Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Understanding Retention Barriers Contributing To Nursing Shortages: A Mixed-Methods Approach To Workforce Sustainability, Vena X. Addison

MSHS Student Capstones

The healthcare system faces a critical challenge as nursing shortages intensify, driven by factors such as an aging workforce, increased patient complexity, and insufficient organizational support. This study explores the multifaceted impact of these shortages on patient safety, care quality, and nurse well-being. Through mixed-methods analysis, it investigates how inadequate staffing ratios, lack of clinical training and resources, limited leadership support for work-life balance, and limited career advancement opportunities contribute to elevated stress, burnout, and attrition. The research highlights interventions, including mentorship, flexible staffing models, and professional development models, to address retention and sustain workforce capacity. Findings underscore the urgency …

Reducing Disparities In Breast Cancer Screening: A Mobile Mammography Initiative In Middle Georgia, Latasha T. Hill

MSHS Student Capstones

This capstone project evaluated the implementation of mobile mammography units to improve access to breast cancer screening in Middle Georgia. The project aimed to reduce disparities in early detection and increase screening participation among underserved women aged 40 and older. Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, the initiative deployed a state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, engaged community stakeholders, and implemented culturally responsive outreach. Over 6 months, 1,000 screenings were conducted, exceeding targets and demonstrating significant improvements in first-time screening rates, patient satisfaction, and follow-up adherence. Findings suggest mobile mammography is an effective quality improvement strategy to advance health …

Radiography Clinical Instructor Training Program, Kayce S. Leon

MSHS Student Capstones

This capstone project focuses on the development and implementation of a comprehensive training program for clinical instructors (CIs) in radiography, designed to support technologists transitioning from clinical practice into educator roles. The program addresses a critical need for structured professional development in allied health education, where many instructors begin teaching with limited pedagogical training. Grounded in adult learning theories such as Knowles’ andragogy and Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the curriculum emphasizes learner-centered strategies, real-world application, and reflective practice. Core topics include effective student feedback, clinical evaluation, communication, and professional role modeling. The training aims to enhance instructional competence, promote student …

Optimizing Oncology Urgent Care Services For Improved Outcomes And Reducing Hospitalizations, Jaime C. Champion

MSHS Student Capstones

The complexity of treating patients with cancer is becoming an increasingly important priority for healthcare providers due to the risk associated with complications. Cancer patients may frequently visit an emergency department and put themselves at risk of acquiring other illnesses due to having an immunocompromised system. Unfortunately, emergency departments lack the resources and knowledge to care for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments, which can result in fragmentation of care. Consequently, Oncology Urgent Care clinics are becoming more prevalent in many health systems to bridge the gap between outpatient care and emergency room care. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study …

Bridging Practice And Pedagogy: A Simulation-Based Orientation Framework For Healthcare Educators, Heather Hodges

MSHS Student Capstones

As healthcare education continues to advance, the incorporation of simulation-based learning has become a cornerstone of effective teaching strategies. This literature review explores the development of an orientation framework designed specifically for healthcare educators who have transitioned from clinical practitioners and preceptors into formal teaching roles. These individuals often possess extensive hands-on experience but may lack structured pedagogical training, particularly in the use of simulation as a teaching modality. The review combines current research on best practices for simulation integration, adult learning theory, and faculty development to identify the most effective methods for onboarding new educators. Emphasis is placed on …

Revitalizing Post-Primary Mammography Education: A Quality Improvement And Outreach Initiative, Erica M. Smith

MSHS Student Capstones

This educational quality improvement project aimed to address declining enrollment in a post-primary mammography certification program and to respond to the growing shortage of certified mammography technologists. A needs assessment survey identified key student preferences, including hybrid course formats, weekday scheduling, and social media as the most effective marketing channel. In response, targeted outreach campaigns were launched, curriculum content was updated, and clinical partnerships were expanded to support enrollment and placement. As a result, the program met the minimum enrollment threshold for the first time since 2021, with five students completing the course. Post-course evaluations indicated high levels of satisfaction …

Enhancing Emr Training Through Programmatic Assessment: Aligning Curriculum With Organizational Needs, Amanda Coleman

MSHS Student Capstones

No abstract provided.

July 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

July 2025 Rural Rocks

• Three Ways Tech Can Help
• Can a Face Mask Diagnose Kidney Disease?
• EXTRA - Chronic Kidney Disease
• Pharmacy Technicians as Community Health Workers Pilot Program in Oklahoma

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Patient Journey And Cancer Pathology, Katie Contino, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a relapsing-remitting autoimmune disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It consists of Crohn’s disease, which can affect the entire gastrointestinal system, and ulcerative colitis, which is limited to the colon. Inflammatory Bowel Disease has various different levels of severity that have different treatment and medication options once the diagnosis is confirmed with an endoscopic procedure. The treatment options range from daily medication to invasive surgical procedures. Specific diets are also used as a preventative measure to remain in remission. The intestinal damage inflicted to the epithelium increases the risk of developing colon cancer, specifically those with …

Promoting Inclusion Through Diverse Simulation Equipment, Patricia Pence, Valerie M. Wright, Myoungjin Kim, Kileigh J. Guido

Faculty Publications - Mennonite College of Nursing

Currently, simulation laboratory equipment predominantly represents patients with light-colored skin tones. A lack of varied skin-toned simulation equipment limits learning experiences if it does not reflect a diverse patient population or facilitate an inclusive learning environment. Simulation experiences should be designed to prepare students for the unique challenges of managing care for a diverse patient population. The literature notes that nursing schools across the United States are beginning to diversify simulation laboratory equipment to support an inclusive learning environment. However, sparse literature exists on evaluating diversity in simulation laboratory experiences. Little is known about student and faculty perceptions of satisfaction …

Utility Of Ebus-Tbna In Evaluating Mediastinal And Hilar Lymphadenopathy In Patients With Silica Exposure: A Retrospective Single-Center Study, Tarake M. Aljarod, Atul C. Mehta, Saroj Sigdel, Mark Jason Akers, John L. Saylor, Caleb S. Clark, Yousef Shweihat

Pulmonology

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is used effectively in staging lung cancer and in the evaluation of benign causes of mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy (MHL), such as sarcoidosis. However, evidence for its utility in the diagnostic workup of silicosis is limited.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with occupational silica exposure who underwent EBUS-TBNA to evaluate MHL on computed tomography (CT). Cytology specimens were re-examined by an independent pathologist under polarized microscopy, and cytologic criteria for the diagnosis of LN silicosis were formulated from the findings. Primary outcomes were the determination of the diagnostic yield (DY) of …

News You Need July 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

News You Need for July 2025 includes a listing of MDA members who have completed service on committees; a link to recent MDA Board actions; news about two dental journalism awards won by the MDA Journal; how younger patients are negatively influenced by social media; a letter to the editor regarding dental insurance; information about MDA Foundation scholarships; members receiving awards; a calendar of events; a patient fact sheet; and more.

Moving Drives You Crazy, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Editor-in-Chief shares her frustrating experience moving a dental office. Key challenges included dental insurances dropping the practice from networks during recredentialing, causing denied claims for 30-60 days despite no changes to tax ID or NPI. State regulations also required new payments for radiation tubes, rather than crediting previous payments, despite a reduction in equipment. Furthermore, dental supply companies and movers did not take responsibility for broken equipment during the move. Despite these "insane and archaic" hurdles, most patients transitioned, and the article concludes with a comprehensive resource list for practice address changes

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 5,800 members. It stands as the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The all-digital July issue features Dr. Michele Tulak-Gorecki’s "It’s Time to Dare Greatly at the ADA," where she outlines her vision for ADA president-elect, focusing on financial integrity, strengthened advocacy, and fostering unity amidst challenges like declining membership and issues with the association management system.

Supporting articles highlight the MDA’s endorsement of MEDVA, offering cost-effective, HIPAA-compliant virtual assistant solutions for dental practices to …

Mda At Your Service: Does The Mda Have A Source For Free Labor Law Posters?, Rachel Sinacola Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This "Q&A" section addresses common MDA member inquiries. It confirms that MDA members receive free labor law posters and automatic updates directly from the association. The MDA also offers affiliate memberships for dentists moving out-of-state but retaining Michigan ties, preserving benefits like discounted CE. Information is provided on the Certified Dental Business Professional (CDBP) program, which offers affordable staff certification over three years. The next Mission of Mercy is scheduled for June 11-14, 2026, in Kalamazoo. Finally, the article notes the discontinuation of the MDA Fee Survey due to antitrust changes, and directs members to the ADA/MDA Code of Ethics …

The New Professional: Reimagining Rapport: Innovative Ways Dental Teams Connect With Patients, Amrita Patel Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article explores innovative communication strategies for dental practices to enhance patient interaction. It highlights the importance of digital onboarding for streamlined intake, two-way text messaging for efficient appointments, and personalized video messages to foster connection. Practices are adopting multilingual communication and AI tools like chatbots for 24/7 inquiry handling, integrating them with patient records for tailored responses. Interactive platforms with 3D visuals and video tutorials are used for patient education, empowering them in oral health decisions. The article also emphasizes leveraging social media for engagement, capturing real-time patient feedback, and maintaining empathy-driven human interaction despite technological advancements

A Preview Of Upcoming In-Person Ce Courses, David Foe

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The MDA has announced its Fall 2025 schedule for in-person continuing education (CE) courses, available on their website, with many including breakfast and lunch at affordable prices. Upcoming courses cover diverse topics such as endodontics (Aug 15), lip and tongue ties (Sept 5), sleep medicine and TMD (Sept 12), and dental professional liability risk management (Sept 19). Other sessions will address artificial intelligence in dentistry (Oct 10), esthetic dentistry and restorative materials (Oct 24), integrating sleep apnea therapy into practice (Nov 7), and a hands-on HR handbook workshop (Dec 5). The MDA encourages members to utilize these and on-demand resources …

The Loss Of Opa1 Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration And Osteoarthritis In Aged Mice, Vedavathi Madhu, Miriam Hernandaz-Meadows, Ashley Coleman, Kimheak Sao, Kameron Inguito, Owen Haslam, Paige Boneski, Hiromi Sesaki, Ruteja Barve, John Collins, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of mitochondria in NP cells and articular chondrocyte health. Since the understanding of mechanisms governing mitochondrial dynamics in these tissues is lacking, we investigated the role of OPA1, a mitochondrial fusion protein, in their homeostasis. OPA1 knockdown in NP cells altered mitochondrial size and cristae shape and increased the oxygen consumption rate. OPA1 governed the morphology of multiple organelles, including peroxisomes, early endosomes and cis-Golgi and loss resulted in the dysregulation of autophagy. Metabolic profiling and

Proceedings Of The 2025 Nassi Annual Meeting, Patrick C. Hsieh, Chiung-Chyi Shen, Alan S. Hilibrand, D. Scott Kreine, David R. O’Brien Jr., Hani H. Mhaidli, Jau-Ching Wu, Wen-Cheng Huang

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

The Climate Is Changing Should Clinical Ethics Change, Too?, Joelle Robertson Preidler, Keisha Ray

Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Who Reconstitutes The Chemotherapy? The Educational And Practice Needs Of Oncology Pharmacists In West Africa: A Call For Multidisciplinary Team Approach In Oncology Care., Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Ramatu M. Alabelewe, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Gloria C. Okwu, Jacinta Emejulu, Adamu A. Umar, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam, Funsho David, Toyosi Adepoju, Agha A. Agha, Ejike S. Ugwu, Simeon C. Aruah, Richard Mshelia, Rob Duncombe, Noel N. Wannang, Peace C. Babalola, R. Donald Harvey, Cindy O'Bryant, Folakemi T. Odedina

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Oncology pharmacists (OPs) play a crucial role in cancer care, treatment, survivorship, and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). OPs have specialized training in designing, administering, monitoring, and modifying oncology chemotherapy; managing adverse events; and evaluating clinical trials and investigational drugs. Yet, the state of OP has remained largely unknown in the clinical oncology workforce of the West African region. Therefore, this study aimed to understand who reconstitutes chemotherapy and to explain the OP educational and practice needs, challenges, and solutions in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a concurrent embedded mixed method design, 35 OPs completed a questionnaire, and 12 others responded …

Impact Of The Adjunctive Use Of Omega-3 In Periodontitispatients With Diabetes On Local And Systemic Chemerin Levels:A Randomized Clinical Trial, Dalia Ghalwash, Ahmed M. Ammar, Ayman El-Gawish, Ahmed Hamdy

Dentistry

Aims: The present study aspired to evaluate the impact of the adjunctive use of omega-3 with nonsurgical periodontal therapy onclinical parameters as well as local and systemic chemerin levels as a marker of cardiovascular disease risk in periodontitis patientswith diabetes.Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on thirty periodontitis patients with type II diabetes divided into two equalgroups, both treated by nonsurgical periodontal treatment with the adjunctive use of daily 1000 mg Omega-3FAs in group I onlyfor 6 months. Patients were reexamined after 2 weeks (baseline), 3, and 6 months for recording the clinical parameters as follows:plaque index (PI), gingival …

Evaluating Large Language Model Performance To Support The Diagnosis And Management Of Patients With Primary Immune Disorders, Nicholas L Rider, Yingya Li, Aaron T Chin, Daniel V Digiacomo, Cullen Dutmer, Jocelyn R Farmer, Kirk Roberts, Guergana Savova, Mei-Sing Ong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is transforming health care in a variety of ways; however, the present utility of GAI for supporting clinicians who treat rare disease such as primary immune disorders (PIs) is not well studied. We evaluated the ability of 6 state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) for providing clinical guidance about PIs.

Objective: To quantitatively and qualitatively measure the utility of current, open-source LLMs for diagnosing and providing helpful clinical decision support about PIs.

Methods: Five expert clinical immunologists each provided 5 real-world, anonymized PI case vignettes via multi-turn prompting to 6 LLMs (OpenAI GPT-4o, Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct, Llama-3.1-70B-Instruct, Mistral-7B-Instruct-v0.3, …

The Effect Of Individual Variation On Epidemiological Dynamics: From Super-Spreaders To Landscapes Of Risk, Alexis Shannon Beagle

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Individuals that make up a population always display some level of variation between members. At the smallest scale, individuals always maintain genetic variation, but variation continues to arise at other scales of biological organization from physiological or immunological variation within individuals to variation in behavior between individuals that can be both genetically and environmentally mediated. The role of individual variation is particularly important in the context of infectious diseases because there is strong evidence that infections are highly heterogenous, indicating that patterns of individual variation drive a significant portion of the epidemiological patterns we observe. Individual variation leads to heterogeneity …

Use Of High-Throughput Phenomics With And Without Fungicide As A Wheat Breeding Tool, Gerardo Ivan Rivera Collazo

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important food staple for many countries around the world and current consumption and production data demonstrate a production deficit. Breeders are challenged to help close this gap in production by selecting better cultivars with improved yields. Several methods aim to accelerate the breeding process to reduce the time required for releasing an elite variety. One of the main breeding bottlenecks is the lack of fast and reliable phenotypic data acquisition that could dissect physiological and morphological plant data. High-throughput remote sensing could have the potential to reduce this bottleneck by streamlining data acquisition, …

Assessing The Risk Of Adverse Obstetric Outcomes And Determinants Among Mothers With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Justus Wambugu

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is recognized as a major concern in obstetric care. It is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes including the risk of cesarean delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, obstetric hemorrhage, induction of labour, large for gestational age fetus, preterm delivery, and admission to neonatal critical care units. However, there is limited evidence on the magnitude of risk conferred by GDM for various adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objectives: The primary objective of our study was to assess the relative risk for adverse obstetric outcomes associated with GDM in women diagnosed using the WHO-recommended 75g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), compared to …

Editorial – July 2025, Edwin Van Teijlingen, Abeer Musaddique, Rafat Jan

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Impact Of The Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment On Client-Centered Care In Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study, Vanessa D. Jewell, Katherine Lally, Melinda Schultze, Yongyue Qi, Kendra Schnack, Madeline Mcgill, Rachel Vaughn

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) recognize the value of evidence-based practice, however, incorporation of client-centered practice as a component of evidence-based practice is challenging, despite the known advantages. This pilot study evaluated the use of the Occupation Centered Intervention Assessment (OCIA) in increasing practitioner ability to provide client-centered care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities with adults with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Method: A mixed methods design was employed, using four forms of data collection (OCIA, The Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers [MPOC], MPOC- Service Providers [MPOC-SP], and interviews) to determine changes in observed and perceived …

Development Of An Occupational Therapy-Specific Clinical Guide For Use Of Electrical Stimulation With Spinal Cord Injury: A Modified Delphi Approach Protocol, Timothy P. Dionne, James Allen Lenker, Sue Ann Sisto

Translational Science in Occupation

Objective: To establish a method for the development and validation of a clinical guide for the use of electrical stimulation (ES) in occupational therapy for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Design: A modified Delphi Approach

Participants: 5 geographically dispersed occupational therapists with advanced expertise in use of ES with SCI.

Outcome Measures: Participants rated sections of a draft guide across three rounds, focusing on clarity, accuracy, and clinical relevance. Additionally, p Participants provided suggestions regarding specific revisions to content that were incorporated in subsequent iterations of the guide across all three rounds. Additionally, post-Delphi process participants completed a survey …

Enhancing Diversity In Occupational Therapy Through A High School Internship Program, Alexis M. F. Morin, Brittany Adams, Vianni Gomez

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract

The United States (US) is projected to become an increasingly diverse nation over the decades ahead, but there is a lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in occupational therapy (OT). While the job outlook for occupational therapy practitioners continues to be strong and is expected to rise, OT education programs are facing enrollment crises nationally. It is crucial for academic programs to develop and implement innovative and methodical strategies to recruit and retain a diverse student body to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within the profession. To promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in occupational therapy, a university partnership …