Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Road Less Taveled: My Journey To Becoming A Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist, Carlos Almirola

Pre-Health Day

I didn’t arrive in Public Health through conventional means. My father is a physician and I grew up thinking medicine was in my future. Towards the end of my undergrad I started to learn about other careers and eventually came across Public Health. I saw the importance of helping avoid problematic health issues in our community through early intervention. My Public Health training when combined with my background in Biology opened new doors I never knew existed. Grad School gave me the opportunity to have involvement with different community health initiatives in Baptist Congregational Health, UM Docs Program, and as …

The Journey To Becoming A Dentist: Advice To My Undergraduate Self, Katherine Lorenzo-Machado

Pre-Health Day

Growing up with a few family members who were dentists, I was always exposed to the profession. When I started undergraduate school at FIU, I knew that was what I wanted to be, and focused most of my time on getting there. Juggling undergraduate school, working at different dental offices, and studying for my DAT while maintaining my social life with family and friends was tough, but I was able to achieve that and get my undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 3 years. I went straight from undergraduate school to dental school, which made some …

The Path To Optometry, Mari Holderby

Pre-Health Day

The path to optometry, although at times challenging, is extremely rewarding. I personally had my eyes set on becoming an optometrist since I was 16 years old, when I attended a Dual Enrollment program called College Academy at Broward College. I had graduated high school with an Associate of Arts degree, and therefore by the time I attended Farquhar, I knew what my long-term goals were. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Dual Admission program for optometry, in which I had a guaranteed seat in NSU’s optometry school once I completed my three years at Farquhar. It …

From Undergrad To Ph. D., My Lessons, Ivan Jozic

Pre-Health Day

Although the road to becoming a scientist is often riddled with many hurdles, the rewards of self-discovery and potential to revolutionize the world, are priceless. It is said that a PhD is pursued by those who are driven to do something original and those who are have the passion to discover the unknown; but also those that have dedication, persistence and resilience. My journey began at the intersection of College Ave and SW 30th St back in 2004. As with many other Biology majors, I was unsure where my career path should lead to, but I knew it had to …

From Undergrad To Audiologist, The Road Less Traveled, Ashley Lawrence

Pre-Health Day

College is a challenging yet rewarding time in life and if you stay motivated and keep your eyes on your long-term goals, you will be successful regardless of your career choice. I learned about who I was as a person throughout my college years, and I can offer some guidance on both the good choices and mistakes I made on my path to becoming a medical professional. I began undergrad at NSU in 2002, long before the days of the University Center and when the NSU mascot was still a Knight. I majored in Biology and graduated in 2006 with …

My Career Journey, Cecelia Rokusek

Pre-Health Day

Dr. Rokusek currently serves as Assistant Dean for Research and Innovation, Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to joining Nova, Dr. Rokusek served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of South Dakota, School of Medicine. She served as Professor and Dean of Education at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota and Dean of Health Professions at Governors State University in Illinois and at Florida Gulf University in Ft. Myers, Fl serving as the first dean to bring all of the 5 health professions program in the newly established university to …

My Path To Pharmacy School, Daven Sawh

Pre-Health Day

came from Trinidad, and when I started I had no idea of how to approach the process. I depended on the advisors and people on the same path to guide me. This was not the best approach. I should have done my own research and mapped out my own path. But I was determined to become a pharmacist and I completed my prerequisites as required for the COP at that time....or so I thought. I was not a competitive candidate and my first application left me devastated. However I learned what I needed to do. I worked on my GPA …

Journey To Becoming A Surgeon, Jill C. Gorsuch

Pre-Health Day

I began my path to become General and Bariatric Surgeon at the University of Florida earning my B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science. I then spent a year at the University of Miami, Diabetes Research Institute studying islet cell transplantation. In 2005, I began medical school at NSU, College of Osteopathic Medicine where I earned both my D.O. and M.P.H. I then completed my general surgery residency at Michigan State’s Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. While in residency I decided I wanted to advance my general surgery skills and pursue a career in Bariatric surgery. I am currently completing …

Taking The Nontraditional Route To Medical School From Nurse To Physician. Are You Sure You Want To Embark On This Journey?, Zaki Darojat

Pre-Health Day

Changing careers takes a lot of guts regardless of what career you had initially and the decision to embark on the journey of becoming a physician is a long one. I will discuss some factors that one should consider before making this leap. Medical school was not easy but it is definitely a rewarding career and I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else; However, I have colleagues who do not share the same sentiment. I hope to shed some light into the pros and cons of medicine and help you make an informed decision.

The Big Picture Of A Career Behind The Microscope: Life Lessons From A Thirty-Something Woman In Medicine, Marta M. Van Straten

Pre-Health Day

I consider myself fortunate to pursue a career whose steps were laid out before me. The umbrella of medicine is broad, however, and many major life events occur between the time a young person starts college and a career truly materializes. Looking back on the past fifteen years since graduating high school, I’ve learned more about people and the world around me than any single topic taught in a classroom. From one detour after finishing my undergraduate degree, to another after graduating medical school, my path to becoming a pathologist was not the direct one I envisioned. Since graduating from …

Hydroxycarbamide Versus Chronic Transfusion For Maintenance Of Transcranial Doppler Flow Velocities In Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia-Tcd With Transfusions Changing To Hydroxyurea (Twitch): A Multicentre, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Trial., Russell E Ware, Barry R Davis, William H Schultz, R Clark Brown, Banu Aygun, Sharada Sarnaik, Lori Luchtman-Jones, +Several Additional Authors

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: For children with sickle cell anaemia and high transcranial doppler (TCD) flow velocities, regular blood transfusions can effectively prevent primary stroke, but must be continued indefinitely. The efficacy of hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) in this setting is unknown; we performed the TWiTCH trial to compare hydroxyurea with standard transfusions.

METHODS: TWiTCH was a multicentre, phase 3, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial done at 26 paediatric hospitals and health centres in the USA and Canada. We enrolled children with sickle cell anaemia who were aged 4-16 years and had abnormal TCD flow velocities (≥ 200 cm/s) but no severe vasculopathy. After screening, eligible …

Does Yoga Practice Improve Balance In Older Adults?, Joanna Alfieri, Spt, Andrea Barberio, Spt, Ryt-500, Rebecca Mccammitt, Spt, Kevin Reeder, Spt, Susan Duff, Pt, Edd, Cht, Ryt-200

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose and Hypothesis:

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effects of a regular yoga program on balance in older adults. We hypothesized that a regular yoga program would improve balance and consequently reduce fall risk in the older adult population.

Challenges Of Adoptive (T-)Cell Transfer Immunotherapy For Cancer, Aaron Volk

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Background and significance: The rebirth of the theory of immunosurveillance in 2001 rejuvenated interest in anticancer immunotherapies. In particular, T-cell-based therapies have garnered substantial interest due to the robustness and tumor antigen-specific cytotoxicity of T-cell anticancer immune responses.

Hypothesis: The efficacy of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) T-cell immunotherapy could significantly improve and gain widespread approval if future innovations in ACT-based approaches account for the pro- and antitumoral properties of non-CD8⁺ lineages of effector T-cells, evasion of T-cell antitumor immunity, and tumor-induced suppression of antitumor immunity.

Problem Analysis: Despite numerous reports of highly successful ACT-based clinical trials, no such therapy …

The Relationship Between Body Positioning, Muscle Activity, And Spinal Kinematics In Cyclists With And Without Low Back Pain, Gabriel Streisfeld, Spt, Caitlin E. Bartoszek, Spt, Emily F. Creran, Spt, Brianna A. Inge, Spt, Marc D. Mcshane, Spt, Therese E. Johnston, Pt, Phd, Mba

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Objectives:

• To determine if relationships exist between body positioning, spinal kinematics, and muscle activity in active cyclists with non-traumatic LBP.
• To explore variations in optimal positioning and bike set up in order to address variables associated with LBP in the physical therapy clinic.

Locomotor Training In The Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Population: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Katelin Gorski, Spt, Kelsey Harbold, Spt, Katelyn Haverstick, Spt, Emily Schultz, Spt, Stephanie E. Shealy, Ms, Spt, Laura Krisa, Phd

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose:

The aim of this review was to investigate the effects of locomotor training on pediatric SCI and develop recommendations for pediatric LT guidelines.

Lois Whaley Highsmith, Lois Whaley Highsmith, Kelsey Duinkerken

Jefferson Nursing Oral Histories

After originally studying chemical engineering at Penn State, Lois Highsmith decided to instead pursue nursing. At Jefferson she found a passion for community health nursing, specifically related to obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal child health. Ms. Highsmith graduated in 1986 and over the years worked mostly in maternal care but also in psychology. Among other positions, she worked for ten years at Pennsylvania Hospital where she founded STEPS, Strategies to Encourage Parental Self-Sufficiency, a teen pregnancy clinic, and worked as a home visitor for Mercy Home Health educating new moms about postpartum care. Since 2002 she has worked for Nurse Family …

Effects Of High Intensity Exercise On Central Neural Drive In Healthy Populations, Nicholas Legrand, Spt, Kyra Robb, Spt, Emily Slobodian, Spt, Nicole Weaknecht, Spt, Megan Wood, Spt, Stephanie Muth, Pt, Phd

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Background:

Current research suggests that strength gains related to central neural adaptation occur more rapidly than peripheral mechanisms5. Central neural drive (CND) is the measure of cortical output that coordinates up-regulation of agonist contraction and inhibition of antagonist musculature in voluntary muscle contractions2. Two common techniques for measuring CND are twitch interpolation and motor evoked potential from transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Biomechanical Factors Associated With Knee Pain In Cyclists: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Tiara Baskins, Spt, Rachael Koppel, Spt, Sam Oliver, Spt, Dj Stieber, Spt, Therese E. Johnston, Pt, Phd, Mba

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose:

This systematic review will focus on literature related to positioning on, and configuration of the bicycle that can influence forces acting on the knee and their potential effects on injury. This review also serves to present recommendations for rehabilitation and injury prevention based on the findings in current literature. The goal of this research was to develop an algorithm that can be used in guiding decision making for the sports medicine practitioner.

High Intensity Interval Training In High Risk Individuals: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Claire Marine, Spt, Stephanie Nagy, Spt, Chelsea Payne, Spt, Carolyn Wise, Spt, Christine K. Wade, Pt, Edd, Rn

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose: This systematic review of the literature (SRL) aims to demonstrate that high intensity interval training is an effective, safe, and more efficient training protocol as compared to continuous moderate intensity exercise in patients with COPD or HF

The Effect Of Night Splints In The Treatment Of Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Literature Review, Kelly Boatwright, Spt, Thomas Hutchinson, Spt, Alyssa Saurman, Spt, Ernesto Méndez, Spt, Christopher Wanyo, Spt, Paul Howard, Pt, Dpt, Phd, Ocs, Faaompt

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Objective:

To investigate the use of night splints for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and the current evidence regarding their ability to affect symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis.

Self-Selected Foot Strike Patterns In Runners When Transitioning From The Shod To Barefoot Condition: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Jarett Fisher, Spt, Thomas Fraind, Spt, David A. Girardot, Spt, Erin James, Spt, Mary Mccoy, Spt, Carl Pitts, Pt, Dpt

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose and Background:

Recent research has begun to focus on foot strike patterns as they relate to injuries in runners. Runners who employ a rear-foot strike (RFS) pattern (in which the heel lands before the ball of the foot) are more likely to experience repetitive stress injuries such as tibial stress fractures, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and plantar fasciitis. Conversely, runners demonstrating a forefoot strike (FFS) pattern (defined as the ball of the foot-usually the 4th and 5th metatarsal heads-landing before the heel) are more susceptible to Achilles tendon, plantarflexor, and metatarsal injuries. Several systematic studies have concluded that barefoot …

The Most Effective And Efficient Bedside Exam For The Dizzy Patient In The Acute Care Setting: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alexandra Davis, Spt, Katierae Hunsicker, Spt, Cathy Lee, Spt, Megan Shultz, Spt, Janette Scardillo, Pt, Dpt, Cbis

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose:

The purpose of this systematic review of the literature (SRL) is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of vestibular bedside tests for patients with complaints of dizziness and vertigo in the acute care setting. This includes differentiating between a central and peripheral disorder, as well as diagnosing peripheral disorders within the scope of physical therapy practice

Does High-Intensity Exercise Better Improve Ambulation In The Population With Chronic Stroke, As Compared To Standard Care?: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Caitlin Caruso, Spt, Courtney Comstock, Spt, Ashley Mckenna, Spt, Samantha Nixon, Spt, Ashley Wonneberger, Spt, Christine M. Tyrell, Pt, Phd, Ncs

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose:

To assess the effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on the improvement of gait deficits in survivors of chronic stroke as compared to standard care.

Application Of Dual Task Performance In Pediatrics And Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review, Lauren Bilski, Kathleen Clancy, Victoria Dean, Danielle Melfi, Kristin Reardon, Louis N. Hunter, Pt, Dpt

Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Purpose:

The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to investigate the application of cognitive and motor dual task paradigms in the physical therapy management of moderate to severe TBI population across the lifespan in physical therapy practice.

Intact Cohesion, Anaphase, And Chromosome Segregation In Human Cells Harboring Tumor-Derived Mutations In Stag2, Jung-Sik Kim, Xiaoyuan He, Bernardo Orr, Gordana Wutz, Victoria Hill, Jan-Michael Peters, Duane A. Compton, Todd Waldman

Dartmouth Scholarship

Somatic mutations of the cohesin complex subunit STAG2 are present in diverse tumor types. We and others have shown that STAG2 inactivation can lead to loss of sister chromatid cohesion and alterations in chromosome copy number in experimental systems. However, studies of naturally occurring human tumors have demonstrated little, if any, correlation between STAG2 mutational status and aneuploidy, and have further shown that STAG2-deficient tumors are often euploid. In an effort to provide insight into these discrepancies, here we analyze the effect of tumor-derived STAG2 mutations on the protein composition of cohesin and the expected mitotic phenotypes of STAG2 …

Mw151 Inhibited Il-1Β Levels After Traumatic Brain Injury With No Effect On Microglia Physiological Responses, Adam D. Bachstetter, Zhengqiu Zhou, Rachel K. Rowe, Bin Xing, Danielle S. Goulding, Alyssa N. Conley, Pradoldej Sompol, Shelby Meier, Jose F. Abisambra, Jonathan Lifshitz, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

A prevailing neuroinflammation hypothesis is that increased production of proinflammatory cytokines contributes to progressive neuropathology, secondary to the primary damage caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In support of the hypothesis, post-injury interventions that inhibit the proinflammatory cytokine surge can attenuate the progressive pathology. However, other post-injury neuroinflammatory responses are key to endogenous recovery responses. Therefore, it is critical that pharmacological attenuation of detrimental or dysregulated neuroinflammatory processes avoid pan-suppression of inflammation. MW151 is a CNS-penetrant, small molecule experimental therapeutic that restores injury- or disease-induced overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines towards homeostasis without immunosuppression. Post-injury administration of MW151 in a …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Georgia Southern Assesses Syringe Exchange Program Access

Corticosteroid Implants For Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis., Christopher J Brady, Andrea C Villanti, Hua Andrew Law, Ehsan Rahimy, Rahul Reddy, Pamela C. Sieving, Sunir J. Garg, Johnny Tang

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: Uveitis is a term used to describe a heterogeneous group of intraocular inflammatory diseases of the anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid). Uveitis is the fifth most common cause of vision loss in high-income countries, accounting for 5% to 20% of legal blindness, with the highest incidence of disease in the working-age population.Corticosteroids are the mainstay of acute treatment for all anatomical subtypes of non-infectious uveitis and can be administered orally, topically with drops or ointments, by periocular (around the eye) or intravitreal (inside the eye) injection, or by surgical implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the …

Health Policy & Management News, Georgia Southern University

Health Policy & Community Health: News & Publications (2011-2018)

• Georgia Southern Assesses Syringe Exchange Program Access

Muscle Strength Differences In Healthy Young Adults With And Without Generalized Joint Hypermobility: A Cross-Sectional Study, Pranay Jindal, Amitesh Narayan, Sailakshami Ganesan, Joy C. Macdermid

Bone and Joint Institute

© 2016 Jindal et al. Background: Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), in the absence of symptoms, is a common clinical finding. The joint instability present due to excessive musculoskeletal flexibility in hypermobile joints impairs the external force production during muscle contraction. However, whether GJH is associated with muscle weakness is unclear. This study evaluated differences in upper and lower limb muscle strengths among asymptomatic young adults with and without GJH. Methods: One hundred six young adults (53 hypermobile, i.e. 25 male (mean age 22 ± 1.8); 28 female (mean age 21 ± 1.8), and 53 non-hypermobile, i.e. 25 male (mean age …