MTA 7: Meet the Authors

ePoster Meet the Authors (MTA): 4-minute ePoster presentations within a 60-minute time block in Expo, not eligible for CME


ePoster 1: Disability and Mental Illness in the LGBTQIA Community
This study explores the link between disability and mental health in the LGBTQIA community using data from the All of Us research database. It compares the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders among LGBTQIA individuals with and without disabilities. The findings aim to highlight the compounded impact of ableism, homophobia, and transphobia, informing future research and public health strategies for LGBTQIA individuals with disabilities.
Speaker: Arin Barth – DHSc/MPAS Student, Thomas Jefferson University


ePoster 2: Exploring Social and Genetic Factors in Eye Health Disparities
This study investigates how social determinants and genetic predispositions in the prevalence and co-occurrence of chronic eye conditions among diverse populations in the All of Us Research Program. Findings emphasize disparities linked to income, age, and health access, alongside genetic risks. Physician assistants play a crucial role in addressing these disparities through patient education, early detection, and advocating for accessible care, improving outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Speaker: Darani A. Thammavongsa, BS, MS, PA-S – Physician Assistant Student, Ithaca College - Ithaca College PA Program

Additional Authors:
Sean Kolhoff, PhD – Senior Research Analyst, AAPA
Melissa Murfin – Program Director, Ithaca College PA Program


ePoster 3: Patient Experiences with Advanced Practice Providers and Physicians
This study utilized data from the All of Us research program to investigate patient experiences, healthcare-related quality of life, and medical harms between patients who only saw advanced practice providers and those who only saw physicians in the past year. These results are relevant to advanced practice providers, physicians, hospital administrators, legislators, and other regulators of healthcare policy.
Speaker: Weilong Li, DMS, CGC, PA-C – Physician Assistant, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia


ePoster 4: Stress in Diverticular Disease: A Comparative Study
This research examines the psychosocial impact of diverticular disease on stress and quality of life, focusing on racial disparities. Using NIH All of Us data, we compare individuals with uncomplicated and complicated diverticular disease to those without. By analyzing stress levels via the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, the research aims to uncover how race influences mental health challenges in diverticular disease, offering insights for improved patient care and management strategies.
Speaker: Roma D. Patel, PA-S – PA Student, Mercer University Physician Assistant Studies Program


ePoster 5: A Rare Case of Atraumatic Pneumocephalus with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
This is a case study of a 46-year-old female who presented to the ED with complaints of excessive rhinorrhea and headache. Prior to the ED visit, the patient sneezed and began to notice excessive fluid drainage from her left nostril and subsequent headache. No constitutional and ENT symptoms. CT head revealed a cribriform plate fistula and pneumocephalus. The patient was transferred to a tertiary care center for surgical management. Post-surgical CT revealed full recovery of pneumocephalus.
Speaker: Austin S. De Lozada – PA-S2, University of California, Davis

Additional Authors:
Emily C. Thatcher, MPAS, PA-C – Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, Davis


ePoster 6: Ileocolic Intussusception Secondary to a Neuroendocrine Tumor in an Adult
Intussusception is increasing among the adult population and often presents with generalized symptoms. In this case, the patient presented with vague abdominal symptoms without signs of obstruction. Due to the nature of the pathology, this population of patients most often require surgical interventions.
Speaker: Alyssa Crispino – PA Student, Quinnipiac University

Additional Authors:
Brennan Bowker, MHS, PA-C – Senior Surgical Physician Assistant Part time professor of PA studies, Yale New Haven Hospital and Quinnipiac University


ePoster 7: Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Abdominal Tuberculosis
The most common cause of Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) in the United States continues to be adhesions due to prior abdominal surgery. It can be easy to forget at times other less common causes of SBO's, such a tuberculosis, which are much more common in developing countries. Here we present a case of an SBO in a 34 year old Cambodian male who presented to the emergency room in Connecticut. The patients SBO was later deemed to be due to Abdominal Tuberculosis.
Speaker: Cara Welsh, PA-S2, BS, EMT-P – PA-Student, Quinnipiac University

Additional Authors:
Joshua Freund – PA-C, DMSc, Quinnipiac University


ePoster 8: Transplacental HPV Transmission Resulting in Neonatal Condyloma Acuminata
This presentation follows a case of neonatal condyloma acuminata on the scalp. This infant’s mother had a remote history of abnormal Pap test requiring colposcopy with LEEP procedure 12 years prior to delivery. Since then, her Pap tests have been negative, most recent being 11 months before delivery. The wart on the infant’s scalp had the characteristic appearance of condyloma acuminata with its cauliflower-like appearance, indicating a clinical diagnosis of transplacental transmission of HPV.
Speaker: Julia S. Shactman – Second Year PA Student, Quinnipiac University

Additional Authors:
Deanna Sgambato – DMS, PA-C, Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program


ePsoter 9: Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in a Healthy 16 year-Old Patient
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a rare condition caused by compression of nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet. TOS presents with pain, tingling, weakness, swelling, or discoloration based on etiology. TOS management may involve lifestyle changes, physical therapy, pain relief, anticoagulation, and surgery. The goal of surgical management is to relieve the compression, eliminate the need for long-term anticoagulation and enable unrestricted arm activity.
Speaker: Klaudia Toma – PA-Student, Quinnipiac University

Additional Authors:
Sheree Piperidis – MHS, PA-C, Quinnipiac Univeristy


ePoster 10: Delirium and bullae: a rare presentation of chronic limb-threatening ischemia
Chronic limb-threatening ischemia occurs as a severe manifestation of peripheral arterial disease and can result in ulcerations, amputation, and even death. In the case presented here, the patient presented with delirium and localized flaccid bullae on her lower extremity. She was later found to have undiagnosed polyvascular disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia.
Speaker: Ashley Shafran – PA-Student, Quinnipiac University

Additional Authors:
Deanna Sgambato – DMS, PA-C, Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program


ePoster 11: Comparative analysis of surgical complications in MDs, PAs and NPs
This study compared surgical complications from skin cancer excisions performed by MDs/DOs, PAs, and NPs using national claims data. Analysis included 302,808 excisions by MDs/DOs, 23,730 by PAs, and 9,672 by NPs. Complication rates, including wound dehiscence and infections, were low across all providers. PAs and NPs showed similar or lower odds of complications compared to MDs/DOs. Results highlight the ability of PAs and NPs to achieve high-quality surgical outcomes for appropriate cases.
Speaker: Cynthia Griffith, MPAS-PA-C – MPAS,PA-C, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center