Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

2026 Dental Days At The Capitol: When Vda Members Unite, The Impact Is Powerful, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Thank You For Standing With Organized Dentistry, Scott Berman Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

2026 General Assembly Session Review, Tripp Perrin, Emily Ward, Missy Wesolowski

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

The Intersection Of Artificial Intelligence And State Dental Board Regulations An Emerging Area In 2026, Paul Supan Dds, Rick Jackomis Dds, Jd, Munira Muluke Dmd, Ms

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

The Drill, Episode 23, Ryan Dunn

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

New Leadership, Shared Vision: Ada’S Next Chapter Begins, James Mercer Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Please Join Us, Sarah Friend Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

A United Voice For Virginia Dentistry, Marlon Goad Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Va Dent J April, May And June 2026

Virginia Dental Journal

This issue of the Virginia Dental Journal highlights the key forces shaping dentistry in 2026, including workforce shortages, legislative advocacy, and emerging technologies. It examines the impact of artificial intelligence on clinical care and regulation, alongside ongoing efforts to expand access to care and strengthen the dental workforce in Virginia. The issue also addresses changes in professional engagement, practice management trends, and the importance of organized dentistry in navigating policy and industry challenges. Overall, it underscores a profession adapting to rapid change while prioritizing patient care and collaboration.

Pages Of Despair: Economic Policy Uncertainty And Mental Health, Kori Massner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Policy uncertainty threatens access to affordable medical care, yet few studies have examined how it shapes what people search for online. This study examines whether economic policy uncertainty predicts mental health information-seeking behavior by analyzing daily Wikipedia pageviews from July 2015 to April 2026 using a time series model. Results show that as economic policy uncertainty increases, there is an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. When there is an increase in those searching for information on pages about depression and pages about anxiety, there is also an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. …

Manual Audiometry Vs. Iphone Hearing Test: A Comparative Analysis Of Hearing Screening Results, Kelsi White, Mckayla Sprague, Jennifer Sadler, Blake Roth

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study examined differences in hearing screening outcomes between manual audiometry and the iPhone Hearing Test using Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) among 30 adults. Participants completed pure-tone threshold screenings at frequencies ranging from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz in a sound-treated audiology suite. Manual audiometry followed a modified Hughson-Westlake procedure, while the automated test used Apple’s standardized protocol. After both screenings, participants reported perceptions of accuracy, convenience, and preference through a questionnaire. Results from the screenings and surveys provided insight into participant trust, perceived reliability, and the practicality of smartphone-based hearing tests compared to traditional methods. Findings highlight the …

Finding Her Voice: Communication Challenges And Strategies Among Young Women With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sydney Holthaus, Averi Yeo, Madison Walt, Ran An

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Background/Rationale

Research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically centered on males, leaving the communication experiences of autistic females underrepresented (Lai et al., 2015). Although autistic females make up a substantial portion of the autistic population in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023), far less is known about how communication differences affect their everyday lives. Diagnostic processes may also overlook communication-related signs in autistic women, particularly when masking or compensatory behaviors reduce the visibility of underlying pragmatic and social communication differences (Dean et al., 2017; Hull et al., 2020; Rynkiewicz et al., 2018). As a result, …

Familybloom: Examining Ecologies Of Collaboration In Family-Centered Health Tracking, Lucas M. Silva, Aehong Min, Evropi Stefanidi, Franceli L. Cibrian, Jesus A. Beltran, Cassie Zeiler, Sabrina E. B. Schuck, Kimberley D. Lakes, Gillian R. Hayes, Daniel A. Epstein

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Family health informatics tools can help support well-being with shared data tracking. Prior work typically focused on shared data review, but often in specific moments, like bedtime, or centered on caregiving of children or elderly members. To investigate how tracking can support mutual health collaboration between family members pervasively across daily contexts, we designed and deployed FamilyBloom, a glanceable smartwatch and home display system for mood and goal tracking. Twelve families with both neurotypical and ADHD members used FamilyBloom for three months on average. Our findings reveal how family-centered tracking created collaboration opportunities and tensions across multiple ecological systems: individual …

Effectiveness Of The Mediterranean Diet For Sustained Weight Maintenance Following Glp-1 Medication Discontinuation: A Longitudinal Prospective Study, Nitya Reddy, Josephine Thomas, Julie Salam

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are effective for short-term weight reduction in adults with obesity, yet weight regain is frequent after discontinued use of the medication. Identifying sustainable dietary approaches that support long-term weight maintenance is imperative. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with improving metabolic health and resistant weight control, suggesting it may be an effective strategy for the transition off GLP-1 therapy. Men and women ages 45-55 that are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and receiving GLP-1 receptor therapy are the targets of this study, specifically those who plan to discontinue medication within the next three months. On …

Oral Butyrate Supplementation In Patients With Als: Impact On Gut Microbiota And Disease Progression, Annabelle Keller, Kaydee Kinnett, Camaryn Barbanel, Trinity Blakeney

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron loss. Emerging evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota—particularly reductions in butyrate-producing bacteria—may contribute to neuroinflammatory pathways involved in disease progression. Observational studies in patients with ALS and preclinical findings from transgenic mouse models demonstrate gut microbial dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and improved survival following butyrate supplementation, suggesting the potential role of butyrate availability in ALS pathophysiology. The present study investigates whether oral butyrate supplementation can modulate inflammatory responses, improve gut microbiota composition, and slow functional decline among patients with ALS. Participants will be recruited from …

Assessing Current Telehealth Mobile Applications In The United States: Accessibility, Privacy, And Care Delivery, Rosemary K. Frugé

Honors Theses

Telehealth has improved patient access by reducing barriers to convenient, cost-effective, and quality health care. Telehealth mobile applications allow individuals to remotely access services through smartphone-based platforms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate leading telehealth applications available in the United States, analyzing key factors that influence platform selection, including cost, prescribing and diagnostic capabilities, user feedback, and data privacy practices. Applications were identified through keyword-based searches of major app stores using the term “telehealth,” and each app was systematically evaluated using predefined criteria. Findings highlight variability across platforms in pricing transparency, service offerings, and privacy disclosures, despite generally …

Una To Award 1st Doctorate Of Nursing Practice, Bernie Delinski

Documents

A cohort of four graduates become the first students awarded a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of North Alabama.

Six Departments Move Into New Building, Una Alumni Association

Documents

Alumni News article discussing the early stages of Stevens Hall, then known as the Education and Nursing Building, and its impact on the School of Nursing, School of Education, and Departments of Social Work, Sociology, Foreign Languages, and Political Science.

Program's Namesake 'Born' To Be A Nurse, Bernie Delinski

Documents

Article celebrating the naming of the Florence Helen Nethery Duncan Bachelor of Science in Nursing in honor of its namesake's gift and the 50th year anniversary of the degree.

New Building Houses Education And Nursing, University Of North Alabama

Documents

Article from the 1979 Resume of UNA discussing the Education and Nursing Building, now known as Stephens Hall, as well as the accreditation of the Schools of Nursing and Education.

Student Nurse Receives Honors At North Alabama, The Timesdaily

Documents

Pamela Thompson Suggs graduating senior at the University of North Alabama was chosen for the honor of leading the Nightingale pledge and was the recipient of the Outstanding Senior Nursing Student Award.

State Nursing: Una Earns #3 Ranking, Courier Journal

Documents

In 2024, the nursing program at the University of North Alabama was ranked third in the state after Auburn and the University of Alabama by the research of RegisteredNursing.org..

Student Loan Fund Boosted, Florence State University

Documents

Retired nurse, Mrs. Anne Callahan donates funds to the Florence State University (FSU) nursing program that will be matched by the federal government making educational funding available to nursing students.

Career Day Planning: Alumni Agree To 'Come Home', Teresa Leonard

Documents

The article describes the return of various alumni to discuss their careers with students at the University of North Alabama, among them is Charlotte Tomlinson Homan, an alumna of School of Nursing and employee of the critical care unit at the Colonial Manor Hospital.

New To Una Faculty, The Flor-Ala

Documents

The image is derived from The Flor-Ala and depicts new faculty members for the 1977 academic year. Several new instructors in the nursing department are featured, including Mrs. Charlotte Jamieson, Ms. Patricia Auxier, Mrs. Debra Pratt, Ms. Lavin Reed, and Mrs. Jayne Gillespie.

Kelley's Korner: Fsu Nursing Program Will Get Thorough Study, Pete Kelley

Documents

The article analyzes the plausibility of the development of the Florence State University nursing program.

Baldwin Advocates Ladder Program Here, Donna Bryant

Documents

Dr. Sue Baldwin, University of North Alabama Nursing Instructor, advocates for the development of a "career ladder" program at UNA for registered nurses that graduated from hospital programs rather than simply retaining the baccalaureate degree as the only avenue for career advancement.

Nursing Enrollment Has Nearly Doubled, Bernie Delinski, Dan Busey

Documents

The article discusses the increase in enrollment in the College of Nursing after the construction of Laura M. Harrison Hall, as well as the program's expansion to include respiratory therapy and nurse practitioner programs.

Rausch Attends Health Congress, Lorene Frederick

Documents

Dr. Judith Rausch, UNA community nursing instructor, delivered her research on the prevalence of cigarette use among nurses at the International Congress on Health Education in London.

Intouch Week Of April 13, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Avi Dennis, Named Director of Human Resources
• GSBMS Celebrates a Long‑Standing Tradition of Excellence in Scientific Discovery
• Inaugural Careers in Bloom Event Brings SHSP Students and Local Employers Together
• It Takes Trial and Error to Reach Discovery
• Raising Awareness and Strengthening Readiness