the field regarding bilingual/multilingual Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (Tönsing & Dada 2022). AAC refers to methods of communication other than spoken language and can augment existing speech or serve as an alternative to speech (ASHA n.d.). Although advancements in the field regarding AAC use for monolingual/English-speaking clients have been made, there is a lack of research …