Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Belonging And Whole Person Formation In Graduate Education: A Conceptual Framework For Student Flourishing, Cynthia Hickman

Papers

Graduate students experience substantial academic, personal, and professional demands that can negatively affect well-being and persistence. For students enrolled in professional programs, belonging may develop within two overlapping communities: the academic institution and the emerging profession. Institutional and professional belonging can provide connection, support, engagement, and opportunities for identity and professional development. This paper synthesizes literature on these two forms of belonging and proposes a conceptual framework describing their potential relationship with whole-person formation and flourishing. Whole-person formation extends graduate education beyond knowledge acquisition and professional competence to include development across interconnected dimensions of the person. Within the proposed framework, …

Predictive Factors For Humeral And Ulnar Stem Loosening After Total Elbow Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Akash Singh, James Satalich, Miguel Fiandeiro, Harrison S. Fellheimer, Matthew Ramsey, Surena Namdari

Rothman Institute Conference Posters

BACKGROUND: There has been a significant increase in the use of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in advanced osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and complex distal humerus fractures. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of total elbow loosening and association with patient demographics, implant specifications, and cement mantle characteristics.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients who underwent primary TEA between 2013 and 2022 at a single institution. Revisions and conversions from prior open reduction and internal fixation were excluded. Pre-operative distal humeral cortical thickness and bone quality were assessed. Variables included anterior humeral flange contact with …

Transient Activation Of Potent Progenitor Cells Is Required For Spinal Cord Regeneration, Chase Alexander Weinholtz

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mammalian spinal cord injury is an intractable biomedical problem driven by interlocking maladaptive cellular responses that prioritize acute stabilization over long-term recovery. However, this deficient regenerative capacity is not an inherent limitation. The zebrafish, for example, capably regenerates and regains motor function with 2 months of a full transection injury. This ability is thought to rely on the transient expansion of stem cell-like progenitors marked by sox2 expression. Yet our understanding of the identities and contributions of this crucial population remains limited. Here, we determine the molecular identities and cellular contributions of sox2+ progenitors during innate spinal cord repair in …

Comparison Of Training Background And Characteristics Between Osteopathic And Allopathic Team Physicians In Professional Sports Leagues., Brandon D Rust, Ambika Singh, Matthew T Mckinley, Joseph Imler, Mackenzie Elting, Ryan Callahan, Christopher L Rennie, Leighann C Krasney

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research

CONTEXT: Team physicians (TPs) play a critical role in professional sports, providing medical care for athletes under high-pressure conditions. These positions are highly competitive, influenced by previous affiliations, training pedigree, and institutional connections, with fellowship training increasingly essential. Although the number of osteopathic (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO]) physicians in the United States has grown substantially, TPs in professional sports remain predominantly filled by allopathic (Doctor of Medicine [MD]) physicians, and the training pathways of DO TPs are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to compare the training and demographic characteristics of DO and MD TPs …

What Do Children Think About Bouncy Bands: A Mixed Methods Examination Of Bouncy Bands' Influence On Attention And Physical Activity, Ken Murfay, Sarah Collins

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: To examine how bouncy bands put onto elementary students’ classroom desks influenced students’ physical activity and attention/concentration, in addition to exploring students’/teachers’ opinions of the bands. Methods: Students within both experimental and control groups wore pedometers to assess movement during instruction and completed the d2 test for attention. Results: The group with bouncy bands on the desks had significantly more movement compared to the control group. For d2 scores, there was no significant difference between the two groups, nor was there a significant linear relationship between movement and d2 scores. Interviews were conducted with the students in the experimental …

Dosimetric Comparison Of Hybrid 3d Conformal Radiation Therapy And Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Versus Vmat-Only Planning For Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation, Erjona Jusufi

Masters Projects

Abstract

Purpose: To compare dosimetric outcomes between volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-only and hybrid VMAT plus three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) techniques for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in patients with early-stage left-sided breast cancer.

Methods and Materials: Thirty patients treated with APBI at a single institution were retrospectively replanned using both VMAT-only and hybrid (VMAT + 3D-CRT) techniques. All plans were prescribed 26 Gy in 5 fractions. Each patient was planned using the same target volumes, optimization objectives, and evaluation criteria for both techniques. Planning target volume (PTV) coverage, conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), hotspot control, organ-at-risk (OAR) doses, …

Early Mobilization In Post Op Care, Jakob Hollenbach, Taylor Grove, Rachael Nembo

Vizient/ AACN Nurse Residency Program™ EBP Projects

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Reduce Stress In Assisted Living Nursing Staff, Cherechi Onyenso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this staff education doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project, I addressed a practice gap associated with inadequate staff knowledge of workplace stress-management strategies in an assisted living facility. Workplace stress in nursing practice is a contributing factor to burnout, reduced job satisfaction, poor teamwork, and a decline in the quality of resident care. The practice-focused question for this project was about whether staff knowledge would be enhanced over an 8-week period in comparison to baseline knowledge as a result of their participation in a structured staff education program on workplace stress management. The purpose of the project was to …

Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge, Confidence, And Intent To Consistently Implement Medication-Assisted Treatment, Matilda Boachie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project addressed inconsistent medication-assisted treatment (MAT) implementation in a masked crisis stabilization unit. MAT was available, but staff education was informal and inconsistent, contributing to variation in knowledge, confidence, patient education, documentation, and discharge planning. The practice-focused question that was answered through this project was whether structured staff education would improve knowledge, confidence, and intent to consistently implement MAT. The purpose was to develop, implement, and evaluate structured education for interdisciplinary staff. De-identified pre- and post-education surveys were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and aggregate averages were compared because individual surveys were not matched. …

Staff Education To Standardize Chronic Pain Patient Education In Primary Care, Jessica Okpara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inconsistent delivery and documentation of chronic pain patient education may contribute to variations in patient knowledge, treatment expectations, and engagement in self-management. This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education and quality improvement project was designed to standardize chronic pain patient education in a primary care setting. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing standardized chronic pain education, compared with non-standardized education, would improve patient knowledge and use of self-management strategies over 10 weeks. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model, the project included development of evidence-based education materials, staff preparation, workflow integration, and a standardized documentation process. Clinic staff identified …

Reducing Medication Administration Errors Through Implementation Of An Electronic Medication Administration Safety Dashboard, Myrlande Daguindeau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The DNP project was a quality improvement (QI) initiative designed to reduce medication administration errors by integrating an electronic medication administration safety dashboard (BCMA) at Sheppard Pratt Hospital in Elkridge, Maryland. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a medication safety dashboard in providing automated clinical alerts to improve real-time monitoring and support safer medication administration practices. The project was informed by the prevalence of medication administration errors in the psychiatric unit attributed to factors such as frequent adjustments of medication and interruptions during the medication administration process. Data were collected from the hospital’s records and …

Improving Glycemic Control And Self-Care Among Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At A Community Health Center, Lydia Asabea Lartey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant practice concern in community health settings, where adults often encounter barriers to effective self-management, including low health literacy, socioeconomic challenges, and limited access to Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). At the project site, inconsistent staff preparation, high patient volume, and limited standardized teaching resources contributed to gaps between evidence-based standards and routine diabetes education. To address these gaps, the project implemented a standardized, culturally responsive diabetes-education workflow to strengthen care quality, patient safety, and responsible resource use. The practice question guiding the project was: How does implementing a standardized, culturally responsive …

Reducing Nurse Burnout, Oluwarotimi Tunde Aborisade

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse burnout is a severe job-related condition that significantly impacts nurses' well-being. Nurse burnout is a growing concern amid the increased demand for healthcare professionals. Research has been conducted to explore nurse burnout and how it affects the quality and safety of patients. Different research has also been conducted to review different interventions to address nurse burnout, including individual and organizational interventions. Some interventions include self-care, mindfulness and meditation, coping and resilience, as well as lifestyle adjustments. Some organizational interventions include workload management, psychological safety, and job redesign. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of individual interventions to …

An Interprofessional Organization Change Process To Reduce Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, Bolatito Owolabi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This organization change process initiative addressed a critical safety practice gap regarding catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention in a 450-bed acute care facility. This gap was recognized based on evidence that the facility’s CAUTI Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) was above the national benchmark—and daily necessity assessment compliance of only approximately 50%. This gap was attributed to an organizational interprofessional culture, which hindered timely device removal. Prolonged catheter dwell times increase patient morbidity, extend hospital stays, and expose the organization to severe financial penalties. The project aimed to safely reduce device dwell times by structurally empowering bedside nurses. I used …

Sustaining Clabsi Prevention Through Central Line Bundle Compliance: A Focus On Iv Tubing Labeling, Visual Cues And Peer Support, See Elizabeth Vang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract  

Problem: Inconsistent IV tubing labeling compliance on a telemetry unit was identified as a gap in central line maintenance practices that could affect adherence to the CLABSI prevention bundle.

Intervention: A quality improvement project reinforced existing IV tubing labeling practices through a visual job aid, staff education, and peer verification during Nursing Knowledge Exchange (NKE) bedside handoff.

Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure was IV tubing labeling compliance, with a goal of increasing compliance from 86.5% to at least 95% on 24 bed Telemetry unit.

Results: The project did not achieve the desired improvement in compliance. Multiple concurrent quality …

Staff Education To Improve C-Ssrs Suicide Risk Screening Competency, Pearl Binka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education doctoral project addressed inconsistent administration and documentation of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in an acute care mental health setting. The practice problem was important because inconsistent standardized screening could delay identification of patients who required timely safety interventions. The practice-focused question examined whether structured C-SSRS education improved nursing staff competency, screening consistency, and documentation compliance. The project was developed and implemented to strengthen nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and skill in applying the C-SSRS as part of routine suicide risk screening. Evaluation strategies included comparisons of pre- and posteducation knowledge scores, competency checklist completion, chart audit findings, …

Implementation Of An Evidence-Based, Standardized Hypertension Follow-Up Protocol To Improve Quality And Outcomes Among African American Females In A Primary Care Setting, Fausat Oluremi Ojo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and premature mortality. African American women experience a disproportionate burden of hypertension and hypertension-related complications, making timely follow-up and treatment intensification essential quality and equity priorities. This evidence-based practice project implemented a standardized hypertension follow-up protocol in a primary care setting to improve blood pressure (BP) control and follow-up reliability among African American females ages 18 to 65 with a hypertension diagnosis. The project population included 67 patients, numbered 1 to 67. Baseline BP report data showed that 47 patients had BP less than 140/90 mm Hg, …

A Program Proposal For An Evidence-Based Dietary Program To Support Spanish Speaking Diabetic Patients, Shaquetta Ann Mccloud-Petion

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) executive leadership system improvement project addresses provider-identified gaps in dietary education for Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes, which may contribute to suboptimal glycemic control and diabetes self-management. A comprehensive review of evidence from CINAHL Complete, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Cochrane supports the use of culturally tailored, evidence-based dietary education to improve diabetes knowledge, self-management behaviors, and health outcomes. The project proposes the development and implementation of a standardized dietary education program using culturally appropriate dietary exchange tools within an outpatient clinic. The initiative aims to improve staff confidence, adoption, and consistency in delivering culturally responsive diabetes education …

Prenatal Health Factors Of Pregnant People Associated With Second Degree Postpartum Hemorrhage Across The United States, Elizabeth Simpler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Secondary postpartum hemorrhage (SPPH) is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity in the United States and occurs after hospital discharge during the postpartum period. Persistent disparities in terms of maternal outcomes suggest access to prenatal care alone may not adequately address clinical and social factors associated with SPPH. Guided by the Social Ecological Model, which recognizes that health outcomes are influenced by a collective approach to examining health. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between SPPH, prenatal care access, and social determinants of health from 2019 to 2022 while controlling for maternal age, race, and delivery type. …

Staff Education On Psychoeducation Delivery To Enhance Medication-Adherence Education For Adults With Bipolar Disorder In An Outpatient Psychiatric Mental Health Facility, Bibiana Chinwe Ndula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project addressed inconsistent delivery of evidence-based medication-adherence psychoeducation for adults with bipolar disorder (BD) in an outpatient psychiatric mental health facility. The project question was whether an 8-week structured module, in relation to existing staff education practices, would increase staff knowledge and confidence. The intervention was guided by the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice (JHEBP) model and comprised a PowerPoint presentation, a facilitator guide, a handout, a checklist, a toolkit, and anonymous pre- and post-training assessments. Eight out of ten invited staff completed the project. The mean knowledge rose from 6.1 to 8.9 …

Implementation Of A Nightshift Sleep Promotion Bundle To Support Delirium Prevention In A Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Pamella Simpson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to identify the need for a consistent sleep-promotion protocol in an adult neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU). Disrupted sleep is a frequent problem for patients who are seriously ill and can lead to delirium, longer hospital stays, higher health care expenses, diminished cognitive function, and death. While there was evidence supporting nonpharmacological sleep-promotion and delirium-risk-reduction interventions, they were not consistently implemented at the project site, creating a gap between evidence and clinical practice. The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate an evidence-based night-shift sleep-promotion bundle. The practice-focused …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge On Accurate Administration Of Medication, Deepu Pudasaini

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication errors have been a significant problem, primarily due to a lack of continuous monitoring and inadequate training for personnel involved in managing or administering medications in non-healthcare settings. These errors often go undetected or unreported. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education project to improve staff knowledge of accurate medication administration of medication in a group home. The practice-focused question was: Will a staff education program on the accurate administration of medication improve certified medication technicians’ (CMTs) knowledge about the association between the medication administration process and medication error? The purpose of this DNP staff …

Improving Identification And Initial Management Of Perimenopause In Primary Care, Yewande Banire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perimenopause is a common but frequently underrecognized stage of reproductive aging that can significantly affect women's physical, psychological, cognitive, and sexual well-being. In primary care, inconsistent provider education and the absence of standardized screening and assessment processes often contribute to delayed recognition and fragmented management. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based clinical practice guideline to improve the identification and initial management of perimenopause in a primary care setting. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model, the project involved synthesizing and critically appraising the literature to develop …

Educating Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners On Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medication Management, Omonzua Mabel Eromosele

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project addressed the underutilization of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications in an outpatient mental health center. Although LAI antipsychotics improve medication adherence, reduce relapse, and decrease psychiatric hospitalization, provider knowledge deficits and inconsistent prescribing practices lead to their underuse. The practice-focused question was: Among psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in an outpatient mental health center, what is the impact of an educational program on the application of LAI antipsychotic medication management on the improvement of staff knowledge? The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate evidence-based educational intervention to improve …

08-19-26 Bor Hsc Committee Notice Of Meeting Revised, Patricia Serna

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

08-19-26 BOR HSC Committee Notice of Meeting Revised

Th17 Effector Cytokines Induce Shared And Distinct Microglial And Endothelial Cell Responses In A Mouse Model For Post-Streptococcal Encephalitis, Charlotte Wayne, Uğur Akcan, Travis Faust, Violeta Durán-Laforet, Danny Jamoul, Luca Bremner, Nicole Ampatey, Büşra Akcan, Sarah Ho, Bogoljub Ciric, Shannon Delaney, Wendy Vargas, Susan Swedo, Vilas Menon, Dorothy Schafer, Tyler Cutforth, Dritan Agalliu

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections cause neuropsychiatric complications in children, but the mechanisms linking peripheral infection to brain dysfunction remain unclear. Using mouse genetics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, we show that GAS infections induce inflammatory transcriptional programs in microglia and brain endothelial cells (BECs), accompanied by loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) gene expression in female mice. Spatial transcriptomic analyses reveal that GAS-responsive microglia localize near infiltrating CD4+ T cells. Several microglial chemokines induced in mice are elevated in sera from affected patients. Deletion of GM-CSF in CD4⁺ T cells partially reduces microglial chemokine gene expression, without restoring BBB …

Miconazole As A Repurposed Anticancer Candidate For Prostate Cancer, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Lindsey Shim, Rajasekhar Baru, Anupam Dhasmana, Ryan Chang, Sung Yun Jung, Rahul Tiwari, Neeraj Chauhan, Vivek K. Kashyap, Sheema Khan, Diane Nguyen, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali Mohan Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

Prostate cancer is one of the major health concerns, with increasing incidence and persistent therapeutic resistance worldwide. Despite various available treatments (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy, biological therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound), patients still show treatment-related side effects over many years. These challenges highlight the urgent need for novel and safe therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we repurposed five FDA-approved antifungal agents, namely natamycin (NM), terbinafine hydrochloride (TH), ketoconazole (KZ), miconazole (MZ), and clotrimazole (CZ), as they can modulate conserved cellular processes, including sterol metabolism and mitochondrial function, which are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of cancer cell …

Assessing Non-Thermal Plasma In Cutaneous Regeneration, Arden Rodriguez, Meliah Martin, Graeme Grainger, Arineh Shahbazi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Chronic and acute wounds remain a significant clinical challenge, particularly in austere and resource-limited environments where access to advanced care is restricted. Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive modality with reported antimicrobial and regenerative properties; however, its mechanisms of action and effects on human skin tissue require further characterization. The scope of this project is to engineer and utilize a 3D human skin epithelial model to evaluate the effects of NTP on wound healing. We will first build a 3D epithelial tissue model that will simulate human skin, followed by modeling and evaluation of wound pathology and …

Extracting Aromatic Compounds From Dehydrated Rose Buds, Lana Sheridan

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Eugenol (C10H12O2), methyl eugenol (C11H14O2), and 2-phenylethanol (C8H10O) are chemically aromatic, natural compounds commonly present in various botanical sources and essential oils. Structurally, eugenol is a methoxyphenol bearing an allyl side chain; its methyl ether derivative, methyl eugenol, shares a similar framework but features a methoxy group replacing the free phenolic hydroxyl group found in eugenol. 2-Phenylethanol is an aromatic alcohol comprised of a benzene ring linked to an ethanol moiety. The objective of this project was to isolate and characterize these compounds in dried rose buds using distillation followed by chromatographic and spectrometric analysis. For the experiment, a steam …

Steam Distillation Star Anise, Makayla Maso, Kiara Maso

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Star anise (Illicium verum) contains several volatile organic compounds responsible for its characteristic aroma, including trans-anethole, estragole, limonene, and linalool. These compounds differ in structure and chemical properties, which influence their behavior during isolation and analysis. Trans-anethole and estragole are classified as aromatic phenylpropene derivatives that contain benzene rings and ether functionalities. In contrast, limonene and linalool are non-aromatic terpenes, with linalool additionally possessing an alcohol functional group. These compounds are widely utilized as flavoring agents and fragrance components, while terpenes such as limonene and linalool are also commonly employed as solvents and in formulation chemistry due to their volatility …