Enhancing Breast Cancer Screening Uptake In Hispanic Women Residing In Rural Texas Through A Quality Improvement Project, Bianca Batchelor-Salazar

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in the United States. Despite the effectiveness of mammography in early detection, Hispanic women in rural communities experience lower screening rates due to socioeconomic, cultural, and access-related barriers. At a rural South Texas clinic, the baseline screening rate among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years was 70.6%, below national benchmarks.

Purpose: To increase breast cancer screening compliance among Hispanic women aged 50–74 years in a rural South Texas family practice clinic.

Methods: Guided by the Lean A3 quality improvement framework, this project implemented a multifaceted intervention bundle that included …

Early Pressure Injury Identification And Intervention In Emergency Department Older Adults Who Are Admitted Into A Community Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Lisa M. Britt

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

A clinical gap was identified when reviewing a hospital acquired pressure injury (HAPI) dashboard from a 369- bed, acute care community hospital located in North Texas. Fifty percent of HAPIs acquired occurred in older adults, aged 60 or higher, who were admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) from the emergency department (ED). A retrospective review of the electronic health records (EHR) demonstrated that none of the patients had received HAPI prevention interventions while they were in the ED and the inconsistent document of skin assessments resulted in identification of few HAPIs present on admission (POA). The purpose of this …

A Chronic Pain Self-Management Quality Improvement Bundle For Veterans, Srijana D. Baniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Veterans often face challenges accessing care services due to limited awareness of available resources for support, Self-care, and mental health (Harding et al., 2019; Patel et al., 2024). Given the high prevalence of Chronic pain and opioid use in this population, Self-management (SM) education and non-pharmacologic interventions are required to address the biological, psychological, and social effects of pain (Bair et al., 2015; Mumba et al., 2024; Nahin, 2017; Higgins et al., 2020). This Quality improvement project aims to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SM bundle for chronic pain improved Pain severity scores and increased understanding of SM strategies. …

Editor's Choice - International Expert Consensus On The Management Of Acute Aortic Type B Intramural Haematoma And Penetrating Ulcer, Francesco Squizzato, Mario D'Oria, Michele Antonello, Santi Trimarchi, Kevin Mani, Andrew Holden, Tilo Kölbel, Stephan Haulon, Eric Verhoeven, Dittmar Böckler, Tim Resch, Ali Azizzadeh, Joseph Lombardi, Michele Piazza, Aaron Thomas Fargion, Alexander Zimmerman, Ali Azizzadeh, Anders Wanhainen, Andrew Holden, Antonio Freyrie, Adam W. Beck, Adi Bachar, Barend M. E. Mees, Blandine Maurel, Cristoph A. Nienaber, Christos Karkos, Daniela Branzan, Darren Schneider, Randall Demartino, Dittmar Boeckler, Domenico Angiletta, Emanuel J. R. Tenorio, Enrico Gallitto, Eric Verhoeven, Fabio Verzini, Felice Pecoraro, Filippo Benedetto, Firas F. Mussa, Francesco Squizzato, Franco Grego, Gabriele Piffaretti, Emanuele Gatta, Giovanni Pratesi, Giovanni Tinelli, Giuseppe Asciutto, Glenn Wei Leong Tan, Hence Verhagen, Giacomo Isernia, Jean-Paul P. M. De Vries, Jacob Budtz-Lilly, Jorge Fernández-Noya, Jonathan Sobocinski, Joseph Hockley, Kak Khee Yeung, Andrea Kahlberg, Kevin Mani, Joseph V. Lombardi, Luca Bertoglio, Luca Mezzetto, Ludovic Canaud, Manar Khashram, Marcelo Ferreira, Marco Virgilio Usai, Mark G. Davies, Mark Farber, Martin Czerny, Matthew R. Smeds, Mauro Gargiulo, Germano Melissano, Michel Bosiers, Michele Antonello, Michele Piazza, Miranda Witheford, Michel M.P.J. Reijnen, Marc Schermerhorn, Nikolaos Tsilimparis, Nun Dias, Jean Panneton, Kosmas Paraskevas, Gianbattista Parlani, Patrick W.H.E. Vriens, Rafael Malgor, Raffaele Pulli, Ross Milner, Salvatore T. Scali, Sani J. Laukontaus, Santi Trimarchi, Sandro Lepidi, Konstantinos Spanos, Stefano Fazzini, Theodosios Bisdas, Thomas Maldonado, Tilo Koelbel, Tim Resch, Tomasz Jakimowicz, Nicola Troisi, Isabelle Van Herzeele, Vicente Riambau, Wassim Mansour, Wouter Van Den Eynde, Yamume Tshomba

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective

The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs).

Methods

A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement <  5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Eighty three experts were included in the final analysis: …

An Analysis Of Pediatric Retinoblastoma Medical Malpractice Litigation, Victoria Miller, Alyssa D. Reese, Katherine Foote, Alejandro Navarro, Andrew Galfano, Christian Hietanen

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the retina that is most commonly diagnosed in the pediatric population. Unfortunately, this cancer can spread, leading to poor outcomes such as enucleation. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of medical malpractice litigation associated with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in the pediatric population.

METHODS: A search for all available cases associated with "retinoblastoma" in the Westlaw Campus Research Legal Database was conducted. This spanned from database inception to August 2023. Cases were included if there was a complaint of medical malpractice related to retinoblastoma present in a pediatric patient. Demographic …

Endovascular Arch Repair Using A Novel Single Branch Arch Stent Graft: 30-Day Results From The Chronic Dissection Arm Of The Nexus Aortic Arch Clinical Study To Evaluate Safety And Effectiveness Investigational Device Exemption Study, Bradley G. Leshnower, Jean Panneton, Himanshu J. Patel, Adam W. Beck, Mathew Wooster, Kyle W. Eudailey, Shinichi Fukuhara, Jae Cho, Sanford Zeigler, Westley Ohman, Puja Kachroo, Derek Brinster, Shahab Toursavadkohi, Mehrdad Ghoreishi, Brandley Taylor, Frank Arko, Paul Hayes, Ross Milner

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective

Moderate levels of frailty or a previous sternotomy make open repair of aortic arch pathology high risk or even preclude any treatment. This study examined 30-day outcomes from the NEXUS Aortic Arch Clinical Study to Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness investigational device exemption (TRIOMPHE IDE) study of an off-the-shelf stent-graft system for Zone 0 endovascular aortic arch repair in patients with high-risk chronic dissection.

Methods

TRIOMPHE IDE is a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the NEXUS system (Endospan) in chronic aortic dissection (n = 54). Following cervical debranching, NEXUS was delivered into the arch first, followed by an ascending aortic stent-graft. …

Climate And Other Environmental Factors Predict Tick Abundance And Lyme Cases In Minnesota One And Two Years In Advance, Kathleen E. Angell, Janet Jarnefeld, Elizabeth K. Schiffman, M. Jana Broadhurst, Jianghu James Dong, Abraham Degarege, Roberto Cortinas, David Brett-Major

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors, like weather and host abundance influence tick populations which in turn affect tickborne disease in endemic regions. It is important to understand how these factors are associated with tick abundance, and whether they can predict disease. We assessed associations between environmental factors, tick abundance, and human Lyme disease cases in the same year and with one- and two-year lags in Minnesota. In parallel, we compare conventional analytical methods with a novel machine learning approach to evaluate their relative strengths and potential for integration.

METHODS: Environmental and tick abundance relationships were examined using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMM), …

Maxillary Anterior Teeth Replacement With Immediate Dental Implants Utilizing Vestibular Socket Therapy Versus Ice Cream Cone Technique, Mohamed Faisal Abd El Raorf Shoeib, Mohammed Abdel-Monem Tawfik, Mohammed Talaat Salem, Ayman Ahmed Mustafa Yaseen

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: This study intended to evaluate changes, clinically and radiographically, associated with the immediate placement of dental implants in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone, comparing vestibular socket therapy with the ice cream cone technique. Materials and Methods: The current research included sixteen individuals requiring the replacement of a non-restorable tooth in the maxillary anterior aesthetic zone with an implant. Patients were divided into two groups of equal numbers. In the first group, eight implants were immediately placed utilizing the ice cream cone technique, whereas in the second group, eight implants were immediately inserted using vestibular socket therapy into the maxillary …

Effect Of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Coating And Artificial Saliva On The Frictional Resistance Of Self-Ligating Ceramic Brackets: An In Vitro Study, Amal Mohammed Al-Hajj Abdo, Reham Ibrahim El-Gazzar, Hagag Mohammed, Ahmed Maher Fouda

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Aim: The objective of this research was to investigate how ZnO nanoparticles and artificial saliva influence the frictional resistance in self-ligating ceramic orthodontic brackets while performing sliding mechanics Materials & Methods : A total of sixty maxillary canine brackets were divided into three groups: uncoated self-ligating ceramic brackets, ZnO-coated brackets, and ZnOcoated brackets tested under artificial saliva. The friction produced by sliding was measured using a universal testing machine with a 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless-steel archwire. One-way ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis, and p-values of ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The results showed a significant difference in …

Ultrasound-Guided Vs Conventional Intraarticular Injection Of Hyaluronic Acid For Management Of Temporomandibular Joint Internal Derangement: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Muhanad Almufarrih, Muhammad Al-Hawari, Ayman Yaseen, Sally Abdelsameaa

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of using ultrasound guidance during intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the management of patients with TMJ internal derangement. Material/subjects and Methods: Forty patients complaining of anterior disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) not responsive to conservative treatment were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis was based on the current update of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Intra-articular injection of Hyaluronic Acid guided by Ultrasound in the first group and Intra-articular Injection (IAI) of HA conventional way in the second group were performed. Articular pain was evaluated using the visual …

Effect Of Presence Of Cervical Composite Restoration On Intraoral Scanner Precision Of Anterior Laminate Veneer Preparations – An In Vitro Study, Mohamed Tarek Shanshan, Walid Abd El-Ghafar Al-Zordok, Mohamed Hamed Ghazy

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective

To evaluate the effect of cervical composite restoration on the precision of digital impressions in anterior laminate veneer preparations.

Materials and methods

Forty-eight sound human maxillary central incisors were collected and prepared for anterior laminate veneer restorations following standardized preparation protocol. Specimens were grouped into two equal groups according to the presence of cervical composite restoration: With cervical restoration and without cervical restoration. All preparations were scanned 10 times repeatedly using Primescan intraoral scanner and exported as standard tessellation language (STL) files. Precision was evaluated by calculating root mean square (RMS) values through three-dimensional superimposition analysis using Geomagic Control …

Fracture Resistance Of Monolithic Zirconia Restorations After Endodontic Access Cavity Preparation: Effect Of Repair Method, Isra Osman Mohammed, Esaama. Khedr, Lamia E. Dawood, Walid Abd Elghafar Al-Zordok

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

objective: The present study was performed to assess the effect of restoration of access cavity with composite resin filling on fracture resistance of multilayered zirconia crowns.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-three sound human mandibular first molars were prepared and restored with three types of monolithic zirconia crowns: High-Translucent Multilayered Plus (HTML), Yttria Multilayered (YML), and Ultra-Translucent Multilayered (UTML) (N=11 each). Standardized access cavities were prepared through the occlusal surfaces, endodontic treatment was completed, and each access opening was repaired using incremental composite resin. The specimens were subjected to thermocycling (10,000 cycles between 5 °C and 55 °C) and cyclic mechanical loading …

Extended Platelet Rich Fibrin In Lateral Maxillary Sinus Lifting With Simultaneous Implant Placement, Ammar Radwan Samman, Heba Abo-Elfetouh Elsheikh, Walid Abd El-Ghafar Al-Zordk, Noha Ahmed Mansour

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of extended platelet-rich fibrin (e-PRF) when used in lateral maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA), with particular emphasis on implant stability and peri-implant marginal bone loss.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients presenting with posterior maxillary tooth loss and a residual bone height of 3–5 mm underwent lateral sinus floor augmentation with concomitant implant placement. A total of 16 implant sites were included and equally allocated into two groups: Group I (n = 8), in which an allograft was applied and covered using a pericardium membrane, and Group II (n = 8), in which …

Effect Of Biodentine And Treated Dentine Matrix On Viability And Proliferation Of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells, Nada Barakat, Rana El-Qashty, Mohamad E. Helal

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the dose-dependent effect of Biodentine (BD) and human-treated dentin matrix (hTDM) on the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).

Materials and methods: hTDM was prepared and characterized. The concentration of proteins released from BD and hTDM extracts were quantified using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay after 3 and 7 days. hDPSCs were successfully isolated and characterized, then treated with various concentrations of BD extracts (20, 2, and 0.2 mg/mL) and hTDM extracts (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, and 10%). Cell viability was determined after 7 days of incubation using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium …

Survival Rate And Prognostic Criteria In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis, Shihab Ahmed Jassim, Shadi Awny Hasan, Mohamed Mahmoud Anees, Jilan Mohamed Youssef

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objective:

To evaluate overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and associated prognostic factors among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated at a tertiary oncology center in Egypt.

Materials/Subjects and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Surgical Oncology Department, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt. Medical records of patients with histopathologically confirmed primary OSCC diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2021 were reviewed. A total of 140 eligible patients were included. Data collected included demographic characteristics, selected medical history, tumor site, tumor size, TNM stage, histological grade, treatment modality, and follow-up status. Data were entered, managed, and analyzed …

An Attempt For In Situ Bio-Root Regeneration By Using Treated Dentin Matrix And Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Albino Rats, Amani Mohamad, Ahmad A. Emam, Eman Hany, Mohamed Abdulrahman

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: This study was conducted to prepare and characterize root-shaped treated dentin matrix (TDM) scaffolds, and to evaluate their efficacy together with seeded dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) as potential bio-roots in extraction sockets of rat models.

Materials and Methods: Root-shaped TDM specimens were prepared and characterized. Following extraction of maxillary incisors, the alveolar sockets were implanted with TDM segments measuring 8 mm in length, either alone (TDM group) or seeded with dental pulp stem cells (TDM/DPSCs group). Animals were euthanized at two and six weeks post-implantation, specimens were processed for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results: TDM group at …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Scenario-Based Virtual Escape Rooms To Improve Student Confidence In Dosage Calculations, Jennifer A. Cuevas

Theses

Abstract

Background: Accurate dosage calculations (DCs) are critical for patient safety, as medication errors contribute to approximately 7,000-9,000 preventable deaths annually. Nearly 30% of nursing students exhibit weakness in foundational mathematical skills, and a significant confidence gap exists: 70% feel confident in mathematical abilities, yet only 45% feel confident in clinical application, necessitating innovative educational interventions.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a scenario-based virtual escape room intervention to enhance undergraduate nursing students' confidence in DCs.

Methods: Grounded in Kolb’s experiential learning theory, this online asynchronous intervention engaged students through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract …

Dnp Final Report: Poverty Stigma: The Effects Of A Poverty Simulation On Undergraduate Nursing Students And Their Attitudes Toward Caring For Impoverished Patients, Jessica P. Bowen

DNP Final Reports

Background: Current evidence demonstrates that stigma toward individuals living in poverty persists among undergraduate nursing students and negatively influences patient outcomes. Evidence-based educational strategies addressing social determinants of health have been shown to improve nursing students’ perceptions of vulnerable populations.

Purpose: This quality improvement project intended to evaluate the feasibility of integrating an interactive Community Action Poverty Simulation© (CAPS) activity into an undergraduate nursing (BSN) program at an academic health system university in East Texas.

Methods: Guided by the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) quality improvement framework and The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) Model, Missouri's Community Action Poverty Simulation …

Dnp Final Report: Reducing 30-Day Readmissions Through Follow-Up Appointments In An Acute Care Setting, Sukhnandan Kaur

DNP Final Reports

Thirty-day hospital readmissions remain a persistent quality and financial concern for acute care organizations. Poorly coordinated discharge processes, inconsistent follow-up appointment scheduling, and gaps in care transitions may increase the risk of avoidable readmissions among adult medical-surgical patients. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a standardized follow-up appointment scheduling workflow prior to hospital discharge and evaluate its effect on follow-up scheduling compliance and 30-day readmission trends in a 93-bed acute care hospital. The intervention was implemented over 12 weeks on an adult medical-surgical unit from September through December 2025. The standardized workflow included electronic health record …

Enhancing Postoperative Esophagectomy Outcomes With Preoperative Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Gaelyn Kattman

DNP Projects

Title

Enhancing Postoperative Outcomes with Preoperative Education for Esophagectomy Patients

Background/Significance

Esophageal cancer is an aggressive disease and the fourth most common gastrointestinal cancer. A surgical treatment for a patient with esophageal cancer who is a surgical candidate is an esophagectomy. Immediate postoperative complications may include pneumonia, arrhythmias or anastomotic leaks, all of which can potentially increase the patient’s length of stay. Delayed discharges can lead to a backup throughout the hospital, limiting the amount of available inpatient beds for patient care.

Purpose 

The DNP project purpose was to implement an additional preoperative telehealth visit in order to provide  patient …

Improving Awareness And Use Of The First-Responder Alerting Application, Pulsepoint Respond, In The Nursing Profession, Maclaine Matties

DNP Projects

Background/Significance

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a sudden, life-threatening emergency that can occur anywhere and to anyone. In 2023, the American Heart Association identified OHCA as a public health crisis, with survival rates around 10%. Outcomes depend heavily on rapid intervention, as each minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) significantly reduces survival. Mobile phone–based alert systems help bridge the gap between collapse and emergency medical services (EMS) arrival by notifying nearby trained responders. In a county in the Northeast, PulsePoint Respond serves this role. However, despite 1,302 registered responders as of November 2025, only 7 registered nurses were enrolled, highlighting an …

Implementation Of An Updated Opioid Overdose Response Policy To Address Xylazine-Involved Overdoses In A Federally Qualified Health Center, Dana Umbro

DNP Projects

The increasing prevalence of non-opioid adulterants like xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, has introduced significant challenges in overdose recognition and management. Non-opioid adulterants cause central nervous system depression, respiratory compromise, and severe soft tissue injury that is not reversed by naloxone. Many healthcare organizations lack standardized clinical guidance for managing overdoses involving non-opioid adulterants, resulting in variability in care and increased risk for adverse outcomes. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to update and implement an opioid overdose response policy incorporating evidence-based guidance for the recognition and management of overdoses potentially involving non-opioid adulterants. This was conducted …

Transitional Care Model Telehealth Calls To Improve Hospital Follow-Ups In A Community Health Center: A Quality Improvement Project, Veronica Dejesus

DNP Projects

Title: Transitional Care Telehealth Calls to Improve Hospital Follow-Up in a Community Health Center: A Quality Improvement Project

Background/Introduction: Transitions from hospital to primary care are a vulnerable period associated with missed follow-up appointments, poor patient outcomes, and increased readmissions, particularly in underserved populations. Internal data identified gaps in timely post-discharge follow-up, while external evidence supports structured transitional care interventions, such as telephone outreach within 48–72 hours, to improve patient engagement and continuity of care.

Objective/Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether structured, nurse-led transitional care telehealth calls improve completion of primary care follow-up visits …

Improving Nasal Decolonization Rates In The Inpatient Medical-Surgical Setting, Francesca Annunziato Royer

DNP Projects

Background/Significance

Hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Alcohol-based nasal decolonization is an evidence-based strategy to reduce MRSA transmission; however, staff compliance with decolonization protocols is often suboptimal, limiting effectiveness in inpatient medical-surgical settings.

Purpose

The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) project was to evaluate whether implementing a structured, evidence-based nasal decolonization protocol improved staff compliance and reduced missed administrations and patient refusals among eligible medical-surgical inpatients.

Methods

This EBQI project was implemented on five inpatient medical-surgical units at a large academic medical center. Interventions included standardized staff education, …

Leveraging Technology To Improve Throughput: A Qi Project Utilizing Electronic Sbar, Suzy Candito

DNP Projects

The DNP practice site, a high-acuity Level I trauma center and regional referral hub, experiences persistent emergency department (ED) crowding and prolonged admission throughput times. Regional data show average ED wait-times near 252 minutes, underscoring the urgency of reducing delays between bed assignment and bed occupancy (assigned-to-occupied time). Inefficient or varied written handoffs contribute to calls for clarification, omissions, and transition delays, where structured, electronic SBAR tools are associated with improved completeness, standardization, and workflow efficiency. At the systems level, prolonged ED boarding is linked to higher daily hospital costs and safety risks, making communication optimization an operational and patient-safety …

Enhancing Postoperative Outcomes: The Impact Of Instruction Format On Patient Satisfaction In Ambulatory Surgery An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Gillian Shelby

DNP Projects

Background

Effective postoperative discharge communication is essential in ambulatory surgery centers, where short recovery periods and rapid patient turnover increase the risk of misunderstanding postoperative care instructions. Inconsistent delivery of discharge education may contribute to decreased patient satisfaction and reduced adherence to postoperative plans. Project Goals

The goals of this DNP quality improvement project were to: (1) implement standardized dual-format postoperative instructions using written and verbal education reinforced with the teach-back method, and (2) improve patient satisfaction and confidence in understanding postoperative care instructions. Methods

Following IRB exempt approval on September 10, 2025, implementation occurred from November 20,2025 to February …

Digital Speech Biomarkers Of Cognitive Functioning In Multilingual Kenyan Adults, Adolfo M. Garcia, Levi Muyela, Alejandro Sosa Welford, Matías Caccia, Anne Njoki Gitere, Anne Nyambura, Erick Muhando, Zul Merali, Chinedu Momoh, Karen Blackmon

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Digital speech biomarkers show promise as cost-effective and scalable diagnostic tools for cognitive decline and dementia in African research and healthcare settings. However, significant gaps remain in language-specific normative data, cross-linguistic validation, and standardized protocols for multilingual populations. Targeting cognitively unimpaired multilingual Kenyan adults, here we aim to validate speech timing features from natural language, against performance on standardized culture-sensitive neuropsychological measures.

Method: This study was funded by Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative and took place in an outpatient clinic at the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants completed culturally adapted tests tapping on word list learning, visual memory, …

Longitudinal Implementation Of A Neurodevelopmental Screening Program For Children Born To Mothers Living With Hiv In Maternal–Child Clinics In Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study, Megan S. Mchenry, Eren Oyungu, Amina Abubakar, Ananda Roselyne Ombitsa, Micaela Gaviola, Cleophas Cherop, Beatrice Kaniaru, Carolyne Jerop, Alan Mcguire, Rachel C. Vreeman

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Children with perinatal HIV exposure are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental (ND) delays, yet little is known about ND screening implementation for this population.

Methods: This longitudinal study evaluated ND screening implementation at a health clinic in Kenya, from 9/2021 to 8/2023. Children aged 18-36 months with perinatal HIV exposure were screened using a 12-item general ND tool. Implementation outcomes—acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and sustainability—were assessed through time-motion observations, clinic records, and semi-structured interviews with caregivers and staff.

Results: Of 507 eligible children, 405 (80%) were screened. Screening rates were consistent over 24 months, with average time …

Doing Drag: Exploring The Experiences Of Drag As An Occupation For Performers In California, Alicia Montes, Anna Ranario, Lilibeth Rosales, Eileen Spahle, Nathan Gelman, Laura Greiss Hess, Karen Mccarthy

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Background: Drag is a performative art where individuals explore identity, challenge societal norms, and foster community through exaggerated gendered performance. Drag in the United States is facing potential restrictions and remains underexplored in occupational science and occupational therapy literature.

Methods: This qualitative study explored the experiences of drag performers in California, applying an occupational perspective through the framework of form, function, and meaning. Five drag performers were interviewed. Reflective thematic analysis was used to interpret qualitative data.

Findings: Identity was the central theme, interconnected with form, belonging, non-belonging, meaning and motivation, and resistive occupation. Findings highlight drag …

Acuity-Based Staffing Tool: Improving Patient Outcomes And Nurse Wellbeing In A Local Critical Care Unit, Grace Watson, Rachel Nazha, Madeline Ruffin, Evvy Lewis

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This change project proposes implementation of the CAMEO (Complexity Assessment and Monitoring to Ensure Optimal Outcomes) acuity-based staffing tool in a local critical care unit to improve patient safety, nurse wellbeing, and organizational outcomes (Hurtig et al., 2021). Current staffing practices rely on floating nurses from other units during census fluctuations, creating skill mismatches, increased burnout, and risk for adverse events. Evidence links inadequate staffing with increased mortality, infections, length of stay, and nurse turnover, revealing the need for a more systematic approach (Elmdni, 2025). The CAMEO tool quantifies cognitive workload across 18 domains of care and aligns nurse expertise …