Clinical Pearls

Dr. Randy Moore, DNP, RN is a dedicated health care leader specializing in Veteran health and well-being. A Veteran himself, he is an Assistant Professor at the UAB School of Nursing and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he focuses on bridging gaps in health care knowledge related to the unique needs of America's Veteran population.

Dr. Carla Turner graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and also received a Masters in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice both for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is a Nurse Practitioner and Supervisor in the Heart Failure Transitional Care Services for Adults (HRTSA) Clinic, a nurse led clinic, at UAB in Birmingham, Alabama. She functions as a heart failure certified nurse practitioner in an underserved clinic for adults diagnosed with heart failure. She has been a practicing Nurse Practitioner since 2008 in a variety of clinical settings to include Pulmonary Critical Care, Hospitalist Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Cardiology.  Resources:1.     American College of Cardiology: https://www.acc.org/2.     American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org

Dr. Rita Jablonski blends clinical research with clinical practice, offering persons with dementia and their caregivers the best of both worlds.She is a tenured Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, a Scientist in UAB's Alzheimer's Disease Center, a Scientist in UAB's Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, and has a faculty practice at the UAB Memory Disorders Clinic.Resources: Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration: https://www.theaftd.orgUAB Brain Aging and Memory Clinic: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/alzheimers/patient-care/memory-disorders-clinic

Dr. Timiya S. Nolan is the Associate Director for Community Outreach & Engagement at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this role, she will be responsible for overseeing the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, which fosters transdisciplinary cancer research along with bi-directional communication and collaboration with communities statewide.Marcus Glover is a program manager in the Office Community Outreach & Engagement with Dr. Nolan at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. He helps coordinate the Hey Fellows program which is a community outreach program that we are going to talk more about in today's episode. Resources:https://www.onealcanceruab.org/community-outreach/#www.hetdconference.com

Chris Hickman has over 18 years of data and analytics experience. For the past 18 years, he has worked as a data analytics consultant, for multiple companies across various Industries, including oil, and gas Finance, Insurance, and health care. Most recently, he's taking on the role of founding member of his own company, Blueline Insights, which furthers his work and passions in data and analytics. Most recently, he has branched out into the area of artificial intelligence fueled by his love of Predictive Analytics in his work of all things data. He currently works as an instructor in the UAB School of Nursing in the informatics track to develop the future of nursing informaticists. In addition to working in the informatics track, he is also responsible for teaching topics in artificial intelligence for faculty, staff and students within the school. It's through his passion for continuing education and all things technology.Additional Resources: Now to Next: The Future of HealthcareDeep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human AgainArticle on overcrowding: https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/13880-uab-researchers-awarded-1-million-to-study-ways-to-reduce-emergency-department-overcrowding 

Dr. Andrea Boohaker is the Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Services at UAB. She was recently in the role of Director of Advanced Practice Providers overseeing approximately 200 APPs within the departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Neurology, PM&R, OMFS, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Trauma and Anesthesia Critical Care. She has over 17 years of experience in Orthopedic Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery. She holds a DNP degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MSN degree from Vanderbilt University. She began her career at The University of Texas at Houston as an orthopedic trauma APP functioning on the inpatient and ambulatory spaces and helped expand the APP footprint to serve the busiest trauma center in the country. Her current clinical practice at UAB involves autonomously treating patients with upper extremity trauma injuries and diagnoses. Dr. Boohaker also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing for the UAB School of Nursing within the MSN Acute Care Track. 

Clinical Pearls is taking a break this summer and will be back with new episodes in the fall! 

Dr. Jordan has over 12 years of experience caring for children, training the next generation of PNPs, and conducting research in pediatric injury. He is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Acute Care PNP Track at the UAB School of Nursing and a practicing PNP in the Pediatric ICU at Children's of Alabama.Alexandra Armstrong is an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience working at Children's of Alabama in the inpatient and outpatient setting. She is a full-time instructor at the UAB School of Nursing. She is a current PhD student studying medically complex children in foster care, and a foster parent for Jefferson Country DHR. She has an interest in vulnerable and at-risk youth as well as youth with special health care needs.

Dr. Penni Watts is an Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Clinical Simulation & Training, and Interim Associate Dean for The Office of Technology and Innovation. Her contributions to simulation and nursing education excellence have focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based standards to guide practice and growing leaders in using simulation as a learning modality. She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and has spent her career using simulation-based education to prepare nurses to provide safe care. 

Prior to joining the faculty at UAB, Dr. Eagerton was a nurse and Chief Nursing Officer for 31 years in the Veterans Health Administration before retiring in October 2017. As Chief Nursing Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer in VHA hospitals, he led over 3,000 employees and the operations providing care for over 70,000 Veterans. 

The UAB Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) works by having specially trained nurses regularly visit moms-to-be, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing after the baby is born. The goals of this program include improving pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in good preventive health practices, improving child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care, and improving the economic self-sufficiency of the family by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find work. Today we have Dr. Karmie Johnson and Dr. Candace Knight joining us to talk about this amazing project. UAB School of Nursing Nurse-Family Partnership: https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/partnerships/clinical/nurse-family-partnershipNational Nurse-Family Partnership: https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/

Perhaps one of the most frequently expressed concerns about the widespread use of artificial intelligence applications is the potential impact on academic integrity. We are talking today about the use of artificial intelligence in the university classroom including the benefits and challenges. We are going to discuss innovative ways to integrate AI tools into teaching practice while addressing ethical considerations. Dr. Amy Chatham is the Director, Center for Teaching and Learning at UAB. She has a deep passion for fostering meaningful learning experiences and a commitment to faculty development. She holds a Doctorate in Health Education and Promotion, where her work and teaching have focused on enhancing engagement and comprehension in diverse learning environments.UAB Center for Teaching and Learning: https://www.uab.edu/faculty/ctl

Low blood pressure during surgery is common in patients having non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. This can be secondary to many factors but has been linked to major postoperative complications such as renal failure to myocardial injury and even death. On today's episode of Clinical Pearls, we have an expert in this field. Amy Yerdon, DNP, MNA, CRNA, CNE, is an Assistant Professor in the UAB School of Nursing and the BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia Assistant Program Director. 

Dr. Edwin Aroke is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Ph.D. Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. He is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and a Nurse Scientist whose program of research focuses on racial pain disparities. His program of research, which is funded by the NIH, examines the role of epigenomic changes on chronic pain and pain disparities. 

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects approximately two out of five adult Americans. Among children and adolescents aged 2-19, approximately 16% are overweight and 19% are obese. By 2030, it is estimated that half of adults in the United States will be obese. On this episode of Clinical Pearls, we are joined by Brittany Nguyen, a women's health nurse practitioner who is a graduate of the UAB School of Nursing and currently works in a women's health clinic that also specializes in weight loss management. She joins to enlighten us on the emergence of prescription weight loss industry. Show links:UAB weight loss medicine: Weight Loss Medicine (uabmedicine.org)

Today we are joined by Emily Boydston, the only dedicated uterus transplant coordinator in the country. Emily is a graduate of the UAB School of Nursing and currently serves as the uterus transplant coordinator at UAB Medicine. Emily joins us to discuss advancements in uterine transplantation and also provides a unique perspective as the only transplant coordinator dedicated to uterine transplantation. Show links: UAB medicine uterine transplant: https://www.uabmedicine.org/specialties/uterus-transplantUAB news: https://www.uabmedicine.org/news/uabs-emily-boydston

The American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness all agree that work needs to be done to reduce overcrowding in our emergency departments. In this episode, we discuss reasons for and possible solutions to this crisis with Dr. Melanie Hallman. She has been a leader in emergency services for over four decades and championed development of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner subspecialty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, where she is an Associate Professor. Show links:Finding adaptive solutions: Birmingham C.A.R.E.S. treats “frequent fliers” https://www.firerescue1.com/paramedicine/articles/finding-adaptive-solutions-birmingham-cares-treats-frequent-fliers-HMs7u3pUlm1iokPR/ Cooper Green, Birmingham Fire and Rescue launch new community paramedicine program:https://www.uab.edu/news/campus/item/13647-cooper-green-birmingham-fire-and-rescue-launch-new-community-paramedicine-program American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners:https://www.aaenp-natl.org/The Emergency Nurses Association:https://www.ena.org

The goal of the STOP THE BLEED® campaign is to better prepare the public to save lives by raising awareness of basic actions that can stop life threatening bleeding following everyday emergencies and man-made and natural disasters. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Allison Jones about this campaign and learn how we can all be more prepared. Allison is an Assistant Professor in the UAB School of Nursing. She has been a certified Stop the Bleed instructor since 2017 and has an active program of research in this area. Show links:https://www.stopthebleed.org

This episode explores a specific kind of dementia. Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) describes a range of progressive dementia syndromes associated with atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This atrophy affects younger people and results in uncharacteristic and sometimes reckless behavior. Studies suggest that bvFTD is the second most common cause of young onset dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Today, we welcome Dr. Rita Jablonski. She is a visionary leader and innovator in the field of geriatric nursing. Show links:Vestavia Hills FTD support group: amber.guy@icloud.comLink to podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rita-a-jablonski

According to the Joint Commission, poor communication accounts for two thirds of sentinel incidents in health care. Inadequate communication between nurses and doctors leads to dissatisfaction at work and poor patient outcomes. On this episode, Dr. Brian Flanagan, a pulmonologist and critical care physician, and Adam Weekley, an ICU nurse and nurse practitioner student, discuss ways they have achieved optimal communication techniques.Links:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6626231/https://aacnjournals.org/ajcconline/article-abstract/16/6/536/633/Healthy-Work-Environments-Nurse-Physician

Nursing is the nation's largest health care profession, with nearly 5.2 million registered nurses and more than 355,000 nurse practitioners in the United States. With this many members, nurses have the potential to profoundly influence policy on a global scale. When nurses influence the politics that improve the delivery of health care, they are ultimately advocating for their patients.On this episode of clinical pearls, we are joined by Dr. Eileen Meyer. She is a nurse practitioner and the Assistant Director to Advanced Practice Providers at UAB Medicine, which employs over 900 Advanced Practice Providers. She also is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the UAB School of Nursing and teaches the Health Policy and Politics Course. She served as Vice President for Health Policy for the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama and now assume the role of Senior Policy Advisor representing over 8,000 nurse practitioners in Alabama.Links: Nurse Practitioner Alliance of AlabamaAmerican Nurses AssociationAmerican Association of Nurse PractitionersAlabama State Nurses Association

On this episode of Clinical Pearls, we are joined by UABSON Assistant Professor Dr. Lauren Mays, a Family Nurse Practitioner who maintains a clinic practice at the Well House. Lauren was recently awarded a 2023 Padma Award. The Padma Awards, sponsored by the UAB Commission on the Status of Women, shine a light on those who go above and beyond to persevere in support of underrepresented populations. In 2022, several international organizations worked together to highlight the impact of human trafficking in a report called Global Estimates of Modern Slavery. They estimate that in 2021, 27.6 million people around the world were in forced labor. Experts suggest that the impact of human trafficking can be difficult to measure due to the “hidden nature of the crime,” among other reasons. 

The future is here! Today's guest is Paul Malito, Nurse Manager for UAB's TeleICU. Malito says the lack of bedside experience among nurses is a problem nationally. On average, nurses have fewer than six months of bedside experience, and that has been further limited by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years. An operations center for the Tele-ICU and Tele-Acute Nursing units connects less experienced bedside nurses with those who have more experience.According to Malito, telehealth helps accomplish two key goals for inpatient care: proactively addressing changing patient conditions and making more efficient use of experienced nurses' knowledge. Three new inpatient platforms take advantage of in-room technology that allows constant virtual monitoring and interaction to better respond to symptoms. Over 320 UAB Hospital patient rooms are wired with virtual patient monitoring equipment that enables nurses to observe and interact with patients with audio and/or video, communicate with bedside nurses, and engage emergency alarms.Links: https://www.uabmedicine.org/news/nurses-use-telehealth-to-improve-service-and-patient-outcomes/#

Access to health care has for a long time been used as an indicator on the health status of communities. Healthy people 2030 defines access to health care as the timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes. Providing avenues that improve access to health care services improves the overall health status of a community.In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Munoz, a certified Nurse-Midwife and Co-Director of the UABSON Nurse-Midwifery Pathway, talks to us about the critical role nurse midwives play in addressing this issue. Helpful links for more information:UAB Nurse Midwifery Pathway PageMarch of Dimes Maternity Care Deserts ReportAmerican College of Midwives WebsiteJournal of Midwifery and Women's Health's “Ask the Midwife”Joint Statement of Practice Relations Between ACNM and ACOGWhere You Live Matters

Join hosts Dr. Tracie White and Dr. BJ Haamankuli as they preview the new season of Clinical Pearls. 

Learn more about the laws for governing nurse practice. Guests include Natalie Baker, DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, GNP-BC, CNE, GS-C, FAANP, FAAN and Elizabeth Crooks, DNP, RN, CNEyoutube version available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIIPQOvNZ_U

Translate knowledge for improvements in clinical practice. Panelists include Curry Bordelon, DNP, MBA, CRNP and Terri Poe, DNP, RN, NE-BCyoutube video available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I3fymBUgSI

Become an Adult-Gero Acute or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Guests include Cori Johnson, DNP, CRNP, AGNP-C and Rebecca Suttle, DNP, CRNP, AGACNP-BCyoutube version available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjDRB4689wg

Hone your skills for management and executive leadership in healthcare organizations. Guests include Greg Eagerton, DNP, RN, NEA-BC and Marisa Wilson, DNSc, MHSc, RN, CPHIMS, RN-BC, FAMIA, FAANyoutube link to watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky1KoTloD9w

Expand your horizons in nursing fields. Guests include Curry Bordelon, DNP, MBA, CRNP and Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC, CNE, CHSEYoutube version available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kf-jSU-vNM

Season 8 of Clinical Pearls discusses career and degree paths in the nursing field. In Episode 5 of this season, guests discuss becoming a nurse scientist and discovering knowledge to change health care. Panelists include Sigrid Ladores, PhD, RN, PNP, CNE, and Ellen Smith, PhD, MSN, RN, AOCN, FAAN. This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/AfD5N3WqLkA.

Season 8 of Clinical Pearls discusses career and degree paths in the nursing field. In Episode 4 of this season, guests discuss midwifery and impacting the lives of birthing parents, babies and families. Panelists include Sharon Holley, DNP, CNM, FACNM, and Allison Shorten PhD, RN, RM, FACM, FAAN. This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/VW90-SyKr1o.

Season 8 of Clinical Pearls discusses career and degree paths in the nursing field. In Episode 3 of this season, guests discuss advanced pediatric nursing practice, including ambulatory and acute. Panelists include Jeremy Jordan, PhD, MSN, CRNP, CCRN, CPNP-AC, CNE, and Tedra Smith, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC, CNE. This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/KiMqeyi-OLY.

Season 8 of Clinical Pearls discusses career and degree paths in the nursing field. In Episode 2 of this season, guests discuss specializing in nurse anesthesia perioperative practice. Panelists include Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, and Susan McMullan, PhD, CRNA, CNE, CHSE. This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/vP-sf7FTw8c.

Season 8 of Clinical Pearls discusses career and degree paths in the nursing field. In Episode 1 of this season, guests discuss entry into nursing practice and the different options to becoming a nurse. Panelists include Katie Parris, DNP, RN, CNE; Michael Mosley, MSN, CRNP, ANP-BC; and Danielle Baker, DNP, RN, CNE. This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/BNdi8S64EWM.

Season 7 of Clinical Pearls discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Episode 4 of this season, guests discuss the effects of caring for patients on bedside nurses and the ramifications of the COVID pandemic on nursing practice. Panelists include Susanne Fogger, DNP, CRNP, CARN-AP, PMHNP-BC, FAANP; Teena McGuinness, PhD, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, FAAN; and Paula Levi, BSN, RN, PhD Student. This episode is also available in video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Al4C0k0Rw.

Season 7 of Clinical Pearls discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Episode 3 features a discussion about long-term patient outcomes and other clinical challenges in the fight against COVID. Guests include Stuart Cohen, MD, FACP, and Turner Overton, MD. This episode is also available in video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbGQAQ81rUI&t=1919s.

Season 7 of Clinical Pearls discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Episode 2 of this season, panelists discuss how healthcare providers and public health officials have addressed issues concerning vaccines and other measures to promote health and safety during the COVID pandemic. Guests include Ian Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl., ACVP; Ellen F. Eaton, MD, MSPH; and Suzanne E. Judd, PhD, MPH. This episode is also available in video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoxvNhArLsw&t=1953s.

Season 7 of Clinical Pearls discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Episode 1 of this season focuses on the effects of COVID on adult and child mental health. Our featured guests on this show are psychiatric nurse practitioners, including Marcus Debiasi, DDS, MS-BMS, BSN-RN, CRNP-PMH; Erica Kierce, DNP; and Karmie Johnson, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP-BC, CNE. This episode is also available in video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ShZxIqgP9w.

Season 6 of Clinical Pearls features discussions on population health, with Episode 5 featuring a discussion regarding experiences in caring for homeless patients and meeting the diverse needs of this vulnerable population. This episode features Richard Taylor DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, andJennifer Janowiecki MSN, PMHNP-BC.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/mR5FM0w_Bfs

Season 6 of Clinical Pearls features discussions regarding population health, with Episode 4 including a discussion between nurses who care for children in K-12 settings about how to address challenges in ensuring optimum care for all children. This episode features Jasmine Barnett, MSN, RN, and Tanya Kendrick BSN, RN.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/H-xIWADMhi8

Season 6 of Clinical Pearls features discussions of population health. Episode 3 features a discussion on how to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ patients using culturally competent care, featuring Michelle Allen, Ed.D, and Meghan Whitfield, CRNP.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/D86WF5nDc-A.

Season 6 of Clinical Pearls includes discussions of population health. Episode 2 includes a discussion between national nurse leaders will focus on caring for active military patients and veterans in various settings, featuring The Hon. Linda S. Schwartz, RN, MSN, DrPH, FAAN and Patricia Patrician PhD, RN, FAAN.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/kzsHTL832YA. 

Season 6 of Clinical Pearls focuses on leading care for diverse populations. Episode 1 includes a discussion on reducing health care disparities among diverse populations to optimize patient outcomes, featuring Marisa L. Wilson DNSc, MHSc, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FAMIA, FIAHSI, FAAN, Nancy Rudner, DrPH, APRN, and Karyn Nicholson, DNPThis episode is also available in video format at youtube.com/watch?v=jJWibHvJdkY.

Join us to learn how introducing animal-assisted therapy affects a patient's emotional and social well-being in the intensive care unit.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/8xaFsrTrO2o

Health care providers are used to taking care of others, but how can they best take care of themselves? Our panelists will discuss skills that can be developed for resilience and coping, especially during times of extreme stress.This episode is also available in video format at https://youtu.be/mgkOaLHxlYc

Listen in as our panelists from the UAB Arts in Medicine group will discuss how they encourage healing by engaging patients in creative arts such as music therapy, poetry, visual arts, and more.This episode is also available in a video format at https://youtu.be/L5jO54YAbGc