Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Promoting Safety And Reducing Fall Risk In Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Kennedie Hudson

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local non-profit organization that supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Bridges for Parkinson’s helps to reduce financial barriers and provide exercise and fitness programs that promote functional mobility, a sense of community, and overall well-being. Fall prevention is increasingly important in older adults, especially those with Parkinson’s disease. The primary goal of this project was to gain insight into individuals with Parkinson’s disease experiences and develop research-informed community and home fall prevention and safety educational materials. An educational seminar was conducted that included a pre-survey, presentation of …

Flip For Function: Professional Development And Family Education Resources, Hayley E. Fuller

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Flip for Function, a therapeutic gymnastics program that promotes confidence, inclusion, and participation through adaptive athletics and child-led occupational therapy. The purpose of this project was to develop professional development and family education resources to enhance caregiver understanding, staff consistency, and community outreach. To address identified needs, a comprehensive parent- and school-friendly guidebook was created, including diagnosis-specific information (ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), explanations of how movement supports regulation and development, and strategies to support skill carryover into home and school environments. Additional deliverables included diagnosis-based handouts, activity …

Development Of A Cvi Early Learning Kit For Clients Of Blind Early Services Tennessee, Emma Ruggles

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization focused on providing early intervention services for children with visual impairments. BEST currently supports more than 300 families throughout Tennessee, utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach that includes Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), Orientation & Mobility (O&M) specialists, Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Developmental Therapists (DTs). This project focused on developing kits that offered educational resources for families while also providing materials designed to support early learning in children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Deliverables included a sensory processing guide with activity ideas, QR …

Promotion And Advocation For Naveg Integration In Nicu Practices To Advance Early Intervention Vision Health, Lily A. Simmons

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST), a nonprofit organization that provides early intervention services to children ages 0–5 with visual impairments and their families across the state. Serving more than 300 children and families in Tennessee, BEST offers early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The primary goal of this project was to promote and advocate for the implementation of an early identification screening tool, the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG), a validated, non-invasive newborn vision screening tool designed to identify neurological risk for …

Genetic Predispositions To Cancer: What Pediatricians Need To Know, Sarah Gubara, Nicole Wood

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Pediatric hematology/oncology physician Nikki Wood, DO, explains how pediatricians can recognize genetic cancer risk, refer to genetics appropriately, and support families through long‑term surveillance.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Iron-Based Nanoparticles As Delivery Tools, Keykavous Parang, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Ajoy Koomer, Victoria Moran, Lanie Jackson, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Iron-based nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanostructures (IONPs), have emerged as versatile and clinically relevant platforms for drug delivery and theranostic applications. Among these, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), including magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), are the most extensively investigated due to their biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, and established safety profiles. Their unique superparamagnetic behavior enables external magnetic-field-guided targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, and magnetically triggered hyperthermia, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. Surface functionalization with polymers, silica, lipids, peptides, and biomolecules further improves colloidal stability, circulation time, targeting specificity, and controlled drug …

Pharmacologic Interventions To Reduce Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Inflammation In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Wyatt Anderson

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1. Structured summary

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in cardiac surgery but can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative complications. The scoping review conducted has a purpose to map the existing literature on pharmacologic interventions to mitigate CPB related inflammation. While several interventions demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects, findings were inconsistent, and no standardized pharmacologic approach is currently agreed upon.

Methods

This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Both PubMed, and CINAHL were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated pharmacologic interventions aimed at reducing CPB related inflammation. After screening and duplicate removal, 10 studies met …

From Admission To Readiness: Evaluating School Admissions And Supporting Early Childhood Development At Middle Tennessee Christian School, Tessa B. Barto

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project evaluated the admissions criteria and processes at Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) to better support early childhood development and school readiness. Methods included reviewing current protocols, conducting stakeholder interviews, analyzing kindergarten-readiness trends, and comparing practices to evidence-based standards. Findings revealed variability in academic skills and highlighted social-emotional development, self-regulation, and functional independence as key areas of need. Results also emphasized the importance of a holistic admissions approach and strong family engagement in student success. In response, evidence-based recommendations were developed to enhance the admissions process. Additionally, the Early Learning Center (ELC) Classroom Support Strategies resource was created …

Developing Inclusive, Evidence-Based Curriculum And Educational Resources For Neurodiverse Learners, Cristina N. Cinca

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Wildflower Learning Center in Nolensville, Tennessee, a non-traditional educational program offering group academic classes within an inclusive and supportive learning environment for children with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, and neurotypical peers in grades 3–8. Wildflower Learning Center utilizes an interdisciplinary model that supports academic, social, language, and functional skill development through group-based instruction. The primary goal of this project was to develop an inclusive, evidence-based curriculum aimed at enhancing students’ interoceptive awareness through structured lesson plans, engaging activities, and supportive educational resources. A comprehensive 14-week brain class curriculum was created in both digital …

Life Skills Workshops For Young Adults With Histories Of Trauma At Crossroads Campus, Perrin G. Shuler

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Crossroads Campus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides career training in animal-related fields, offers affordable housing, and gives comprehensive support services to help young adults overcome housing and employment challenges. The purpose of this project was to address gaps in daily life skills among young adults with a history of trauma. Key outcomes included facilitating life skills workshops, developing a comprehensive workshop manual for future participants, and designing pre- and post-assessments to evaluate changes in life skills competency.

Exploring Illuminate Academy’S House Of Growth Framework: An Immersive Capstone Experience And Literature Review, Claire Grobe

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Illuminate Academy in Nashville, an educational program providing a homeschool-based alternative for children with autism and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this project was to address the agency’s need for improved understanding and communication of the House of Growth Framework among educators, families, and community partners. The primary goal of this project was to improve understanding and consistent use of the House of Growth Framework to support student engagement, regulation, and overall development. The project included a needs assessment, a comprehensive literature review, and immersive participation within the learning environment to …

Using An Administrative Lens To Facilitate Improvement Of Long-Term Acute Care Patient Outcomes Following The Continuum Of Care, Elizabeth M. Eisenga

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Select Specialty Hospital Nashville West, a local critical illness recovery hospital. Select Specialty Hospital Nashville West provides care to individuals with a range of diagnoses who require extended hospital stays, including those needing ventilator weaning. The overarching goal of this project was to improve patient outcomes using an administrative lens. To accomplish this goal, patient education materials were developed for clinical liaisons and other staff to help delineate patients' locations along the continuum of care. In addition, staff in services and a collection of resources on best practices were provided, with …

Advancing Caregiver Support In Community-Based Care: Advocacy, Resources, And Education Supporting Nicu Transition And Families With Complex Needs, Leah G. Rickard-Breeden

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in partnership with Nurses for Newborns (NFN), a nonprofit organization that is seeking to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Middle Tennessee through free, in-home nursing visits. They provide education, health assessments, and connections to community resources for prenatal and postpartum mothers and their infants; specifically, those facing medical, emotional, or social barriers. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive resource to support caregivers of infants through their transition from the NICU to home. A needs assessment revealed that families would benefit from additional support and resources to help bridge the …

Nutrition And Meal Preparation Programming And Development At E.L.I.'S House, Kara E. Nienhaus

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with E.L.I.’s House in Franklin, Tennessee. E.L.I.’s House is a nonprofit organization that exists to help women and their children thrive after trauma. The desired outcome of this project was to create programming to provide education and life skills training to participants, and to develop manageable systems for grocery shopping and nutrition in the site handbook. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as meal preparation, nutrition management, cognitive flexibility, and task sequencing. The project involved creating a house recipe book with balanced meals, accessible information on basic nutritional needs for adults …

Flip For Function: Strengthening School Participation And Parent Understanding, Ashley Caceres

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that integrates occupational therapy principles to support children with and without developmental differences. The purpose of this project was to support program growth through improved school collaboration, program evaluation, and community awareness. A literature review was conducted to examine the impact of movement-based and adaptive programming on participation and school-related outcomes for children with and without disabilities. Based on these findings, several resources were developed, including pre–post outcome measures, a caregiver survey, a student take-home flyer, and a school partnership implementation guide. These tools …

Promoting Optimal Bowel And Bladder Function Through Diet And Fluid Education At Bridges For Parkinson's, Emma R. Floum

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Bridges for Parkinson’s, RockSteady Boxing, a local nonprofit organization offering group fitness classes for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders in Nashville and surrounding areas. The goal of this project was to educate individuals and their caregivers on the optimization of healthy bowel and bladder function, specifically in the Parkinson’s Disease population. Participants and their caregivers were given the opportunity to attend an educational seminar, including receiving an informational pamphlet. Pre and posttest survey ratings suggested that the participants’ knowledge about the topic increased. The educational pamphlet was also …

Promoting Emotional Regulation And Rest For The Parkinson's Disease Population At Bridges For Parkinson's, Charlotte Palmer

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with Bridges for Parkinson’s, a local nonprofit offering specialized exercise programs for those living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. The goal of this project was to develop educational resources to provide participants and care partners with practical strategies for managing sleep and emotional changes. An inservice, including handouts, was provided focusing on practical emotional regulation and sleep strategies to use during and outside of boxing classes. These resources were designed to be sustainable for agency staff and future participants. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge of the effects of Parkinson’s disease on emotional …

Flip For Function Professional Development Workshop Curriculum & Staff Education Resource, Danielle R. Olsen

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Flip for Function, an adaptive gymnastics program that promotes confidence, participation, and inclusion for children with diverse developmental needs. A needs assessment identified a gap in consistent, evidence-informed training resources to support instructors in understanding how various diagnoses impact movement, regulation, sensory processing, and participation. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive professional development guidebook and staff training resource grounded in occupational therapy principles. Deliverables included diagnosis-specific content (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences), activity adaptations, coaching strategies, and family education handouts to support home …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …

Be Trauma Informed: A Pilot Evaluation Of A Podcast Intervention To Improve Trauma-Informed Care Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Among Pediatric Critical Care Nurses, Elizabeth Devries

Dissertations (1934 -)

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is integral to pediatric critical care (PCC) but accessible, scalable education is limited. This mixed-methods pilot study developed and evaluated Be Trauma Informed, a two-episode podcast educational series designed to increase PCC nurses’ TIC knowledge, attitudes, and trauma-informed practices while also assessing implementation outcomes of feasibility, necessity, acceptability, fidelity, safety, and beginning effectiveness. The curriculum for the podcast series was developed by the primary investigator with stakeholder input from PCC and TIC experts. The podcast was professionally produced, and episodes were distributed on major podcast platforms. Using purposive convenience sampling, PCC nurses within the United States completed …

Mapping The Evidence On The Maternal–Fetal Triage Index (Mfti): A Scoping Review, Taylor Harris, Kelsey Downie, Margaret Harvey Phd, Aprn, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Fhrs

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Maternal morbidity and mortality remain persistent challenges in the United States, with obstetric triage serving as a critical point of entry for timely recognition and management of high-acuity maternal-fetal conditions. Despite recommendations for acuity-based triage models, many obstetric units continue to rely on non-specific emergency triage tools, such as the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), which inadequately account for pregnancy-specific physiological changes and fetal status. To address these limitations, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses developed the Maternal-Fetal Triage Index (MFTI), a five-level obstetric-specific triage tool. Although the MFTI has been increasingly adopted in clinical practice, the …

Pain Into Purpose Through Reboot Recovery, Kristin R. Barnes

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with REBOOT Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma healing through faith-based, peer-led courses. The purpose of this project was to develop a qualitative survey methodology to evaluate and analyze issues/successes that arise for participants and leaders of the 12-week courses. Additionally, educational content was developed for the justice impacted/justice involved communities on how to rebuild relationships post incarceration and how to stay connected during incarceration. To obtain more information and data on the experience of previous leaders of REBOOT courses and potentially how to improve their experience, a survey was …

Expanding Maternal Support Beyond The Studio: Implementation Of A Postpartum Email Series And Community Open House Initiative, Madison Campbell

OTD Capstone Projects

The transition to motherhood presents significant physical, emotional, and occupational challenges, with many postpartum individuals experiencing unmet needs related to mental health, role adjustment, and access to supportive resources. This capstone project, completed at Nurture Nashville Yoga, aimed to expand maternal support through the development of a four-week postpartum email education series and the implementation of a community maternal wellness open house. A needs assessment identified priorities including normalization of postpartum experiences, emotional regulation, confidence in daily routines and infant care, and access to community resources. In response, an evidence-informed email series was created to provide education on postpartum recovery, …

Promoting Occupational Skills For Safe And Independent Aging, Alandry Vise

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with BrightStone, a nonprofit organization in Franklin, Tennessee, that provides vocational, social, and residential programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this project was to address the increasing needs of the organization’s aging student population by promoting safety, independence, and occupational engagement across day and residential settings. A needs assessment guided the development and implementation of an 8-week educational curriculum addressing aging-related topics, including physical changes, nutrition, mental health, cognitive changes, fall prevention, home safety, and healthy routines. Additional deliverables included staff training to support long-term sustainability of aging-related …

Program Development To Support Executive Functioning Skills For Adults With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Madison M. Wasylewski

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on the development and implementation of adult education integrating occupational therapy principles to support executive functioning skills in adults with Down syndrome at GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville. Executive functioning skills learned include planning, organization, attention, and problem-solving which are essential for independent living but are often areas of challenge for this population.

The project involved designing and delivering a 12-week curriculum for the GiGi U program along with encouraged participation in career readiness, life skills, and individualized tutoring sessions. Interventions emphasized self-advocacy, communication, time management, and daily living skills through interactive, real-world activities.

Outcomes included increased participant …

Program Development In Special Needs Ministry For Individuals With Disabilities, Kasey Sobek

OTD Capstone Projects

The Embrace Ministry is a special-needs ministry at Brentwood Baptist that serves individuals of all ages, creating a safe and supportive environment to meet the unique needs of individuals and families impacted by disability. This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Embrace, with the shared objective of developing targeted curriculum and training to enhance participation and engagement in the day program and ministry service settings. This project addressed the identified need for enhanced volunteer and staff training curriculum, as well as day program curriculum development and evidence-informed strategies to address diverse sensory, behavioral, and functional needs. Key outcomes …

Supporting Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Through Parent–Child Movement And Sensory Play, Meris Gilliam

OTD Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone was to develop a parent–child movement and sensory play program for Nurture Nashville, a local yoga and wellness studio focused on promoting holistic well-being and community connection. The program consisted of a four-week movement and music-based class for preschool-aged children and their caregivers, designed to support self-regulation, motor development, and social interaction through play-based activities. The program also emphasized caregiver education to promote co-regulation strategies and strengthen parent–child connection beyond the class setting.

Empowering Dancers At Move Inclusive Dance, Matthew Gunn

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Franklin and Bellevue, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create video content for both internal and external audiences, as well as spread the mission and vision of the agency to surrounding areas of Nasvhille. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as play, work, education, and social participation. Projects were created with sustainable content to promote the longevity of use within the agency. De-escalation strategies …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Skills Training Class For High School Students, Jared T. Izumi, Bethany Walczak, Jamie K. Elizalde, Matthew Hayes

Education Faculty Articles and Research

School mental health issues have become an increasingly important issue for our youth. Schools are a vital resource for providing prevention-based services to students. This study evaluated a pilot implementation of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) based skills intervention in a single high school in the Midwest. The sample included a convenience sample of 39 students from three different teachers across three trimesters. Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, DBT skill use, dysfunctional coping, fidelity, and intervention attendance information were collected. We used a hybrid fixed effects/multi-level model to evaluate the effects of the intervention (McNeish, 2023). Students increased their use …

Construction And Characterization Of Novel Mycobacterium Tuberculosis-Derived Triple And Quadruple Knockout Vaccines Against Tuberculosis, Omar Garnica, Raja Veerapandian, Kishore Das, Abhishek Mishra, Varsha Rawat, Areanna Carmona, Vivek Chauhan, Rakesh Kumar, Jessica Chacon, Shrikanth S. Gadad, Subramanian Dhandayuthapani

School of Medicine Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease that claims the lives of over a million people each year worldwide. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine has long been used to protect against TB, but it produces variable effects across different populations and fails to protect against adult pulmonary TB. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative vaccines that can offer better protection. We have developed a strategy for the rational deletion of virulence-related genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to create hyperattenuation that also enhances immunogenicity. Previously, we generated both single (∆fbpA) and double knockout (DKO) (∆fbpA-∆sapM) mutants of …