From left, Dr. Israel Stewart, Dr. Sierra Gross, Annika Syvrud, Ben Radosevich, Dr. Rob Monger, Jill Mayer, Nellie Bruns, Shay Nelson and Dr. Todd Guth participate in the recent WWAMI Medical Education Program research symposium. (April French Photo)
Students in the WWAMI Medical Education Program at the University of Wyoming recently presented their summer research projects through poster displays during the program’s seventh annual research symposium in UW’s Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.
The Wyoming WWAMI program is located in the College of Health Sciences. The event was held in conjunction with the Wyoming Medical Society’s annual meeting.
All medical students throughout the five-state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) are required to complete research during their time in the program. This is called independent investigative inquiry, also known as Triple I. Most students participate in a scholarly community outreach project or scientific research project during the summer between their first and second years of medical school.
Students are required to discuss their summer projects in the form of poster presentations. During the symposium, students’ posters were viewed by academic judges and the public.
“Our second-year medical students continue to inspire through their commitment to their medical education, patient care and their scholarly pursuits,” says Dr. Todd Guth, director of the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program. “Their presentations at the Wyoming Medical Society research symposium showcase the full spectrum of what it means to study medicine in Wyoming -- advancing the science of discovery, integrating learning across disciplines and engaging deeply with the needs of our communities.”
Newly included this year was the Health Impact Award, given to the scholarly project with the most potential to positively improve health outcomes in Wyoming.
“We really wanted an award that recognized this important part of research and scholarship for Wyoming WWAMI -- to ultimately improve the health of people in our wonderful state,” says Nellie Bruns, an associate professor with the Department of Zoology and Physiology and faculty adviser for the Triple I course.
Shay Nelson, from Afton, won the Health Impact Award for her research into human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in Thayne. Nelson spent four weeks working at Star Valley Health in Thayne while conducting her research.
“During my RUOP experience, I was able to gather information about a major health disparity in the area I was in with a low HPV vaccination rate,” Nelson says. “I researched why it was so low and how I could help in increasing it. I was able to work with both providers in the clinic and the public health office in creating a pamphlet that addressed HPV and the misconceptions about the HPV vaccine.”
The pamphlet was completed with community partners, Nelson adds. She appreciates their willingness to work with her during her time in the area.
In the lead-up to the research symposium, Bruns supported students in crafting their poster presentations.
“It was impressive to see the students’ diverse and significant scholarly work at this annual event,” Bruns says. “Thank you to the mentors, judges and all who supported the students throughout their Triple I experience.”
Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences, expresses pride in the Wyoming WWAMI medical students and their outstanding presentations at the symposium.
“These second-year scholars … exemplified the rigorous spirit of medical education by tackling pressing health challenges -- from community outreach to scientific innovation -- with a depth of curiosity and compassion that resonates deeply in Wyoming's diverse landscapes,” Hardigan says.
Hardigan also notes the introduction of the Health Impact Award earned by Nelson. The UW student’s work on HPV vaccination disparities in Thayne demonstrates a commitment to scholarship that has a positive effect on the well-being of Wyoming communities and supports “equitable health outcomes in the Equality State,” he says.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the presenters, mentors like Nellie Bruns and all who champion these future physicians as they bridge the lab, the clinic and the heart of our region,” Hardigan says.
Awards were provided by the Wyoming Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and presented by Dr. Israel Stewart, Dr. Sierra Gross, the Wyoming ACP chapter governor and Bruns. The People’s Choice Award is voted for by people attending the event, who choose their favorite research poster.
Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program Research Symposium awardees were:
Top Scholarship of Discovery project: Ben Radosevich, Casper.
Top Community Focused Scholarship, Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program project:
Annika Syvrud, Rock Springs.
Wyoming Health Impact Award: Shay Nelson, Afton.
People’s Choice Award: Jill Mayer, Big Horn.
UW medical student presenters, listed by hometown, name and project title, are:
Afton -- Shay Nelson, “Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine (Thayne, WY).”
Banner -- Noah Gustafson, “Reducing Oral Health Disparities in Sheridan, WY: Increasing Access to Fluoride Varnish for Children in a Non-Fluoridated Community.”
Big Horn -- Jill Mayer, “Impact of Transfer Time to Experienced Aortic Center on Outcomes of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.”
Casper -- Avery Potter, “Addressing Parents' Vaccine Hesitancy in Campbell County, WY”; Ben Radosevich, “Fibrin Sealant Patch Reduces Air Leak and Length of Stay After Robotic Pulmonary Resection”; Sarah Retherford, “Prospective Implementation of a Community Health Worker Program in Montpelier, Idaho, and the Greater Bear Lake Valley”; and Lulu Rochelle, “Infectious Keratitis Isolates and Susceptibility in Seattle, Washington.”
Cheyenne -- Cassidy Dellos, “Comparison of Train-of-Four Count Palpation Between Two Independent Assessors.”
Cody -- Caden Crooks, “Adopt a Grandparent, Powell WY.”
Douglas -- Makena Engelker, “Strengthening Community Protection: Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine Education in Rawlins, WY”; and Audrey Peasley, “Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in Douglas, WY.”
Green River -- Tim Radosevich, “Reducing Pediatric Mental Health Crisis Burden in Cody, WY through a Crisis Café Model”; and Hannah Thomas, “Implementation of the RAISE protocol in Sweetwater County, WY.”
Jackson -- Kyler Arriola, “Addressing Childhood Malnutrition through Provider Education in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kenya”; and Cassidy Sebastian, “Cardiac-Specific PAD2 Deletion Causes Diastolic Dysfunction in the Female Heart.”
Laramie -- Aedian O’Connor, “Perioperative Outcomes of Concomitant Aortic Root and Arch Surgery in Acute and Subacute Type A Aortic Dissection.”
Powell -- Carson Asher, “Factors Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Myelofibrosis Patients.”
Rock Springs -- Celeste Keelin, “Utilization of Smart Watches to Promote Cardiovascular Health in Hot Springs County, WY”; and Syvrud, “Enhancing Pediatric Diabetes Management in Fremont County through a Multidisciplinary Care Team-Based Model.”
Sheridan -- Jack Syring, “Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Amongst Motorcycle Rally Attendees in Crook County, WY.”
About the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program
Wyoming’s WWAMI Medical Education Program is a partnership between the University of Wyoming and the University of Washington School of Medicine. WWAMI Medical Education reserves 20 seats each year for qualified Wyoming residents. Students accepted to the program spend 18 months on the University of Wyoming campus. Students spend the third and fourth years at selected clinical sites throughout the WWAMI region.
