Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Innovator - Summer 2024

Innovator

06 - A Message from the President

10 - Time Machine

16 - The Nexus

32 - Our History

38 - Weaving a Legacy of Excellence

40 - Bridging the Gaps

44 - Harnessing the Qualities That Create Healthcare Heroes

48 - Question & Innovate

52 - Alumni Impact

54 - Ram Roundup

58 - Be Kind

62 - Class Notes

68 - In Memory

70 - Trivia

Innovator - Fall 2023

Innovator

06 - Get to Know Jefferson's Interim President

08 - Leadership Announcements

10 - Time Machine

14 - The Nexus

22 - Climate Change on Your Block

30 - Humana and Jefferson

34 - Question & Innovate

38 - Caffeinated Creativity

42 - Alumni Impact

46 - Ram RoundUp

50 - Brotherhood's Enduring Legacy

56 - Class Notes

60 - In Memory

62 - Trivia

Evaluating Clinical-Academic Partnerships In Physical Therapy Education: A Critically Appraised Topic On Available Assessment Tools, Jocelin Friedman, Hannah Bennett, Rachel Atkinson, Leona Hidalgo

Pacific Journal of Health

Scenario: Physical Therapy Clinical Education represents a significant component of curricula and requires cooperation between academic institutions and clinical education sites (CES). Curriculum structure variation, clinical instructor availability, and student internship demands impact the academic institutions and CES partnership. For stakeholders, communication of expectations and the individuality of the student placement workflow can strain partnerships. Longevity of the clinical-academic partnership depends on effective evaluation incorporating perspectives of both parties. Question: Are there bi- directional assessment tools or protocols available to help academic institutions and CES to evaluate each other in the areas of administrative and collaborative performance? Methods …

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 …

Managing Oro-Antral Communications After Tooth Extractions: A Guide For General Dentists, Ross Brockman Dmd, Md, G. E. Ghali Dds, Md

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This clinical feature provides general dentists with a detailed guide on managing oro-antral communications (OACs) resulting from tooth extractions. It distinguishes between acute OACs and chronic oro-antral fistulas (OAFs), identifying anatomical and surgical risk factors. The authors outline conservative management strategies for small communications, including sinus precautions and pharmacotherapy, as well as surgical techniques like the buccal advancement flap for larger defects. The article concludes with specific criteria for specialist referral, ensuring that dentists can optimize patient outcomes and prevent long-term complications such as chronic sinusitis.

Cryoablation As A Treatment Option For Early-Stage Primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer And Lung Metastases: A Narrative Review Of Recent Literature, Eshwar Karupakula, Clara Nemr, Justin Chen, Ashwin Hampole

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Cryoablation has emerged as a promising treatment option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and lung metastases. This narrative review examines recent literature on cryoablation's efficacy, safety, and outcomes in treating lung tumors. The review analyzes data from multiple clinical trials and observational studies, focusing on local tumor control rates, overall survival, and complications. Results indicate that cryoablation achieves high local tumor control rates, ranging from 85% to 97% at one year, for both primary NSCLC and pulmonary metastases. Overall survival rates are comparable to surgical resection, with one-year rates up to 97.7% reported in some studies. Cryoablation offers …

Efficacy, Acceptability, And Feasibility Of Stayquit For Sustaining Smoking Abstinence After Psychiatric Hospitalization: A Pilot Study, Corinne N. Kacmarek, Hannah C. Smith, Alicia Lucksted, Lan Li, Laché Wilkins, Gabriella Coakley, Peter Phalen, Deborah Medoff, Faith Dickerson, Julie Kreyenbuhl, Melanie E. Bennett

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Veterans with mental illness have high rates of tobacco use and psychiatric hospitalization in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). VA is smoke-free, and guidelines recommend that smoking cessation medication and counseling be delivered during and one month after hospitalization to sustain abstinence. Little is known about how patients experience this intervention. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of an evidence-informed, novel smoking intervention, StayQuit, for psychiatric inpatients.

Methods: Participants were recruited from an inpatient VA psychiatric unit. Changes in self-reported cigarettes smoked per day, nicotine dependence, and abstinence self-efficacy were evaluated between baseline and 12-week follow …

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Narrative Review Of Disparities Between Black And White Women In The United States And Strategies For Improvement, Lynne Li, Jessica Schlewitt

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an inflammatory syndrome of the upper female reproductive organs caused by infection, most commonly via Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis, spreading to one or more reproductive organs. With PID responsible for many of the major morbidities of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain, the urgency is high to mitigate the impacts of untreated PID, especially in higher-risk populations. This paper discusses the current disparities in PID diagnosis, treatment, and management between Black and white women and proposes interventions to reduce health inequalities involving PID. To conduct this narrative review, …

We Are Each One Second Away From Being Someone Else's Patient, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Editorial

Birdshot Chorioretinopathy: A Review Of Diagnosis And Treatment, Jill Gottehrer Od, Steven Follansbee Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Birdshot chorioretinopathy is a rare, bilateral chronic uveitis resulting in choroidal and retinal inflammation in the form of vasculitis, papillitis, and/or macular edema. For an accurate diagnosis, a thorough patient history, fundoscopic exam, and appropriate ancillary testing are necessary.

Case Report: A 49-year-old male presented to the eye clinic due to vitreous floaters in both eyes that had worsened over the last year. The patient was new to the clinic with no prior history of eye examinations. At presentation, a mild vitritis was noted along with small, multiple white dots in the posterior pole of both eyes. Ancillary testing, …

Focal Choroidal Excavation Associated With Resolved Central Serous Chorioretinopathy, Loren W. Bennett Od, Katherine M. Mehalik Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Focal choroidal excavation is a localized concavity of the choroid within the macula defined by its appearance on optical coherence tomography. The condition is typically nonprogressive and often an incidental finding. It may not impact vision, although it can be associated with other visually significant macular pathologies.

Case Report: A 48-year-old male patient presented with a recent history of blurred vision in the left eye. A dilated fundus examination revealed a discrete area of pigment mottling in the macula; both the history and clinical appearance were consistent with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy. Optical coherence tomography did not show residual …

Use Of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography To Manage Acute Corneal Hydrops In Keratoconus, Michelle K. Man Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Acute corneal hydrops, a rare complication of keratoconus and other corneal ectatic disorders, is characterized by a break in Descemet’s membrane (DM). The subsequent corneal edema caused by leakage of aqueous into the stroma and epithelium may result in corneal scarring that often reduces visual acuity and may mandate corneal transplantation as resolution. The initial diagnosis is sometimes challenging but can be confirmed with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). AS-OCT is also useful in deciding treatment regimen.

Case Report: This case report discusses the use of AS-OCT to aid in the diagnosis of acute corneal hydrops in a …

A Case Of Adolescent Papilledema Secondary To Oral Hormonal Contraceptives, John D. Tassinari Od, Phil Kwok Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Papilledema, optic disc swelling secondary to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), is a medical emergency given the gravity of possible disease etiologies, including but not limited to intracranial mass.

Case Report: A 12-year-old female with normal body mass index developed marked headaches and subsequently manifested bilateral swelling of the optic discs and retinal folds. Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, particularly in the fundus autofluorescence mode, provided a striking image of the retinal folds. The posterior segment abnormalities were accompanied by reduced visual acuity and corresponding visual field defects. The edema of the optic nerve and retinal fluid were worse in her left …

Gynecological Effects Of Sex Trafficking, Tracey Sylvester

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Consequences Of Sex Trafficking, Brenda Myers-Powell

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Post-Covid Update: Magic Can Still Happen, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, Dr. Michelle Dziurgot addresses the persistent staffing shortages in dentistry six years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares personal insights on managing a leaner practice by utilizing virtual assistants, cross-training existing staff, and emphasizing the "TEAM" philosophy—Trust, Education, Accountability, and Magic. Dziurgot discusses the transition to new practice models and the importance of patient communication during times of limited personnel. Ultimately, the piece encourages practice owners to find innovative ways to maintain high standards of care and team morale despite a difficult labor market.

Restoration Of Dental Implants With Screw-Retained Crowns: Optimizing Contact Area Geometry To Prevent Food Impaction, John S. Mamoun D.M.D.

The New York State Dental Journal

A single-unit, screw-retained fixed partial denture or crown, made for a dental implant, may show food impaction between the screw-retained crown and an inter-proximal tooth surface. This restorative error may be due to an open contact or a large interproximal embrasure space volume between the screw-retained prosthesis and an interproximal tooth surface. Food impaction may also occur due to the contact plane of the restoration being parallel with the contact plane of the neighboring tooth instead of a more correct contact plane geometry where both interproximal contact planes converge slightly towards each other to form a “triangular” embrasure space. These …

Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure: A Review, Divya Khanna B.D.S., M.D.S.

The New York State Dental Journal

Periodontal treatment modalities have evolved substantially to evidence-based minimally invasive treatment options. Lasers have proved to be an effective tool by providing a myriad of benefits and advantages while eliminating many of the negative sequelae that have been historically associated with conventional pocket elimination surgery. Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) is a well-defined treatment protocol that has been validated with human histology and has demonstrated both short- and long-term success. LANAP has proven to be an effective, safe and predictable treatment option for achieving regeneration and new attachment formation, leading to favorable clinical outcomes, improved patient compliance and acceptability.

Resolution Of Severe Lateral Open Bite With Surgically Enhanced Orthodontic And Myofunctional Therapies, Daniel Kuncio D.D.S., Maria Karpov D.M.D.

The New York State Dental Journal

Patients often present to our practices with dental relapse of previous orthodontic treatment. Many times, the underlying skeletal and/or functional problems leading to the malocclusion were not addressed, causing the teeth to revert to their initial positions, even with good retainer wear. This patient presented with a severe lateral open bite and complained of problems chewing on his right side.

Previous orthodontic treatment with fixed orthodontics appliances and vertical elastics proved to be unstable. We recommended a treatment plan with surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) to correct the skeletal maxillary constriction and provide more tongue space, followed by surgically …

Dental Offices Subject To New Legal Mandates, Lance Plunkett Jd, Llm

The New York State Dental Journal

Several new workplace laws, applicable to dental practices, have been enacted, as New York continues its aggressive push in the employment law arena.

News You Need: Annual Session, Board Updates, And Regulatory News, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This comprehensive news section provides essential updates for Michigan dentists, including details on the 2026 Annual Session highlights and the launch of the "HERM-E" AI member assistant. It features critical regulatory reminders concerning mandated reporting for child abuse and neglect. The document also covers oral cancer prevention, dental therapy scholarship updates, and the appointment of new members to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Additionally, it lists upcoming House of Delegates meetings and resources for donated treatment, ensuring members are informed on professional responsibilities.

Diagnosing Dementia In The Dental Office, Stuart Segelnick Dds, Ms

The New York State Dental Journal

What to do when you no longer recognize the patient you’ve treated for years.

N Y State Dent J April 2026

The New York State Dental Journal

In the April 2026 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• Resolution of Severe Lateral Open Bite with Surgically Enhanced Orthodontic and Myofunctional Therapies
• Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure: A Review
• Restoration of Dental Implants with Screw-Retained Crowns

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

How Do I Set Up New Hires For Long-Term Success?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

HR expert Jodi Schafer addresses the common challenge of employee retention through effective onboarding strategies. She clarifies that onboarding is a long-term process of integration and belonging, distinct from simple orientation. The article provides practical tips for reducing new-hire anxiety, such as sharing first-day agendas and assigning mentors. Schafer emphasizes the importance of pacing training, setting clear performance expectations, and establishing ongoing feedback loops during the first few weeks. By measuring metrics like time to proficiency, practices can refine their integration processes to build a stable and committed workforce.

Volunteering: Service To Humanity Is The Best Work Of Life, William Chase Dds, Maom

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dr. William Chase reflects on a 45-year career enriched by dental volunteering and humanitarian missions. Chronicling his experiences treating patients in the Philippines and Brazil, he illustrates how altruism provides professional satisfaction that transcends financial gain. The article outlines various domestic opportunities for service, such as the MDA Foundation’s Mission of Mercy and the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. Chase provides a checklist for interested volunteers and encourages colleagues to emerge from their comfort zones to provide life-altering care to underserved populations locally and abroad.

Endorsed Programs News: Mda Insurance Receives High Honors, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This report covers updates on MDA-endorsed programs designed to provide value and operational support to members. It announces that MDA Insurance has won the 2025 "State Administrator of the Year" award for its professional liability programs. The document also promotes the environmental benefits of recycling dental scrap metal through D-MMEX Easyrefine and introduces the cost-saving benefits of MEDVA virtual assistants for administrative tasks. Additionally, it advertises upcoming Medicare educational seminars to help member dentists and their staff navigate retirement planning and health insurance transitions effectively.

Comparison Of Three Coordination Methods To Increase Outpatient Follow Up Among Older Adults Discharged From The Emergency Department: A Pilot Study, Michelle Simpson, Suzanne Ryer, Christopher Rubach, Joseph Chase

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Older adults are among the highest users of the emergency department (ED), comprising over 50% of those discharged home from the ED. The Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) guidelines recommend addressing transitions of care that connect older adults with timely outpatient services to decrease adverse events. The purpose of outpatient follow up is to evaluate and adjust patient treatment, if necessary, following an ED visit to prevent adverse events.

Methods: A prospective, descriptive pilot study was conducted to gather preliminary data on the potential impact of follow-up outpatient appointment coordination types (standard care, point-of-care scheduling, and portal reminder message). Older …

Thank You To Our 2025 Peer Reviewers, Advocate Aurora Research Institute

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

We are deeply grateful for our diverse pool of academic and clinical reviewers at the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews (JPCRR). When called upon, the experts listed below stepped up and generously volunteered their time to review and rigorously gatekeep our original manuscript submissions. These devoted reviewers are an invaluable part of JPCRR and greatly help us maintain the high quality of our articles and achieve our goal of advancing patient-centered practices, health outcomes, and patient experiences.

Narratives Of Dis-Ease: A Genre Study Of Pathography, Sylvelyn Jo A. Almanzor

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

This essay establishes pathography as a distinct genre of creative nonfiction, tracing the development, form, and cultural significance of this body of literature. I have broadly defined it as narratives on personal experiences of Gabriel Marcel's "dis-ease"—covering and critiquing the human understanding and experience of sickness, pain, and grief—which has evolved from autobiographical narratives and life-writing of patients and medical professionals to a recognized form of creative nonfiction. This study will analyze the genre's structure, themes, and rhetorical strategies with consideration to cultural significance and how it negotiates the human understanding of suffering, healing, and societal attitudes toward existence and …

From Eccentric Force To Explosive Output: A Multidimensional Analysis Of Mechanical Efficiency, Neuromuscular Strategy, And Performance Prediction In National-Level Junior Badminton Athletes Undergoing Overload Training, Mariola Gepfert, Kinga Łosińska, Dariusz T. Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Izabella Socha, Alicja Markiel, Aleksandra Markowska, Adam Maszczyk, Artur Gołaś

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

This study aimed to investigate the neuromechanical pathways linking eccentric force production to explosive concentric output during countermovement jumps (CMJ) in national-level junior badminton athletes undergoing a specialized eccentric training program. Objective: 36 male athletes (age 16.5 ± 1.2 years) were quasi-randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n=18), which completed a 6-week supervised eccentric overload training in-volving flywheel squats and depth jumps thrice weekly, or a control group (CG; n=18), which maintained their habitual in-season training without additional interventions. Methods: Pre- and post-intervention assessments included CMJ performance measured on a force platform, with detailed analysis of kinetic and temporal …