Moderated Poster Discussions - T4 Research/Science
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
2:10 pm - 3:20 pm
T4 Research/Science: Translation to communities, including population level outcomes research, health informatics.
THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF IMPELLA USE IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PATIENTS WITH CARDIOGENIC SHOCK IN THE DIABETIC COHORT; INSIGHTS FORM REAL-WORLD DATA (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Abdul Wali Khan, University of Missouri Kansas City
Cardiogenic shock (CS) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a critical condition that impairs cardiac output and tissue perfusion. The Impella, a mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device, is used to improve clinical outcomes in these patients. Diabetes, a prevalent comorbidity in CS patients, is associated with adverse outcomes, but its specific impact on Impella outcomes in MI-related CS is not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the impact of diabetes on outcomes in this cohort.
THE IMPACT OF END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE STATUS ON THE OUTCOMES OF IMPELLA USE IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PATIENTS WITH CARDIOGENIC SHOCK; A US PROPENSITY MATCHED RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Abdul Wali Khan, University of Missouri Kansas City
Cardiogenic shock (CS) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a critical condition that impairs cardiac output and tissue perfusion. The Impella, a mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device, is used to improve outcomes in these patients. However, the effect of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a common comorbidity in CS patients, on Impella outcomes remains unclear.
EVALUATING REAL WORLD CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS UNDERGOING LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE OCCLUSION USING THE WATCHMAN FLX DEVICE: DATA FROM AN URBAN MIDWESTERN NON-ACADEMIC CENTER (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Ruffin N. Tchakounte, DO, University of Iowa - Des Moines Internal Medicine Program
The Watchman device is a percutaneous implant designed to occlude the LAA, thereby preventing thrombus formation and subsequent embolization.1 Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the Watchman device, showing it to be non-inferior to warfarin for stroke prevention in selected populations.2,3 As a result, the device has gained acceptance as a standard treatment option, offering a mechanical solution to a complex clinical problem.
IMPACT OF HYPONATREMIA ON OUTCOMES IN PATIENT ADMITTED WITH HEART FAILURE: A NATIONWIDE ANALYSIS (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Abdallatif Dawoud, MD, University of Toledo
Heart failure is a leading cause of hospital admissions, contributing substantially to both morbidity and mortality. Hyponatremia, affecting up to 27% of heart failure patients, is the most common electrolyte imbalance in this population. This study assesses the impact of hyponatremia on in-hospital outcomes in patients admitted with heart failure.
EXPLORING THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN CUBA: INSIGHTS FROM A FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Sharmelle Das, Raleigh Charter High School
Cuba’s healthcare system emphasizes preventive care and universal access, achieving maternal and child health outcomes comparable to developed countries despite limited resources. A key component of Cuba’s success is the Family Doctor Program, which assigns a doctor to a defined community for personalized, ongoing care. Despite challenges such as the U.S. trade embargo, Cuba maintains low maternal and infant mortality rates through comprehensive, community-based health policies. This research explores the effectiveness of Cuba's maternal and child health system and how its approach might inform health policies in other countries with resource constraints.
MAPPING DISPARITIES IN CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING ACROSS THE U.S. (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Tylar Dickson, MA, BS, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Health disparities have long been analyzed through the lens of regional and urban-rural differences. Revisions to cervical cancer screening (CCS) guidelines have redefined how healthcare providers interpret and apply HPV and Pap tests. This study hypothesizes that geographic factors also significantly influence screening practices. Its objective is to explore the impact of regional and urban-rural designations on the administration of cervical cancer screening.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SYMPTOMATIC MACROMASTIA AND NAVIGATING INSURANCE COVERAGE (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Zeinab Mhanna, BS, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Macromastia, or breast hypertrophy, is a condition in which a person possesses excess breast tissue. This condition can result in a wide range of physical, psychological, and social issues, including back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, headaches, limited range of motion, psychological influences, and decreased quality of life. People with macromastia often report increased rates of depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, bullying, and low self-esteem. In addition to the adult population suffering from symptomatic macromastia, many adolescents suffer from symptomatic macromastia, as well, especially during puberty, a time when mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety are already heightened. This review examines how macromastia affects quality of life in several aspects, especially regarding long-term outcomes. It also addresses barriers to care, such as insurance coverage challenges and access disparities, with the goal of guiding healthcare providers toward more comprehensive and equitable care.
EMPOWERING FUTURE PHYSICIANS: THE ROLE OF FIRST AID TRAINING IN FIRST-YEAR MEDICAL EDUCATION (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Timothy Chalom, Wayne State University School of Medicine
First Aid First (FAF) provides free and accessible first aid training to members of the Detroit community, including first-year medical students, to empower individuals to respond quickly properly, and confidently during real life emergencies. The average out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival rate in the United States is 10% but increases to 40% with proper CPR [1]. Individuals with Hands-Only CPR training have faster response times and better OHCA survival rates [2]. Hands-Only CPR is equally effective as Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest [3]. Stop the Bleed training prevents death associated with major hemorrhagic bleeding [4].
TRANSLATIONAL INSIGHTS FROM SUN CITY’S OCULAR HEALTH INITIATIVES DURING THE GREAT NORTH AMERICAN ECLIPSE (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Brian J. Kan, BSA., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Solar eclipses are an astronomical spectacle characterized by the moon blocking the sun from our view. Observation of this event requires special eye protection. Ordinary sunglasses and improvised filters are inadequate eye protection during the partial eclipse phases. Viewing the sun without proper eye protection can cause acute eye conditions such as solar keratitis and/or permanent eye damage like solar retinopathy. Appropriate use of protective eyewear that conforms to ISO 12312-2 specifications, commonly known as “eclipse glasses”, prevent eye damage. Nevertheless, disparities in ocular healthcare, including restricted access to optometrists/ophthalmologists and insufficient awareness of eye protection measures, pose substantial obstacles to successful prevention and early detection initiatives.
BRIDGING HEALTH EQUITY GAPS: EXPANDING THE STOCK INHALERS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM INTO TRIBAL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ARIZONA (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Megan E. Peterson, MPH, RN, University of Arizona Health Sciences
Asthma is a leading chronic disease affecting approximately 8.1% of school-aged children. Tribal and rural communities in Arizona experience a disproportionate burden of asthma-related morbidity, driven by systemic inequities, geographic isolation, and restricted access to healthcare resources. These systemic barriers perpetuate health disparities and limit access to care, further exacerbating asthma-related outcomes in these underserved populations. The Stock Inhaler for Schools (SIFS) Program provides vital undesignated albuterol sulfate access to K-12 institutions, lessening asthma-related emergencies, and absenteeism. During the 2024-25 school year, the University of Arizona expanded the Stock Inhalers for Schools Program to reach rural, medically underserved, and Indigenous populations, addressing critical gaps in asthma care access and management. The expansion integrates culturally tailored asthma education, increased outreach, and resource distribution to address unique community challenges. By involving Indigenous community liaison engagement and utilizing robust evaluation metrics, we highlight early activities of the program’s development to improve asthma care and reduce disparities.
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF SARCOPENIA ON OVERALL SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (Hematology and Oncology / Bone Marrow Transplant)
Gloria Pan, BS, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Sarcopenia is defined as the progressive and extensive skeletal muscle loss accompanied by functional decline. The presence of sarcopenia predicts lower tolerance to cancer therapies and can lead to a greater risk of infection, chemotherapy toxicity, and perioperative problems. While it has been established that overall survival of sarcopenic patients decreases when compared to their non-sarcopenic counterparts, few studies have compared patient outcomes between treatment modalities (chemotherapy versus immunotherapy/targeted therapy) and ethnic groups (Asian versus non-Asian).
RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPORTING SCHOOL HEALTH: LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH SCHOOL HEALTH PERSONNEL ENGAGEMENT (Infectious Disease / Immunization)
Amanda M. Wilson, PhD, University of Arizona
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the already strained school health system in the U.S. and its limited capacity to respond to infectious disease outbreaks or pandemics. Our preliminary research with school health staff in Pima County, Arizona[1–3] demonstrated a major need for fast and inexpensive decision-making support for school health regarding interventions for reducing disease spread. We utilized quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)[4] to develop a decision support tool that estimates how single or combined interventions reduce infection risks for students across several respiratory viral pathogens of interest: influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, and SARS-CoV-2.
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF FRAILTY ON SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS OUTCOMES: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY (Rheumatology)
Mitchell T. Salke, MD, University of Toledo
Frailty has emerged as an important factor influencing poor outcomes in hospitalized patients. The Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) stems from a list of ICD-10 CM codes which were found to be commonly associated in individuals with higher hospital use and resource utilization.
A NATIONALWIDE STUDY ON OUTCOME OF CIRRHOSIS AMONG PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOUS (Rheumatology)
Kishan Shrestha, University of Toledo Medical Center
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition with a variety of clinical presentations that can affect multiple organs including the gastrointestinal system. The concomitant effects of SLE and cirrhosis are not well understood. The aim of our study is to investigate whether SLE influences inpatient outcomes, resource utilization, and complications in patients hospitalized for cirrhosis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS).