Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Let's Get Connected (Lcg), Delaney J. Boyd

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

The Let’s Get Connected (LGC) doctoral capstone project aimed to improve the social skills of primary school students through program development, education, and clinical intervention in order to encourage a more inclusive environment in the school. Regarding program development, LGC incorporated universal OT services during recess for all second grade students to socialize as a class. During the “All-In Recess” portion of the program, social emotional skills were taught through games that encouraged students to socialize and include all of their peers. The second tier included “Breakfast Bunch and Lunch Bunch”, which consisted of small social participation groups held during …

Promoting Mu, Christina A. Reilley

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

Despite the broad scope of occupational therapy and its significant impact on patients' lives, the profession requires a strategic marketing plan to raise awareness. To address the lack of understanding on a micro level, a comprehensive marketing plan was developed for Misericordia University’s Occupational Therapy Department to align with the current wants and needs of prospective students. Designed as a 14-week doctoral capstone project, PromOTing MU aims to advocate for the profession by showcasing the experiences of current MUOT students. The cliff of OT programs expanding while application numbers decline is a prevalent issue addressed in PromOTing MU, which targets …

Explore Your Future, Faith M. Merritt

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

Explore Your Future, a doctoral capstone project, was developed to aid the development and learning of low socioeconomic status (SES) children attending the McGlynn Center. This project focused on career readiness, addressing community concerns by providing resources on career possibilities, educational pathways, and skills training. A scoping review revealed gaps in research on interventions improving career readiness in low SES children, with limited studies identified across seven databases. Early intervention is proven to enhance career exploration, social-emotional outcomes, social awareness, academic performance, and vocational identity (Howard & Ferrari, 2022). Improvements in self concept, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, and confidence …

Artificial Intelligence In Health Care: Business Opportunities And Ethical Challenges, Ankita Srivastava, Marco Marabelli, Jeffrey Moriarty

Philosophy Faculty Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular generative AI (GAI), are making incredible progress toward automation. The pervasive and invasive nature of these technologies are affecting every industry, and health care is no exception. This paper summarizes insights derived from a panel that the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics and the Center for Health and Business at Bentley University hosted in March 2024. The panel invited three qualified health care professionals: Evan Carey, Susan Persky and John Torous. The panelists are all active in multiple aspects of AI in health care but represent a focus on the key areas of policy …

Systemic Challenges In Pediatric Healthcare: Exploring Reimbursement Disparities And Their Impact On Healthcare Equity, Jessica Ford-Davis, Alexandra Gillette

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have provided health coverage for over 135 million Americans, with Medicaid playing a significant role in financing pediatric healthcare. Medicaid covers a wide range of services for children, particularly those from low-income families or with special healthcare needs, including preventive care, immunizations, vision and dental services, and mental health treatments. However, Medicaid reimbursement rates are lower compared to Medicare and private insurance, in some cases 30.6% lower, and have often been insufficient to cover the full cost of care, contributing to financial losses for children's hospitals. Despite these challenges, nearly …

Genetic Insights Into Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphisms And Inherited Thrombophilia: Advancing Precision Screening And Therapeutic Interventions To Optimize Perinatal Outcomes, Taylar Hash

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and inherited thrombophilia, such as Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A, have been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. This integrative review explores how genetic insights into MTHFR polymorphisms and inherited thrombophilia can guide precision medicine, including both screening and therapeutic intervention, to optimize perinatal outcomes. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted following Whittemore and Knafl’s methodology. Research databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched for studies published or translated to English within the last twenty years that examined MTHFR polymorphisms, …

Magnet Hospitals And Their Impact On Patient Outcomes, Connie Cochran, Molly A. Collins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the competitive healthcare landscape, patient safety and quality care have remained critical priorities. The Magnet Recognition Program, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), has recognized hospitals that have demonstrated excellence in nursing and improved patient outcomes. Built on five core pillars: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary practice, innovation, and quality results, this designation has supported professional development and collaborative care. Although only about 10% of U.S. hospitals have been Magnet-designated, they have been linked to reduced hospital mortality, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and patient falls.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to evaluate …

Is There An Association Between Living In A Rural Area And The Incidence Of Postoperative Complications Or Hospital Readmissions Following Left Ventricular Assist Device (Lvad) Implantation, Compared To Urban Lvad Recipients? A Systematic Review., Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Sri Banala, Sheraj Singh, Kiran Tadi

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are utilized as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure. While LVAD implantation can enhance survival rates and quality of life, the procedure has its risks, and postoperative complications are common. This review aims to investigate whether there is an association between living in a rural area and the incidence of postoperative complications or hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation, compared to urban LVAD recipients.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature review examined studies that compared postoperative outcomes between rural and urban LVAD recipients. Data on adverse events, hospitalizations, and mortality rates were extracted, focusing …

An Accident On Mount Washington: Now I Understand What It's Like To Have Panic Attacks, Chuck Radis

Faculty Publications

This is the story of how Dr. Radis developed PTSD after a mountaineering accident and how it affected him in his personal life and as a physician as he continued to practice and see patients.

The Role And Impact Of Mobile Stroke Units, Jocelyn Grosch

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Optimal outcomes in stroke care depend on rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment. In hospitals, stroke protocols prioritize rapid computed tomography (CT) scans and bloodwork to diagnose and treat the patient promptly as needed. A mobile stroke unit (MSU) is a specialized ambulance equipped with a stroke team, a built-in CT scanner, and the necessary medications for treatment. This pre-hospital intervention has significantly decreased diagnosis and interventional treatment times, leading to better patient outcomes. In particular, MSUs are important for enabling the administration of treatments, such …

Experiences Of Those With "Other" Disfluencies, Kathleen Scaler Scott, Emma Schaedler, Erica Scheinberg, Sarah Hardy, Margaret Koester, Brenna Field, Emma Maley, Kayla Montemarano, Kateri Grice

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

This ethnographic study collected and analyzed interviews of 8 children with “other” fluency disorders: cluttering, atypical disfluency, excessive non-stuttering like disfluency. Each school-age child participated in a semi-structured interview focusing on grand and mini tour questions. The participants were asked to speak about their perspective and experience with communication in general. Preliminary results of this study revealed the following themes: friendships are hard; high-level communication is a goal; everyone doesn’t ‘get’ me when I talk. Clinical and research implications of findings will be discussed.

Conventional Versus 3d Bolus In Radiation Therapy, Madison Elizabeth Brdaric

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target tumors while protecting healthy tissue. Tumors near the skin can be difficult to treat because the surface does not get enough radiation. Boluses are tissue-equivalent materials that help focus radiation on the tumor. Conventional boluses work well on flat surfaces but struggle on awkward or uneven surfaces such as the nose or ear, resulting in air gaps that limit the efficiency of the treatment. 3D printed boluses solve this problem because they are custom-made to fit each patient's unique body structure. This allows the appropriate amount …

Diagnosing Aortic Dissections With Computed Tomography, Caroline York

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

Aortic dissections are life-threatening conditions that require an immediate and accurate diagnosis to prevent severe complications, and in some instances death. An aortic dissection is a tear that occurs within the inner layers of the aorta. Symptoms include sudden intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and stroke-like symptoms. This research discusses the utilization of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing aortic dissections, highlighting its advantages in speed and precision through advancing technology. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) has become a vital imaging modality in the medical imaging field. CTA uses an iodinated contrast media to enhance blood vessels by making them a …

Waldorf Education: New Perspectives On A Holistic Approach, Martyn Rawson

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article outlines some of the core ideas underlying the practices of Waldorf education as re-envisioned by an experienced practitioner, as a contribution to the discussion about the educational implications of transpersonal psychology. It outlines a pedagogical anthropology that takes the spiritual dimension into account. It distinguishes between the lived body, the emergent psyche and the agentic Self as the spiritual core of being in the person. Learning is explained as a transformative process that involves the changing relationships to one’s own body, to others and to the world through which potentialities become abilities. The aim of the transformative education …

Effectiveness Of School Fluoride Delivery Programs: A Community Guide Systematic Review, Susan O. Griffin, Mei Lin, Christina Scherrer, Shillpa Naavaal, David P. Hopkins, Anita A. Jones, Tammy Alexander, Virginia A. Black, Elizabeth Clark, Lori K. Cofano, Raúl Isidro García, Anna Goddard, Jane Grover, Susan M. Kansagra, Thomas E. Kottke, Elizabeth C. Lense, Tooka Zokaie, The Community Preventive Services Task Force

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Introduction: Although preventable, dental caries remains highly prevalent. Many children do not receive preventive dental services routinely in clinical settings. This review examined the effectiveness of school (preschool through high school) fluoride varnish delivery programs in preventing caries.

Methods: Community Guide systematic review methods were followed. In 2024, databases were searched for studies published through December 2023 on school flouride varnish delivery program effectiveness in increasing fluoride varnish receipt and decreasing caries. Included studies had to be written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals, and conducted in upper-middle– or high-income countries. Data synthesis conducted in 2024 used median …

Improving Dental Hygiene Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence Toward Prenatal Oral Health Through Experiential Learning, Denise C. Mckinney, Sinjini Sikdar, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Purpose Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for maternal health as well as the health of their child. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine dental hygiene (DH) students' knowledge of prenatal oral health before and after receiving an asynchronous prenatal oral health care training (POHCT), and their attitudes and self-perceived confidence before and after receiving an experiential learning opportunity with a pregnant and/or post-partum client at a Women's Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC) clinic.

Methods A one-group pre/post-test design was used. This IRB-approved study (#2027439-4) utilized a convenience sample of DH student participants (n=37) in their …

Vonoprazan Vs. Lansoprazole In The Healing & Maintenance Phase Of Erosive Esophagitis, Sushil Rayamajhi, Syed Hasham Ali, Hareesha Bharadwaj, Ali Tariq

North Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Drug Induced Sweet's Syndrome Secondary To Pegfilgrastim: A Rare Case, Renuka Mahatara, Abhi Rao, Ian Whitaker, Bradley Saylors, Charles Holladay

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

From Dermis To Digestive Tract: When Skin Flaps Do More Than Expected, Supritha Chintamaneni, Bilal Ashraf, Galvin Dhaliwal, Aakriti Soni, Amandeep Kaur

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Coexisting Type A And B Aortic Dissection With Extension To Carotid Arteries Resulting In Acute Ischemic Stroke, Dung Nguyen, Jilpa Shah, Amnah Andrabi

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Coexisting Type A and B aortic dissection with extension to carotid arteries resulting in acute ischemic stroke Abstract Background: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Additionally, it is even rarer to have a combined type A and type B aortic dissection. ADD is a high-mortality disease that can lead to immediate decompensation and can be masked by stroke-like symptoms, which can result in delayed or missed diagnosis. We report a patient with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with subsequent combined type A and type B aortic dissection. Case Report: A 47-year-old man was admitted to the …

Bucks Traction In The Emergency Departments (Ed) In North Texas Division (Ntxd), Mason Poffenbarger, Neil Werthmann, Cody Beltran, Hannah Affleck, Kristen Payne, Caleb Shin, Hans Drawbert, Hayley Buehler, James Drinan, Sanjay Sharma, Diona Johnson, John T. Riehl, Adam Green

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Implementing Buck’s traction for elderly hip fracture patients in the emergency department (ED) is often inefficient, leading to prolonged setup times, increased staff workload, and delays in patient care, ultimately impacting ED length of stay (LOS). This quality improvement project aims to streamline the process by establishing a standardized storage system for traction equipment, optimizing bed compatibility, developing a clear workflow flowchart, and providing targeted staff training. By improving organization and efficiency, we anticipate a reduction in setup time, enhanced workflow, and decreased ED LOS for hip fracture patients. Measuring pre- and post-intervention times will ensure continuous refinement, ultimately leading …

Interprofessional Neonatal Resuscitation Simulations: An In-Situ Assessment Of Pediatric Readiness At A Multi-Site Academic Center, Jessyca C. Gibson, Petru C. Nemes

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Zinc Promotes Mitochondrial Health Through Pgc-1alpha Enhancing Bacterial Clearance In Macrophages Infected With Mycobacterium Avium Complex, Ruxana Sadikot, Prabagaran Narayanasamy, Zhihong Yuan, Deandra R. Smith, Daren L. Knoell

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as important contributors to immune function, in addition to energy production. They exert this influence through modulation of various signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism and immune function in response to pathogens. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) is the primary transcription factor and regulator involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Long known to be involved in immune function, zinc (Zn) is also required for proper mitochondrial function. It is increasingly recognized that many cellular immunometabolic activities are also Zn-dependent. Taken together, we investigated the role of Zn deficiency, both dietary and genetically induced, and Zn …

Recovery Capital Among Students In Collegiate Recovery Programs At Two-Year And Four-Year Higher Education Institutions In West Virginia, Amy M. Saunders

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) have been around for decades, supporting higher education students by offering supports, resources, and a community. However, most existing research focuses on four-year institutions, and there is limited data on recovery supports at twoyear institutions, as well as limited research on recovery capital among this population. This study explores differences in recovery capital, a measure of internal and external resources supporting recovery, among students in CRPs at two-year versus four-year institutions in West Virginia by answering the following questions: 1.) Are there differences between students’ reported recovery capital index (RCI) scores based on institution type? 2.) …

Exosomes And Encapsulated Exomirs In Breast Cancer: Theragnostic Applications And Clinical Implications, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Shafia Bukhari, Hamid Ilyas, Rubina Malik, Minahil Fatima, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Surya M. Nauli, Khawaja Husnain Haider

Pharmacy Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Exosomes, released by cells, are small vesicles that have emerged as critical theranostic tools in breast cancer due to their unique ability to transport diverse biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNAs, including microRNAs (ExomiRs). These vesicles are critical in modulating the tumor microenvironment, driving processes like cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Exosomal microRNAs such as ExomiR-21, ExomiR-1246, and ExomiR-155, with their profound influence on the gene expressions in the recipient cells, are the unsung heroes in tumor progression and immune modulation. This chapter delves into exosome's dual diagnostic and therapeutic potential in breast cancer. It highlights their …

Optimization Of Wash-Dr And Rwanda Ceramic Hwts Systems, Hamza Zeini

Honors Program Theses

Access to safe drinking water remains a global challenge, affecting over 2 billion people. Fecal coliform contamination poses serious health risks, particularly in developing regions like the Dominican Republic and Rwanda. Rollins College professors have implemented Field Studies to support water filter distribution in these areas. This study evaluates the optimization of Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) systems used in the WASH-DR and Rwanda-Rural Education Field Studies, focusing on Dr. Bernal’s chlorination and filtration system and Rwanda’s ceramic filters. A key innovation is the integration of the MadiDrop+, a silver-impregnated ceramic tablet that releases antimicrobial silver ions, as …

An Asthma Patient Education Pilot: Utilizing A Hand-Held Tablet To Enhance Self-Management Knowledge, Stephanie Bork, Dana L. Ladd, Li Liu, Rami Hawila, Ashley Reluzco, Le Kang, Farrukh Abbas

VCU Health Nursing

Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-recorded educational videos on a hand-held tablet for improving asthma self-management knowledge. Content focused on disease processes, medication management, and medical device usage in an adult asthma clinic at an academic medical center.

Methods:

Pre-recorded asthma education videos were created by study personnel and uploaded to the institutional research electronic data capture (REDCap) platform. Adult participants (≥18 years, English-speaking, with a new or existing asthma diagnosis) were enrolled at an outpatient asthma clinic. The Asthma Self-Management Questionnaire, a validated and reliable tool, was administered before and after participants watched five 1-minute …

All About Euthanasia, Bhavna Bangalore

STEM for Success Showcase

The infographic details the practice of euthanasia. It explains euthanasia's history, legality, and process. The infographic also mentions way to support terminally ill patients that choose to undergo the procedure.

Every Blessing Crafts, Alan Frausto

OT Doctoral Capstones

Depression is highly prevalent among residents in Long-Term Care Settings (LTCS), approximately up to 50% reported in studies (Matos Quieros et al., 2021; Shrestha et al., 2020; Ulbricht et al., 2019). Occupational Injustice (OI) such as occupational deprivation is a risk factor for residents in LTCS developing depression (Janssen & Grabanski, 2023). Additionally, Causey-Upton (2015) identified occupational marginalization, occupational imbalance, and occupational deprivation as specific forms of OI that residents face.

The field of occupational therapy (OT) has utilized arts and crafts as one of the first interventions since the beginning of the profession (Christiansen & Haertl, 2019, p. 129). …

Holistic Support Toolkit: Integrating Occupational Therapy In Trauma-Informed Parenting For Adoptive And Foster Families, Zenyacy Ortega Rojero

OT Doctoral Capstones

Objective: Adoptive families often face challenges related to early childhood trauma, impacting emotional regulation and daily routines.

Methodology: A bilingual, trauma-informed toolkit was created using feedback from foster/adoptive parents and CASA staff. A pre/post questionnaire assessed the impact on staff knowledge and confidence.

Results: The toolkit significantly increased staff understanding of trauma, OT’s role, sensory processing, and caregiver support (p < .05 across all ten indicators).

Discussion: Findings highlight OT’s contribution to trauma-informed care and the importance of interdisciplinary education for those supporting foster and adoptive families.

Conclusion: The toolkit promoted caregiver confidence and trauma-responsive approaches and has potential for long-term sustainability at CASA and beyond