Other Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Uncharacteristic Case Presentation Of Functional Vision Disorder, Ramandeep Kaur Od, Theresa Zerilli-Zavgorodni Od, Nancy Shenouda-Awad Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Functional Vision Disorder (FVD), also commonly referred to as functional vision loss (FVL) or non-organic vision loss (NOVL), is defined as a visual acuity (VA) loss and/or visual field (VF) loss, without any identifiable ocular or cortical pathology. Many clinicians look at FVD as a diagnosis of exclusion and while it is imperative to rule out organic pathology, FVD diagnosis must be supported by clinical findings that prove normal visual function. Incorporating supplementary tests specific for demonstrating the integrity of the visual system and the non-organic nature of the symptoms will allow clinicians to be more confident when diagnosing …

A Case Report Of Vitreopapillary Traction Mistaken For Optic Disc Edema, Breyne Middleton Od, Drew Anderson Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Traction of the optic disc occurs during incomplete detachment of the posterior vitreous from the peripapillary glial tissue. It can sometimes cause the appearance of disc edema and bilateral cases can be confused with papilledema or cause patients to be worked up for pseudotumor cerebri.

Case Report: A patient presented with an outside diagnosis of unilateral optic disc edema and was found in fact to have vitreopapillary traction.

Conclusion: Costly, ultimately unnecessary testing such as magnetic resonance imaging can be sometimes avoided if vitreopapillary traction is considered as a differential for disc edema. It can be easily identified with …

A Space-Occupying Lesion Manifesting As Unilateral Optic Disc Edema, Len V. Koh Od, Phd, Anna Wells Od, Lindsay Jansen Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Primary and secondary orbital diseases can arise from different tissues in the periorbital regions as space-occupying lesion leading to ophthalmic symptoms. Therefore, eye care providers are often the first encounter for these patients.

Case report: A 54-year-old Caucasian male presented as a new patient at the eye clinic with an incidental finding of edema of the left optic disc. After a thorough optometric evaluation, a referral was made to a local ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist who confirmed a diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma by further neuroimaging. Surgical removal eventuated in resolution of disc edema with restoration of vision.

Conclusion: An insidious …

Marijuana And Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells, Denise A. Valenti Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Expanding the Box

Where Have All The Doctors Gone?, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Editorial

Training The Brain For Better Aging, Abby Martin

Honors Projects

Aging is associated with natural changes in brain function, but certain interventions can help sustain cognitive health and mitigate risks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This presentation explores the significance of brain fitness as a non-pharmacological approach to enhancing cognitive function. It covers the normal aging process of the brain, key indicators of abnormal aging, and the impact of Alzheimer’s disease, including genetic predispositions and current treatment limitations. Emphasis is placed on brain training exercises, such as puzzles, board games, video games, and nostalgia-based activities, which have been shown to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the role …

Exploring The Matriculation And Resource Utilization Of African American Students With Hidden Disabilities In The Health Sciences, Kimberly Houston

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction. Learning disabilities result from genetic and neurobiological factors that alter brain function, such that cognitive processes related to learning are affected. Hidden disabilities can be defined as a non-apparent chronic condition that interferes with a person’s activities of daily living. While learning disabilities may be hidden, there are non-learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, autism, depression, fibromyalgia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While all races/ethnic groups have persons within their population who are disabled, African Americans are at a double disadvantage due to race and disability status. Therefore, the intersectionality of race and disability status among African American students in …

Alumni Journal - Volume 96, Number 1, Loma Linda University School Of Medicine

Alumni Journal, School of Medicine

Editorials
2 | From the Editor
4 | From the President
6 | From the Dean

News
7 | This & That
10 | Alumni News
12 | School of Medicine News
14 | AIMS Report: Short-term Mission, Long-term Impact
16 | Student Appreciation
18 | Department Report: Preventative Medicine

APC 2025
20 | Annual Postgraduate Convention (APC) 2025 in Review

Features
34 | Building Connections
36 | Divine Connections
38 | Remembering Ath 'AT' Tuot
42 | Alumni Spotlight: Featuring Janet T. Strausbaugh '78-A
44 | Life After Medicine

In Memoriam
45 | Alumni Remembered: Featured Obituaries: David Tse …

Retracted Vs Non-Retracted Obstetrical Randomized Trials: Which Quality Criteria Are Most Associated With Retraction For Untrustworthiness?, Sarah Lawson, Georgios Doulaveris, Kathryn Anderson, Carrie Bennett, Vincenzo Berghella

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background

Randomized control trials (RCTs) are an essential pillar of scientific knowledge and medical practice, and their integrity has important implications for reliable systemic reviews and meta-analyses. However, the number of article retractions due to falsified data and scientific misconduct has increased in recent years. In response, the scientific community has pursued the creation of quality criteria that can be utilized to promote trustworthiness.

Methods

After a quality criteria checklist was created by a team of experts, retracted and nonretracted studies were evaluated for adherence to assess the checklist’s usefulness and identify potential pitfalls. Retracted studies published in obstetric literature …

Psychological Safety And Clinical Reasoning In Athletic Training And Physical Therapy Clinical Education: A Nationwide Survey Of Student Perception, Kelsey J. Robinson, Heather David, Beth Kinslow, Jennifer Austin

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Psychological safety contributes to effective learning environments in healthcare, where clinical experiences foster the development of clinical reasoning skills needed for accurate patient care decisions. Inadequate clinical reasoning skills may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate patient care decisions, resulting in poor outcomes and unnecessary costs. This study examines the effect of psychological safety on clinical reasoning within athletic training and physical therapy clinical experiences. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of psychological safety and clinical reasoning among Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Athletic Training students and recent graduates. Survey measures indicated good reliability (a = .83 and .85). …

Maximizing Dna Yield And Integrity From Limited Ffpe Tissue: A Breakthrough Approach For Advancing Cancer Genomics, Shweta Singh, Astrid Perez, Sierra Vidaurri, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Murali Mohan Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan, Sheema Khan

Research Symposium

Introduction: Archived FFPE tissue specimens are a valuable resource for advancing cancer-related health disparities research. Retrospectively collected tissues help minimize follow-up time and prevent delays in research progress. While kits for DNA purification from FFPE are readily available, challenges such as limited tissue in FFPE blocks lead to insufficient DNA yield, and suboptimal quality persists. In this article, we have optimized and standardized methods for purifying DNA with high yield and integrity, making it highly suitable for generating DNA libraries and conducting high-throughput sequencing, thereby enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of cancer genomics studies.

Materials and Methods: We employed two …

Unified Adaptive Cross-Attention Multimodal Network, Mahesh Sunuwar

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Accurately diagnosing appendicitis remains a significant challenge in emergency medicine due to its varied clinical presentation and overlap with other abdominal conditions. Existing diagnostic models often rely on unimodal data, such as computed tomography (CT) images or clinical notes, limiting their ability to capture the full complexity of patient information. This study proposes a novel multimodal framework, a Unified Adaptive Cross-Attention Multimodal Framework (u-ACM), that integrates CT images and clinical notes using hybrid fusion strategies to improve diagnostic accuracy for appendicitis. The u-ACM leverages adaptive contextual filtering to dynamically remove irrelevant features, crossattention mechanisms to align features between modalities, and …

False Narratives, Real Consequences, Russell W. Cantrell, Matt Campbell

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Social media is an increasingly significant tool in modern cyber warfare, capable of rapidly shaping public opinion. The swift dissemination of information complicates efforts to distinguish fact from fiction [1]. During public health crises, healthcare professionals use these platforms to share updates, yet their credible content must contend with false or deliberately misleading narratives [2]. This environment creates an opportunity for cyberattacks through social media influence campaigns [3]. While disinformation's role in political interference has been widely studied, its potential to destabilize healthcare remains largely unexplored. Prior research primarily focuses on how vaccine misinformation affects the general public [4]. This …

Analisis Faktor Penyebab Komplain Pasien Pada Pelayanan Rawat Inap: Studi Kasus Di Rumah Sakit X Tahun 2024, Tasmiati Manzilah, Risky Kusuma Hartono

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

Complaints from patients are often used as an indicator of the quality of health services. The causes of complaints from inpatients are related to factors that cause dissatisfaction or discomfort experienced by patients during their hospitalization. This study aims to see the causes of patient complaints about inpatient services. In addition, researchers also examine the relationship between several variables and complaints and analyze further to determine the main factors causing complaints from patients about inpatient services. This study uses a sequential explanatory approach. The study design is cross-sectional for inpatients at Hospital X who are willing to be respondents and …

Evaluasi Implementasi Manajemen Rumah Sakit Dalam Upaya Peningkatan Rating Google Customer Review Di Rumah Sakit Karisma Cimareme Tahun 2023: Pendekatan Teori Servqual Dan Donabedian, Patriot Haryo Trenggono, Adang Bachtiar

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

This study aims to evaluate the management of Karisma Cimareme Hospital in addressing its low Google Customer Review ratings. Initial data shows that KCH received an average rating of 2.9 stars, lower than two other private hospitals in West Bandung Regency, IMC Hospital with 3.1 stars and Cahya Kawaluyan Hospital with 4.1 stars. Using the SERVQUAL framework, which includes the dimensions of tangibles, empathy, responsiveness, reliability, and assurance, along with Donabedian's theory, this study focuses on improving service quality through the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). The research method involved direct observation of hospital services, in-depth interviews with hospital …

Strengthening Legal Frameworks And Patient Safety: A Narrative Review Of Medical And Dental Malpractice In Indonesia, Ghulam Mustafa, Ede Surya Darmawan

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

Many cases of medical and dental malpractice in Indonesia are still related to patient safety and healthcare quality. This narrative review aims to identify solutions that can be implemented. The main focus is to compare the incidence of malpractice in clinical medical and dental practice, emphasizing legal implications, coverage, and internal organizational issues. A systematic literature search was conducted through databases such as Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Springer, Garuda, and other online databases. Articles published no later than 2024. Eleven studies were selected that discussed the problem of malpractice in Indonesia. Independent screening and critical appraisal were carried out to …

Analisis Deskriptif Tentang Strategi Mutu Pelayanan Kandungan (Obstetri Dan Ginekologi) Di Rumah Sakit Islam Nu Demak, Akhmad Safi’I, Abdul Aziz

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Demak Regency are still high. In 2023, the MMR was 13 cases or 67 per 100,000 live births with a delivery rate of 18,784. The 2023 IMR data reached 7.2 per 1000 live births. The still high MMR and IMR and the socio-cultural market conditions of Demak, which are religious, are very relevant to the need for integrated superior services. Especially in Obgyn, perinatal, and child services. The Islamic Hospital (RSI) NU Demak is present through comprehensive, superior Obgyn services with a trend in patient visits that continues to …

Analisis Peran Case Manager Dalam Kendali Mutu Dan Kendali Biaya Pelayanan Rawat Inap Bedah Di Rumah Sakit Universitas Indonesia Tahun 2022, Natasya C. Viano, Purnawan Junadi

Jurnal ARSI : Administrasi Rumah Sakit Indonesia

Patient Service Management is carried out by the case manager to create quality services with efficient cost. This study aims to evaluate the role of case managers in quality and cost control of surgical inpatients with JKN assurance at the UI Hospital in 2022. This study uses the concept of Donabedian and KARS guidelines. Quality control is seen from Length of Stay (LOS), patient satisfaction, compliance with clinical pathway, compliance with doctor visits, and delays in elective surgery. Cost control is seen from the difference between INA-CBG's claims and hospital bills and cost formulations. Secondary data were collected from medical …

A Systematic Review Of Persisting Tissue Health Challenges Amid Insulin Delivery System Advancements: Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (Csii) And Lipohypertrophy In Diabetic Patients, Marlena Muszynska, Emily Awdish

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Moral Distress In Secondary School Athletic Trainers, Matthew J. Drescher, Matthew J. Rivera, Lindsey E. Eberman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Moral distress is prevalent in healthcare and prolonged moral distress is directly linked to feelings of burnout and intent to leave the profession. Moral distress has been examined in other healthcare professions, including physician practice and nursing, but not in athletic training. Due to their likelihood to be isolated and have high patient loads, secondary school athletic trainers (SSATs) may experience moral distress. This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of moral distress in SSATs. SSATs were recruited via email through the Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) database. A total of 603 SSATs completed the survey and …

The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Prostate Cancer, Lilly Bernard

Student Research Poster Presentations 2025

The purpose of this project is to discuss all aspects of prostate cancer, with a focus on radiation therapy as a treatment option. An overview of the disease is provided, including statistics, risk factors, symptoms, the process of diagnosis, treatment options, and a case study. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, making it widespread and deadly. This means that it is important to understand as much as possible about the disease in order to achieve the best outcomes possible. The project lists experiences from patients who …

Efficacy Of Low-Level Laser Therapy For Osteoarthritis Of The Knee, Emily Drummond

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease associated with numerous effects on quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADLs). In recent years, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been evaluated as a symptom management option for KOA due to its non-invasive mechanistic properties. The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of LLLT as a modality of treatment to help reduce mild to moderate symptoms associated with KOA.

Methods: A search via PubMed database was made using the keywords “LLLT” AND “osteoarthritis” AND “knee” with additional specifiers resulting in 10 articles for review. Four articles were chosen …

[Review Of The Book The Pioneer And The Innkeeper: Adventures In Uncertainty And Faith Around The World, By C. & M. Wilson], John E. Snellings

Department of Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

[First paragraph] The full breadth and powerful impact of family medicine as a global specialty is on full display in The Pioneer and the Innkeeper: Adventures in Uncertainty and Faith Around the World. In this compelling memoir, readers follow the life and career of Dr Cal Wilson, a family physician and global health expert, as he and his family pursue medical missions across the world. Not to be outdone by her husband, Mimi Wilson’s life story is co-featured in the book, and her own heart for service (in forms slightly different from those of her husband), create a dynamic …

Hypnosis And Mindfulness Audio Recordings For Reducing Fatigue In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Study, Mark P. Jensen, Susan Robles, Michael G. Nash, Susanne May, Dwan M. Ehde, Melissa A. Day, Owen Gottlieb, Laurence I. Sugarman, Kevin N. Alschuler

Articles

Background

Fatigue is a common problem in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the effects on fatigue of having 4 weeks of

access to audio recordings of therapeutic hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation

(MM) practices.

Methods

A total of 333 individuals with MS and fatigue were randomly assigned to

one of the three treatment conditions for 28 weeks: (1) access to therapeutic HYP audio

recordings, (2) access to MM audio recordings, or (3) no access to recordings

(treatment as usual or TAU). Fatigue impact (primary outcome) and other outcomes

were assessed at 4, 16, and …

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 …

Systems Evaluation Supporting Feeding Program Development, Marquetta Moore

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Prior to the development of a feeding therapy program, a system evaluation was completed in an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic. Changes were implemented to support the program, while planning and the initial phases of the feeding therapy program began.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to enhance daily clinic operations and initiate the development of a feeding therapy program, with a focus on establishing evidence-based, family-and child-centered care.

This capstone project addressed the following objectives:

1. Assess clinic systems to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as threats and opportunities while evaluating existing processes that may impact program …

Effects Of Round-Up On The Environment, Sandra J. Marcu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Many people around the world have used and still currently use Roundup but are unaware of the effects it has on the environment. Roundup is a spray on application weedkiller that is widely used around the world today both residentially and commercially. It enables its user to grow a garden or a field of crops with a no-tilling approach to eliminate weeds. It is a well-known and popular choice for killing weeds that has been around since the mid 1970’s (Oca, 2017). John Franz, a Monsanto scientist discovered that glyphosate (main ingredient in Roundup) was an herbicide or weedkiller, and …

Impact Of Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) On Daphnia Magna Heart Rate, Ashley Cosgrave

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Marijuana (Cannabis) is currently federally illegal within the United States and classified as a Schedule I drug. This leaves a large research gap on the impacts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use. Daphnia magna are frequently used as a model organism for the human heart and toxicology screenings due to their myogenic heart, similarities in physiological pathways, and sensitivity to toxins. As such, in order to bridge the research gap and uncover potential use of Daphnia magna as a model organism for humans in regard to impact on heart rate, we hypothesized that if Daphnia magna possess CB1 receptors or an equivalent …

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 …

Analisis Prediktif Mutasi Egfr Pada Adenokarsinoma Paru Menggunakan Pendekatan Pembelajaran Mesin, Edwin Nugroho Njoto, Yuri Pamungkas, Atina I.W. Putri, Muhammad. Najib Haykal, Dwinka Syafira Eljatin, Edith Maria Djaputra

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Lung adenocarcinoma is a prevalent form of lung cancer, and mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are known to play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to develop a machine-learning model to predict EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients using clinical and radiological features.

Methods. A case-control study was conducted using a dataset comprising 160 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Several machine learning algorithms, including decision tree, linear regression, Naive Bayes, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, and random forest, were employed to predict EGFR mutations based on variables such as smoking status, …