Other Medical Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Impact Of Telemedicine-Based Medication Education On Glycemic Control In Adult Male Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Megan N. Calter

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Veterans experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (20.5% vs 11.6% nationally), driven by military-related factors such as PTSD, deployment-related obesity, and service-connected disabilities. At a large urban primary care clinic, 28% (40/141) of veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus had persistently elevated HbA1c levels of ≥8%, indicating a high risk for diabetes-related complications. This quality improvement project aimed to reduce the proportion of veterans with HbA1c of ≥8% by implementing tailored telemedicine-based medication education, leveraging underutilized virtual care infrastructure to address access barriers and improve diabetes self-management. Participants received two 30-minute telemedicine medication and disease management education …

The Science Of Sound: Studying The Cognitive, Emotional, And Physiological Effects Of Frequency, Genre, And Music, Jett Yarborough

Senior Honors Theses

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. …

A Retrospective Data Analysis Of Factors Contributing To Surgical Patients Not Achieving Normothermia, Joseph P. O'Rourke Jr, Megan Casselberry

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Manuscripts

Postoperative hypothermia, defined as a core temperature below 36°C, is a prevalent and underrecognized complication in surgical settings, contributing to increased patient morbidity, prolonged recovery, and higher healthcare costs. This program evaluation project aimed to identify and address factors contributing to intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia by retrospectively analyzing patient records from a local hospital’s EPIC electronic health record system. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Program Evaluation Model, the project systematically reviewed perioperative temperature management protocols and warming interventions across diverse surgical specialties. Data extraction and analysis focused on patient demographics, procedural variables, …

Commencement Program 2025, Loma Linda University

Commencement Programs

CONTENTS

2 | Message from the President

3 | 2025 Events of Commencement

5 | The Academic Procession

6 | Institutional Administration

7 | Board of Trustees

8 | Significance of Academic Regalia

9 | University History Highlights

11 | Criteria for Institutional Awards

13 | Loma Linda University Health and Loma Linda University Honorees

The Programs, The School Honorees, and The Speakers

29 | School of Medicine

50 | School of Pharmacy

63 | School of Dentistry

81 | School of Public Health

94 | San Manuel Gateway College

101 | School of Allied Health Professions - Allied Health …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

The Impact Of State-Mandated Certification Of Surgical Technologists On Surgical Site Infection Rates: Evaluating Policy, Practice, And Patient Outcomes, Katherine E. Geiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract

Chairperson: Matthew Schertz, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Morgen J Alwell, Ph.D.

Committee Member: Jill Davis, M.Ed.

As a surgical technology instructor, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that certified surgical technologists (CSTs) have on patient safety, particularly in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). This professional paper investigates the relationship between state-mandated certification of surgical technologists and SSI rates, with a focus on how standardized education and credentialing influence clinical outcomes. SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical environments, contributing to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and greater healthcare costs. The research presented here examines certification requirements across various …

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Haley Lynne Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Haley Lynne Johnson, BSN, RN

Background: Stroke and brain injuries remain among the leading causes of mortality in the United States, accounting for 162,890 deaths in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Although frequent neurological assessments are essential for monitoring patient status, limited evidence supports the prolonged use of hourly neuro-checks (LaBuzetta et al., 2022). Excessive neuro-check frequency has been linked to sleep deprivation, an increased risk of delirium, and inefficient resource utilization (Kishore et al., 2021).

Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of …

Application Of Lymphedema Education Toolkit For Nurse Coordinators, Julian K. Miranda

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: There is approximately one in five breast cancer survivors affected by breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a potentially debilitating condition affecting the physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being of individuals. Context: This Quality Improvement (QI) project was conducted at an outpatient facility of Hospital X’s Women’s Cancer Center. Within this microsystem, there are 24 permanent clinical nurse coordinators and advanced practice providers, with 15 nurse coordinators dedicated to care for patients with breast cancer or gynecological conditions. Intervention: The intervention aims to evaluate if a standardized educational tool improves early interventions for patients with lymphedema and knowledge among healthcare providers …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

Utilization Of Wellness Practices For Burnout And Stress During Covid-19 Among An Interdisciplinary Cohort Of Emergency Healthcare Workers, Michael J. Zdradzinski, Sheri-Ann O. Kaltiso, Roslyn Seitz, Timothy P. Moran, Jennifer Clements, Sheryl L. Heron, Michelle D. Lall

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) introduced additional stress to the baseline occupational stressors of emergency care workers. The objectives of this study were to evaluate perceived stress and burnout and the utilization and perceived benefit of wellness practices among emergency healthcare workers (EHCWs), including: emergency physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), nurses, and departmental administrative staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional 28-item electronic survey of EHCWs at three hospitals in a major United States city was used to measure participants’ utilization and perceived benefit of wellness practices, burnout (2-item measure), overall stress (perceived stress scale), and stress …

Mental Health Navigators Bridging The Gap Of Care, Valentina Loreto-Ashley

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Individuals with schizophrenia are most vulnerable at time of discharge due to risk factors that lead to relapse, re-admission, suicide and/or danger to others. A successful discharge process can decrease overall care costs, promotes team collaboration, supports the therapeutic relationship between client and care provider, and helps the client to reach autonomy and self-efficacy. This DNP is a quality improvement project that aims at educating Mental Health Navigators about symptoms of schizophrenia, medications management, and community resources. Effectiveness of the educational intervention will be assessed as the differences between the pre- and post-test assessment score on insight or lack of …

Center Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes Associated With Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study, Haley Williams, Kayla Woodworth

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary, multifaceted program for cardiac patients. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, health care, including center-based CR (CBCR) programs, were closed to in-person sessions. Even with the return to CBCR participation, patient outcomes may have been affected by this disruption in care. The goal of this study was to determine if CR participation outcomes differed before and after CBCR program closure due to Covid-19.

Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort design was used to examine CR participant outcome data before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Convenience sampling of CR participants at a large, urban …

Support Their Sleep: Enhancing Nurses' Knowledge And Implementation Of Non-Pharmacological Sleep Protocols To Improve Patient Rest, Recovery, And Reduce Cognitive Impairment., David C. Barry

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Sleep and rest play an influential role in promoting recovery and healing in humans. Hospitalized patients are at risk for altered sleep from hospitalization, illness, and stimulation from a hospital environment. Non-pharmacologic interventions preformed by nurses can help to improve sleep and sleep environment for patients.

Local problem: There was no protocol or available information regarding patient sleep promotion for nurses to references when caring for patients.

Methods: Nurses in the microsystem (n=8) were administered a pre/post questionnaire containing Likert scales and a short quiz containing knowledge-based questions. Questionnaires were distributed to nurses prior to and after …

Estimulación Cognitiva Y De La Actividad Fisica En La Persona Mayor - Una Experiencia Desde La Práctica, Maria Victoria Rojas Martinez, Adriana Hernandez Bustos, Blanca Gregoria Melo Melo

Ciencias de la Salud

El trabajar con la persona mayor que presenta limitación física o mental, lleva a la aparición de grandes retos para el estudiante y futuro profesional de enfermería, más aún cuando el campo de acción es el hogar, porque el cuidado será compartido entre la persona, el cuidador o grupo familiar, dentro de su propio espacio, por lo tanto, se convierte en una intervención individual con el uso de recursos propios y generalmente con la participación directa del cuidador o acompañante. Para el cuidado en el hogar el autocuidado es base fundamental para el cumplimiento de metas en la salud de …

Children’S Experiences Of Hospitalization Over Time: An Evaluation Of Using Poetry And Creative Writing By Children To Assess Their Experiences Of Hospitalization, David Wood

Patient Experience Journal

This article explores children’s experiences of hospital admissions through their poetry and creative writing and assesses the validity of this medium compared to other methods of evaluation. Pediatric patient experiences of hospital and their effects on children have been studied in various ways and there have been stepwise changes throughout the past century, matching the overall changes of medical care from paternalistic to patient centered. 17 poems were analyzed from children aged 6-13 years old (median 10) for recurrent themes whilst admitted to a large tertiary hospital in the north of England. Children frequently wrote about attacks on their senses, …

Evaluation Of A Process Change Using An Updated Sedation Protocol, Rachel Allen

Dissertations

Problem: Pediatric delirium is continuing to increase intensive care environments and for patients who require mechanical ventilation and continuous sedative medications. Delirium is harmful to the patient creating lasting neurologic and mental health issues along with prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare cost

Method: For this quality improvement (QI) project, a descriptive observational study was used to evaluate the implementation of a sedation protocol for patients who are mechanically ventilated and on continuous sedative medications. This was completed with the use of retrospective chart reviews three months prior to implementation and three months after the new protocol was implemented. Nurses were …

Safety Measures In The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: An Organizational Assessment, Tina Yates

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Long-term video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) is an elective procedure and generally safe. Clinical experts determined the EMU protocols at a level-4 comprehensive epilepsy center were not followed correctly. The project is a retrospective chart audit incorporating Ray’s Bureaucratic Caring theoretical framework with Donabedian’s conceptual model. The project objective is to evaluate if safety measures protocols are implemented appropriately in the EMU and determine whether a need exists for quality improvements.

The project reviewed patients admitted to the EMU from September 2021 through November 2021 who developed a generalized tonic clonic (GTCs) seizure with electrographic epileptiform …

Increasing Awareness Of Personal Harm Reduction Interventions In The Clinical Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Shawn Theberge

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

The ever-rising concern for safety in the healthcare setting has become increasingly prevalent and levels of hostility and violence more publicly visible. Over the last decade both patients and clinicians have been targeted in healthcare facilities at record levels. These incidents have created an environment of not only risk but increased anxiety and feelings of uncertainty for most clinical personnel. The study will initially measure clinician’s viewpoint of the clinical setting that they work in; and over the span of the project, track and evaluate the effects of the interventions on clinicians’ overall feelings and perceptions. The expected outcome …

Auto- Ethnography With A Deep Dive Into Changes Mental Health During The Pandemic And A Look Into The Way The Pandemic Has Shaped Nursing Protocols For Recent Nursing College Graduates, Audrey Shaffer, Sarah Bereznay

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this project we completed a deep dive into how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped our mental health and has affected our preparation for careers as registered nurses through a series of auto- ethnographic narrative journals using scholarly articles to support this idea. By utilizing personal narratives, we analyzed and reflected upon the cognitive and mental changes we experienced throughout this pandemic. We fulfilled this by comprising two personal narratives with inquiries pertaining to each shared narrative by utilizing the common themes of being nursing students and living through a pandemic. Within these personal narratives, we discussed how the pandemic influenced …

Dnp Final Report: Breaking The Cycle: Care Coordination Interventions And Sickle Cell Readmissions, Naphtali Edge

DNP Final Reports

Background

Approximately 100,000 people in the United States are affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Sickle Cell Disease represents the second highest readmitting diagnosis at Houston Methodist Hospital. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of implementing care coordination interventions to reduce hospital readmissions of patients with SCD.

PICOT

In adult patients with SCD in the acute care hospital setting, how does care coordination intervention compared to no care coordination intervention affect the readmission rate for patients with SCD over a 3 – 6-month period?

Body of Evidence

Eleven studies were critical appraised and included in the …

Use Of Ecomaps In Qualitative Health Research, Veena Manja, Ananya Nrusimha, Harriet Macmillan, Lisa Schwartz Dr, Susan Jack

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative health research plays a central role in exploring individuals’ experiences and perceptions of wellness, illness, and healthcare services. Visual tools are increasingly used for data elicitation. An ecomap is a visual tool that applies ecosystems theory to human communities and relationships to provide an illustration of the quality of relationships. We describe the use of ecomaps in qualitative health research. Searches across eight databases identified 407 citations. We screened them in duplicate to identify 129 publications that underwent full text review and included 73 in the final synthesis. We classified and summarized data based on iterative comparisons across sources. …

Apneic Oxygenation: An Adjunctive Therapy For Laryngoscopy During Anesthesia Induction, Yaro Hoffman

Doctoral Projects

Endotracheal intubation is an essential component within the skill set of anesthesia providers. Rapid arterial desaturation remains a primary risk factor during laryngoscopy and intubation. The risk for hypoxemia exists because during endotracheal intubation, patients are apneic or hypo-ventilating (Wong et al., 2017). Apneic oxygenation (AO) has been advocated to attenuate hypoxemia during endotracheal intubation (Pavlov et al., 2017).

The aim of this project was to assess for any knowledge deficits regarding AO among anesthesia providers and assess the willingness of these providers to include AO into their current practice. The project investigator conducted an education session involving the …

Chronic Pain, Sleep Disruption, And Work Performance In The Military, Jeffrey Ransom

Dissertations

Abstract

Background and Significance: Managing pain is a challenge for many organizations, including the U.S. military. The added complication of managing sleep disruption compounds the issue. Examining pain and sleep disruption in the context of work performance within the military is critical to understanding the impact of these conditions on our nation’s fighting forces.

Purpose: Examine the associations of chronic pain and sleep disruption in the context of work performance among active duty military service members.

Research Aims: 1) Describe sociodemographic characteristics, military service characteristics, clinical characteristics, and work performance of active duty service members, 2) Examine relationships between these …

A Protocol Driven Stroke Code's Impact On Door-To-Needle Times, Jesse Osborne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is most effective the faster it is able to be administered to a patient that has been affected by stroke. A Stroke Code is a strategy that acute care facilities implement to reduce the time from diagnosing a stroke to administering tPA. The purpose of this study was to determine if the initiation of a Stroke Code in an acute care hospital reduces the door-to-needle time for patients affected by a stroke. In particular, does a Stroke Code reduce door-to-needle times. The research was conducted using data from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (pre-Stroke …

Implementing Inter-Professional Patient-Family Centered Plan Of Care Meetings On An Inpatient Hospital Unit, Nicolas Hernandez, Alice Fornari, Sage Rose, Leanne Tortez

Patient Experience Journal

Inpatient plan of care meetings support efforts to encourage collaborative practice and patient-family centered care and result in an effective strategy to enhance communication and patient satisfaction. Clinical team members participated in patient/family centered plan of care meetings at a community hospital in a selected inpatient unit with full time hospitalist physicians. Quantitative data were gathered pre/post implementation from the external Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers (HCAHPS) survey. HCAHPS data were collected independently, specifically for questions related to communication between patients, family members/guardians and the medical team and also the effects of care transition. There was a slow …

Three Speeds Of Yoga And The Effects On Salivary Cortisol Levels In Female Nursing Students, Meagan Hennekens

All NMU Master's Theses

Purpose: Nursing students are prone to stress-related diseases, such as depression and anxiety, which are associated with chronically elevated cortisol levels due to the excessive firing of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis. This study assessed three speeds of yoga and how they acutely affected salivary cortisol levels within female nursing students. Methods: Students participated in three yoga sessions cadenced at different speeds in a non-randomized order: (i) standard-speed yoga (SSY), (ii) high-speed yoga (HSY), and (iii) slow-speed yoga (SLSY). Each class integrated sequencing concepts from the brahmana/langhana strategy (BLS) and the Para Yoga Blueprint (PYB). Cortisol samples were …

The Effects Of Emerging Technology On Healthcare And The Difficulties Of Integration, Skyler J. Pavlish-Carpenter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Disruptive technology describes technology that is significantly more advanced than previous iterations, such as: 3D printing, genetic manipulation, stem cell research, innovative surgical procedures, and computer-based charting software. These technologies often require extensive overhauls to implement into older systems and must overcome many difficult financial and societal complications before they can be widely used. In a field like healthcare that makes frequent advancements, these difficulties can mean that the technology will not be utilized to its full potential or implemented at all.

Objective: To determine the inhibiting factors that prevent disruptive technology from being implemented in conventional healthcare.

Methods: …

Effects Of Energy-Based Therapies On Postoperative Recovery: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Emily M. Wooten

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Associated with health care reform, there has been a growing interest among healthcare professionals regarding use of energy-based therapies as a complementary therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine the impact of energy-based therapies (i.e. healing touch, reiki, therapeutic touch) on patients’ postoperative recovery. The methodology included identifying appropriate peer-reviewed, English-language research articles on the topic area that were published between 2006 to 2018. Following a search in select data bases, articles focusing on the topic were critiqued, analyzed and synthesized by the researcher. Consistent and inconsistent findings along with gaps in the literature are …

Gadgets And Grieving: A Chronological Analysis On The Ways In Which Advancements In Medical Technologies Have Altered The Grieving Process, Grace Mcnair

Dialogue & Nexus

Since the 1940s, both end-of-life care and advancements in medical technologies have expanded exponentially. This article explores the advancements in medical technologies and how these have altered the way that Western society grieves death. With the capabilities to prolong life, the family, the patient, and the medical team, all grieve the end of life in different ways. This article provides a chronological analysis of palliative care, hospice care, and various medical advancements. These changes in medicine are then paralleled with alterations in the bereavement process. This article explores historical narratives of Western society’s transformation of grief through the lens of …

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: Comparison Of Educational Interventions To Educate Parents Of Children Hospitalized In The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit At St. Louis Children’S Hospital, Stephanie A. Esses

Dissertations

Background: Family members of children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) can develop cognitive, psychological, and physical manifestations of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Targeted education to help parents/caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of PICS may result in better awareness of the syndrome and greater willingness to seek and receive support during their child’s PICU admission.

Objective: to evaluate three targeted PICS educational interventions to increase PICS awareness among parents/caregivers in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) PICU.

Results: A total of 62 parents/caregivers received one of three educational interventions: informational brochures (n=22), scripted informational conversation (n=20), or …