Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Early Radiographic And Patient-Reported Outcomes Of Percutaneous Distal Metatarsal Osteotomy In Adolescent Hallux Valgus., David Cieremans, Sara Ruzzi, Matthew Titus, Susan Dubowy, Reid Nichols, Joseph Rosenblatt

PCOM Scholarly Works

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous osteotomy for adolescent hallux valgus has become an increasingly popular technique due to its quick recovery time and effectiveness. Few studies have assessed both the radiographic and clinical outcomes of percutaneous osteotomy. We present a series that demonstrates adequate radiographic correction and favorable postoperative patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 27 percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomies for adolescent hallux valgus performed by two surgeons was conducted at two urban, tertiary children's hospitals. Cases were excluded if radiographic imaging information was not available. Pre- and postoperative radiographic measurements, including hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal …

From Birth To Better Health: Educating Mothers With Gestational Diabetes On Breastfeeding Benefits And Glucose Management, Jesse A. Soria Jr, Sarah Smith, Audrey Nolan Smith, Keeley Kosier

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases a mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life and can affect an infant's future health. Breastfeeding can help improve a mother's blood sugar control and may lower her future risk of diabetes, but many mothers with GDM do not know about these benefits. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated a standardized education program on breastfeeding and diabetes prevention for postpartum mothers with GDM at the Family Birthing Center at St. Joseph's Medical Center (SJMC) in Stockton, California. The intervention included a 10- to 15-minute education session and an evidence-based educational …

Improving Mobility Awareness And Jh-Amp Tool Utilization On A Cardiac Care Unit, Courtney Joe, Clarissa Chaires, Jocelyn Martin, Eunice Sanchez

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

The quality improvement project evaluated the impact of staff education and a unit-wide mobility awareness campaign on the use of the Johns Hopkins Activity and Mobility Promotion tools and patient mobilization in a 48-bed Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). The project involved registered nurses, nursing assistants, unit leaders, and adult cardiac patients represented by aggregate mobility data. A preliminary survey completed by 42 CCU staff members, CCU Partnership Council focus group, meetings with clinical nurse specialists, and a baseline unit audit identified inconsistent mobility practices, uncertainty regarding Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility tool, and limited completion of in-room mobility signs. …

Mind Over Scrubs – A Peer-Led Anxiety Reduction Program, Nhi T. Tran, Angelica Dirige, Adeleke Fashola

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Nursing students experience elevated anxiety during the transition into accelerated programs, which can negatively affect academic performance, well-being, and retention. This quality improvement project evaluated Mind Over Scrubs, a peer-led anxiety reduction program for incoming Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing students at the University of the Pacific, consisting of four 45-minute sessions on evidence-based coping strategies. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 surveys were administered at baseline, before and after each session, and at two- and four-week follow-ups; Wilcoxon signed-rank tests evaluated matched changes. Thirty-one of 62 enrolled students (50%) attended at least one session. Post-session scores fell below individual baselines for …

Know Your Birth, Jasmine Mckelvey, Reagan L. Hunt, Michaela M. David

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern in rural Kenya because of limited healthcare resources, inadequate emergency obstetric training, and barriers to accessing timely, high-quality maternal care. This quality improvement project evaluated the implementation of the Know Your Birth educational intervention, a culturally responsive, simulation-based training program designed to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, confidence, and competency in evidence-based maternal and newborn care. The project was conducted at Sega Dispensary in Sega, Siaya County, Kenya, and included 26 healthcare staff members. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, participants completed a brief educational presentation followed by three interactive skills stations focused on …

What Drives Schoolchildren's Food Choices? Insights From A Gamified Stated-Preference Choice Experiment In Tunisia, Ali Chalak, Christelle Akl, Joanne Haddad, Nehmat El Helou, Sonia Sassi, Houda Ben Gharbia, Rawan Traboulsi, Marc Haber, Jalila El Ati, Hala Ghattas Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

This paper models the drivers of schoolchildren's food choices in urban Tunisia using a gamified Stated-Preference Choice Experiment (SPCE), which includes scenario attributes (food placement, preparation, and price) and contextual factors (parental/peer modeling eating behaviors). A representative sample of 2465 schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years in Greater Tunis participated in a SPCE, which simulates real-life food choice scenarios on a typical school day. The game includes six nodes (breakfast, recess, lunch, snack on the road to/from school, afternoon snack, dinner) in various locations (home, school, neighborhood). Each choice task includes nine items to choose from (3 beverages, 3 side-meals, …

Predictors Of The Mother-Infant Bond: The Role Of Maternal Attachment Style, Parity, Race, And Motherhood Expectations, Samia Qadri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study examined how maternal attachment style, parity, race, and motherhood expectations, individually and in interaction, predicted the quality of the mother-infant bond during the postpartum period. Grounded in a maternal feminist framework, the study used a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design. Postpartum mothers aged 20–39 (N = 87) completed validated measures of maternal attachment style, motherhood expectations, mother-infant bonding, and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression compared a Primary Model containing the four focal predictors and planned interaction terms with a Secondary Model that added maternal depressive symptoms as a covariate. Depressive symptoms emerged as the strongest single predictor of bonding, and …

Experiential Learning In Child Life Education, Amanda L. Lockett

All Dissertations

Child life specialists support children and families during healthcare experiences and other stressful life events, making it important for child life students to develop both knowledge and practical skills before entering the profession. This study explored how current child life students and recent graduate experienced hands-on learning activities in their child life education. Through interviews, a survey, and follow-up reflection, participants described how activities like role play, case studies, realistic scenarios, activity play plans, and teaching plans influenced their learning and professional development. Participants shared these experiences helped them learn to apply what they learned in the classroom into real …

A Word From The Writing Team (August 2026), Pam Walter, Mfa, Laura Deloretta, Phd

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Media Guidelines On Suicide-Related Reporting Quality And Suicides: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Simone Scotti Requena, Vikas Arya, Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, Mark Sinyor, Michiko Ueda, Matthew J. Spittal, Jane Pirkis

Center for Policy Design and Governance

This brief summarizes "Impact of media guidelines on suicide-related reporting quality and suicides: A systematic review and meta-analysis," co-authored by Simone Scotti Requena, Vikas Arya, Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, Mark Sinyor, Michiko Ueda, Matthew J. Spittal, and Jane Pirkis in Crisis.

August 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

It's been an exciting season at the SWOSU Rural Health Center!

We are thrilled to share that SWOSU Rural Health has been awarded a second grant through Oklahoma's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), building on the momentum of our Community-Led Wellness Microgrant. This week, we also have the privilege of welcoming representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program to SWOSU as they visit our Jerry & Margaret Hodge College of Pharmacy and Rural Health Center to highlight the innovative work happening across our region.

• Feds push back HIPAA security rule …

In Reply To The Letter To The Editor Regarding "The Effect Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists On Reoperation Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion", Nicholas C. Bank, Daniel Whittingslow, Sam Duggan, Joshua L. Morningstar, Douglas S. Weinberg

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

No abstract available

Addressing Food Pantry Capacity To Offer Medically Tailored Groceries For Food Insecure Individuals With Chronic Disease In Rural South Carolina, Anna G. Taylor

All Theses

This study examines the feasibility of implementing medically tailored grocery (MTG) programs within rural food pantries in South Carolina to better serve food-insecure individuals living with chronic diseases. Using a mixed-methods design, the study aimed to assess current pantry capacity, identify barriers and facilitators to MTG implementation, and evaluate strategies to strengthen MTG delivery.

The intervention was guided by three implementation science frameworks: the Six-Step Knowledge Sharing Model, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and the RE-AIM evaluation framework. Data collection occurred in two phases. In Phase 1, statewide focus groups, capacity surveys, and inventory assessments were conducted to …

Dissecting Ms4a4a Function In Microglia And Its Role In Alzheimer’S Disease Pathogenesis, Emma Pascal Danhash

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Genome-wide association studies have begun to uncover the complex genetic architecture of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Expression of many AD risk loci is enriched in microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. Common variants near the MS4A gene family have been associated with AD risk and altered soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MS4A4A is a microglial gene that encodes a tetraspan membrane protein that regulates anti-inflammatory responses in macrophages. However, the mechanism by which MS4A4A contributes to microglial function and AD pathogenesis remains unknown. In this dissertation, I leveraged a …

J Mich Dent Assoc August 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The August 2026 (Volume 108, No. 8) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The August 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association explores clinical, professional, legal, leadership, and public …

The Invisible Work: On Expertise, Showmanship, And The Trust That Makes Surgery Work, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary examines how clinicians can make their expertise more visible to patients through communication, education, and clinical narration. Drawing parallels to surgical checklists and professional mastery, the author argues that trust is built not only through excellent outcomes but also through helping patients understand the complexity and judgment behind treatment. The article emphasizes communication, transparency, education, and mentorship as important elements of patient-centered care.

An Update On The Role Of Multimodal Analgesia In Perioperative Pain Management, Whitney N. Kuwamoto, Grace C. Eddy, Edward R. Mariano, Eric S. Schwenk

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

Multimodal analgesia has become a foundational principle of acute perioperative pain management and enhanced recovery and involves the application of nonpharmacologic, pharmacologic, and/or interventional techniques. The overall goal of this approach is to apply a combination of different modalities that target discrete points along the pain pathway and thereby avoid the overreliance on opioids and associated side effects. Since our review in 2018, there have been significant developments that have prompted an updated review of multimodal analgesia. In this article, we identify and summarize important trends that influence the current approach to acute perioperative pain management as well as provide …

The Resilient Women's Collective: Empowering Women To Recognize Their Worth, Mary Campbell Johnstone

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Mothers experiencing homelessness face challenges related to chronic stress, trauma, disrupted routines, and limited access to supportive resources, all of which negatively impact health, well-being, and occupational participation (Anderson et al., 2024). Occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through occupation-based, trauma-informed interventions that promote resilience, empowerment, and engagement in meaningful activities. This doctoral capstone addressed these complex needs through a multifaceted approach that included a scoping review, program development, advocacy, and educational initiatives. A scoping review examined stress-management interventions supporting single mothers experiencing homelessness in the United States. Although positive outcomes were reported, the literature revealed limited …

The Acute Effect Of A Single Dose Of Berberine On Blood Glucose Response Following A Standardized Meal And 2-Mile Walk Performance In Healthy Adults, Victor Emmanuel Obaro

Master's Theses

It is clear that exercise improves overall health status, and it is possible that berberine (BR) may work through some similar mechanisms to improve health status as well.  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the acute effects of a single dose of BR on health status following a standardized meal and a 2 mile walk treadmill protocol with outcomes including blood glucose (BG), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and a two-mile walk time trial performance. Methods: This study used a cross-over design where 14 healthy, young adults were given berberine (BBR) …

Enhancing Quality Of Care Through Streamlined Pediatric Ot Resources, Mallori Cooper

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project focused on improving the accessibility and organization of evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy resources to support clinical staff and enhance quality of care. In pediatric practice, therapists often experience limited time for preparation outside of treatment sessions due to high workloads and administrative demands, which can make it challenging to consistently develop and access caregiver education and intervention resources. At the same time, caregiver education and coaching are essential components of pediatric occupational therapy, as they support carryover of strategies and improved functional outcomes. Through partnership with an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic, Associates in Pediatric Therapy, a centralized …

Advocating For Pediatric Therapy Services In A Rural Area, Hailee Bowman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed with Tonya Fish OTR/L at Hopewell Schools in Coshocton, OH. The primary ACOTE focus areas were education and advocacy, focusing on educating individuals in the community on occupational therapy and the importance of integrating it into the community, as well as advocating for changes to be made to current systems to allow for occupational therapy services to be available to children in the area. In Coshocton, the only opportunities for receiving pediatric occupational therapy services are in the school system or through the county board of developmental disabilities programs like Help Me Grow and Early …

Advancing Experiential Learning And Student Participation Through An Adl Suite, Megan E. Craig

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed within the Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Department at Eastern Kentucky University. The practice setting was the ADL Suite; a simulated home environment located in the Dizney Building at Eastern Kentucky University. The primary ACOTE focus area(s) applied was program development, with an additional focus area on clinical practice skills. The purpose of this capstone project was to support the development and sustainable use of the ADL Suite as a learning environment for students and faculty to practice ADL/IADL skills, clinical reasoning, activity analysis, assessment, competency development, and fieldwork preparation. A needs assessment and literature …

Community-Based Sensory Kits To Support Regulation And Participation In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Kaela Surrett

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Posters

This capstone project was completed at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky (DSACK) in Lexington, KY. The primary ACOTE areas of focus were education and program development. The purpose of this project was to identify sensory support needs within DSACK programming, develop age-based sensory kits, and create educational materials for staff and caregivers to support participation and self-regulation during activities. A needs assessment was completed through direct observations, parent surveys, collaboration with staff, and a review of current literature. Findings showed challenges related to attention, sensory seeking, and sensory sensitivity during both structured and unstructured activities. These barriers impacted …

A Mixed-Methods Study Of Patient And Caregiver Experiences With Home Health Occupational Therapy, Peyton A. Mendias, Cassandra Nelson, Gwen Morris

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Home health occupational therapy (HHOT) promotes independence and safety within the home, yet patients and caregivers often experience challenges implementing therapy recommendations after discharge. This mixed-methods study explored the lived experiences of patients and caregivers who participated in HHOT to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing occupational therapy recommendations and inform the development of a caregiver education toolkit. Adults who received HHOT within the previous six months and informal caregivers completed an online survey, with a subset participating in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings emphasized …

Supporting Mental Health Through Occupation: Education For Women Living With And Beyond Breast Cancer, Rebekah Nicole Trammell, Lakeisa Boykin, Rebekah Jarrar

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, and these women experience high rates of anxiety, depression, and disruption to daily routines and meaningful occupations. Evidence shows that education on self-management strategies, mindfulness-based interventions, and targeted occupational therapy interventions can support the mental health of women experiencing breast cancer. Furthermore, remaining engaged in meaningful occupations is essential to improving overall well-being and quality of life. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and deliver accessible, evidence-based education in digital and print formats that specifically target identifying mental health challenges, self-management strategies, and …

Attrition Of The Midwifery Workforce: Understanding Factors Associated With Leaving The Profession, E. Brie Thumm, Amy H. Goh, Elizabeth G. Phillips, Zachary Giano

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To understand why advanced practice midwives (certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives) leave the workforce.

STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: A multi-method, multi-source investigation included secondary analysis of certification data of advanced practice midwives and a cross-sectional online survey with closed- and open-ended items. Advanced practice midwives' active certification data were used to compare self-reported demographic characteristics of advanced practice midwives who reported working in the discipline of midwifery to those who did not (n = 9704). A survey was conducted in 2022 with individuals who allowed their certification to lapse between 2017 and 2021 (n = 303) and individuals who …

Leveraging Administrative Health Data To Capture Rare Adverse Drug Reactions: Identifying Pediatric Patients With Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome., Keith Feldman, Jenna Miller, Katherine Doane, Laura Loftis, James W. Antoon, Kevin J. Downes, Jennifer Goldman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Rare adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are underrecognized and underreported in the electronic medical record (EMR). These events often require clinical review, making systematic identification challenging. The study aim was to develop an approach to prioritize identification and validation of a rare ADR to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (TMP-SMX ARDS) across medical institutions. We developed a clinical phenotype based on 2 local TMP-SMX ARDS cases mapped to standardized elements of a national comparative healthcare database (PHIS). We validated identification of TMP-SMX ARDS at scale across medical institutions. A set of scoring criteria was created to prioritize cases and generate …

Ecmo Use In Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Literature Review., John Ibrahim, Nicholas Carr, Franscesca Miquel Verges, Natalie Rintoul, Robert Digeronimo, John M. Daniel Iv, Sarah Keene, Burhan Mahmood

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a leading cause of chronic respiratory failure in infants. Severe BPD is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, pulmonary hypertension, and high morbidity and mortality. As disease severity increases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is being reconsidered as a potential rescue therapy. Historically, ECMO has been reserved for neonates with reversible respiratory failure and those who required mechanical ventilation for less than 14 days, while infants with BPD were excluded. However, advancements in ECMO technology, anticoagulation strategies, and ventilatory management have led to a reassessment of its role in this population. Emerging reports suggest ECMO may serve as …

A Cooking Skills Intervention For Long-Term Weight Loss In Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Rationale And Design For A Randomized Trial., Lauren T. Ptomey, Jessica C. Danon, Delwyn Catley, Richard A. Washburn, Amy Bodde, Francisco J. Diaz, Brian C. Helsel, Anna M. Rice, Joseph R. Sherman, Madison Koester, Walker S. Mckinney Ph.D., Joseph E. Donnelly

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) are an underserved population with a high prevalence of obesity, obesity-related health conditions, and reduced ability to complete instrumental and basic activities of daily living (I/ADLs). After leaving the structured environment of public school, many young adults with ID spend more time at home or in day programs, begin living more independently, or enter the workforce. These transitions may increase reliance on fast or processed foods and reduce opportunities for physical activity, contributing to accelerated weight gain. Previous research has demonstrated clinically meaningful short- and long-term weight loss (18-24 months) in adults with mild-to-moderate …

Current Practices Of Index Hospitalization Anticoagulant Use In Pediatric Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia., Abbey Elsbernd, Natalie Grills, James W. Antoon, Kathyrn Kyler, Lucas E. Orth, Timothy J. Savage, Matt Hall, Jennifer Goldman, Shannon L. Carpenter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Management and prevention of thromboembolism (TE) in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are challenging because of prolonged periods of thrombocytopenia and associated bleeding. There are no guidelines for prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation for children with AML. This study aimed to understand the use of anticoagulation and its association with bleeding events (BEs) during index hospitalization in children with AML, both with and without thromboses. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Pediatric Health Information System administrative database of index hospitalizations for patients aged 1 to 21 years from 2016 to 2024 with the diagnosis of AML across 49 children's …