Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Comparative Effectiveness Of Radiofrequency Or Microwave Ablation And Chemotherapy For The Treatment Of Large (>5 Cm) Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumors, Artem Boyev, Nirav Thosani, Putao Cen, Jennifer M Bailey-Lundberg, Julie Rowe, Curtis J Wray

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and objectives

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) >5 cm is problematic, as patients are often outside transplantation criteria, and cirrhosis compromises curative resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate survival following treatment with ablation compared to chemotherapy in large HCC.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) Participant User File from 2004 to 2017. Patients with HCC >5 cm in diameter treated with ablation versus chemotherapy alone were compared. Inverse probability-weighted propensity scores were used to model treatment assignments in the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

A total of 14,783 HCC …

Prkg1 Pathogenic Variants Cause Thoracic Aortic Dissection With Minimal Aortic Dilation: Insights From The Uthealth Houston Multidisciplinary Aortic And Vascular Disease Conference, Ali Askari, Jennifer R Landes, Alana Cecchi, Cihan Duran, Bihong Zhao, Gustavo S Oderich, L Maximilian Buja, Dianna M Milewicz, Anthony L Estrera, Rana O Afifi, Siddharth K Prakash

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A single, recurrent, gain-of-function pathogenic variant in PRKG1 (p.Arg177Gln, also referred to as p.Arg192Gln) causes heritable thoracic aortic disease with a high lifetime risk for aortic dissections that frequently occur before there is enlargement of the proximal thoracic aorta. This report summarizes the clinical manifestations of the PRKG1 pathogenic variant in two unrelated families, including early-onset type A dissection, chronic thoracoabdominal dissection with visceral complications, and elective aortic repair of the proximal aorta with minimal enlargement. In both families, multiple individuals experienced acute dissections at young ages that led to five fatalities. These cases illustrate the early onset of manifestations …

Une Com Spring Research Bulletin May 2026, Une Com Research & Scholarship

Osteopathic Student Research Symposia

Bulletin including abstracts from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 2026 inaugural Spring Research Update and Lightning Talk event.

Rearfoot Realignment As A Prophylactic Strategy For Recurrent Lateral Column Ulcers In Diabetic Foot: A Case-Based Hypothesis, Christopher I. Anjorin Ms Dpmc, Ali-Abdul Kareem Dpm

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Lateral column ulcerations remain a persistent and complex challenge in diabetic foot management. Although procedures such as tailor’s bunionectomy may provide localized pressure relief, they often fail to address the underlying biomechanical contributors, most notably rearfoot deformities such as calcaneal varus or pes cavovarus frequently observed in diabetic patients. These structural abnormalities shift the weight‑bearing axis laterally, increasing ground reaction forces along the fifth metatarsal and predisposing individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and impaired proprioception to recurrent ulceration. This case explores the hypothesis that prophylactic rearfoot realignment may offer superior long‑term outcomes by correcting the mechanical etiology of lateral column …

Vap Prevention By Improving Icu Oral Care, Chi Hao Su

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose 
To increase night-shift adult ICU nurse compliance with standardized oral care documentation by at least 20% as a core ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention process.
Background
VAP is a preventable healthcare-associated infection associated with increased morbidity, mortality, ICU length of stay, and costs. Oral-care documentation is often inconsistent because of competing priorities and workflow barriers.
Methodology
Guided by the Knowledge-to-Action framework, this QI project used three PDSA cycles after a September 2025 baseline in a 16-bed ICU. Interventions included 1:1 simulation, EPIC prompts, and bedside coaching; manual audits addressed EPIC misclassification. Trends and run charts analyzed 183 records; surveys assessed …

Association Of Higher Body Mass Index With Imaging Escalation And Operative Complexity In Pediatric Appendicitis, Ryan T. Davis, Sahithi Pemmasani, Margaret Menoch

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Obesity may complicate clinical assessment and ultrasound (US) evaluation in children with appendicitis, potentially increasing reliance on computed tomography (CT). At the same time, national pediatric quality-improvement initiatives and ALARA-driven imaging pathways emphasize reducing CT use and promoting US-first approaches. Data examining how body mass index (BMI) influences diagnostic pathways within these modern low-radiation protocols are limited.

Objective: To determine whether higher BMI is associated with greater CT utilization, escalation from US to CT, nondiagnostic US examinations, emergency department (ED) length of stay (ED-LOS), and operative duration in children with appendicitis.

Design/Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients < 18 years with surgically confirmed appendicitis presenting to a tertiary pediatric ED from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Consistent with prior dataset methodology, encounters were identified through structured EHR query using ICD-10 and CPT codes and restricted to unique first visits. A total of 2,275 children were included; BMI was available for 2,012 (88%). BMI was analyzed in quartiles. Imaging modality (US-only, CT-only, or CT after US) and operative duration (proxy for case complexity) were evaluated. χ² and Wilcoxon tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used. IRB approval was obtained (Corewell Health IRB No. 2024-128).

Results: …

Initial Results Of A Structured Coaching Program For Academic Promotion Preparation, Jacqueline Hill, Christine Sullivan, Tyler Smith, Margaret Gibson, Valerica Mateescu, Wendell K. Clarkston

Posters

Introduction: Applying for academic promotion can be a confusing and arduous process, often with little guidance to assure a successful experience, especially for junior faculty located at affiliate hospitals. Goals: We present initial results of a structured university mentorship program to prepare faculty to apply for academic promotion. Methods: Program was designed as a small working group of 5 structured sessions over a 9-month period where participants were coached by senior faculty from 3 university affiliate hospitals. Program culminated in the completion of an academic promotion application. Results: Since launch in 2019, we have completed 4 program cohorts and paused …

Library & Knowledge Services Newsletter - Spring 2026, Maria Roman

Library Newsletters

Library & Knowledge Services Newsletter - Spring 2026

Human Biology Group Project, Wroud Saleh

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Perceptions And Utilization Of Chiropractic Care In The General Population: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Megan Mcnamara

Honors Projects

Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a safe, holistic approach for managing musculoskeletal conditions, yet the profession continues to face longstanding skepticism and misunderstanding. Many individuals remain unsure about what chiropractors treat, a gap that may exist due to inaccurate social media content and bias among some medical providers, which can limit referrals and reduce patient access to appropriate care. To examine how the public perceives and utilizes chiropractic services, this study used a qualitative descriptive survey consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions across four domains: familiarity and exposure, perceptions and attitudes, trust and influencing factors, and utilization and future intentions. …

How I Do It: The Transtracheal Approach For Awake Cricopharyngeal Botulinum Toxin Injection, Andrew Tritter, Alexander Simko, Karim Asi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This transtracheal technique for cricopharyngeal botulinum toxin injection is a safe and effective option for chemodenervation of this muscle in the awake patient. Its advantages include reduced risk of toxin spread to intrinsic laryngeal muscles, the ability to administer higher doses of botulinum toxin, improved access to the entire length of the cricopharyngeus, and avoidance of general anesthesia.

Growth Failure And Early Recurrence In Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: An International Cohort Study, Rachel C Bordelon, Kylie I Holden, Charles C Miller, Ashley H Ebanks, Kevin P Lally, Matthew T Harting, Allison L Speer, Representing The Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The primary objective was to determine whether growth failure (GF) is associated with early recurrence in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The secondary objective was to characterize the prevalence and severity of GF in CDH survivors.

Background: GF is common among CDH survivors, yet it is unclear how growth challenges affect overall morbidity, including hernia recurrence. CDH-specific nutritional guidelines include high calorie and protein targets during periods of acute illness but may benefit from clarifying the relationship between growth and adverse outcomes in this population.

Methods: This multicenter cohort study retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from the CDH Study Group …

Associations Between Sociodemographic Predictors And Age Of Referral For Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) Diagnosis Since The Beginning Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mallika Mathur, Ruosha Li, Sandra Mckay, Christine Markham, Deepali K Ernest, Shreela Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Sociodemographic characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, are associated with delays in ASD diagnosis. However, limited literature has examined the characteristics associated with delayed diagnosis since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the individual and aggregate sociodemographic characteristics associated with the age at which a child receives a referral for a diagnosis (from March 2020 to May 2023) and evaluate the impacts of the pandemic on this association.

Methods: Using cross-sectional data obtained from patients' electronic health records and the U.S. Census Bureau, we examined associations using linear regressions (N = 507). A subgroup …

Interprofessional Perspective: Development Of The National Academies Of Practice Joint Health Literacy Position Statement, Teresa Wagner, Vincent Salyers, Bich Nguyen, Tanya Sudia, Kate Taylor, Devora R. Winkfield, Nancy Colletti, Felicia Chew, Sarah Manspeaker

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Dnp Final Report: An Evidence-Based Project To Decrease Stress In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Elaine Wallace

DNP Final Reports

Stress among undergraduate nursing students is a well-documented concern that negatively affects academic performance, clinical readiness, well-being, and program retention. Stress levels are often heightened before clinical skills check-offs, highlighting the need for practical, evidence-based interventions. This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project examined whether mindfulness-based mandala coloring could reduce perceived stress in undergraduate nursing students. Using the PICOT framework, the project evaluated whether undergraduate nursing students (P) who participated in mindfulness-based mandala coloring (I), compared with no intervention (C), experienced reduced perceived stress levels (O) over a 12-week implementation period (T).

A comprehensive search of the literature supported …

Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4 Group A Member 2 Induces A Warburg-Like Effect And Promotes Phospholipids Synthesis In The Mouse Heart, Sadia Ashraf, Dorcas Odogwu, David D Mcpherson, Romain Harmancey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Myocardial metabolic flexibility is critical to ensuring the heart's capacity to maintain contraction and cellular functions under rapidly evolving environmental conditions. Although it is a tightly regulated process, loss of metabolic flexibility is often regarded as a contributing factor to heart failure. This study aims to determine the effects of the early response transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 2 (NR4A2) on cardiac metabolism and the resulting impact on left ventricular function. A multiomics approach combining the analysis of global ventricular gene expression, genome-wide NR4A2 binding, and untargeted metabolomics was used to track the molecular effects of …

Aligning Clinical Documentation With Payer Requirements To Improve Wheelchair Access, Alexandria Morales

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The wheelchair acquisition process is complicated and requires an interdisciplinary team of Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP) and either Occupational Therapists (OT) or Physical Therapists (PT). Without a proper mobility device, many wheelchair users report frustration due to decreased participation in work, school, medical appointments, and social events. Improper documentation of specific wheelchair needs contributes to payment authorization denials, causing long delays in the approval process and the timeliness of patients receiving their devices. (Nancy R. Mudrick, April, 2025). According to the 2024 reporting period for Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), “insufficient documentation accounted for 79.7% of improper payments …

Wellness In Action: Implementation Of An Experiential Wellness Elective For Occupational Therapy Students, Heather Short

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Wellness In Action: Implementation of an Experiential Wellness Elective for Occupational Therapy Students

Graduate student mental health is a growing concern in higher education, highlighted by the student experience of high levels of stress, burnout, and declining well-being that impair academic and daily functioning (SenthilKumar et al.,2023; Bullock et al.,2017). Research highlights the need for proactive, holistic interventions that provide education and support skill development (Henrico, 2021; Van Oss et al., 2025). To address this need, this capstone project aimed to design, implement, and evaluate an experiential wellness elective for occupational therapy (OT) doctoral students within a graduate health professions …

Fostering Engagement In Healthy Lifestyle Choices: A Health Management Curriculum For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Gabriela Kay

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The older adult population continues to grow, necessitating intentional efforts to support health maintenance and independence within this group. Current literature emphasizes that healthy aging requires a multifaceted approach, including consistent engagement in a range of health-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop an educational and interactive program for community-dwelling older adults aimed at increasing knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices and promoting active participation in these behaviors. The overarching goal was to empower older adults to better manage their health and reduce the risk of functional decline and loss of independence.

A needs assessment was conducted …

Justice, Autonomy, Beneficence, And Non-Maleficence: The Global Failure To Heed Ethical Mandates In Birth Spaces, Julia Dees

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Respectful and safe care in all birthing spaces has long been an ideal that global communities fail to meet. Birthing people are disrespected, physically or emotionally harmed, or left to completely fend for themselves during a period of extreme emotional and medical vulnerability. Historically, autonomy especially has been ignored in birthing spaces with medical trends like the twilight sleep, where women were drugged into a state of unconsciousness during birth (Taylor, 2023), demonstrating the desire of western medicine, in particular, to reduce birthing people to bystanders in their own birth. While birth trends and medical treatments have changed throughout time, …

Advancing Health Equity In Women With Sci Through Ob/Gyn Provider Education, Nethra S. Ankam, Md, Amanda Parezo, Otd, Otr/L, Beth I. Schwartz, Md, Trisha Hicks, Lsw, Med

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Training Videos and Materials

Background

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience persistent disparities in reproductive healthcare access. OB-GYN providers often report limited training and discomfort in addressing these needs. These gaps contribute to inequitable care, reduced patient satisfaction, and missed opportunities for patient-centered care.

Purpose

To develop, implement, and disseminate an evidence-informed educational module aimed at improving OB-GYN provider knowledge, confidence, and clinical competence in delivering accessible, inclusive, and patient-centered reproductive healthcare for individuals with SCI.

Methods

• Community Advisory Board (CAB) engagement 
• Needs assessment survey (SCI population)
• Iterative module development
• Articulate Rise module creation
• Implementation across interdisciplinary providers

Results/Outcomes

Reach & Implementation

• 18 …

Optimizing Makeup Application Techniques For Women With Tenodesis: Adaptations And Ergonomic Solutions, Ashley J. Medina, Wendy Tremaine, Lee Ann Hoffman

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

To enhance independence in makeup application for women utilizing a tenodesis grasp, Ashley Medina, OTS, in collaboration with Able Faith, Inc., developed and presented a capstone poster outlining a targeted program of adaptive strategies and ergonomic solutions. This program was designed to address the unique functional challenges experienced by women with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) while promoting autonomy and confidence in daily self-care routines.

The experience objectives included: (1) identifying existing adaptive equipment that supports individuals with SCIs in completing makeup application tasks; (2) examining and understanding the roles of interdisciplinary team members working with individuals with SCI in comparison …

Safe (Stop-Ask-Feel Empowered), Heather Smith, Allie Dunlap, Madi Rabideaux, Sonia Cardeiro

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The SAFE (Stop–Ask–Feel Empowered) initiative strengthens patient safety by increasing bedside nurses’ confidence and consistency in questioning provider orders and clinical decisions. Hierarchical culture, fear of negative reactions, and low confidence often prevent nurses from seeking clarification, increasing the risk of preventable errors. SAFE directly addresses these barriers by embedding structured inquiry into daily nursing practice. 

Guided by Lewin’s Change Theory, SAFE will be implemented over six months. All unit nurses will receive standardized SAFE badge cards that provide clear, formatted prompts to support respectful, effective communication with the interdisciplinary team. These badge cards serve as a practical, visible reminder …

Peri-Op Protect: A Unified Pre-Op To Pacu Medication Reconciliation System, Tyler G. Van Note, Ariana Amalia Anast, Samantha Ashley Steiner, Tara Gilbert

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Peri-Op Protect: A Unified Pre-Op to PACU Medication Reconciliation System

Peri-Op Protect is a nurse-led change initiative designed to improve medication safety and communication during surgical patient transitions from pre-operative care through the operating room and into the post-anesthesia care unit at a local hospital. Transitions of care are among the most vulnerable moments in the surgical process, as critical medication information – including home medications, last doses, allergies, intraoperative medications, and pain management plans – must be accurately communicated across multiple teams. Communication breakdowns are a leading contributor to adverse events in healthcare, and inconsistent medication handoff processes can …

Free Money And Safer Patients, Kaitlyn R. Livingston, Kennedy G. Crites, Jazmine Razo, Erin Radigan, Kennedy Crites

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This quality improvement project aims to improve consistency of nurse compliance with daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in a local oncology unit to reduce the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI’s). CLABSI’s remain a preventable source of patient morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, delayed cancer treatment, and increased healthcare costs, particularly among immunocompromised oncology patients who frequently require central venous access. Evidence supports daily CHG bathing as an effective infection prevention intervention; however, inconsistent completion and documentation across day and night shifts limit reliability in practice. This project addresses both documentation accuracy and actual bathing completion to ensure care consistency. Implementation …

April 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program
• State Immunization Websites
• Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S.
• FDA to Address Unused Opioids in American Homes
• Immune cells may underlie sex differences in chronic pain
• STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

Wright State University's Celebration Of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities From Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Wright State University

Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

The student abstract booklet is a compilation of abstracts from students' oral and poster presentations at Wright State University's Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities on April 1, 2026.

Navigating End-Of-Life Decisions: Cultural Considerations For Latine Patients, Michelle Carbajal Hernandez

Honors Capstones

Healthcare professionals face many challenges when communicating terminal illness prognoses for individuals. This responsibility to address a terminal prognosis is further complicated when communicating with Latine patients who may face multiple barriers within the healthcare system and whose cultural preferences influence end-of-life care planning (Carrion, 2010). For example, Latines are less likely to enroll in end-of-life (EOL) care services (e.g., hospice) (Barragan-Carrillo et al., 2022). As well as engage in end-of-life care planning than White Non-Latines (Shen et al., 2016). To understand this hesitancy towards EOL care options, this literature review aims to explore how terminally ill Latine and …

Heroes Of Medicine In The Rio Grande Valley: Documentary Interview With Dr. Nelson Mata, Nelson Mata, Aidan Mata

Heroes of Medicine in the Rio Grande Valley

Dr. Nelson Mata is a physician who has conducted his practice of internal medicine for 32 years. He has always been fascinated by biology, and when he was only 10 years old, he asked for a microscope for Christmas. Raised in a family of three physicians, he got to see firsthand what it means to help others. Originally living in Dominican Republic where he studied medicine, he went to fulfill his residency program in New York. Later, he began his practice here in the Rio Grande Valley where doctors who could speak Spanish were needed. He saw it as an …

Start With What They Know: Using Motivational Interviewing To Create A Cooking Class, A Culinary Intervention For Teens (Autistic And Non-Autistic), Gwendolyn S. Tedder

LEND Trainee Presentations

Autistic teens are at greater risk for having heart disease and diabetes as adults. Food particularity, sensory issues, fixed mindset, and anxiety over trying new things can slow down their interest in preparing food for themselves. Nurturing basic cooking skills and gently encouraging trying new foods would provide more nutritional options to teens as they move into adulthood. A cooking class preceded by Motivational Interviewing (MI) developed further interest in preparing food afterward in teens, both autistic and non-autistic, and in trying new foods for autistic teens with food concerns.