Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Personalized Management Of Chronic Rhinosinusitis In The Context Of Immune Deficiency, Christopher M Bell, Amber U Luong, Chadi A Makary

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Primary and secondary immunodeficiency as a cause of recalcitrant or difficult to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) are under-appreciated etiologies. Patients with persistent symptoms, frequent exacerbations despite appropriate medical therapy, or other sinopulmonary conditions known to be related to an immunodeficient state warrant further testing for immunodeficiency, as up to 20% of this cohort of patients may have underlying immunodeficiency. Testing for immunodeficiency includes CBC with differential, immunoglobulin levels, and pneumococcal vaccine titres before and after administration. Regarding secondary immunodeficiency, these patients may present with atypical symptoms, harbor atypical bacteria, or even present with severe complications …

Development And Evaluation Of A Modular 3-D Printed Adapter For Hands-Free Tissue Retraction, Fady E. Attia, Vijay A. Chhabra, Vaibhav Tadepalli,, Joseph Attia, Michael M. Hadeed

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Fracture fixation procedures typically require precise retraction of soft tissues in order to provide adequate exposure of bone fragments for reduction and fixation. Such procedures require the use of multiple surgical assistants to maintain proper tissue retraction. This manual retraction using traditional instruments, such as Hohmann and Weitlaner retractors, can lead to inefficiencies and poor labor allocation within the operating room (OR). The purpose therefore is to develop and evaluate a three dimensional (3D)-printed Nylon PA12 adapter designed to dock Hohmann retractors onto Weitlaner retractors, enabling hands-free retraction during fracture fixation procedures and potentially improving labor allocation in the OR. …

Association Of Perioperative Steroid Use With Recovery Rate And Postoperative Infection Risk In Spinal Cord Injury, Nathan Zou, Athikur Rahman, Brian Lynch

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare recovery and infection outcomes between teenagers and adults who undergo surgery for traumatic spine injuries and the effect of steroid administration. Steroids are often used in traumatic spine injuries to help recovery, however there is a concern that steroid use could increase the risk of infection due to the suppression of the immune system. We examined the impact of postoperative steroid use on recovery rates and infection rates in both age groups.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX Research Network, which includes data from over 100 healthcare …

Benign Painful Soft Tissue Tumors Of The Digits: A Contemporary Review, Nethmi Withanage, Athikur Rahman, Lawrence Hurst, Samantha Muhlrad

Stony Brook Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Journal

Purpose: Benign painful tumors of the digit are commonly encountered in hand surgery yet frequently pose diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical presentations. This review synthesizes current evidence on eight benign soft tissue tumors and cystic lesions that commonly cause digital pain: glomus tumor, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS), digital mucous cyst, digital ganglion cyst, epidermoid inclusion cyst, pyogenic granuloma, nerve sheath tumors, and angioleiomyoma.

Methods: A comprehensive review of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed, supplemented by hand surgery textbooks and online educational resources. Case series, retrospective cohort studies, and review articles were included.

Results: Each tumor exhibits a …

Large Language Models Improve Readability Of Patient Education Materials On Vascular Conditions, Melissa Chen Xu, Nicola Habash, Justin Do, Jiaying Bi, Dawn Salvatore, Paul J Dimuzio, Michael Nooromid, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Patient education materials frequently exceed the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Although large language models (LLMs) have shown inconsistent accuracy in medical query responses, they have demonstrated promise in simplifying complex text. This capability has not yet been studied in vascular patient education materials. This study evaluates whether ChatGPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro can improve the readability of Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) patient education flyers. Methods: SVS health flyers were selected based on five common vascular conditions: abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins. Each flyer was submitted to ChatGPT-4o and …

From Reactionary To Anticipatory Integrated Action: Novel Environmental Health Surveillance For Mass Gatherings, Benjamin J. Ryan, Michael Donahoo, Danielle Esler, Paul Barach, Benjamin Coghlan, Shelby Garner, Laura M. Langan, John Piispanen, Bryan W. Brooks

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Advances in AI-driven analytics, human-in-the loop techniques, and wastewater monitoring provide the foundation needed to shift from reactive to anticipatory actions for mass gatherings. Traditional surveillance systems focus on clinical and laboratory-based notification pathways, which often result in tardy actions being implemented. Thus, traditional surveillance is becoming outdated. Mass gatherings pose heightened public health risks and hazards, including trauma; injury and substance misuse; deliberate poisoning; and infectious diseases such as food and waterborne illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, and respiratory diseases. There is also a heightened concern due to reduced vaccination coverage. As a result, future international events such as the …

Injury And Violence In Rhode Island, Ruth Mckinnon

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The purpose of this project is to quantify Rhode Island's burden of injury and violence (2020‚Äì2023), describe key trends and demographic differences, and demographic differences, and inform targeted prevention. This statewide analysis used injury-related fatality, hospital discharge, and emergency department (ED) visit data from all Rhode Island hospitals (2020‚Äì2023). Events were classified by mechanism/intent via ICD-10/ICD-10-CM external-cause codes. Mortality, hospitalization, and ED visit rates per 100,000 were calculated using population estimates; counts were summarized. Rates were stratified by sex and age. Mechanisms included falls, traumatic brain injury (TBI), self-harm/suicide, motor-vehicle crashes (MVA), assault/homicide, and other causes (fire, firearm, drowning, non‚ …

Understanding The Link Between Infant Sensory Profiles And Breastfeeding/ Chest Feeding Co-Occupation, Lindsey Mcneill, Danielle Bomzer, Caitlyn Morin, Maya Shourie Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Breastfeeding/ chest feeding are complex co-occupations that support both infant development and parent infant bonding. There is limited research that has investigated how sensory processing factors may influence infants' experiences. Existing literature has focused on the challenges associated with breastfeeding such as latching complications, feeding aversions, allergies, and caregiver stress (Masztalerz-Kozubek et al., 2022). Other literature has focused on sensory profiles of infants; however, no real connections have been made to breastfeeding/ chest feeding (Freund-Azaria et al., 2023).

This gap indicates insufficient understanding of the influence of early sensory characteristics on feeding behaviors and the outcomes of breastfeeding or chest …

Effects Of Academic Workload On Work-Life Balance, Haylee Canadas, Kara Zumbahlen, Sadie Lindgren, Elizabeth Kwak

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Origins and Importance: There is a significant gap in research regarding the toll of the workload assigned to students within specialized fields within the United States. These students have been found to have increased depression, anxiety, and burnout as well as decreased life satisfaction. This extends not only to physician assistants or medical students, but to students within many allied health fields. Positive occupational balance has been found to be associated with positive wellbeing. Dedicating research efforts to explore the work-life balance of health professional students will help students maintain their health and wellbeing as they become equipped to practice …

Facilitating Return To Work And School Post-Stroke, Amber Brown

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Importance: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and many working-age survivors desire to return to work or school, where participation is closely tied to identity, routine, and well-being. However, structured supports for return to work (RTW) and return to school (RTS) are often limited. Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify strategies and programs that facilitated RTW and RTS among adult stroke survivors. Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four academic databases: Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and SAGE Journals. Study Selection and Data Collection: Peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 …

Supporting Successful Fieldwork Experiences, Gianna Pernicone Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Fieldwork education is an essential component of professional preparation in OT. Educators play a critical role in supervising students, facilitating learning, and assessing competence. This scoping review synthesizes findings from multiple studies examining the preparation, experiences, challenges, and support needs of fieldwork educators when educating students of differing abilities across occupational therapy.

Job Readiness For Young Adults With Idd, Olivia Rousseau

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Young adults with disabilities want to gain employment but are much less likely to be employed than the general population, despite research showing that being employed increases the quality of life for this population. Occupational therapists are well-equipped to tackle this issue due to the unique skillset of helping individuals with disabilities do the things they want and need to do every day, which includes employment, assessing the work environment, and helping them gain the skills needed to become employed. This scoping review aims to answer this question: How does post-secondary skills training impact job-readiness for young adults with intellectual …

Impact Of Dance And Movement On Prek Motor Skills, Emily Garganese

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key motor components, creative movement experiences can enhance developmental foundations that support successful learning, and continued growth. Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key …

Hand Function And Occupational Engagement In Ms, Shannon Fogarty

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can lead to a variety of implications including upper extremity dysfunction. Since hands play a critical role in performing daily occupations, diminished hand and upper extremity function can significantly reduce occupational engagement and quality of life. Implementing evidence-based interventions to improve hand function in individuals with MS has the potential to enhance occupational engagement and improve overall quality of life.

Neuro-Affirming Sexual Health: Education And Autism, Joanne Barnhart

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Neuro-affirming sexual health education is critical due to the high risk of emotional and physical assault for those with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). There is a critical need for sexual health policies, resources, and training for caregivers, healthcare workers, and individuals with IDD or ASD as it is often overlooked and avoided. There is limited sexual education available targeted toward this vulnerable population, especially in schools and clinics. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are equipped to provide education and guidance on sexual health and identity concerns and challenges. This scoping review seeks to identify the effect of inclusive sexual …

Safe Plate - Food Allergy Research & Education, Sarah Hecht

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is a Nutrition Education initiative meant to spread awareness and increase accessibility for individuals with food allergies. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is an extension of the Safe Plate Cafe©, which is a program meant to educate culinary professionals on how to properly cater to and care for individuals with food allergies in their establishments. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is modeled after the Congregate Cafes supported by Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. This model is meant to be more accessible and encourage participation from a community who is apprehensive about eating outside of …

Comprehensive Sexual Health Literacy For Lgbtq+, Meaghan Burns Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A large number of adults who were brought up in the United States have limited sexual health literacy because of incomprehensive sexual education in adolescence. Many adults view sexual activity as an important component that contributes to their quality of life. Occupational Therapists can address sex and intimacy to improve literacy and satisfaction for adults with limited knowledge. The proposed study uses a quasi-experimental design with pre/post surveys to assess the efficacy of educational programming surrounding topics on sexual health literacy and satisfaction. The intended setting and population are adult members who attend programming and events at the Taunton location …

Implementation Of A Greenhouse Growing Method, Kheara Zito

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Metcalf-Franklin Historic Community Garden is a volunteer driven farm in Cumberland, RI that grows fresh produce throughout the late spring and summer months. 100% of the food grown at the community garden is donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank and various different soup kitchens throughout the County. The intervention is to implement a greenhouse growing system to help lengthen the growing season throughout the winter months. This intervention can help aid in providing food insecure individuals with more fresh produce and nutrients throughout the entire year.

Childhood Adversity And Intimate Partner Violence, Abigail Nosal, Miriam Liz Villa

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to long-term health, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. This study examined associations between cumulative ACE exposure and self-reported Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Rhode Island young adults aged 18‚Äì25, including demographic risk factors such as pregnancy, sexual and gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Data were drawn from the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), a statewide behavioral health survey conducted in 2022 and 2024 (n = 2,030). IPV was assessed using a self-report item on verbal or physical abuse or threats from a romantic partner. ACEs included abuse, neglect, household substance use, parental mental illness or …

Adaptive Skiing And Complex Communication Needs, Jordan Chizmadia Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Effective communication is crucial for individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN), enabling them to express their needs, build confidence, and promote autonomy during adaptive skiing. However, there is currently a lack of systems specific to those with CCN for use in adaptive skiing. The capstone project assessed both verbal and non-verbal alternative communication methods, including a Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), gestures, written and verbal/tactile cues to develop and implement an effective communication method suited for use in adaptive skiing, in collaboration with Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS). To enhance communication between adaptive ski instructors and individuals with CCN, a three-step …

Asi Improving Occupational Performance In Children, Dara Studnitzer

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

There is a gap in the literature linking Ayres Sensory Integration to improved occupational performance from lower levels of evidence. The scope of the review is to see if ASI interventions are effective in improving occupational performance in school-aged children.

Health Assessment Of New York, Mukens Renfort

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Chronic disease continues to be a major contributor to illness and death in New York, with heart disease and cancer remaining the top causes of death statewide. New York‚Äôs diverse population faces ongoing disparities linked to poverty, racial inequities and rising substance, all of which contribute to the unequal health outcomes observed in New York. Surveillance data show an increase in chronic disease cases, higher rates of preventable conditions such as hypertension and cancer and continued concerns around opioid related incidences. Data from state surveillance systems and public health databases, including the New York Department of Health Leading Cause of …

Community Needs Assessment- Rhode Island, Joy Ilabija

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Rhode Island (RI) has been significantly impacted by the drug overdose epidemic, recording 3,800 overdose deaths between 2014 and 2024. RI's overdose death rate, 37.5 per 100,000, exceeds the national average (31.3 per 100,000). Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) increase vulnerability to opioid use disorder (OUD) for higher risk groups. The Community Needs Assessment (CNA) examined how SDOH (education, economic stability, healthcare access) influence OUD in RI. Data sources included the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Opioid Overdose Integrated Surveillance System, RIDOH's Opioid and Stimulant Use Data Hub, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and ten academic journals. …

Improving Infant Feeding Practices, Ytossie Graves

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project addressed knowledge gaps and misconceptions related to infant feeding practices among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Rhode Island. Infants in this population face increased health risks influenced by socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and limited access to consistent breastfeeding education. The project aimed to improve maternal understanding of breastfeeding and formula feeding while supporting informed, culturally responsive decision-making. Guided by the Health Belief Model, a bilingual (English and Spanish) educational intervention was developed, consisting of an evidence-based infographic and a structured nutrition education class for expecting and new mothers. A pre-test …

Anorexia Nervosa In Epigenetics, Cassandra Pinkowski

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake leading to dangerous underweight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. AN symptoms and their related genes, as well as their transcription, can be explained by Epigenetics. AN is associated with nutrient deficiency, which causes hypermethylation of certain genes that cause common symptoms. Melanin-Concentrating hormone (MCH) binds to receptors in the brain that trigger expression of several genes, including both serotonin and oxytocin. When MCH is low, the genes responsible for appetite lowering, causing an individual to feel less hungry. High serotonin …

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture & Confidence, Lindsey Plumb

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture, and Confidence for Healthier Families is a culturally tailored nutrition intervention designed for pediatric patients and caregivers served by the Nutrition Teaching Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The program addresses high rates of childhood overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and low caregiver confidence in meal preparation among racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse families. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, Healthy Starts focuses on building practical cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy through bilingual, hands-on cooking classes, family nutrition workshops, and peer support circles. Sessions emphasize preparing affordable, culturally familiar meals while accommodating religious …

Wic Gestational Diabetes Wellness Program, Anna Tobin

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

BACKGROUND: An average of 9% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes (GDM), with higher rates among individuals with food insecurity, including participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Uncontrolled GDM increases the risk for pregnancy complications and health risks for the mother and baby. GDM management requires education and lifestyle interventions. METHODS: First, a needs assessment was conducted for WIC participants to identify health risks and service gaps. Next, a logic model was used to identify resources/inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of potential nutrition programs. This information was used …

Oakley Home Access: Changing Homes Changes Lives, Grace Carolonza

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Older adults are challenged to safely remain in their homes, or, "age in place." Multi-level residences and lack of sturdy adaptive equipment can be unsupportive of activities of daily living (ADL) completion. This scoping review examines the effect of home modifications on improving people's quality of life (QoL) and ability to safely live in the community.

Keywords: QoL: an individual's impression of how well their place in life reflects personal goals, expectations, standards, and concerns (Khourieh et al., 2025)

Impact Of Sgm Education On Provider Preparedness, Stephanie Tudela Bs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Objective: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience persistent health inequities, often exacerbated by healthcare providers‚Äô lack of preparedness. This scoping review explored whether SGM focused educational interventions improved healthcare students‚Äô preparedness to provide inclusive, affirming care. Ten studies met inclusion criteria and examined multimodal educational interventions targeting students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy, and physician assistant programs. Findings: Nine of the ten studies reported statistically significant improvements in at least one learner domain, (confidence, communication skills, attitudes, and knowledge) post-intervention. The strongest and most consistent gains were observed in confidence and communication comfort when interacting SGM …

Community Intervention: Cooking And Nutrition Education, Vanessa Mello

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

With my intervention, I hope to address the high rate of food insecurity amongst households with children (keiki) in Hawai`i. The target population are Native Hawaiians and marginalized communities that have long-term risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and T2DM (Hawaii Foodbank, 2024). This program will be an extension of the Food 4 Keiki program that distributes food to this population; however, with my program addition, it will promote self-efficacy by hosting community cooking classes and nutrition education events. This intervention incorporates elements of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to encourage observational learning that reflects these families‚Äô social and community needs. SCT‚Äôs …