Rural Student Physician Program (RSPP) Community Focused Health Projects

1997 to Present Heading link

In 2013, the RSPP Scholarly Project was renamed to be the Community Focused Health Project. This change included a greater focus on a local health problem assessment and plan; however, the general focus of the past projects relates to the current assignment and may give ideas to current and future students.

  • A Topical Review of Childhood Obesity and a Look at its Prevalence in Clinton County, Illinois (Sr. Rosario Carrasco, 2011-2012)
  • Becoming Baby-Friendly: Implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative at a Rural Hospital in Southern Illinois (Stephanie Scheibal Milam, 2017-2018)
  • Alcohol Abuse in Clinton County (Zachary Kinney, 2020-2021)
  • Ergogenic Aid Use Among High School Students 30 (Christopher Miles, 2003-2004)
  • Breast Feeding in Rural Illinois (Reid Masters, 2006-2007)
  • Pregnancy: What is Safe for my Baby and Me? An Educational Intervention for Rural Pregnant Women (Molly McMorrow, 2008-2009)
  • Peoria Health Education, Awareness, and Resources Teams HEARTs: An eight month retrospective (J. Bart Rose, 2008-2009, Canton; joint project w/ Michael Lintner, Effingham)
  • Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Communities: Addressing a Persistent Disparity of Care – A Review (Matthew C. Re`, 2009-2010)
  • Hospice: The Burden of Late Referral (Jenna Ruple, 2010-2011)
  • Physician-Based Approach to Smoking Cessation as an Alternative to Lung Cancer Screening, A Review (Christy George, 2011-2012)
  • The Use of New Media and Technologies to Improve Adolescent Sexual Health: A Review & Implications for Rural Medicine (Mindy Colgrove, 2012-2013)
  • BMI and Nutritional Knowledge in Fulton County (Linda Agyapong, 2014-2015)
  • Fulton County Type II Diabetic Glucose Control (Andrei Froehling, 2015-2016)
  • Chronic Pesticide Exposure: A Study of Autoimmune Disease Prevalence in a Rural Illinois County (Chad Lampe, 2015-2016)
  • Wall-mounted Oxygen Reading Accuracy in Academic Institution vs. Rural Setting (Anna Bailey, 2016-2017)
  • Type 2 Diabetic Action Plan for at Home Glycemic Control (Sarah Coe, 2019-2020)
  • Improving CMS Core Measure SEP-1 Compliance in rural Health Systems (Taylor Schweigert, 2020-2021)
  • Improving Patient Outcomes: Sepsis Protocol of SEP-1 Compliance in Rural Illinois (Andrew Meister, 2020-2021)
  • Community Health and Wellness Seminar (Aleetra Roberts, Randy Davis, Melissa Miller 2021-2022)
  • Improving Health Outcomes in Fulton County by Improving Personal Organizational Health Literacy( Oluwadamilola Bankole 2022-2023)
  • Increasing Healthcare Outcomes in Canton, IL: 2023 Health and Wellness Fair( Nene Sy- 2023-2024)
  • Health Resource Fair Implementation in a Rural Community – (Erin Fund 2023-2024)
  • The Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in a Rural Primary Care Setting (Daniel Jeremy 1998- 1999, Granville; joint project w/ Michael Schultheis, Effingham)
  • Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Rural Practice (Brian Harrison, 2000-2001, Effingham; joint project w/ Joshua Schupbach, Kewanee; Ryan Walsh, Granville)
  • Peoria Health Education, Awareness, and Resources Teams HEARTs (Michael Lintner, 2008- 2009, Effingham; joint project w/ J. Bart Rose, Canton)
  • Survey to Assess the Availability of Mental Health Resources in Rural Communities (Derek Minor, 2018-2019, Effingham; joint project with Emily McLaughlin, 2018-2019, Mattoon)
  • Mental Health and Drug Addiction Resource Availability in a Rural Setting (Lance Workman, 2019-2020)
  • Evolving in Effingham: Integration of primary care and public health to reduce infant mortality (Leah Beth (Carter) VanBlaricum, 2020-2021)
  • Implementing Educational Opportunities for Plant Based Diets to Reduce Coronary Artery Disease and other Chronic Diseases – (Morgan Powers 2022-2023)
  • Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening (Arthur Rawlings, 2002-2003)
  • Family Practice Preliminary X-Ray Readings Compared to Radiologist Final Readings (Shayne Fehr, 2005-2006)
  • Patient Education and Adherence Concerning Diabetes Mellitus (Hoschek, Christine Baumgardner)
  • Performance of the Precision QID and One Touch II Glucometers: Testing the Manufacturer’s Claim of Accuracy (Christine (Baumgardner) Petzing, 1997-1998)
  • Reliability and Validity of Home Glucose Monitoring Systems (Jeffrey Baumgardner, 2000-2001)
  • MICCAT2: A Prospective Open Label Blinded-Endpoint Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Micardis & Micardis HCT on 24-hr Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Essential HTN (Arin (Johnson) Ford, 2002-2003)
  • Coumadin and Vitamin K (Jennifer (Ekdahl) Cortes, 2002-2003)
  • Cymbalta vs. Effexor: Treating Chronic Pain (Heather (Barrett) Draeger, 2004-2005)
  • Assessing Coronary Heart Disease Risk and Goal LDL Cholesterol Level (Amy Reed, 2004-2005)
  • Motivation for Smoking and Methods of Smoking Cessation (Jonathan Howard, 2005-2006)
  • Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome Using a Revised Flowsheet… (Sidney Palmer Hill, 2006-2007)
  • Efficacy of a Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet in Children with Autism (Lorraine (Torres) Garland, 2006-2007)
  • Navigating Adolescent Emergencies – First Aid, Wilderness Survival & Relationship Survival Skills Among Central IL Youth (Debia Kim 2007-2008, Galesburg; joint project w/ Miguel Escalon, Kewanee)
  • Updating COPD Spirometry with Appropriate Treatment: Quality Assurance for OSF Galesburg Family Practice Clinic (S. Ryan Gore, 2010-2011)
  • Investigation of Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus in a Rural Community (Elizabeth Hauslein, 2010-2011)
  • The impact of factors that may affect the gut microbiome on childhood obesity in a rural community (Brian Barnacle, 2017-2018)
  • Type 2 Diabetes Care Plan (Laura Jorgenson, 2019-2020)
  • Expanding Telehealth in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Introduction of Video-Conferencing at Bridgeway Mental Health Center in Knox County (Anna Serrano, 2020-2021)
  • Organizing a Schedule II & III Controlled Substance Agreement for Chronic Pain Management in Knox County Illinois (Grant Gingerich 2021- 2022)
  • Educating Kewanee High School Students About E-Cigarettes: An Application of the VisCAP Model of Advertising Creativity ( Adee Athiyaman 2022-2023)
  • Mental Health and Pregnancy – ( Ajoke Maryam Iromini 2022-2023)
  • Utilization of reading materials in a holistic approach to depression and anxiety(Ethan Meeker 2023-2024)
  • Improving Community Health Outcomes in Henry County by Enhancing Patient Understanding of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia in the Outpatient Setting (Nathan Soria- 2023-2024)
  • VA Check-In Clinic Introduction to Geneseo and Macomb – Joint Project – (Blythe Richards / Macomb, Ryan Dillard, Geneseo 2023-2024)
  • The Use of Alternative Medicine by Family Practice Patients (Ellen Pratt, 1997-1998, Gibson City; joint project w/ Jenny Powell, Clinton)
  • The Patient’s Differential Diagnosis: Unpredictable Concerns in Visits for Acute Cough in a Rural Family Practice Setting (Bill Olson, 1989-1999)
  • Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Rural Practice (Shane Fogo, 2000-2001; joint project w/ Geoffrey Capes, Kewanee; Brian Harrison, Effingham; Joshua Schupbach, Kewanee; Ryan Walsh, Granville)
  • Perceptions Towards Mental Health (Isaac Lee, 2002-2003, joint project w/ Brad Stoecker, Kewanee)
  • Capillary Blood Glucose Testing as an Addition to Traditional Vital Signs (Kathleen Baluk Raschka, 2004-2005)
  • Survey Evaluation of a Rural High School Health Care Project (Daniel Lau, 2006-2007)
  • Postpartum Depression (Danielle Tomevi, 2007-2008)
  • Are Patients Telling the Truth About Taking Medications? (Robert Biggs 2008-2009)
  • Rural Primary Care Practice HPV Vaccination Rates: A Retrospective Analysis in Gibson Area Hospital Primary Care Practice (Elizabeth Holcomb, 2013-2014)
  • Analysis of Rural Primary Care Practice HPV Vaccination (Ashley (Randle) Mallory, 2014-2015)
  • Hemoglobin A1c levels and score on Diabetic Numeracy Test (James Smith, 2016-2017)
  • Feasibility of an Anti-Bullying Action Plan in the Primary Care Setting (Kaysha Henry, 2019-2020)
  • A Study of Health Literacy in Rural Illinois (Lochan Bellamkonda, 2018-2019)
  • Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Outreach (Bhargavi Dhanireddy, 2020-2021)
  • Improving community awareness on vascular risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes (Dan Henley 2023-2024)
  • Reasons Adolescents Report For Not Using Contraceptives Prior to Sexual Intercourse (Shawn Reathaford 1997-1998)
  • The Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in a Rural Primary Care Setting (Daniel Jeremy, 1998- 1999, Granville; joint project w/ Michael Schultheis, Effingham)
  • Sun Exposure Survey (Ryan Windish, 2002-2003)
  • Extra-Anatomic Bypass Surgery as a Way to Treat Peripheral Vascular Disease (Eric High, 2004- 2005)
  • Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Rural Practice (Ryan Walsh, Granville, 2000-2001, Joshua Schupbach, Kewanee; Brian Harrison, Effingham)
  • Prevalence and Correlates of Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Rural Populations in Central Illinois (Jonathan Jou, 2017-2018)
  • Hemoglobin A1C Chart Review at Primary Care Group (Nicole Kennedy, 2008-2009)
  • Community Perceptions of Teen Pregnancy in Havana, IL (Sheema Khan, 2008-2009)
  • Media Influence on Health-Seeking Behavior in a Rural Population (Joint Project: Chad Painter, and Sherwin Parunagao, 1999-2000, Kewanee)
  • Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Rural Practice (Joshua Schupbach, 2000-2001, Kewanee Brian Harrison, Effingham; joint project w/; Ryan Walsh, Granville)
  • Pregnant Women’s Views and Knowledge about Umbilical Cord Blood Collection, Storage, and Utilization (Jeffrey Meglin, 2004-2005)
  • Factors that Influence a Woman’s Decision Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy (Susan Catt, 2006-2007)
  • Navigating Adolescent Emergencies – First Aid, Wilderness Survival & Relationship Survival Skills Among Central IL Youth (Miguel Escalon, 2007-2008, Kewanee; joint project w/ Debia Kim 2007-2008, Galesburg)
  • RSPP: Development of an Adolescent Diabetes Support Group (Matt Heberer, 2013-2014)
  • Addressing Obesity and Chronic Diet-Related Disease with Prevention Efforts Early in Life (Paulo Michelini, 2016-2017)
  • A Comparison of Chronic Pain In The Elderly of Henry and Stark Counties, IL (Joel Dennison, 2017-2018)
  • Mapping Medication Assisted Treatment and Behavioral Counseling Services Available to Pregnant Women with Opiod Use Disorder in a Rural Illinois Community (Elizabeth Edwards, 2018-2019)
  • Weight Loss Handout for Rural Health Clinic (David Cook, 2020-2021)
  • Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Women of Reproductive Age- A Cross-Sectional Study of Women in Rural Illinois (Olivia White, 2015-2016)
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Adolescent Pregnancy in Rural Communities (Catherine Jimenez, 2017-2018)
  • Implementation of a Sepsis Protocol in a Rural Emergency Department (Brian Didier, 2018-2019)
  • Implementing the “Wake Up and Breathe” Protocol in a Rural Hospital (Mit Patel, 2020-2021)
  • Healthy Choices to Combat Childhood Obesity: An Educational Initiative ( Aleyna Brunner 2021-2022)
  • Public Education on Sexual Health Following Increasing STI-Incidence in McDonough County, Illinois (Michael Neff 2022-2023)
  • Prevalence of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in McDonough County (Rahwa Hailemichael 2023-2024)
  • VA Check-In Clinic Introduction to Geneseo and Macomb – Joint Project – (Blythe Richards / Macomb, Ryan Dillard, Geneseo 2023-2024)
  • Breast Cancer: How Well Are We Teaching our Patients? (Sara Beth Malone, 2005-2006)
  • A Survey of Adolescent Knowledge of Timing of Conception During Menstrual Cycle.(Amy (Smith) Gerwe, 2005-2006)
  • A Review of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (Joseph Jackson, 2010-2011)
  • Designation of a Level 2 Trauma Center in Southern Illinois (Jacob Stewart, 2019-2020)
  • Designation of a Level 2 Trauma Center in Southern Illinois (Justin Thorpe, 2020-2021)
  • The Effects of the Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms and Pulmonary Function in Non-asthmatics (John Lee, 1999-2000)
  • Women’s Preventive Health Priorities Survey (Scott Meyer, 2002-2003)
  • Allergic Rhinitis (Wen-Hsiang Chung, 2004-2005)
  • Survey to Assess the Availability of Mental Health Resources in Rural Communities (Emily McLaughlin, 2018-2019, Mattoon; joint project with Derek Minor, 2018-2019, Effingham)
  • Buprenorphine Therapy for Opiod Use Disorder in a Rural Setting: Needs, Obstacles and Possible Solutions (David Jackson, 2019-2020)
  • Buprenorphine induction protocol for a rural emergency department (Scott Rentfrow 2021-2022)
  • Supporting Childhood Development at the Toledo Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project (Catharine Leahy 2022-2023)
  • Assessing Vaccine Hesitancy in Obstetric Patients in Mattoon, IL (Andrea Ohk- 2023-2024)
  • Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Community Health Needs Assessment (Not-for Profit Hospital) (Zaphrirah Chin 2023-2024)
  • Factors Affecting Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Adults in Jefferson County, IL (Nathan DeVenney, 2017-2018)
  • A Review of MRSA (Brent Rocke, 2007-2008)
  • Colorectal Cancer in Livingston County, Illinois (Jason Douglas, 2010-2011)
  • Treatment of Alcoholism (Lisa LeBerge, 2012-2013)
  • Narcotic Prescribing for Chronic Pain Patients in Rural Western Illinois (Kerry Storms, 2014-1015)
  • Attitudes and Beliefs Toward the Influenza Vaccine in Livingston County, 2015-2016)
  • Examining Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Livingston County (Michael Atwell, 2016- 2017)
  • Simplified Nutrition Guide for Patients with Diabetes in a Rural Outpatient Setting (Zebib Yemane, 2019-2020)
  • Suicide & Generation Y (Melissa Jo Davis, 2007-2008)
  • Assessing Patients’ Understanding of their Prescription Medications in a Primary Care Physician’s Practice (Jonathan Gehlbach 2008-2009)
  • Patient/Parent Perceptions Regarding Antibiotic Use (Jared Zotz, 2005-2006)
  • RSPP Track vs. Traditional Track: A Descriptive Analysis of Surgical Caseloads (Yolanda Chang, 2006-2007)
  • An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Tar Wars Smoking Prevention Program (Michael Klingler, 2003-2004)
  • Student Satisfaction with the Support Services Offered by UICOMP (Nathan Holt, 2004-2005)
  • Efficacy of the RSPP Log (Matthew Deppe, 2001-2002, Tremont; joint project w/ Gregory Johnson, Kewanee)
  • Eating, Couching and Slouching – A Review on the Literature of Obesity in the US (Christopher Johnson, 2007-2008)
  • The Future of Private Practice Medicine (Jonathan Schmidt, 2008-2009)
  • Music and Medicine (Abraham Rodriguez, 2011-2012)
  • Continuous Quality Improvement in Tazewell County: Evaluating Patient Awareness (Alyssa (Lawler) Mowrer, 2014-2015)
  • Logic Model: Adopting a Healthy School Lunch Resolution to Combat Obesity and Diet-Related Chronic Disease from an Early Age (Ryan Herring, 2016-2017)
  • Sulfur Dioxide Exposure in an Environmental Protection Agency Nonattainment Area (Therese Korndorf Woodring, 2017-2018)
  • Promoting Proper Nutrition in Adolescent Athletes (Adam Geier, 2020-2021)
  • The 5-2-1-0 Message: A Guideline in Preventing Childhood Obesity (Miles Herr 2021-2022)
  • Latino Community and Health Care in Iroquois County (Jamie Hannah, 2000-2001)

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