The 93nd Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony 2023
FROM THE ACADEMY/DPHA LEADERSHIP
Atour 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, the Academy/DPHA voted in new Executive Committee leadership Our new President, Mr Lynn Jones, hit the ground running, and focused his administration on the current public health challenges in Delaware, and finding ways for the Academy/DPHA to have an even greater positive impact on the health and well-being of the Delaware community At the end of the year, Dr Kate Smith, program manager for the past seven years, was elevated to the position of Executive Director, while Mr Tim Gibbs stepped down after sixteen years at the helm
Throughout these transitions, the Academy/DPHA has continued to abide by our mission: to enhance the well-being of our community through education, the promotion of public health, research, and targeted investments in human capital and development through our student financial aid program
To that end, in 2023 we offered extensive programming and educational activities for both the lay public and healthcare providers across the state We continued researching the Delaware-based healthcare workforce, and published five issues of the Delaware Journal of Public Health We approved $98,197 in financial aid to further the education of 10 students of various healthcare disciplines
And we couldn’t have done any of it without you – our members, our partners, and our friends
Thank you for a great 2023, and we look forward to an even better 2024!
Lynn Jones, FACHE
President
Officers
Directors
Kate
Smith, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Lynn Jones, FACHE, President Stephen C. Eppes, MD, President-Elect
Katherine W. Smith, MD, MPH, NPMc, Executive Director
Jeffrey M. Cole, DDS, MBA, Treasurer
Ann Painter, MSN, RN, Secretary
S. John Swanson, MD, Immediate Past President
David M. Bercaw, MD
Eric T. Johnson, MD
Saundra DeLauder, PhD Erin M. Kavanaugh, MD Joseph Kelly, DDS Omar A. Khan, MD, MHS,
Daniel J. Meara, MD, DMD
Brian W. Little, MD, PhD
John P. Piper, MD Megan L. Werner, MD, MPH Charmaine Wright, MD, MSHP
Staff
DPHA Advisory Committee
Emeritus Members of the Board
Barry S. Kayne, DDS Joseph F. Kestner, Jr, MD
Omar A. Khan, MD, MHS, Chair
Mia A. Papas, PhD
Karyl T. Rattay, MD, MS
William J. Swiatek, MA, AICP
Erin K. Knight, PhD, MPH
Melissa K. Melby, PhD
Laura Lessard, PhD, MPH
Louis E. Bartoshesky, MD, MPH Gerard Gallucci, MD, MSH Allison Karpyn, PhD
Alfred Bacon, III, MD
Katherine W. Smith, MD, MPH, NPMc, Executive Director
Timothy Gibbs, MPH Director and Principal Investigator
Katherine W. Smith, MD, MPH, NPMc, Executive Director
Dayzha Washam, BA Executive Assistant
Almon (Al) Harper Accounting
Matt McNeill, BS Research Associate
Nicole Sabine, BS, Research Associate
Giselle Bermudez, MS Student Financial Aid Coordinator
The Immunization Coalition of Delaware
Mission: Bring together local, state, and community organizations and individuals to promote education about vaccine preventable diseases and new vaccines, with the goal of improving access and vaccination rates throughout the lifespan. https://immunizedelaware.org/
The ICD works in partnership with its members and their organizations to advocate for policy issues related to childhood, adolescent, and adult immunizations; reduce disparities in adult access to immunizations; and to shape the healthcare process and outcomes for Delaware residents in relation to vaccine preventable disease
The ICD’s goal for 2023-2024 is to increase awareness of vaccine development, testing, efficacy and approval in the United States among both the public and healthcare professionals in Delaware
All quarterly meetings of the ICD were held virtually this year Alongside the standing discussion items (influenza updates, school health, and global emerging infectious disease), the ICD received updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which ended May 10, 2023, RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, HPV, and updated ACIP recommendations
The ICD’s website is https://www immunizedelaware org/, and has sections for both healthcare professionals and the public, with links to immunization stories in the news, and other immunization topics The ICD also publishes its Week in Review on Mondays
On December 7, and in partnership with the Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the ICD offered the 2023 Immunization Summit at Bally’s Dover Casino This was the first time the yearly summit focused entirely on immunization, and was also the first time the summit was held in person since the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Over 80 people registered for the conference, and 70 attended Tables were available for vendors throughout the day Presentations included
• Update on Delaware Health, by Awele Madukah-Ezeh, MD, MPH, PhD, CCHP; State Medical Director, Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Emerging Vaccine Pipeline, by Jennifer Vodzak, MD; Medical Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
• Training Medical Providers on Best Practices for HPV Vaccination, Sarah Toborowski, Quality Insights
• Delaware’s Respiratory Overview, by Sarah Czukiewski, MPH, Epidemiologist II, Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Immunization Program Updates, by Jim Talbott, MPA, Director, Immunization and Vaccines for Children Program, Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Vaccine Hesitancy, by Heather Simpson and Lydia Grenier, Back to the Vax
• Hepatitis A and B Vaccines, by Captain Sarah Schillie, MD, MPH, MBA, United States Public Health Service, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• RSV: Ready for Some Vaccines? By Stephen C Eppes, MD, ChristianaCare
The conference was accredited by the Medical Society of Delaware for 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ of continuing medical education, and slide decks were available online after the conference
Delaware Chronic Disease Coalition
Mission: Provide a reliable resource of information about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic disease for all Delawareans; and provide ongoing support for those living with chronic disease.
https://dechronicdiseasecoalition.org/
The Academy/DPHA and the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), along with the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section of the Delaware Division of Public Health, Quality Insights, and We Work for Health was held on February 15, 2023 at the Embassy Suites in Newark, Delaware The theme of the virtual conference was “Connecting with Prevention ” Sixty-five people registered for the event, and 57 attended Presentations included:
• Morning Keynote by Molly Magarik, MS; Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Maternal and Child Health Panel moderated by Lisa Gruss (Quality Insights) and with panelists Marie Pinkney (State Senator, 13th District), Adriana Viveros-sosa (ChristianaCare), Gakeya Conner (Quality Insights), and David Paul, MD (ChristianaCare)
• Behavioral Health Panel, moderated by Kate Smith, MD, MPH (Academy/DPHA) and with panelists Lt Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Angie Alomar Gilbert, RN (PHMC), and Suzanne Bauer (ChristianaCare)
• Chronic Disease Panel, moderated by Stephanie Shell, MSS (Public Health Management Corporation) and with panelists Leah Suter, MS (HRSA), Dinetta Armstrong, MBA (PHMC), Aunya Grimsley (PHMC), and Kevin Caputo, MD (PHMC)
• Afternoon Keynote by Erin Booker, LPC, ChristianaCare
The conference was accredited by the Medical Society of Delaware for 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ of continuing medical education, and also accredited for 5 credits of continuing education in public health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners
Donations
In 2023, research associate Nicole Sabine participated in Lightful’s BRIDGE program, designed to assist nonprofits in building an online presence and digital resilience A campaign, in partnership with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, resulted in the Academy/ DPHA raising $7,850 Nicole has since strengthened the Academy/DPHA’s donations program, and has worked with various fundraising campaigns throughout the state to increase the Academy/DPHA’s public donations
Conferences and Educational Events
Delaware Mini Medical School
This year we welcomed the Sussex County Health Coalition as a new partner in Delaware Mini Medical School expanding our reach into Kent and Sussex Counties for the first time This was part of an overall expansion of the Mini Medical School initiative underwritten with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Mini Medical School is the Academy/DPHA orientation and recruitment strategy encouraging middle, junior, high school, undergrad, and graduate students to consider a career in the health sciences
Delaware Mini Medical School was held on consecutive Tuesdays and Wednesdays between April 6th to December 19, 2023 Lectures were broadcast via the Zoom platform All 2023 sessions are posted online at https://delawareminimed.org Additional program expansion is expected in 2024
Over a thousand individuals registered for the 2023 program Over one hundred people attended all six weeks Many attendees were high school students, and the majority were Delawareans In addition, and at the suggestion of the Sussex County Health Coalition, we started a new affinity program named the Delaware Youth Medical Academy This special group of scholars is limited to students, and is a self-selected group of individuals who elect to do additional work and writing to become a member
The 2023 program included the following sessions:
Spring 2023 Mini Med North:
• April 6, 2023. Gene Editing, by Natalia Rivera–Torres, PhD
• April 13, 2023. Bariatric Surgery, by Elizabeth McCarthy, MD
• April 20, 2023. Interventional Cardiology, by Neil Wimmer, MD, MS
• April 27, 2023. Anxiety – types, identification, treating, by Vishal Patel, MD
• May 4, 2023. Neuro-Interventional Surgery, by Thinesh Sivapatham, MD
Fall 2023 Mini Med North:
• October 4, 2023. Women’s Health, by Hazel Morales Ayala, CHW; Cynthia Concepcion, CHW, and Mike Feil, CHW
• October 11, 2023. Immunization and Public Health, by Kate Smith, MD, MPH
• October 18, 2023. Dentistry, by Joe Kelly, DDS
• October 25, 2023. Neurology, by Lee Dresser, MD
• November 1, 2023. Family Medicine, by Margot Savoy, MD, MPH
• November 8, 2023 Heart / Circulatory Health, by Chris Otto, MSN, RN, CCRN
Fall 2023 Mini Med South
• November 14, 2023. Understanding Athletic Training and Physical Therapy, by Dr Julie Moyer-Knowles, EDD, DPT, ATC, CVRS
• November 21, 2023. From Nurse to Nurse Practitioner, Career Advancement, by Carrie Snyder, DNP, FNP-BC, PMH-C
• November 28, 2023. So You Want to Work in Pediatric Nursing? by Taryn Pariag, MSN, RN
• December 5, 2023. Working in Family Medicine, by Dr Shalini Shah
• December 12, 2023. Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of Hospice and Palliative Care by Monet Henry, RN, CDP, CHPN
• December 19, 2023 The Role of Physical Therapy in Healthcare, by Colin Burke, PT, DPT
Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Conference
Together with the Pennsylvania Public Health Association and the Maryland Public Health Association, the Academy/DPHA continued to work across state lines to improve the public health of our region, offering the second annual Public Health Conference for the Mid-Atlantic Region, “Public Health and Climate Change: Response, Policy, and Implementation ” This virtual conference was held on March 16-17, and offered two days of content Panels consisting of experts from each state weighed in on one health, displaced populations, the mental health impacts of extreme weather events, food waste and high-meat diets, the Montgomery County Hurrricane Ida Response, aging, and homelessness Keynote presentations were given by Dalton Paxman of the HRSA Office of Climate Change, and Dr Michael Mann
Frank M. and Robert R. Hoopes Medical/Dental Lecture
A fund established by the Hoopes Family and maintained at the Delaware Community Foundation supports speakers to provide continuing education in Delaware in the areas where medicine and dentistry overlap, a particular interest of Frank M Hoopes The lectures are been open to the public, but actively practicing dentists and physicians are the target audience
In 2023, Roopali Kulkarni, DMD, MPH presented on “Oral Manifestations of System Disease” to a mixed group of dentists, physicians, dental hygienists, and nurses Each year this lecture represents one of our enduring partnerships with the Delaware State Dental Society, for which we are grateful
This annual conference is accredited for both medical and dental professionals through the Delaware State Dental Society and the Medical Society of Delaware
2023 PrEP Summit
Operated in collaboration with the Delaware HIV Consortium, with CME accreditation from the Medical Society of Delaware, the 2023 Summit was held in early November An annual educational event, the conference covered Advances in PrEP and DoxyPEP, PrEP in the pediatric population, engaging Key Populations in PrEP, and Pharmacist-led PrEP Prescription
Student Internship Program
To further its mission of educating the next generation of public health and health providers in Delaware while promoting a “health in all policies” approach to public health, the Academy/DPHA accepts student interns at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels on a rolling basis throughout the year Students of different backgrounds and interests are invited to apply to the program and discover the role public health plays in the Delaware Community https://delamed.org/programs/student-internship/
During their internship, students research a public health topic of their choice, and create a program to fill a need within that topic Eighteen interns finished their programs in 2023:
Anaum Allimulla
High School Student, Newark Charter School Improving Limited Health Literacy in Delaware
Carly Attig
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware Trauma Matters Delaware
Charlese Carter
Undergraduate Student, Stevenson University The Women’s Health Protection Program
Amelia Lorenzo
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware Newark Stands with Youth: Access to Effective Contraception Within the Homeless Youth Population of Newark, Delaware
Alyssa Brown
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware Food Insecurity: Supplemental Transportation Assistance Program
Lauren Quigley
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware Living Healthy With Diabetes 101
Sahil Mapkar
Graduate Student, New York College of Podiatric Medicine The Intellectually Disabled and Diabetic Education Act
Abaigeal Staniewski
Undergraduate Student, Cabrini University
FitFire Protections
Danielle Walters
High School Student, MOT Charter High School Marginalized Communities Health Equity Program
Aarushi Dedhiya
High School Student, Cumberland Valley High School Education and Awareness for Substance Misuse, Disorders, and Stigma
Sydney Kay
Undergraduate Student, Delaware State University Mindful Media: The Effects on Mental Health and Body Image
Laurent Lutz
Undergraduate Student, College of Charleston Tackling Veterans Mental Health in Delaware
Megan Olewinski
Undergraduate Student, University of Delaware Break Free from Nicotine
Morgan Anderson
Undergraduate Student, University of Arizona Global Campus Birthing Beyond: Postpartum Education and its Effects on Mental Health
Grace Huang
High School Student, Tower Hill School
Engaging Public Awareness on Health Issues
Bridget Knitowski
Undergraduate Student, Delaware Technical Community College Drought: Ten to Do Ten
Aryan Mehta
High School Student, Charter School of Wilmington Assist Your Mind: PTSD Treatment for Veterans
Jammel Walls
Graduate Student, Walden University Prosperity & Wellness: Depression and Obesity in Children in Delaware
Delaware Health Force
In its full year of operation with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the four components of this public/ private initiative were very active In the data and research division, additional data streams from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services brought additional depth and nuance to the core data provided by the Division of Professional Regulation We also added data on Community Health Workers, Certified Nurse Assistants, and Behavioral Analyst certification
In partnership with Tech Impact’s Data Innovation Lab, we received a prestigious, national, Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Award on work focusing on nursing data Since the award, we have modified and expanded that system to include all healthcare license data types in Delaware
Delaware Mini Medical School, our healthcare career introduction program conducted three series, one of which focused on the students in Kent and Sussex counties, and was in partnership with the Sussex County Health Coalition This Zoom-platform based initiative has significantly expanded our reach and consistently receives positive reviews from its participants
The Graduate Medical Education expansion initiative has supported the post-doctoral fellowship needs of six individuals studying psychiatry, psychology, and advanced practice clinician primary care (all high-need specialties throughout Delaware)
In the area of technical training, three home health aides, 10 medical assistants, and 11 medical assistant co-op students from the New Castle County Technical High School received training Two Medical Laboratory Science Scholarships were awarded, and 22 American Society of Anesthesia Technologist and Technicians memberships were underwritten
Professional Development Programs were supported for a total of 264 learners across a variety of disciplines and skills learning
All of this occurred in partnership with other institutions including the University of Delaware, Delaware Technical and Community College, Delaware Skills Center, Moorings at Lewes, Lewes Public Library, New Castle County Vo-Tech, Osher Life Learning Institute, Harbour Healthcare & Rehabilitation, VitalTalk, Greener Partners, the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research (Harvard), the American Association for Physician Leadership, Total Leadership, Proximity Project, and the Heart of Leadership program
Our student financial aid loan program has underwritten 27 loans across a number of degree types including nursing, physical therapy, neuroscience, and many more
Membership Program
The Delaware Academy of Medicine/ Delaware Public Health Association (Academy/DPHA) has a membership program to support your profession, network with colleagues, attend excellent educational events, and invest in a cause you believe in – the health and wellness of all Delawareans! Membership includes opportunities to expand your public health expertise through Academy/DPHA newsletters and publications, networking and professional development, and sponsored events
The Academy currently has 344 members and continues to flourish From Dover to Washington, DC, our position as Delaware’s public health advocacy organization provides us, and you, with a voice in the changing landscape of policy, law, and program implementation
From our operation of the Immunization Coalition of Delaware, to our healthcare workforce focused Delaware Health Force, a public-private initiative with the State of Delaware, we have boots on the ground addressing key barriers to optimal health and wellness As a collaborative organization, we work closely with many other organizations throughout the State, and across multiple departments of State government from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Departments of Labor and Finance
The Academy currently offers individual, retired, student, and corporate/institution tiers of membership, and we are transforming our organization to bring more awareness to this membership, as well as to appeal to all public health-minded individuals Authors of articles accepted for publication in the Delaware Journal of Public Health are offered a free, one-year membership to explore the opportunities of Academy membership, and this year, we welcomed 24 new DJPH-affiliated members Our membership continues to flourish, and we welcome any of you interested in joining us to the Public Health table!
Student Financial Aid Expansion
In 2023, our Legacy Loan Program provided $39,000 in financial assistance to students studying medicine, offering low-interest loans during their repayment period The program's incentives, including interest-free terms during schooling and a one-year deferment post-graduation, have proven invaluable to our recipients We received a total of $62,256 in loans repaid
Additionally, our ARPA Loan, also known as the Health Care Student Loan Program, funded degree-granting programs or certificates in various healthcare fields, such as Nursing, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Diagnostics, Behavioral Health, and more Upon its launch in April 2023, the program awarded a total of $59,197 by year-end These loans are interest-free for students who are Delaware residents, attend Delaware institutions, and commit to working in Delaware post-graduation for a specified period
Since the program’s inception, our Student Financial Aid (SFA) coordinator, Giselle Bermudez, has been proactive in seeking ways to enhance our loan program She wrote a proposal to expand the ARPA loan to cover educational expenses beyond tuition and fees This expansion aims to make our student loan program more attractive and accessible, aligning it with the diverse needs of today's students By broadening the scope of our ARPA loan program, we ensure that our support extends beyond tuition costs, making education more attainable for a wider audience and enhancing competitiveness among the available student loan options The state approved the proposal, enabling students to utilize the funding for various essentials such as housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies
Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association
https://delawareapa.wpcomstaging.com/
Continuing the partnership formed in 2016, the Academy/DPHA and the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association continue the tradition of holding a joint, annual conference explore and reinforce the deep ties between planning and public health The 2023 Annual Meeting and Winter Forum focused on housing, affordable housing, and housing shortages All three issues have a profound impact on health and wellness in our communities
Delaware Division of Public Health
https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/index.html
Since 2013, the Academy/DPHA has partnered with the Division of Public Health (DPH) to fund the Immunization Coalition of Delaware (ICD) The ICD works to improve access to vaccines and increase vaccination rates across the lifespan for the people of Delaware, attends health fairs, and holds the Communicable Disease Summit every December
Delaware Health Care Commission
https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhcc/
We are now represented at the DHCC through the Workforce Subcommittee Mr Gibbs is a member of this subcommittee focused on the action elements of our Delaware Health Force initiative Members of the subcommittee also serve as the steering committee for Delaware Health Force highlighting the efficiency of not creating yet another committee containing the same people representing the same interests
Delaware Health Sciences Alliance
https://dhsa.org/
The Academy/DPHA assisted the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) with planning and registration for the Delaware Day and Research Competitions, and attended several outreach sessions geared toward high school and undergraduate students interested in the health professions
Delaware Stroke Initiative
https://destroke.org/
Once again, the Academy/DPHA worked with the Delaware Stroke Initiative (DSI) to hold the John Scholz Stroke Education Conference in October Another key component of this partnership is the Stroke Support Group for stroke survivors, family members, and caregivers held on the first Thursday of each month
Community Health Worker Initiative
Our national organization, the American Public Health Association, has formally adopted the following definition of a community health worker:
A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery
A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy
In Delaware, a newly formed Community Health Worker Association of Delaware further refines the definition as:
CHWs support communities throughout Delaware, working in hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, for the Division of Public Health, with community organizations, and with Managed Care Organizations
A valued part of the health team who serves as a frontline liaison, guiding individuals and families through the health, social, and community services systems to foster health and wellbeing As a trusted member of the community, the CHW is sensitive to the demographics and experiences of the community, and provides culturally and linguistically competent and appropriate services
CHWs conduct:
• Outreach and Education
• Care Coordination
• Coaching and Social Support
• Advocacy
The Academy/DPHA has been on the front lines as CHW’s organize in Delaware in preparation for a common educational standard of attainment, formal recognition and registration, legislative action leading to new reimbursement strategies for CHW work, and overall elevation of this growing component of the public health workforce
The Academy/DPHA has also been engaged in the HRSA funded My Vaccine Counts initiative with the Public Health Management Corporation (now complete) as well as a newly HRSA funded long-term initiative called CHWCore
Tech Impact Data Innovation Lab
The Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association has maintained a strong partnership with the Data Innovation Lab at Tech Impact as of 2022 The Data Lab is made up of data scientists, data engineers, and front-end developer professionals engaged in work spanning the social good sector The primary goal of this partnership is to provide evidence for data-driven decision-making in healthcare and healthcare workforce policy and initiatives throughout the state of Delaware
The team has worked closely to identify and make strides towards explaining gaps in Delaware’s healthcare workforce communities This work initially began with nursing gaps and has now expanded to healthcare providers gaps practicing primary care medicine Understanding that health needs vary in different communities, it was important to identify areas with limited providers so that efforts can be made to improve access to care A key result of this work is a custom-built dashboard, the Delaware Health Force Mapping Explorer, which allows viewers to select a licensing board from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DELPROS), as well as a specific license type, and explore number of providers in each ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) across the state The dashboard, built and maintained by the Data Lab, incorporates data from various sources to highlight areas needing more providers and areas that have high numbers of providers for a specific license type
As we look forward to continuing this partnership, we have now received approval for our data request from the Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN) This data will allow us to understand the chronic disease distribution across the state to project our ideal future state of demand and supply of primary care
MidAtlantic Public Health Professionals
https://midlantic.org
The Mid-Atlantic Public Health Partnership was founded just before the COVID-19 pandemic by the Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania Public Health Associations, in an effort to collaborate across state lines about public health The 2023 conference, held on March 16 & 17, was a virtual conference focusing on “Public Health and Climate Change: Response, Policy, and Implementation ”
Keynote presentations included words from the HRSA Office of Climate Change, an address from Climate Warrior Dr Michael Mann, and remarks from the American Public Health Association Breakout sessions were panel discussions on the topics of One Health and Communicable Disease, Displaced Populations, Homelessness, Mental Health Impacts of Extreme Weather Events, Food Waste and High-Meat Diets, Montgomery County’s Hurricane Ida Response, and Climate Change Adaption of Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging
Public Health Management Corporation
Following on the heels of the myvaccinecounts initiative which was led by community health workers, the chwCORE org initiative continues our partnership with PHMC to increase the number of CHW’s in Delaware The chwCORE program entails training and placement services, as well as a monetary stipend to support individuals while they are being schooled
chwCORE
The new long-term HRSA funded initiative is called chwCORE The purpose of this training program is to increase the number of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Health Support Workers in Pennsylvania and Delaware With online training and placement at a trusted community health organization, this training program will equip participants with the skill set to provide effective community outreach, build trust, and act as a bridge between their communities and health service providers With their help and willingness to learn, we can advance public health, strengthen the public health workforce, and help underserved populations achieve better health outcomes
The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC), a national leader in health education, is providing the online portion of this CHW training program Using an online Learning Management System, NNCC will help guide participants through 75 hours of videos and activities which can be completed at their own pace
In Delaware, PHMC and the Academy/DPHA are responsible for New Castle County CHWs, training, and activities, and in Kent and Sussex Counties a similar initiative is support through the United Way of Delaware with the Sussex Country Health Coalition at the helm organizing and implementing All organizations are in close alignment through weekly meetings
Delaware Journal of
Public Health
A publication of the Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association
www.djph.org
Now in its nineth year of publication, the Delaware Journal of Public Health has been read on the Issuu com publishing platform over 67,000 times across its 36 issues of content focused on Delaware medical, dental, and public health topics, research studies, and interventions
As Delaware’s only peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed journal under its own publication flag, the editorial staff and volunteers are dedicated to promoting local, regional, national, and even global exposure for the articles published in its electronic pages
The DJPH is internationally accessed and read as shown below:
• United States
• Brazil 681 • United Kingdom
• Canada 560 • Indonesia
• Other countries 354
Philippines
Italy
In addition, we are pleased to bring local exposure to the activities and publications of key national institutions including the American Public Health Association, National Academy of Medicine, Trust for America’s Health, and the National Institutes of Health - Fogarty International Center
Information on how readers find and read the DJPH are below
The DJPH is always dual open-access, with no fees or paywall for readers or authors, or embargo on content The Journal also supports links to other articles, data, and resources within its articles In addition, each issue-specific lexicon of terms and Delaware resources section enhances the readability and usefulness of the publication
Guest editors this year included:
• Jeffrey M Cole, DDS, MBA, FAGD
• Stephen Metraux, PhD
• Sean O’Neill, MCP
• Michael Fleming
Omar A Khan, MD, MHS, FAAFP Editor in Chief
• Daniel J Meara, MS, MD, DMD, MHCDS, FACS
• Roger Hesketh
• Mimi Rayl, MRP
Timothy E Gibbs, MPH, NPMc* Publisher
*Katherine Smith, MD, MPH, NPMc became publisher on January 1, 2024 when Mr. Gibbs transitioned into his new role with Delaware Health Force.
Figure 1 Reading Devices
Figure 2 Sources
Volume 9 | Issue 1. Oral Health
April 2023
Oral health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, and it is also an essential aspect of public health. The condition of a person’s oral health can—at minimum—affect their ability to speak, eat, and socialize comfortably. Oral health problems can also lead to pain, infection, and other serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes, through a variety of mechanisms still being elucidated.
3 | In This Issue
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
4 | Guest Editor
Jeffrey M. Cole, D.D.S., M.B.A., F.A.G.D.
Daniel J. Meara, M.S., M.D., D.M.D., M.H.C.D.S., F.A.C.S.
6 | Toward Optimal Health for All: The American Dental Association Takes on Sugar and its Impact on Oral Health
George R. Shepley, D.D.S.
8 | A Public Health Update: The Oral Health of Delaware’s Kindergarten and Third Grade Children in 2022
Nicholas R. Conte Jr., D.M.D., M.B.A.
16 | Odontogenic Infections and a Pound of Prevention
Daniel J. Meara, M.S., M.D., D.M.D., M.H.C.D.S., F.A.C.S.
18 | More Premiums Spent on Patient Care? A Great Idea That Should Apply to Dental Insurance
Mark A. Vitale, D.M.D.
20 | The National Healthy People Initiative: History, Significance, and Embracing the 2030 Oral Health Objectives
Timothy L. Ricks, D.M.D., M.P.H., F.I.C.D., F.A.C.D., F.P.F.A.
26 | Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the Current State of Oropharyngeal Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Jacob P. Gribb, D.M.D; John H. Wheelock, D.D.S.; Etern S. Park, M.D., D.D.S.
30 | Global Health Matters January/February 2023
Fogarty International Center
42 | Update on Medication Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws
Barry C. Boyd, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S.
44 | Reconsidering Autonomy: Ethical Reflections from the Frontlines of IDD Dental Care
Andrew Swiatowicz, D.D.S., D.A.B.D.S.M., F.A.G.D.; Brandon Ambrosino, M.T.S.
50 | The Mouth is the Mirror to the Body: Oral-Systemic Health
Roopali Kulkarni, D.M.D., M.P.H.
52 | Safety in the Dental Office
Louis K. Rafetto, D.M.D., M.Ed.
56 | Career and Technical Education: The Future of Delaware’s Healthcare Workforce
Jonathan S. Lee, B.A.
58 | Patient Safety at Forefront of OMS Anesthesia Delivery
Paul J. Schwartz, D.M.D.
60 | ORAL HEALTH LEXICON
62 | ORAL HEALTH RESOURCES
64 | Index of Advertisers
66 | Public Health Delaware Journal of Public Health Submission Guidelines
PROVIDING
Volume
9 | Issue
June 2023
2. Homelessness, Poverty and Public Health
The issue of homelessness, poverty, and substandard housing is a significant public health concernthat affects millions of individuals worldwide. Homelessness is the state of lacking a permanent, safe, and adequate dwelling, while substandard housing refers to conditions that do not meet basic health and safety standards. These issues have far-reaching implications for public health, as they contribute to the spread of communicable diseases, exposure to environmental hazards, and the exacerbation of physical and mental health problems.
3 | In This Issue
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
4 | Guest Editor
Stephen Metraux, Ph.D.; Roger Hesketh; Sean O’Neill, M.C.P.; Mimi Ray, M.R.P.
06 | Homelessness In Delaware: An Assessment
Stephen Metraux, Ph.D.; Steven W. Peuquet, Ph.D.
14 | Demographics of the Population Experiencing Homelessness and Receiving Publicly Funded Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Services in Delaware
David Borton, M.A.; Rachel Ryding, Ph.D.; Meisje J. Scales, M.P.H., C.P.S.; Kris Fraser, M.P.H., P.M.P.
18 | Health & Housing in Delaware: Matching Medicaid Claims and Encounters and the Community Management Information System databases
Erin Nescott, M.S.; Stephen Metraux, Ph.D.; Mary Joan McDuffie, M.A.; Elizabeth Brown, MD, M.S.H.P.
24 | Evaluating Approaches to Linking Evictions Records: Assessing the Feasibility of Research with Integrated Data
J. J. Cutuli, Ph.D.; Mary Joan McDuffie, M.A.; Erin Nescott, M.S.
30 | Housing in Delaware for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Population
Jody A. Roberts, Ph.D.; Ankita Mohan
34 | Homelessness Among Persons on Delaware’s Sex Offender Registry
Stephen Metraux, Ph.D.; Alexander C. Modeas, M.A.
44 | An Overview of Poverty in Delaware
Erin Nescott, M.S., Janice Barlow, M.P.A.; Miranda Perez-Rivera
50 | Considering the Benefits Cliff Embedded in the Relationship between Housing and Health
Dorothy Dillard, Ph.D.; Bianca Mers, M.C.R.P.
54 | Gauging and Responding to the Need for Home Repair Assistance in Delaware
Katharine Millard, M.S.P.P.M.; Stephen Metraux, Ph.D.
60 | The Perilous Intersection of Housing Precarity and Climate Change in Delaware
Victor W. Perez, Ph.D.; William Swiatek, M.A., A.I.C.P
62 | Global Health Matters
Fogarty International Center
74 | Solving Homelessness in Delaware Requires Resolving the Disparities That Cause It
Sequoia Rent, B.A.
80 | LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in Delaware: Building a Case for Targeted Surveillance and Assessment of LGBTQ+ Youth Needs and Experiences
Mary Louise Mitsdarffer, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Rebecca McColl, M.A.; Erin Nescott, M.S.; Jim Bianchetta; Eric K. Layland, Ph.D.; Tibor Tóth, Ph.D.
88 | Delaware’s Domestic Violence Housing Crisis
Monica Beard, D.Phil., Esq.
94 | Providing a Home for Good
Eugene R. Young, Jr.
96 | Homelessness, Housing and Health: The Secrets ALICE Will Not Tell You
Michelle A. Taylor, Ed.D.
100 | Fire on My Tongue
Michael Kalmbach, M.F.A.
102 | Sunday Breakfast Mission: A Christian Non-Medical Model Toward Addiction Homelessness Rehabilitation
Reverend Tom Laymon
104 | Housing, Poverty, and Health Outcomes
Kim Blanch, R.N., B.S.N..
110 | A Vision for Community, Connection and Reinvestment
Amanda August, M.A
116 | Leveraging Delaware’s Public Health Resources to Mitigate Spread of Communicable Diseases in Congregate Settings
Laura A. Strmel, M.P.A.; Diane Hainsworth, B.S.N./B.A; Muriel Gillespie; Sydney Kappers, B.S.; Mollee Dworkin, M.S.
122 | Social Capital from Online Social Media is Associated with Visiting a Healthcare Practitioner at Least Once a Year Among College Students
Joshua Fogel, Ph.D.; Ashaney Ewen, B.S., B.B.A.
130 | Ensuring Access to Opioid Treatment Program Services Among Delawareans Vulnerable to Flooding
Jennifer A. Horney, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Sarah Elizabeth Scales, M.P.H.; Urkarsh Gangwal; Shangjia Dong, Ph.D.
134 | Postpartum Contraceptive Use, Pregnancy Intentions in Women With and Without a Delivery of a NAS-Affected Infant in Delaware, 2012-2018
Khaleel Hussaini, Ph.D.; George Yocher, M.S.
142 | Lexicon & Resources
144 | Index of Advertisers
Volume 9 | Issue 3. Neurological Impairment and Stroke
August 2023
Stroke is a critical public health issue with substantial global implications, as well as here in Delaware. It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, leading to potentially devastating consequences. As a leading cause of death and disability, stroke poses significant challenges to healthcare systems, families, and individuals. Public health strategies are essential for both prevention and management.
3 | In This Issue
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
4 | Guest Editor
Lee P. Dresser, M.D.
6 | Stroke Prevention
Bruce Dopler, M.D.
12 | Atrial Fibrillation: A Common Cause of Stroke
Waimei Tai, M.D., F.A.A.N., F.A.H.A.
16 | Stroke Systems of Care: A Systematic Approach to Saving Neurons
Kim Gannon, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.H.A.
20 | Medical Management of Acute Cerebral Ischemia
Usman Shehzad, M.D.
30 | Update on Neurointerventional Therapy for the Treatment of Acute Cerebral Ischemia
Sudhakar Satti, M.D.; Thinesh Sivapatham, M.D.
34 | Nursing Care of Delaware’s Stroke Patients
Reina W. McAndrew M.S., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-B.C., S.C.R.N.; Mary Ciechanowski M.S.N., A.P.R.N., A.C.N.S.-B.C., C.C.R.N.-K.
38 | The Social Worker in The Care of The Stroke Patient
Annamarie McDermott, L.M.S.W., A.C.M.-S.W.
44 | Lessons on Health Literacy and Communication in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Primer and Proposal
Christine V. Cook, M.A., C.C.C.-S.L.P. ; Rebecca Hunting Pompon, Ph.D.
50 | Global Health Matters May/June 2023
Fogarty International Center
62 | Evaluation & Treatment of Psychological Effects of Stroke
Nancy Devereux Ph.D.; Ashley M. Berns Psy.D.
70 | Cognitive Rehabilitation Interventions for Post-Stroke Populations
Meghan Mulhern, M.A., C.C.C.-S.L.P.
76 | The Effects of Stroke and Stroke Gait Rehabilitation on Behavioral and Neurophysiological Outcomes: Challenges and Opportunities for Future Research
Trisha Kesar, P.T., Ph.D.
82 | Artificial Intelligence and the Evaluation and Treatment of Stroke
Lee P. Dresser, M.D.; Michael Anders Kohn, M.D., M.P.P.
86 | Lexicon & Resources
90 | The Nation Needs to Invest in Public Health Now
Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.; Katherine Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
91 | Index of Advertisers
PROVIDING
3 | In This Issue
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
4 | Guest Editor
Michael Fleming
Volume 9 | Issue 4. Biotechnology and Public Health
November 2023
This issue of the DJPH focuses on Biotechnology, which plays a multifaceted role in public health improvement, ranging from early detection and prevention to the development of advanced treatments and interventions. The ongoing advancements in biotechnology continue to shape and enhance our ability to address public health challenges.
6 | Harmonizing Progress: Bridging BioPharma, Technology, Academia, and Healthcare for Advanced Drug Manufacturing
Patrick Callahan, J.D.
12 | CAR T Cells for Treating Severe Atopic Allergic Diseases
Ronald P. Dudek, B.S., M.B.A.; Zhengyu Ma, M.S., M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
20 | Bridging the Talent Gap: Connecting Talent to Bioscience Careers
Katherine Lakofsky, Ed.D.
22 | Learning Lab: A Hands-On Way for Future Scientists to Engage with CRISPR
Amanda Hewes, M.S.; Sarah LaTorre; Mak Sisson, M.A.; Deirdre Hake, M.B.A.
24 | Nitro Biosciences: Enhancing immune response via an expanded genetic code
Neil Butler, Ph.D.; Aditya Kunjapur, Ph.D.
28 | Global Health Matters Newsletter September-October-2023
Fogarty International Center
40 | Machine Learning Methods for Systematic Reviews: A Rapid Scoping Review
Stephanie Roth,M.L.I.S., Medical Librarian; Alex Wermer-Colan, Ph.D.
52 | AI Models and Drug Discovery Within Pharmaceutical Drug Market
Bridget Klaus
54 | Economic Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Employment, Wages and Intent to Return to Work
Iftekhar Khan, M.D.; Rishi Sawhney, M.D.; Stephanie McClellan, D.N.P., M.B.A., M.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., N.E.-B.C.; Kathrina Chua, M.D.; Abeer Alfaraj, M.D.; John Shevock, F.A.C.H.E., F.A.C.M.P.E.; Dain Chun, M.S.
58 | Special Edition: October is Health Literacy Month! Health Literacy Council of Delaware Chair
68 | Was the 2020 Presidential Election Nerve-Wracking? Changes in Mental Health Among College Dreamers
Sharron Xuanren Wang, Ph.D.; Jarid Goodman, Ph.D.; J-P Laurenceau, Ph.D.
78-80 | Lexicon & Resources
81 | Index of Advertisers
Volume 9 | Issue 5. Health Policy
December 2023
The last issue on health policy was in December 2019 (Health Policy: The Road to Value-Based Care) – just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted so much of our world and challenged the policies and interventions that had been in place for decades. For those of us who have lived through a few pandemics (think H1N1, SARS, and HIV/ AIDS), it started off feeling like a rehash of the past – but proved to be far more challenging with the addition of politics – quite a strange bedfellow.
This issue, four-plus years later, introduces new thinking and progress to the mix. Health policy and public health improvement are intricately connected, as policies set the guidelines and priorities that shape the health of a population. Policies determine resource allocation, and influence the funding and support for public health programs and interventions. Effective health policies establish regulations and standards, ensuring the quality of healthcare services and providing a framework for disease prevention.
3 | In This Issue
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
4 | The DJPH Experience
Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
6 | A (Brief) History of Health Policy in the United States
Katherine Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
12 | Health Literacy As A Pathway To Wellbeing: A Celebration Of Health Literacy Month
Greg O’Neill, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., A.G.C.N.S.-B.C.; Peggy Geisler
14 | Unraveling Healthcare Shortages in Delaware and Charting a Course for Equity and Resilience
Nicole Sabine, B.S.; Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.
20 | Family Medicine Training in the US and Delaware: Opportunities and Growth in Primary Care Workforce
Omar A. Khan, M.D., M.H.S., F.A.A.F.P.; Erin M. Kavanaugh, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.; Robert A. Monteleone, M.D.; Brintha Vasagar, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.F.P.; Joyce F. Robert, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
26 | Drought: Ten to Do Ten
Bridget Knitowski
34 | Global Health Matters Newsletter November - December 2023
Fogarty International Center
46 | Delaware Healthcare Workforce Update
Timothy E. Gibbs, M.P.H.; Matt McNeill, B.S.
70 | Opportunities to Improve Outcomes for Families with Children through the Community Choice Demonstration
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
72 | Index of Advertisers
74 | Delaware Journal of Public Health Submission Guidelines
