Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Achieving Total Health Using Food To Heal: A Podcast On A Holistic Approach To Nutrition, Taylor Sharer

Senior Theses

Nutrition is the key to a healthy and happy life. In a world where chronic, avoidable diseases are the leading cause of death, it is necessary to educate the public on how they can improve their overall health and wellbeing using food. Every aspect of health is interconnected, and what we eat can create massive changes in our health. My project focuses on holistic nutrition, providing an easily accessible, science-based and informative discourse about how to reach health and wellness goals through a podcast. Using personalized experience combined with current research, I discuss topics such as whole foods, individualized nutrition, …

Early Motor And Language Development In Infants At Elevated Likelihood For Autism, Natalie C. Deal

Senior Theses

During the early stages of infant development, various emerging skills set the foundation for more complex abilities. One such connection is the development of motor skills, which play a crucial role in influencing language outcomes later in the infants' first year. Although these developmental cascades are well understood in typically-developing populations, less is known about the cascade in infants at elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have motor delays or language delays, suggesting that the cascade from motor to language may not be typical in this population. Additionally, little is known …

Genetic Counseling As An Emerging Global Profession: Exploring Commonalities And Collaborations Among 15 Countries, Evelyn J. Leary

Senior Theses

Since 1969, the genetic counseling profession has expanded to almost 50 countries and is now considered a global profession. This paper’s goal was to explore the evolution of genetic counseling over time and among varied countries and to identify common themes in the establishment of the profession internationally. Each country known to have practicing genetic counselors was sorted into one of five categories: the first four were by the first training program’s establishment year, and the fifth included countries with genetic counselors but no domestic training program. Three countries from each category were selected to be highlighted based on factors …

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol Policy And Related Health Impact Among College-Aged Individuals In South Carolina: A Scoping Review, Emily K. Luoma

Senior Theses

After the 2018 Farm Bill passed, loopholes were quickly found that led to the popularization of delta-8 THC, a derivative of delta-9 THC, more commonly known as marijuana. Use of this substance became particularly high in states that criminalized marijuana, such as South Carolina. This scoping review aimed to assess South Carolina’s current delta-8 policies in the context of health-related impacts among college-aged students. Comprehensively analyzing the results of relevant studies, it was determined that there are three commonly observed threats to public health that are direct outcomes of existing policies: 1) a lack of quality control standards; 2) misleading …

The Stigma Surrounding Sex And Sexuality In American Culture, Sophia L. Pollock

Senior Theses

An important question to examine is the origin and implications of the taboo against sex and sexuality. The stigma against these topics encourages negative public health implications like poor sex education, high rates of sexually transmitted infections, and teen pregnancy. History of sexual stigma was examined through physical media and digital articles from the Thomas Cooper Library databases. The background and global perspective of these stigmas are covered, examining how past and distant cultures deal with sex. How sex is portrayed in the media, why a healthy sex life is important, and the subject of sex education are also addressed. …

Physiological Indicators Of Social Anxiety In Preschoolers With The Fragile X Premutation, Olivia Cyburt

Senior Theses

The Fragile X premutation (FXpm) is a common genetic disorder often characterized by psychiatric impairments, including anxiety. It results from a trinucleotide repeat expansion (CGG) of 55-200 repeats on the FMR1 gene. Despite its association with psychiatric symptoms, there is limited research regarding the relationship between FXpm and anxiety, particularly social anxiety. Early detection of social anxiety is essential for timely intervention, yet it remains challenging to identify in young individuals with FXpm due to limited research. The present study aimed to bridge this gap by examining social anxiety in preschoolers with the FXpm, utilizing both a physiological and behavioral …

Exploring The Impact Of Pharmacy Education On Pharmacy Residents' Confidence & Knowledge Of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy, Grace Thompson, Jordan Ballou, Chao Cai

Senior Theses

This thesis will examine the relationship between pharmacy school education about gender-affirming hormone therapy and the confidence and knowledge of PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents at ASHP-accredited or candidate pharmacy residency programs across the United States. This cross-sectional study was completed through an analysis of de-identified survey data, including demographics, confidence-based questions, and knowledge-based questions. The study survey and thesis were compiled by reviewing the current literature regarding the perceptions of pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and student pharmacists on transgender and gender diverse topics. The survey was sent to pharmacy residents through residency program directors (RPDs) and program contacts. After considering …

Qtc Comparison Between Neonates At Risk For Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome And Healthy Non-Opioid Exposed Neonates, Kevin Lam, Susan C.A. Adeniyi-Jones, Md, Gary Peltz, Walter K. Kraft

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Posters

Introduction

• While neonatal electrocardiograms (ECGs) are typically read, QTc can be difficult to assess due to immense variability within the first week of life
• In neonates with in utero opioid exposure, there was no difference in mean QTc between those receiving placebo or ondansetron for five days post-delivery in a clinical trial (NCT01965704)

Effects Of Interval Load And Constant Load Cycling On Cortisol And Testosterone Production, Anna Zurlo

ASPIRE 2025

Testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid released from the gonads when exercising. Additionally, cortisol is a catabolic hormone that is also released in response to the stress of exercise. Both hormones have been known to increase significantly following high-intensity exercise as compared to low-intensity exercise. However, more research needs to be done regarding the interval training effect on testosterone and cortisol levels. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the hormonal response of testosterone and cortisol during interval versus constant load cycling. METHODS: Participants aged 19-45 years old will be recruited to participate in the study. Their initial visit …

A Prospective, Multicenter Analysis Of Recurrence-Free Survival After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Decisions Influenced By The 31-Gep., J Michael Guenther, Andrew Ward, Brian J Martin, Mark Cripe, Timothy Beard, Oliver Wisco, Rohit Sharma, Stanley P Leong, Richard Essner, Joseph I Clark, John Hamner, Brenda Sickle-Santanello, Maki Yamamoto

Oncology Articles

BACKGROUND: Although most patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) will have a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), up to 20%-30% of these patients will recur. The 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test has been prospectively validated to identify patients at low (Class 1A), intermediate (Class 1B/2A), and high (Class 2B) risk of SLN positivity and recurrence.

METHODS: DECIDE is a prospective, multicenter study to assess the effect of 31-GEP testing on SLNB performance rates in patients with T1-T2 tumors considering SLNB and to study long-term outcomes. Here, we assessed outcomes in patients with a Class 1A 31-GEP result (n = 130). …

Brief: Improving Health And Dental Care Access In North Dakota, Evaluation Of Medical Dental Integration 2023, Shawnda Schroeder, Tonya Connor

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

This brief highlights the success of medical dental integration at one health center in North Dakota. The hygienists, within the healthcare clinic, provided dental screening, fluoride varnish application, and oral health education for patients and their families. In the 30-months of services, the hygienist completed 1,385 dental screenings for eligible patients.

Report: Evaluation Of Seal!Nd: School Year 2021-2022, Shawnda Schroeder, Tonya Connor

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

This comprehensive report provides evaluation data on the reach and impact of the North Dakota Oral Health Program’s school-based sealant program through the 2021-2022 school year. Data are presented longitudinally and identify inequities in care provision by race, grade level, and self-reported gender.

Leveraging Observational And Rct Data For Understanding Interventions’ Efficacy: Applications In Progressive And Acute Neurological Diseases, Yaobin Ling

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The advancement of drug repurposing for progressive and acute neurological diseases is hampered by the limitations of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational data. This dissertation presents a comprehensive framework to integrate data-driven insights from multiple sources, including observational studies, RCTs, and synthetic data generation, to overcome these challenges.

The first study focuses on estimating treatment effects on the population level, which investigates the effects of routine and high-dose influenza vaccines on the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) through a trial emulation framework applied to health claims data, addressing biases inherent in observational studies. The second study …

The Structural Inequality Of Status Quo Clinical Communication, Joelle Robertson-Preidler

Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Reducing Vancomycin In A Cicu, Karoline Krzywda, Lauren Johnson, Allison Taber

Posters

Introduction: In the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) empiric vancomycin is frequently prescribed. This practice occurs without wide knowledge of the true rates of methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant staph epidermidis (MRSE) infections. Given the potential for harmful side effects of vancomycin as well as concern for growing antibiotic resistance we sought to better characterize local unit prescribing practices and MRSA/MRSE infection rates to guide our quality improvement project with an aim of reducing vancomycin use in our CICU. Methods: This project is taking place at Children’s Mercy Kansas City CICU, a 24 bed unit with an …

In Search Of The Unknown Mimic Of Abusive Head Trauma (Aht), Ruairi Smith-Dewey, Angela Bachim, Colleen Bressler, Kristine Campbell, Lori Frasier, Danielle Horton, Nicole Johnson, Jan Leonard, Megan Letson, Caitlin Mcnamara, Shalon Nienow, Ashley K. Sherman, Stuart Sommers, Joanne Wood, James Anderst

Posters

Background Child Abuse Pediatricians (CAPs) are accused of misdiagnosing a yet-to-be-identified mimic as abusive head trauma (AHT), particularly in ill children with an isolated subdural hemorrhage (SDH). Though not diagnostic criteria, specific social stressors are identified as AHT risk factors. The existence of a mimic can be assessed by comparing the prevalence of AHT risk factors across study groups (See Table 1). Objective We hypothesize that the distribution of AHT risk factors will be: fewer in the CAP-identified mimic group versus the CAP-diagnosed abuse group, no difference between ill SDH only and SDH+CSI groups as these are likely the same …

Reducing Antibiotic Duration For Pneumonia And Sinusitis In The Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Approach, Joshua Saucedo, Leslie Hueschen, Amanda Nedved, Marsha Dannenberg, Patricia Phillips, Jennifer Floyd, Alaina N. Burns, Rana El Feghaly

Posters

Background: Antibiotic duration is one of the pillars of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) as it helps to limit unnecessary antibiotic exposure while continuing to provide appropriate care for infections. In our emergency department (ED), clinicians are using first-line guideline-recommended antibiotics as an appropriate choice for most patients (per our ASP report tracking), however, duration continues to be prolonged especially for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). National guidelines recommend shortening antibiotic durations to 3-5 days for CAP and 5-7 days for ABRS, however currently only 22% of patients discharged from our ED receive the recommended duration. Objective: …

Implementing A Social Determinants Of Health Screening Tool To Improve Appointment Attendance In Primary Care Practice, Phuong Truong

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a screening tool to identify the social determinants of health (SDoH) that may prevent patients from attending their scheduled appointment and to improve patient’s attendance adherence. The project was conducted at a primary care clinic in La Grange, Texas

Background

Missed appointments negatively impact a person’s health status. Missed appointments have been associated with a variety of social factors such as transportation access, socioeconomic status, health literacy, and insurance status.

Methodology

The Logic Model and PDSA model for improvement were used to guide this project. The project utilized …

Improving Bone Density Screening Rates In Patients At Risk For Falls Using Chart Screening And Protocol Orders, Lona Winnegan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE: This quality improvement project’s purpose was to identify those at risk for low bone density from a clinic’s population of positive fall risk screenings, to encourage bone density screening and identify those who would benefit from bone health optimization.

BACKGROUND: Spine fractures result in serious morbidity and mortality. The type of treatment options available for spine fractures and the timing of intervention is affected by the patient’s bone density.

METHODOLOGY: The aim was for patients diagnosed with spine fractures and degenerative spine conditions to be screened for osteoporosis/osteopenia according to screening recommendation standards. The goals were to maintain …

Priorities For Research, Education, Clinical Practice, And Policy From The Long Covid Physio International Forum, Kiera Mcduff, Darren A. Brown, Douglas P. Gross, Mark A. Faghy, Todd E. Davenport, Jennifer Audette, Laura Bassi, Michelle Bull, Saul E. Cobbing, Simon Décary, Alison Flynn, Flic Jeyes, Cara Kaup, Malissa Martin, Etienne Ngeh, David Putrino, André Saravia, Asya Shiloff-Rogers, Helen Skiffington, Lindsay Skipper, Julia M. Vogel

Pacific Faculty Work

Purpose: Long COVID Physio (LCP) is an international peer support, education and advocacy, patient-led association of physiotherapists living with long COVID and allies. In 2022, LCP hosted an international forum. One of the aims of the forum was to identify priorities in long COVID and rehabilitation. Methods: We conducted an international consultation on priorities for long COVID and rehabilitation with people living with long COVID, clinicians, researchers, and other key interest-holders (referred to collectively as “consultants”) who registered for and attended the LCP International Forum. We collected feedback from consultants using web-based questionnaires, the Zoom chat from the forum, and …

Study Of Proportion Of Cardiac Involvement Secondary To Dengue Infection In Pediatric Population Admitted In A Tertiary Hospital- A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study, Neha Bhongale, Qudsiya Ansari, Ravindra Chittal

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background- Dengue is one of the most important mosquito-borne illnesses worldwide. Cardiac manifestations of dengue illness can range from asymptomatic bradycardia to life-threatening myocarditis. There is an overall paucity of published Indian studies of clear demonstration of cardiac manifestations secondary to dengue in the pediatric population. Aim- To study the proportion of patients with cardiac involvement secondary to dengue viral infection in the pediatric age group based on clinical manifestations of cardiac enzymes (CKMB, Troponin I) and ECG (electrocardiography), in a tertiary center. Methodology- This study is undertaken to find out the proportion of patients with cardiac manifestations secondary to …

Virtual Hospital Follow-Up: Effects On 30-Day Readmission And Patient Satisfaction, Lidia Wiersum, Karen Valiyev, Kristin Wisegarver, Lucas Hopkins

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

No abstract provided.

“I’Ll Be There For You”: F·R·I·E·N·D·S And Spirituality May Impact Intent To Stay, Danell Stengem, Alison Smock, Ashley Doherty, Dana Kopp, Karen Colorafi, Teresa Rangel

Social Work

No abstract provided.

Cultural Linguistic Bias In Language Assessments For Children, Madison Wester

Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Cultural linguistic bias is present in almost all language assessments for children, such as the Preschool Language Scales (PLS-5) and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5). Cultural linguistic bias is bias against those who speak a different dialect, such as African American Vernacular English or Appalachian English. Bias in these assessments leads to over-diagnosing children with language disorders, which is harmful in a number of ways. To decrease this bias, SLPs should take a language sample to assess a child’s natural language. However, this process can be time-consuming, which is why the use of online tools, such as SUGAR, …

Comparison Of Untreated Caries And Caries-Risk Improvement In An Elementary-School-Based Comprehensive Dental Care Program, John-Vincent Quiao D.D.S., Gavin To, Dahea Ham, Courtney H. Chinn Dds, Mph, Elizabeth Best M.P.H., Rose Amable D.D.S.

The New York State Dental Journal

Purpose: This retrospective chart review explored differences in initial exam caries-risk assessment and mean change in untreated carious teeth at 18-month recall.

Methods: Five years of clinical records from two school site locations were reviewed. Bivariate analysis (t-test) was used.

Results: A total of 150 charts satisfied the inclusion criteria. Average caries-risk score at initial exam was significantly higher in Asians compared to non-Asians.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that Asian subjects show a higher initial risk assessment score. There was no significant difference in untreated caries by treatment location, which demonstrates the efficacy of school-based programs.

The Truth Lies In Her Eyes, Jake Herber, Jason Meredith, Ross Mathiasen

Posters and Presentations: Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Empowering Staff Wellbeing: A Team-Based Qi Initiative, Rebecca Lauren Smith, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Project Title: Empowering Staff Wellbeing: A Team-Based QI Initiative

Keywords: Burnout, wellbeing, DNP, primary care, QI methodology

Background and Rationale: The consequences of burnout in healthcare are alarming: worse patient outcomes, lack of continuity of care, higher turnover, and increased cost to employers. Many studies of burnout and wellbeing of clinicians focus on larger institutions such as hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Over the past several years, burnout has been discussed among our small, eight-person clinician team working in a small, non-profit primary care clinic. Yet, there has been no formal assessment of the level of burnout among …

Sports For Gender Equality, Michelle Salmeron, Julia Mott, Eliza Cash

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Recent studies show that participating in sports leads to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity in children while also fostering higher self-esteem (Tahira, 2023). In Mexico, 67% of girls are inactive (Provoking Sport, 2023). However, there has been little direct research conducted in Mexico to illustrate and exemplify the benefits of sports for girls and women. Additionally, there are few role models for them to look up to who share their cultural background, as most examples come from other countries. This creates a cycle that hinders cultural and societal growth, as well as creates a barrier to sports participation. …

Nsu Kpcom Link - Spring 2025 - Volume 4.1, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Florida Link Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Brca1/Brca2 Test: A Swiss And American Analysis Of The Effective Facilitation Of Genetic Healthcare Equity For Breast Cancer Prevention, Elizabeth Cahill

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

This paper investigates the accessibility and equity of BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing in Switzerland and the United States—two high-income nations with vastly different healthcare models. While genetic testing for breast cancer prevention has the potential to save lives through early detection and targeted interventions, access to such services remains uneven. This study uses a comparative approach to analyze how healthcare systems, insurance structures, psychological barriers, genetic literacy, and the vocational mobility of genetic counseling shape the extent to which individuals can access BRCA testing. Primary data were collected through expert interviews with a Swiss health economist and a French genetic counselor …