Author Archives: Graduate Health Sciences

Belmont Nursing Students Provide Critical Support for State, Local COVID19 Hotlines

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Volunteers at the Call Center

Belmont nursing students jumped at the chance to help out during a time of crisis. Caleb Smith, Rachel Poston, Peyton Rivers, William Pegram, Mariam Fakhar, Leigh Holdsambeck and Sally Dean teamed up with other student nursing volunteers from Middle Tennessee State University to provide critical support for several public information lines in Tennessee.

Headquartered at either the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) or the Metro Nashville Health Department (MHD), COVID19 hotlines were established to meet a dramatic uptick in calls from Tennesseans searching for reliable information as the number of cases started to rise. Continue reading →

Dr. Voight Speaks at American Physical Therapy Association Meeting

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Voight Speaks at APTA MeetingPhysical Therapy Professor Dr. Mike Voight was recently an invited speaker at the American Physical Therapy Association’s annual Combined Sections Meeting. Held in Denver Colorado, this year’s meeting had more than 16,000 attendees.

As editor in chief of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Dr. Voight presented on reviewing manuscripts using an organized systematic approach in the evaluation process. While specific to reviewing a manuscript, the presentation also provided key information for young clinicians on how to organize and write up their research in a manner that affords them success in the publication process.

Belmont Nursing Alumna Helps Create COVID-19 Testing Site in Nashville

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Belmont Nursing alumnus Shannon Ellrich (G2009) was featured in a front page story in the March 30 edition of The Tennessean. Ellrich and fellow Vanderbilt Medical Center nurse practitioner Kathleen Donais took on the challenge of creating COVID-19 testing sites out of thin air in a hospital parking deck and a tent on Dayton Avenue in south Nashville.

According to The Tennessean:

Few medical professionals have experience in a situation like the COVID-19 pandemic. But Ellrich does.
She graduated from Belmont University in 2009 and then served as a nurse corps officer in the U.S. Army. She was deployed to Liberia from October 2014 through March 2015 for the Ebola outbreak.
It was an introduction to infectious disease control and protective gear like what is being worn to treat patients now.

Read the full story in The Tennessean (subscription may be required).

Dr. Austin Presents at National Physical Therapy Conference

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Dr. Gary AustinWith collaborators for the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia, Dr. Gary Austin, professor and chair for the School of Physical Therapy, presented the following posters related to Pain Neuroscience Education at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), which was held in Denver, Colorado Feb. 12 – 15. This is a national level conference and the APTA’s largest annual conference.

  • Pain Neuroscience Education Changes PA Student Intervention Patterns, Including Physical Therapy Referrals: Sue E. Curfman, PT, DHSc; Joyce S. Nicholas, PhD; Gary P. Austin, PT, PhD and Benjamin M. Radack, PT.
  • Differences in Pain Neuroscience Perspectives between Physical Therapy Students and Clinical Instructors: Sue E. Curfman, PT, DHSc; Joyce S. Nicholas, PhD; Gary P. Austin, PT, PhD and Benjamin M. Radack, PT
  • PT and PA Students Differ in Perceptions, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Persistent Pain? Sue E. Curfman, PT, DHSc; Joyce S. Nicholas, PhD; Gary P. Austin, PT, PhD and Benjamin M. Radack, PT

Additionally, Dr. Austin presented the following platform:

  • Pain Neuroscience Knowledge and Pain Perspectives: A Longitudinal Study of DPT Students and Faculty. Sue E. Curfman, PT, DHSc; Joyce S. Nicholas, PhD; Gary P. Austin, PT, PhD and Benjamin M. Radack, PT

Belmont Pharmacy Student Wins Poster of the Year at Tennessee Pharmacists Association Meeting

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Pharmacy student Jillian Morgan at TPA Poster Presentation Contest

Pharmacy student Jillian Morgan at TPA Poster Presentation Contest

Belmont pharmacy student Jill Morgan recently won Poster of the Year at the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) meeting in Nashville. She competed in the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2020 poster presentation and was selected by four judges out of more than 40 submissions.

Morgan’s poster was titled, “Evaluation of Discontinuing Bolus Insulin and Substituting with a Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Agonist (GLP-1 Agonist) in Veterans with Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes While on a Basal-Bolus Insulin Regimen.”

In addition to Morgan’s victory, alumna Maren Richards-Brinton was also recognized in the contest as a “Distinguished Poster.” Richards-Brinton’s poster was titled, “Evaluation of Alvimopan Use After Major Small or Large Bowl Procedures.”

Occupational Therapy Students Volunteer at Preschool ‘Cooking School’

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OT students and cooking school friends making

OT students and cooking school friends making “caterpillars” with grapes and tomatoes.

On Saturday, February 29, 30 Belmont occupational therapy students volunteered their time to help facilitate an interactive food experience for dozens of preschool children. The children and their families are part of a Nashville community group for parents of multiples, and the event was created and hosted by Sprocket Therapy.

Belmont student group photo

Occupational therapist and clinic owner Barb Talbert designed a preschool “cooking school” with the idea of introducing children from a young age to various nutritious foods through play-based food-prep experiences.

The children engaged in various food stations to create edible, preschool-sized snacks and drinks. Belmont occupational therapy students led the food stations and helped to ensure each participant was successful.

PT Students Present Research at American Physical Therapy Association National Meeting

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Cailey Daluga at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections’ national meeting in Denver, Colorado

Third year physical therapy student Cailey Daluga at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections’ national meeting in Denver, Colorado

Third year physical therapy students Cailey Daluga, Austin McCarthy, Chris Mungia and Megan Howard presented their research on the “Impact of Functional Decline on Sleep in Patients with ALS” at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections’ national meeting in Denver, Colorado.

This research was conducted with Penny Powers MS, PT, ATP at the Vanderbilt ALS clinic with Renee Brown, PT, PHD as the faculty advisor.

Dr. Halle Featured in Physical Therapy Faculty Series

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Physical Therapy Professor Dr. John Halle was recently featured in a physical therapy faculty interview series. Dr. Halle talked about his career development and what inspired the establishment of the human anatomy lab at Belmont University.

Throughout the interview, Halle discussed how teaching strategies in the human anatomy lab help to improve student knowledge and outcomes.  Additionally, this laboratory space has provided an excellent opportunity for inter-professional education (IPE) and research publications related to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. He finishes the interview with advice for individuals considering a career in physical therapy.

Nursing Faculty and Students Attend Rural Health Care Event

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Samuel Lewis, Sen. Frist, Ashlyn Upshaw
From Left to Right: Samuel Lewis, Sen. Frist and Ashlyn Upshaw

More than half of Tennessee’s population live in rural areas where access to health care is limited and higher rates of poverty and poor health outcomes are the norm. Last week, College of Health Sciences faculty and Doctor of Nursing Practice students Samuel Lewis and Ashlyn Upshaw attended a Nashville Health Care Council event to learn more about this growing national problem.

“Solving the Rural Health Care Puzzle: National, State and Provider Perspectives” featured an expert panel moderated by Bill Frist, MD, former US Senate majority leader, and included Alan Levine, executive chairman, president and CEO of Ballad Health; Sarah Chouinard, MD, chief medical officer for Community Care of West Virginia; and Stuart C. McWhorter, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration.

Panelists addressed rural health challenges including health disparities, workforce shortages, the need for systems innovation and the move to reimbursement for value over volume-based care.

Dr. Voight Serves as Research Judge for Scandinavian Sports Medicine Congress

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group photoPhysical Therapy Professor Dr. Mike Voight recently served as an invited research judge for the 2020 Scandinavian Sports Medicine congress in Cophenhagen, Denmark, sponsored by the Danish Society of Sports Physical Therapy (DSSF) and the Danish Association of Sports Medicine (DIMS).

As the editor in chief of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Voight was one seven editors chosen from the top Sportsmedicine journals in the world.

In his invited role, Voight served on a panel that reviewed several hundred abstracts submitted to the scientific committee to be considered for inclusion to the congress. Onsite, Voight reviewed and judged both poster and oral presentations to determine the best at the congress.

OT Students, Faculty Contribute to Inclusive ‘Chill Zone’ at Nashville’s Discovery Center

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Chill ZoneIn January 2015, The Discovery Center formed its Special Needs Task Force to foster an environment that allows exploration without barriers. Yesterday, it unveiled its brand new “Chill Zone,” a calming room to offer to children and families experiencing distress, funded by a grant from the Nashville Predators Foundation. But, designing such a room required architects, creatives and occupational therapists. That’s where Belmont students and faculty stepped in.

Dr. Teresa Plummer, associate professor of occupational therapy, came in contact with this project during her sabbatical in the fall semester. She provided expertise as an occupational therapist for the “Chill Zone” project and made recommendations for beneficial items to include. Once the ball was rolling, Plummer reached out to Jayme Jacobson, assistant professor of architecture, with the opportunity for interior design students in the O’More College of Architecture, Art and Design to engage with the project. Jacobson immediately adjusted the studio schedule to make it work. With the studio having an inclusive design focus, this provided an extraordinary service-learning opportunity.

Continue reading →

College of Pharmacy Welcomes Post-Graduate Fellows

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After an extensive interview process, two students have been selected for Belmont’s post-graduate fellowship programs, housed in The Christy Houston Foundation Drug Information Center within Belmont’s College of Pharmacy. These two-year fellowships are designed to provide pharmacists with an intensive program focused in drug information, evidence-based practice, corporate management, teaching and research.

Chelsa Deans from the University of Tennessee has been selected for the Clinical Pharmacist Fellowship in Drug Information with Belmont and Aegis Sciences Corporation.

Chelsa Deans
Chelsa Deans

Sally Hughes from Washington State University has been selected for the Clinical Management Fellowship in Drug Information with Belmont and HealthTrust.

Sally Hughes
Sally Hughes

Both fellows will begin their program in June 2020 within the Christy Houston Foundation Drug Information Center under the mentorship of Genevieve Lynn Engle, PharmD. Fellows complete their training at Belmont University the first year and then with the corresponding corporate sponsor during the second year of the program.

Pharmacy Students Publish Patient Counseling ‘Skill’ for Amazon Alexa

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Dr. Blash and pharmacy students
From left: Dr. Anthony Blash, PharmD, CPHIMS & 2020 Healthcare Informatics, Senior Team members Joshua Page, Julie Nguyen and Grant Harder

More than 2.8 billion prescriptions written annually in the United States fall under the Top 300 prescribed medications. Belmont University College of Pharmacy third-year students Julie Nguyen, Grant Harder and Joshua Page recently published patient counseling and education for the Top 300 prescribed medications on Amazon Alexa.

Amazon Alexa is a voice controlled artificial intelligence (AI) platform that has the ability to provide information upon request. As part of the Introduction to Healthcare Informatics curriculum in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Belmont University, the students worked as a team to develop an application, or “skill” that is now available in the Alexa store.

The skill, “My Medicine Cabinet,” was designed to increase the access of accurate and relevant drug information to patients and contains information for the Top 300 medications currently prescribed in the United States. While none of Alexa’s skills should replace a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional, these skills can be downloaded for free online or through the Alexa app, which is now available for Amazon Fire, Apple and Android devices.

Continue reading →

College of Pharmacy Hosts 4th Annual Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium

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Rita Drummond Olans Speaks at Symposium
Rita Drummond Olans, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, APRN-BC, MGH Institute of Health Professions and Spaulding Hospital speaks at Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium.

Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy hosted the Fourth Annual Middle Tennessee Antimicrobial Stewardship Symposium on January 31 on Belmont’s campus.

This symposium brought together key stakeholders and practitioners to learn and discuss ways to work together as a medical community to improve appropriate antimicrobial use and mitigate risks. The symposium was attended by 150 healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines including pharmacists, physicians, nurses and those involved with infection prevention and patient safety and quality from 9 states and more than 60 healthcare facilities. Continue reading →

Nursing Alumnae Reunite with Others on Mission in Belize

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Tiffany Frazier Marksbury, BSN 2000, Nanette Ryals Ryan, BA Communications Art ’89, Leanne Linville Goddard, BBA ’90, Michele Boyce-Obenchain BSN ‘89 MBA ‘91

Tiffany Frazier Marksbury, BSN 2000, Nanette Ryals Ryan, BA Communications Art ’89, Leanne Linville Goddard, BBA ’90, Michele Boyce-Obenchain BSN ‘89 MBA ‘91

Four Belmont alumnae, Tiffany Frazier Marksbury, Nanette Ryals Ryan, Leanne Linville Goddard and Michele Boyce-Obenchain, recently came together to serve on the mission field in Belize with Access-Life.

Access-Life is a Florida-based ministry run by Doug and Leanne Goddard dedicated to bringing Jesus to individuals and families with disabilities. Working in concert with Hearts of Christ, they provide wheelchairs, walkers and a multitude of donated products to anyone in need of them.

Nursing, Pharmacy Students Hold Flu Clinics Across Campus and in Community

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Belmont staff and students at flu clinic

During the fall 2019 semester, nursing and pharmacy students held 19 flu clinics across campus, administering flu vaccines to 759 members of the Belmont campus community. The clinics were coordinated by Health Services Interim Director Krystal Huesmann in collaboration with DNP student Macy Ball, Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, Dr. Kendall Shultes. More than 70 students were involved in this effort.

Ms. Ball’s DNP scholarly project is entitled “Community of Immunity: A Process Improvement to Increase Influenza Vaccine Uptake.” The project aims to increase influenza vaccine uptake among freshmen who reside at Belmont University and assess barriers and facilitators regarding the influenza vaccine.

In addition to the campus clinics, nursing students also participated in flu vaccine clinics for employees of the Nissan North America Headquarters in Franklin. Nine students participated in those clinics on four dates in October where more than 500 employees were vaccinated.

Amanda Waterman Receives Heart of Hospice Award

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Group photo at awards ceremony
L to R: Dr. Linda Wofford, nominator Dr. Martha Buckner, Jennifer Marciano from Alive Hospice, Waterman, and Dr. Sandy Murabito

On November 5, 2019, Nursing Clinical Placement Coordinator Amanda Waterman, MSN, RN was awarded the Heart of Hospice Award from Alive Hospice.

Waterman connected Belmont’s graduate nursing program with Alive for end-of-life care training. Her advocacy also led to Alive’s first academic clinical research project in 2018 on stress and coping in hospice care teams.

Alive’s Heart of Hospice Awards honor community leaders in end-of-life care. These individuals are incredible educators, partners, connectors, donors and volunteers whose support for Alive’s mission has brought comfort and dignity to dying patients and their families. Alive serves nearly 4,000 hospice patients and family members each year and provides nearly two million dollars in financial support for those who need help covering the costs of their care. Thousands more benefit from Alive’s free end-of-life education and affordable grief counseling.

Belmont Pharmacy Students Serve Honduras on Medical Mission Trip

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Belmont students hold mission sign in Honduras

The week following final exams, a group of 25 College of Pharmacy students from both Belmont and Lipscomb Universities travelled to El Zamorano, Honduras on a medical trip with Belmont on Mission. The team split its time between spending time at Jovenes en Camino, a home for 50+ boys from the area, and setting up mobile clinics. In these clinics, the students spent time ministering to and serving the surrounding areas in the Zamorano valley by providing medical care and medication to those without access to adequate health care.

Trisha McHugh, P3, described a typical day. “We prepared a triage center and three different clinic rooms outside the mobile pharmacy. From there, we started seeing patients from the community. There were men and women off all ages from the area and we treated all that came through our doors,” she explained. “Every single smile, hug, and ‘gracias’ only reaffirmed that what we were doing mattered. We provided fluids for someone in severe dehydration. Medication was given to families who were struggling with infections. Prayer was spoken over parents dealing with loss of loved ones. Every single moment worthy of our full time and devotion.”

Continue reading →

Belmont Occupational Therapy Students Educate at High School Career Fair

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Students at Career Fair booth

Belmont University Occupational Therapy students, with Professor Dr. Natalie Michaels, educated high school students about physical therapy and occupational therapy at the 2019 Health Sciences Career Fair last month at Hillwood High School.

Many of the high school students were uncertain of the difference between the two therapies, but OTD students Chantè Bowens and Brittany Clark were on hand to help teach students about the benefits of each.

Lara Casey at booth

Lara Casey, undergraduate admissions coordinator for the College of Health Sciences at Belmont, was also present to answer questions and to inform students about the various health care majors available at Belmont.

This Career Fair, organized by Academy Coach for Hillwood High School Mary York, is held annually to inform students about the various career options available in the field of Health Sciences.

Belmont DPT Students Explore Aquatic Exercise Benefits for Down Syndrome Population

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Students at Aquatic Center

Belmont University Doctor of Physical Therapy students performed aquatic exercises to music with children and adolescents diagnosed with Down Syndrome this semester, with Occupational Therapy Professor Dr. Natalie Michaels and Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Nancy Darr. The water exercises were held at the Gordon Jewish Community Center under the direction of Aquatics Director Daniel Christmas.

These exercises were performed as part of a research project to see if aquatic exercises can help improve balance in this population. Balance was measured before and after the 6-week series of exercise sessions using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The PBS is a 14-item, criterion-referenced measure of balance that was developed by Mary Rose Franjoine and Nancy Darr to screen children for potential balance-related challenges.

Members of the student research team included Madeleine Youngblood, Taylor Jacobs, Anna Rungee, Carly Callahan and Courtney Alama. The research is currently in the data analysis phase. Regardless of the outcome, the participants appeared to greatly enjoy the sessions, and the team felt invigorated and rewarded by the experience.

Dr. Engle Published in ‘American Journal of Health System Pharmacy’

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Genevieve Ness EngleDr. Genevieve Lynn (Ness) Engle, associate professor in pharmaceutical, social, and administrative sciences in the College of Pharmacy, along with colleagues from Long Island University, University of Illinois at Chicago and the FDA published a current directory of U.S. based Drug Information Centers in the “American Journal of Health System Pharmacy.”

The manuscript, titled “Survey of Drug Information Centers in the United States 2018,” was an update to the 2008 directory and identified a total of 82 centers that met the definition of a Drug Information Center. Various characteristics of the centers were explored including affiliations with academic institutions and activities performed.

College of Pharmacy Fellow Published in PLOS One

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Andrew DouglasDr. Andrew Douglas, a fellow in the Drug Information Center in the College of Pharmacy, recently published an article titled “Pharmacologic Management of HCV Treatment in Patients with HCV Monoinfection vs. HIV/HCV Coinfection:  Does Coinfection Really Matter?”

The article, which was published in PLOS One, originated from a poster that he presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in 2017. Douglas worked with a group consisting of pharmacists, statisticians and physicians through the Specialty Pharmacy and Infectious Diseases Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Social Work Associate Professor Julie Hunt Joins Other Belmont Faculty in Presenting at Lilly Conference on College Teaching

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Belmont Faculty at Lilly Conference
Belmont faculty at Lilly Conference on College Teaching at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio

Social Work Professor Julie Hunt was among a group of nine Belmont faculty members who made presentations at the Lilly Conference on College Teaching held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on November 21-23. The Lilly Conference brings together scholar teachers from across academic disciplines.

Belmont faculty members contributed four presentations for the “Evidence-Based Learning and Teaching” conference theme. Each of the Belmont presentations was the result on ongoing scholarship and longstanding collaborations with campus colleagues.

Professor Hunt joined Nathan Webb, chair of the Communication Department and Andrea Stover, professor of English, in sharing their experiences as an active scholarly group in a poster titled “The Quest to Develop Authentic Learning Objectives Through an Interdisciplinary Faculty Group.”

Additional information about the presentation is available on the conference website: http://celt.miamioh.edu/lillycon/presenters.php.

Pharmacy Faculty Member and Student Provide Continuing Education for HIMSS North America

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Dr. Anthony Blash InstructingAssociate Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Anthony Blash and Belmont PharmD Candidate Class of 2020 Mary Lankford were part of a collaborative team to deliver the 2019 Virtual Certified Associate Health Information Management Systems (CAHIMS) certification review class in five two-hour sessions recently.

The 10-hour continuing education course was offered to help prepare HIT professionals and students to sit for the CAHIMS Certification Exam. The review class was attended by 21 members of the healthcare informatics community, including pharmacy students and HIT professionals from The University of Texas At Dallas, the Carolina Biooncology Institute, Wellstar Health Systems and Adventist Health System. Continue reading →

Student Nurses Association Works With American Red Cross to Host Campus Blood Drive

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Student Nurses Association (SNA) officers

Belmont Student Nurses Association (SNA) officers Hannah Burgtorf, Ally Hoffbaur, Annie Hiler, Miranda Nicholson and Nathalia Daniels worked with representatives from the American Red Cross to plan and host a blood drive on campus.

The drive resulted in the collection of 75 pints of blood. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

Dr. Sandy Murabito, associate professor of nursing and undergraduate program director noted, “Health care professionals rely on available blood and blood products which lead to positive health outcomes. However only 3 percent of available donors give blood. Promoting blood drives with easy access is one good way to increase the Red Cross Blood supply. The Student Nurses Association is working to spread the word about this need. The Red Cross and the Student Nurses Association sincerely appreciate the donations from Belmont students, faculty and staff to give back to our community.”