DNP students defend projects this year virtually and in person. 

Upcoming

Anthony Peverini
Project Title: Time-to-Task in Interval Simulated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training: A Method for Maintaining Resuscitation Skills
Date and Time: April 4 at 9 a.m. Eastern
Committee: Denise Tola (chair), Marilyn Oermann, Nicole Petsas-Blodgett, Gary Lawson (site facilitator) 
Project Implementation Site: Premier Surgery Center, Sarasota, Florid
Location: Zoom

 

Sherri McDonald
Project Title: Transitioning a Falls Care Plan Best Practice Advisory to Epic’s Storyboard
Date and Time: April 4 at 9 a.m.
Committee: Ryan Shaw (chair), Kay Lytle, R. Clayton Musser
Project Implementation Site: Duke University Health System 
Location: Zoom

 

Rose Ann Ruddy

Date/Time: April 4, 2022 / 10:00 AM

Project Title: A Quality Improvement Project To Improve The Current Practice In The Head And Neck Oncology Clinic Using The PRO-CTCAE Tool.

Committee:  AnnMarie Walton (chair), Brigit Carter, Maryanne Giuliante

Project implementation site: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center outpatient clinics in Westchester, NY, and Bergen, NJ.

Location: Zoom
 

 

Jessica Vaughn 
Project Title: Creating an Implementation Guide for Registered Nurse-Led Medicare Wellness Visits within Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) Programs 
Date and Time: April 5 at 3 p.m. Eastern
Committee: Barbara Turner (chair), Sara Atwater, Tamara Hicks
Consultant: Laurie Prescott, MSN, RN, CCDS, CCDS-O, CRC
Location: Zoom 

 

Bridget Williams
Project Title: Using PDSA Cycles to Improve Oral Care Compliance and Pneumonia Rates 
Date and Time: April 5, 2022 from 4:00 – 5:00PM ET (1:00 – 2:00PM PST)
Committee: Staci Reynolds (chair), Celeste Prothro, Vishal Patel
Project implementation site name: Kaiser Permanente San Francisco
Location: Zoom

 

Barbara J Barry
Project Title: A Standardized Positive Physical Approach to Improve Oral Hygiene for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Residing in a Nursing Home
Date and Time: April 6 at 08:30 a.m.
Committee: Eleanor McConnell (chair), Nicole Petsas Blodgett, Stephanie R. Duea
Project Implementation Site: Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Location: Zoom 

 

Monica M. Drayton
Working Project Title: Improving Intimate Partner Violence Screening Rates among Labor and Birth Nurses: A Quality Improvement Opportunity 
Date/Time: April 6 at 4 p.m.
Committee: Michael V. Relf, (chair), Eleanor L. Stevenson, Susan Utterback
Project Implementation Site: Jefferson Abington Hospital
Location: Zoom 

 

Catherine Campbell
Project title: Reducing Opioid Use in the Perioperative Period for Third Molar Extractions through the Implementation of a Multimodal Analgesia Protocol
Date/Time: April 7, 2022 5:15 pm Eastern
Committee: Denise H. Tola (chair), W. Kennon Barringer, Robert Whitehurst 
Project implementation site: Not applicable
Location: Zoom

 

Cherie L. Stagg
Working Title: Effects of Leader Empowerment: Implementation of a Frontline Nurse Leadership Council
Date and Time: April 8 at 11 a.m. Pacific, 2 p.m. Eastern
Committee: Barbara S. Turner (chair), Elizabeth Bigby, Jan Jenson, Brande Gentry
Project Implementation Site: Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center
Location: Zoom

 

Brandon Walus
Project working title: A longitudinal analyses of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist's needle cricothyrotomy skill fade.
Date/Time: April 12 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Committee: Denise Tola, Virginia C. Simmons, Felicia Hogan, Joey Parrish

Project Implementation Site: Carolina East Medical Center
Location: Zoom

 

Previous

Matthew Evans
Project Title: Enhancing PrEP Knowledge and Confidence in Retail Health Clinic Practitioners in the Southern United States to Increase Access to PrEP: A Quality Improvement Project.
Committee: Kara McGee, Sherena Samuel, Brent Holman, Nelynda Lee
Project Implementation Site Name: CVS MinuteClinic
Location: Zoom 

 

 

Erin Mitchell
Project Title: Implementation of an Advanced Practice Managed Discharge Clinic to Improve Outcomes for Patients Affected by Stroke
Date and Time: April 1 at 3 p.m.
Committee: Bradi Granger (chair), Staci Reynolds, Donna Mower-Wade, Jonathan Raser-Schramm
Project Implementation Site: Christiana Hospital in Delaware
Location: Zoom

 

Francisco J. Ayala and Evan DeBoard
Date: March 31 at 2 pm ET
Project Title: Dissemination of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Findings: Benefits and Challenges Associated with Publishing in Healthcare Journals
Committee: Susan G. Silva, (Chair), Julee Waldrop, Marilyn Oermann, Katherine Pereira

Implementation Site: Duke University School of Nursing
Location: Zoom 
 

 

 

Benoy Pullukalayil
Project Title: Social Media Usage in Nursing Practice and Patient Privacy: A Quality Improvement Project
Date/Time: 3/31 at 8:00 am
Committee Members: Jennie De Gagne (chair), Sandra Stroud Yamane, Joycelyn McDonald
Project implementation site: Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building, Los Angeles

Location: Zoom

 

Susie McDevitt
Title: Increasing Use of REVEAL Lite 2 Risk Assessment in Management of Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Date and Time: March 29 at 5 p.m.
Committee: Margaret Bowers (chair), Vallerie V. McLaughlin, Kim Eagle, Victor M. Moles
Project Implementation Site: Pulmonary Hypertension Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Location: Zoom

 

Rachel T. DiGalbo

Project Title: Topical lavender essential oils help reduce perceptions of burnout in critical care
Date and Time: March 29 from 11 to 12 p.m. 
Committee: Staci S. Reynolds (chair), Stephanie DeJesus, Susan Politsky
Implementation Site: Virtua Medical Center, New Jersey
Location: Zoom 

 

Brandi Lyon 

Project title: Evaluating the Implementation of a Pediatric VP Shunt Action Tool for Home Health Nurses
Date/Time: March 28, 2022/9:00 am
Committee: Anne Derouin (chair), Gina Wilson, Nicolle Debidart 
Project implementation site: BAYADA Home Care (Charleston, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC)
Location: Zoom 

Amelia Beatty 
Title: A Quality Improvement Project to improve venous leg ulcer care 
Date/Time: Friday, March 25th, 11:30 – 12:30PM 
Setting: Duke Health Clinics: Duke Health Center South Durham, Duke Primary Care Pickett Road, and Duke Endocrinology Clinic - Clinic 1A
Committee Members: Staci Reynolds (chair), David Brown, Penny Jones
Location: Zoom

 

Megan Gilbert 

Project Title: BCVI Screening in Children: Using the McGovern Tool to Improve Screening Adherence, Optimize Outcomes, and Decrease Radiation Exposure  

Date and Time: March 23, 2022/ 08:00 (Arizona Time)/ 10:00 EST 

Committee: Karin Reuter-Rice (chair), David M. Notrica, P. David Adelson, Tess Wright 

Project implementation site:  Phoenix Children's Hospital 

Location: Zoom 

 

Cara Adams, Matthew Turnbull and Megan Wilson
Project Title: Implementation of a Lung Protective Ventilation in Patients Undergoing Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Project
Date and Time: March 22 at 6 p.m. 
Committee: Chris Simmons, chair, Erica Harris, Kristy Tyndall, Cory Maxwell
Project Implementation Site: Duke Raleigh Hospital 
Location: Zoom

 

Shelby Jones
Project Working Title: The Effect of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation on Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome After Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Date and Time: March 22 at 3 p.m.
Committee: Alison Edie (chair), Emily Troop, Joshua Hill
Project Implementation Site: Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina
Location: Zoom

 

Nada Kamel
Project title: Early Intervention for Steal Syndrome in Dialysis Patients
Date/Time: 3/17/2022/ 8:00 am
Committee: Midge Bowers (chair), Christina Leonard, Ellen D. Dillavou
Project implementation site name: Duke Vascular Surgery Clinic and Dialysis Centers
Location: Zoom

 

Jaclynn Jackubowski
Project Title:  An Evaluation of the Implementation of a Heart Failure Program 
Date/Time: March 11th/3:30 pm EST.
Committee: Midge Bowers (chair), Allison Dimsdale, Brett Hoseth
Project Implementation Site: Lakeland Heart and Vascular St Joseph Michigan 
Location: Zoom
 

Alexandra Rudolph Kaatz
Working Title: Improving Nurse Anesthetists' Utilization of Lung-Protective Ventilation During Robotic-Assisted Surgeries
Date and Time: March 3 at 1:00 p.m. EST
Committee: Denise H. Tola (chair), Stephan Bodnar, Morgan Thompson
Project Implementation Site: CarolinaEast Medical Center
Location: Zoom

 

Austin L. Cole
Working Title: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Competencies and Professional Development Needs Among Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Date and Time: February 28 at 3:30 p.m. EST
Committee: Denise H. Tola (chair), Virginia C. Simmons, Barbara S. Turner, Robert Whitehurst
Project Implementation Site: North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Location: DUSON Conference Room 3023 and Zoom

 

Kristale Privette
Project Title: Improving Epidural Education and Confidence of the Labor & Delivery Nurses
Date and Time: February 28 at 10 a.m. Eastern
Committee: Brigit Carter (chair), Eleanor Stephenson, Elsje Harker
Project Implementation Site: Duke Regional Hospital
Location: Zoom

 

Eischen Harkins
Project Title: Reducing the Influence of Noise Distractions on Anesthesia Clinician Vigilance During Emergence
Date and Time: February 14 at 3:00 p.m.
Committee: Denise H. Tola (chair), Robin Coleman, Jeffrey Gadsden
Implementation site: Duke University Hospital - OR1
Location: Zoom 

 

Christian Martinez
Project Title: Impact of a Gastric Ultrasound Protocol on the Anesthetic Care of Endoscopy Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
Date and Time: December 29 at 2 p.m.
Committee: Christian Falyar, chair, Darren S. Sessler and Kerri M. Wahl
Implementation Site: Duke Endoscopy Clinic - Clinic 2H
Location: Zoom 

 

Cara Adams, Matthew Turnbull and Megan Wilson
Project Title: Implementing Lung Protective Ventilation in Patients Undergoing Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Project
Date and Time: December 28 at 4 p.m. Eastern
Committee: Christian Falyar, chair, Erica Harris, Kristy Tyndall, Cory Maxwell
Project Implementation Site: Duke Raleigh Hospital 
Location: Zoom

 

Ashley Green
Project Title: The Sustainability of an Operating Room to Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit Hand-off Tool 
Date and Time: December 15 at 9:00 a.m.
Committee: Emily Funk, chair, Virginia (Chris) Simmons, Brad Taicher, Julie Thompson
Project Implementation Site: Duke Raleigh Hospital 
Location: Zoom

 

Allison Foust and Kristen Southwick 
Project Title: The Use of Screen-Based Simulation as an Educational Tool for Recertification or Reentry to Practice for Nurse Anesthetists
Date and Time: December 13 at 9:30 a.m.
Committee: V. Chris Simmons, chair, Michelle Aebersold, Suzie Kardong-Edgren
Location: Zoom

 

Daniel Plezia 
Title of Project: Improving Waste Segregation in the Operating Room to Decrease Overhead Cost
Date and Time: December 10 at 9:30 a.m. 
Committee: Virginia C. Simmons, chair, Christoffer Nelson, Valerie K. Sabol 
Site of Project Implementation: Duke Raleigh Hospital
Location: Pearson Conference Room 3023 on Zoom (Passcode: Plezia)

 

Samantha Dowd 
Title of Project: Education for registered nurses completing preoperative anesthesia interviews: A quality improvement project 
Date and Time: December 9 at 10 a.m.
Committee: Virginia C. Simmons, chair, Stephanie Pinero, Julie Pearson 
Site of Project Implementation: Carolina East Medical Center

 

Ana David
Title of Project: Aprepitant Effects on Hormonal Contraception: Implementation of Postoperative Written and Verbal Patient Instructions
Date and Time: December 8 from 7 to 8 a.m.
Committee: Emily Funk (chair), Katherine Pereira, Julie Thompson, Emily Hartman 
Location: Pearson Conference Room 3102 or Zoom 

 

Corey Fry
Title of the Project: Implementation of Electronic Best Practice Advisories to Improve Care for Patients Hospitalized with Acute Myocardial Infarction 
Date and Time: December 2 at 4 p.m.
Committee: Bradi Granger (chair), Jill Engel, Michael Komada, Jon Lovins
Project Implementation Site: Duke Regional Hospital 
Zoom

 

Hayden Byrd Morrison
Title: Implementing a Standardized Screening Process for Obstructive Sleep Apnea for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus 
When: November 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Committee: Kathryn Kreider Evans (chair), Iris Padilla, Samantha Demar Eksir
Project Implementation Site: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Summerfield Family Medicine
 

Amanda J. McNeil
Project Title: Implementing a Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) Program for Adults Who Screen Positive for Food Addiction in an Existing Weight Loss Program. 
Date and Time: November 17 at 5 p.m. 
Committee: Eleanor L. Stevenson (chair), Barbara Turner, Kelly Carpenter, Hannah Sutliff
Project Implementation Site: BlueSky MD, Winston-Salem, NC
Watch on Zoom

 

Cheryl Cheek Carroll 
Title: Improving PLISSIT Model Utilization for Sexual Health Assessment of Pregnant and Postpartum Women in an Obstetric and Gynecology Practice
Date and Time: November 17 at 5 p.m.
Committee: Kathryn Trotter (chair), Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, Julie Thompson,  Nicolette Schreiber
Project Implementation Site: Durham Women's Clinic

 

Jennifer Alden Mauney
Title of Project: Exploring the Clinical Significance of a Chest Tube Duration Reduction Initiative
Date and Time: November 4 at 5:00 p.m. CST (6:00 p.m. EST)
Committee: Rémi Hueckel, chair, Amanda Jones Willis, Jeanine Graf
Project Implementation Site: Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children’s Hospital
Location: Zoom

 

Amanda Lund
Project Title: Simulation-Based Teaching to Improve Perioperative Care of Transgender Patients 
Date/Time: October 14 at 9 a.m.
Committee: V. Chris Simmons, chair, Kristen Russell and Deanna Adkins
Location: Pearson Conference Room 3023 or join via Zoom 

 

Jan Bosch 
Project Title: Decreasing Burnout through a Resilience Based Approached Using the SMART Program
Date/Time: September 24 at 11 a.m.
Committee: Deirdre Thornlow, chair, Tiffany Harriman, Eleanor Stevenson, Amy Barendse
Site of Project Implementation: Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, North Carolina