Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Case Of Acromegaly, Zhiwei Zhang, Donald Eagerton

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Patient Safety: The Role Of Interdisciplinary Teams In Reducing Blood Culture Contamination, Fady M. Awad, Austin Patrick-Eisenberg, Brian Watson, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Viral Vengeance: A Case Of Hiv Induced Myocarditis, Jacob Keesee, Brenden Pearce, Mohammed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Left Atrial Appendage Morphology Related To Cva Risk In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Lincoln Smith, John-Michael Benson, Jacob Michael Keesee

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Endocarditis Causing Complete Heart Block And Cardiogenic Shock, Ish Patel, Jacob M. Keesee, Brenden Pearce, Sarah Barnhardt, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Acute Diverticulitis Found With An Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia: A Case Report, Robert Larsen, Brandon Epps, Syl Lord

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Warrior Life Transition Program, Joshua Gartner

OT Doctoral Capstones

The problem that exists is that the Willliam Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC), Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC) treats issues amongst active duty and veteran personnel in a reactionary manner. 6 domains of need: Mental health, (including, sub-domains of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress), occupations, pain, family life/connection (Relationships), sleep and alcohol/ substance abuse. Currently there is no one assessment at the WBAMC IMC that looks to assess all of these areas in a reactive way. This project was to develop a reactive assessment to address these domains of need.

Supporting The Parents Of Transition Aged Students With Autism, Miguel Duran

OT Doctoral Capstones

The present capstone project sought to develop and implement an 8-week parent support program for the parents of transition aged youths diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder residing within the Socorro Independent School District. The parent support group included the topics of preparing for the transition process, state and local resources, and identifying caregiver strain for the first half of the program. The latter half of the program consisted of self-care and leisure activities for the parents to address levels of caregiver strain. The goal of the program was to identify potential changes in three areas: caregiver strain, perceived levels of …

Bright Futures: A Transitional Resource Guide​, Leslie Ayala

OT Doctoral Capstones

Bright Futures: A Transitional Resource Guide (BF) is a caregiver-informed collection of personal narratives shared by 15 caregivers of children with Down syndrome (DS), designed to promote preparedness, advocacy, and connection through storytelling and peer-recommended resources during key life transitions, including starting school and entering adulthood. Professionally published on the DS Coalition for El Paso website, BF was developed in collaboration with a software developer and funded by a grant from the College of Health Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, ensuring long-term, public accessibility.

Goals of BF:

• Disseminate trusted resources and lived experiences among caregivers of …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Postnatal Mental Health: An Eight-Week Postpartum Program, Paola Quiroz

OT Doctoral Capstones

Postpartum mental health includes various conditions such as postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression amongst others (Barbic Skye et al., 2021). Rates of postpartum depression (PPD) have been increasing in recent years, impacting mothers, children and entire families by changing the way a mother interacts with others (WHO, 2024). Postpartum mothers face unique challenges when transitioning into motherhood resulting in increased maternal stress and ultimately leading to PPD or PPA. Although rates of PPD and PPA are increasing, there is limited research involving non-pharmaceutical treatment options for new mothers.

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in maternal mental health because …

Reclaiming Control: A Self-Management Education Program For Cancer Survivors, Monica Elisa Gutierrez

OT Doctoral Capstones

Cancer survivors face physical, emotional, and cognitive side effects after cancer treatment which negatively affects their quality of life (QOL).

A remote 6-week self-management program was implemented to educate survivors on how to manage these challenges. Comparison of pre- and post-program surveys demonstrated increased confidence in managing side effects after participation in the program, indicating that self-management interventions can effectively enhance survivors’ symptom management skills. The Self-Management Program is effective in empowering cancer survivors, improving self-efficacy, and enhancing QOL.

Problematic Technology Use: An Education Program, Elijah Duran

OT Doctoral Capstones

There is a growing body of research on problematic technology use and its impact on children with autism. Studies have shown that excessive or unbalanced use of technology may contribute to challenges in mental health and social functioning for this population (Ang et al., 2018; Cerniglia et al., 2017; Ezeh et al., 2021; Hoge et al., 2017; Kawabe et al., 2016; Small et al., 2020; Yucelyigit & Aral, 2018). However, there is limited research on how this issue is being practically addressed. Children with autism, who are already at higher risk for developing problematic behaviors with technology (Normand et al., …

Pasos Seguros: Investigating The Impact Of Latin Dance And Fall Prevention Education On Fall Risk In Older Adults, Noelia De La Rosa

OT Doctoral Capstones

Introduction: Falls are a leading cause of injury and mortality among older adults, posing a significant public health concern worldwide. By participating in fun, culturally relevant, and recreational fall prevention interventions, older adults are more likely to be motivated and stay engaged in fall prevention educational programs.

Methods: Pasos Seguros (confident steps) provided six weekly 60-minute sessions at the UTEP Rehab Sciences Complex, each including 45 minutes of chair-supported Latin dance instruction (cumbia, bachata, salsa) followed by 15 minutes of fall prevention education (home safety, medication effects, and emergency preparedness) through the UTEP Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Results: A paired-samples …

Strength-Based Peer Mentoring To Empower Independence For Adults With Autism, Annmarie De La Rosa

OT Doctoral Capstones

Adults with autism face disproportionately high rates of unemployment or underemployment, limited engagement in post-secondary education, and restricted opportunities for social participation. This is largely due to the abrupt discontinuation of services after high school—often referred to as the “service cliff” (Roux, 2015). The loss of structured supports can result in a decline in functional independence, increased mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and heightened social isolation (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).

This Capstone project aimed to address the unmet post-secondary needs of young adults with autism by implementing a peer mentoring program grounded in …

“The Estrada Protocol”: A Mindfulness Approach To Rehabilitation, Krysten Estrada

OT Doctoral Capstones

Although there are numerous resources that effectively address the physical aspects of elbow injuries in baseball players, limited research explores athletes’ mental recovery. This fourteen-week Capstone Experience at Border Therapy Services in El Paso, Texas, focused on creating and implementing “The Estrada Protocol,” a mindfulness rehabilitation plan aimed at supporting both the physical and psychological needs of baseball players recovering from elbow injuries. Working closely with site supervisor and subject matter expert Mark Scott and his staff, the researcher led meetings, educational sessions, and athlete interviews, while administering pre- and post-readiness assessments. Initial results yielded limited familiarity with the protocol, …

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Health, Safety, & Wellbeing In Farmers And Ranchers With Disabilities: ​ A Systematized Review, Trinity Edwards, Lauren Klone, Madilynn Edwards, Emily Morse, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Objective: This systematized review synthesizes evidence on occupational therapy (OT) interventions that enhance health, safety, and participation of agriculture workers with disabilities, advancing evidence-based, context-specific approaches in OT practice.

Abstract: Background: Farmers and ranchers have higher rates of injury, disability, and chronic conditions than the general population. These challenge their health and lifestyle (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2024; Miller & Aherin, 2018; Desai et al., 2022).

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of OT at improving safety, health, and well-being amongst agricultural workers with disabilities.

Design: We performed a systematized review of peer-reviewed …

Department Of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University: Historical And Personal Reflections, Richard A. Glennon

VCU University History Books

This book presents a historical account of Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Medicinal Chemistry, compiled and recollected in 2025 by Professor Emeritus Richard A. Glennon. Included are personal reflections alongside a historical overview of the department's origins and faculty, as well as newly developed programs and initiatives.

January 2025, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

Zyn: The Social Buzz, Paula Hayek, Charlotte Mccormick, Page D. Dobbs

2025 Research Poster Competition

Use of nicotine pouches among adolescents are increasing as marketing of Zyn through social media platforms such as, TikTok, is spreading quickly. Micro-influencers on TikTok are presenting the nicotine pouch, Zyn, and its abundance of flavors. The attractiveness of Zyn is primarily due to its subtleness, assortment of flavors, and convenience. The objective of this research is to examine how social media marketing of Zyn pouches is influencing the increased use of this product among adolescents and young adults. This research will aim to answer how Zyn is being communicated on TikTok, what demographic is primarily depicted using or talking …

Zynfluencers: Decoding The New Wave Of Nicotine Culture On Tiktok, Abbie Walls, Page D. Dobbs, Susana Rodriguez Gongora

2025 Research Poster Competition

Significance: This research is crucial for understanding how ZYN, a leader in the rapidly growing nicotine pouch market, influences younger generations through platforms like TikTok. With the nicotine pouch industry projected to grow from $1.99 billion in 2022 to $22.98 billion by 2030, ZYNfluencers play a key role in shaping trends, building brand loyalty, and attracting new users. This phenomenon poses a challenge to tobacco control policies, as marketing strategies targeting youth—potentially with modified risk claims—could undermine efforts to limit nicotine's appeal. By examining ZYN’s impact on social media, this study highlights the need for updated regulations to address the …

Classification Of Tiktok Videos About Menthol Restriction Laws, Charlotte Mccormick, Susana Rodriguez Gongora, Paul Hayek, Abbie Walls, Naga Venkata Sai Raviteja Chappa, Khoa Luu, Page D. Dobbs

2025 Research Poster Competition

Significance. Globally, nations, states, and localities have enacted laws to restrict tobacco products that include menthol flavoring. While literature has examined policy discussions on text-based social media platforms, less is known about the characterization of menthol bans on video-based platforms, such as TikTok, that are popular among youth and young adults. The purpose of this study was to classify video content from TikTok about menthol restriction policies to identify products commonly portrayed and main themes of policy discourse.

Methods. A sample of 1260 TikTok videos posted between October 2018 and September 2023 were collected via a TikTok application programming interface …

Interventions To Improve Community Mobility In Autistic People: A Systematized Review, Sydney Maddox, Jada Ford, Heather Olson, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Importance: Community mobility (CM) enables access to locations outside the home, allowing participation in work, leisure, and social environments. Autistic adults have reported less access to public transportation and driving than the general population (Wilson et al., 2021), impacting their community participation, life satisfaction, and likelihood of employment and further education (Egilson et al., 2016, Song et al., 2022, Wilson et al., 2021). Occupational therapists can support autistic people by providing interventions to increase CM.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve CM in autistic people.

Methods: We collaborated with a medical librarian to conduct a systematic review …

Interventions To Improve Functional Use Of Hemiplegic Upper Extremity Post-Stroke: A Systematized Review, Brieana R. Dean, Sarah N. Wamsley, Halle Clary, Max W. Granstrom, Danielle Westmark, Bridgette Quinn, Stacey Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Purpose: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability with upper limb hemiplegia, significantly limiting participation in daily life (Lee & Howe, 2024; Long et al., 2020). This systematized review was conducted to address interventions within the scope of OT used to improve functional use of hemiplegic UE for adults post-stroke. Design: A systematized review protocol was used with inclusion criteria of full-text, English-language articles addressing rehabilitation interventions for hemiplegic UEs post-stroke containing participants ranging from ages 18-85. A medical librarian at the McGoogan Health Sciences library conducted a search across multiple databases for articles meeting the criteria for the …

Safety Of Healthcare Workers In Acute Care During Patient Mobilization: A Systematized Review, Lina Al Azzawi, Peyton Collier, Delaney Ehlers, Ruby Kulovitz, Danielle M. Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Abstract synopsis

Evidence shows that low-tech aids and lifting equipment promote safe patient handling in acute care, with the most consistent support found for lifting equipment in reducing worker injuries. There was mixed evidence to support ergonomic training.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that enhance safety during patient mobilization for healthcare workers in acute care settings.

This systematized review of safe patient handling interventions included peer-reviewed studies that target healthcare worker safety during patient mobilization in acute care settings.

A medical librarian performed searches in Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus. …

Improving The Usability And Usage Of A Tracheostomy Order Set, Tony Satroplus, Teresa Y. Rodriguez, Jordon Flynn, Carly Garcia, Bennett J. Berning, Jayme Dowdall

Posters and Presentations: Otolaryngology

Educational Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to (a) understand the benefits of simplifying EMR order-sets; (b) simplify a commonly used procedure or order set which includes identifying stakeholders who should contribute to the discussions; (c) identify and overcome barriers that would inhibit implementation and efficiency Objectives: Usability of electronic medical records has been linked to concerns for patient safety and provider wellness. One concern is that an order set’s “end user” may be inexperienced with the complexities associated with the tracheostomy patient continuum. The formation and utility of an intuitive workflow in the …

Medical Impact Of The College World Series On The Omaha Community, Benjamin Stevens, Jd Gregerson, Roarick Schollmeyer, Katie Weaver, Joseph Lippert

EMET Projects

No abstract provided.

Bad News, Rachel Sisley

EMET Projects

This is a representation of a patient sitting on the edge of his hospital bed. It is based on a memory I have from a clinical rotation, in which someone was diagnosed with cancer with a very poor prognosis. The dark green coating the room and his body represents the overwhelming fear he possibly feels. The blue represents sadness, while the red represents anger.

When The Storm Clears: Stories Of Life Beyond Chronic Illness, Marie Bernard, David Mercer, Linda Bernard, Simone Bernard

EMET Projects

This book is a collection of personal stories from patients at the Intestinal Rehabilitation Clinic at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Each of them shares a common thread of living with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) — but this book is not about their diagnosis alone. It is about their lives outside of it: the ordinary, extraordinary, and uniquely personal experiences that make them who they are.

What Are The Genetic Influences Of Alcohol Sensitivity And Alcohol Metabolism? A Narrative Review Of Human Studies, Erwin Murray, Karen G. Chartier Phd, Msw

UROP Posters

Background: Alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism are two phenotypes associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) influenced by genetics. This narrative review aims to answer “What are the genetic influences of alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism?” to gain a better understanding of the genetic aspects of AUD.

Methods: A database search was performed in PubMed. Empirical human genetic studies published between 2009 and 2025 that focused on alcohol sensitivity (measured by the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol scale) or alcohol-metabolizing genes were eligible for review. Studies were screened to determine inclusion for the current review.

Findings: Fifteen …

Birth Related Neonatal Conditions, Jotishna Sharma, Gangaram Akangire

Neonatology Review: Isolette to Crib Podcast

Dr Akangire will discuss birth related conditions that occur in the newborn. He will define birth injuries, briefly go over risk factors, describe common birth injuries and discuss emergencies with bleeding, nerve injuries and fracture.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.