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College of Health Sciences Students Demonstrate Research Agility at Boise State Conference

To showcase impressive undergraduate work, Boise State annually hosts the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference, a blend of podium and poster presentations, exhibitions and demonstrations. Twenty-four College of Health Sciences students participated in the ninth annual conference, which took place on April 16. By listening to the podium presentations and viewing the research posters, the campus and greater community had a chance to meet students and learn about their meaningful explorations on a large variety of topics.

Study topics and methods varied widely for the COHS students. Several students undertook studies to examine quality teaching and assessment methods. Others examined health care facilities for specific traits, such as senior friendliness to reduce the risk of injury in elderly patients and the impact of transitioning to electronic health records. One project aimed to identify and enlist community-based organizations to become involved with the Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults in order to prevent elder abuse. Another examined how the False Claims Act may impact rural health providers. A third project focused on designing and building a prototype  crash cart. Additionally, nursing student Jeanette McMillan presented a Civic Leadership Scholar Poster titled “Nursing in Action” with faculty sponsor Dr. Shelton Woods, associate dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.

College of Health Sciences Podium Presentations:

  • “Delta Dental of Idaho School-based Dental Sealant Program: An Evaluation of Sealant Retention and Dental Caries Prevention.” Eric Donahue. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lee Hannah, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “Demographic Survey of Idaho Veterinarians.” Lisa Horn, Megan Boss, Megan Yrazabal, Jordan Nesbit, Natalie Shehan, and Rebecka Seward. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lee Hannah, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “JAVA Community Education and Involvement Project.” Lena Bush. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Toevs, Department of Community and Environmental Health; Mary Holden, Boise State graduate student; and Dee Childers, community member.
  • “A Case Study Comparing the Presence of a ‘Community of Inquiry’ in a Course Utilizing Computer Mediated Communication Methods Versus Face to Face Methods.” Jacqueline Smithee. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Susan Esp, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “Reference-Management Software Methodology for Undergraduate Research.” Angelica Kovach. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Cecile Evans, School of Nursing.


College of Health Sciences Poster Presentations:

  • “Permitting Whistleblowers to Unilaterally Pursue False Claims Act Cases Against Critical Access Rural Providers: Is it Worth the Cost?.” Liz Moorhead (honors) and Connor Sheldon. Faculty Sponsor: Andy Hyer, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “The Impact that the Transition to Electronic Health Records has had on the Health Information Management Profession in Idaho Acute Care Facilities.” Chelsey Waive Shaw. Faculty Sponsor: Linda Osgood, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “Assessment Strategies for 2011 Health Information Baccalaureate Degree.” Valerie King. Faculty Sponsor: Linda Osgood, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “JAVA Community Education and Involvement Project.” Jeb Rodgers. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Toevs, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “Assessment of senior friendliness within a unit-specific hospital environment.” Aye Thu. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Toevs, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “The Alzheimer’s Disease Epidemic: Identifying Idaho’s Specific Needs and Constructing a Statewide Plan.” Brittney Ramert. Faculty Sponsor: Lonny Ashworth, Department of Respiratory Care; David Strong and Ross Armstrong, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center.
  • “Evaluation of Peak Inspiratory Pressure and Inhaled Tidal Volume During PC-PSV with Variable Pressure Support on the Drager V500.” Ridwan Awad. Faculty Sponsor: Andy Hyer, Department of Community and Environmental Health.
  • “Crash Cart 1.”Jared Truxal, Zach Nixon, Robert Byars, and Tyler Nicholls. Faculty Sponsor: Lutana Haan, Department of Respiratory Care.
  • “Supporting Needs of Adolescents When Initiating Breastfeeding.” Ryoko Pentecost. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jane Grassley, School of Nursing.
  • “Global Knowledge and Cultural Content in Nursing Curricula.” Samantha Fulcher. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Karen Breitkreuz, School of Nursing.