University of Central Florida
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Public Health Simulation Infused Program (PSHIP) Toolkit
No full textProject Narrative
PURPOSE AND NEED
Purpose: Priorities set forth by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) are addressed in the proposed simulation program in an effort to meet curricular needs and foster care to the medically underserved in Florida, further exposing students to public healthcare needs. Interprofessional (nursing and social work) and intraprofessional (undergraduate nurse and Nurse Practitioner [NP]) instruction is essential in the simulation-based education (SBE) program, promoting important content on identifying risk factors and health assessment of the medically underserved community (MUC) (Education Priority 2, §831). Coordination of medical care is a vicarious learning opportunity for all participants and can have a lasting impact on MUCs when embedded with a caring and empathy paradigm focused on needs and barriers (Practice Priorities 2 & 3, §831). While the Public Health Simulation-Infused Program (PHSIP) program may not change practice, it can influence future behavior changes of undergraduate nursing students along with current healthcare professionals (faculty, NP and MSW students).
Need: Augmentation of current curricula and enhancement of content within curricula is needed to create a healthcare workforce that is competent in assessment and understanding of the increased risk created by social determinants of health (SDOH) such as where one lives or one’s race, ethnicity, and/or economic status (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). These determinants increase a patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
There is a need for scenarios utilizing Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (R) and validated simulation scenarios (Interantional Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards Committee, 2016) which incorporate essential elements. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Hayden, et al., 2014) approved the use of simulation with validated scenarios and trained facilitators. Validating scenarios using identified criteria ensures the accuracy of a simulation scenario including that it is based on the most current evidence. For this initiative, public health scenarios and a related essential element checklist will be validated by subject matter experts (SME), i.e., simulation and public health experts and community stakeholders. Content validity will be established during the creation of the scenarios by gauging agreement among SMEs regarding the totality of the simulation-based experience (SBE). Evaluation of the scenarios will be conducted using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) (Leighton et al., 2015). Characteristics of Target Population Served (Community & Students)
Cardiovascular/Stroke Risks: Over 40 million people annually are killed by non- communicable diseases (NCDs) (71% of all global deaths); 21% of these occur in those aged 30- 69, and greater than 80% of the mortalities transpire in countries who are low- and middle- income (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018).
The incidence of stroke increases with age and is the foremost cause of long-term disability in survivors age 65 and over (CDC, 2020). Strokes account for almost 800,000 people yearly, at a cost of an estimated $34 billion (CDC, 2020). Moreover, stroke mortality has increased in 22 out of 50 states, and death decline has stalled in three out of every four states (Yang et al., 2017)
What Fuels the Badge: College Students’ Beliefs on What Motivates Officers
No full textToday, a large, increasing gap in trust exists between law enforcement officers and civilians. Although law enforcement officers may possess a “rescue personality” (e.g., being a highly dedicated risk-taker with a desire to help), they are feared by some civilians (Salters-Pedneault et al., 2010; Wynveen et al., 2007). Still, many officers choose more positive motivators for pursuing their career, including factors such as job security, benefits, and the desire to help others (Schuck, 2020). To better understand this, this study surveyed 198 undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida who completed a survey measuring their perceptions of the motivators that lead to an individual pursuing a career in law enforcement. We found that the area in which participants grew up and working conditions and perceptions of law enforcement was not statistically significant, but there were correlations between location and specific factor questions. In prior interactions with officers, those with positive interactions had a strong association with working conditions as a motivating factor, but there were no significant associations between negative experiences and any of the factors we studied. The desire to better understand the discrepancy between the perception of motivators and the reality of why law enforcement officers pursue their careers can inspire more research to bridge this gap. Future research is needed to ascertain whether these findings can be generalized. Clarifying the true motivators for pursuing a law enforcement career to civilians will increase trust and communication and possibly lead to reforms
Generations United: Empowering Seniors Through Service
No full textAs part of my service-learning experience, I partnered with Legacy Pointe at UCF, a senior living community dedicated to lifelong enrichment. Alongside my team, I helped design and implement resident-centered programs that focused on healthcare transitions, wellness, and emotional support. We hosted Healthcare Talks to educate residents on moving between independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing. We also organized Flu Shot Clinics in collaboration with CFP Comprehensive Primary Care to promote preventative care, and facilitated mental wellness activities like memory games and a resident-led outdoor golf tournament.
Working with Legacy Pointe staff, Dr. Burrows’ practice, and faculty from UCF’s College of Nursing and College of Medicine, I saw firsthand the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. These efforts reflected Legacy Pointe’s core values, Hospitality, Service, and Accountability, and emphasized resident autonomy and proactive care planning.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned was how to create programs that empower older adults while respecting their independence. I also gained insight into how meaningful partnerships between students and healthcare professionals can positively impact community health and engagement.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1007/thumbnail.jp
Shepherd\u27s Hope
No full textShepherd’s Hope is an organization that gives free medical care to those who can’t afford it, don’t have insurance, or are not eligible for government-assisted health care programs. The purpose of our project is to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves and make a positive impact on people’s lives by helping to provide them with access to the healthcare they need and deserve. We learned about the importance of access to healthcare and the significant impact volunteers have on people’s lives. All of us helped take in people, even if they weren’t on the schedule, and fit them in for an appointment to see a physician. We all helped with receptionist duties and signed people in for their appointments. We also helped with paperwork and made sure the organization and their patients stayed protected through HIPAA. Overall, the three of us volunteered 56.5 hours combined and impacted around 72 people, which includes other volunteers, the people there for appointments, and the paid employees who run everything and continue to help make this organization and their mission possible.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1022/thumbnail.jp
What Kind Of World Do I Want To Live In?
No full textMarine Conservation and Restoration is one of the most influential courses through community engagement and class discussion on conservation and restoration strategies. I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Walters’ CEE (Coastal & Estuarine Ecology) Lab to plant mangroves and census oysters for restoration projects and to contribute to microplastics research based out of the Indian River Lagoon. Through this course, I gained experience that can be utilized in active research and active restoration through hands-on work both in the field and in the laboratory which will strengthen my academic CV and personal skill development. Engagement with the local community through volunteering events such as International Coastal Cleanup and the Restore Our Shores oyster restoration projects also helped me develop a sense of community across a greater range from Central Florida to Coastal and South Florida. This course also distilled a greater sense of hope for the ongoing biodiversity and ecological crisis that the world faces and allowed me to make a more immediate, material impact on the ecosystems we rely on.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1015/thumbnail.jp
Improving PCOS Through Movement: A Study on HIIT, Strength Training and Women’s Health
No full textThis integrative learning project examined how different forms of physical activity—specifically High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Strength Training (ST)—impact hormonal and physical health in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common hormonal disorder affecting 6–15% of women and is associated with insulin resistance, elevated testosterone levels, increased body fat, and long-term risks such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because lifestyle interventions are key to PCOS management, this interventional study enumerated exercise as a strategy to improve health outcomes.
The study used was a 12-week intervention design in which participants completed either HIIT or strength training three times per week. Serum testosterone levels, body fat percentage, and physical activity levels were the dependent variables. Results showed that while both forms of exercise led to improvements, HIIT produced greater reductions in testosterone, larger decreases in body fat, and slightly higher increases in physical activity.
Overall, the study highlights the effectiveness of HIIT exercise in managing PCOS and supports HIIT as a particularly beneficial option for improving hormonal and metabolic health in women in the community.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1030/thumbnail.jp
Divng Deep: Inspiring Young Scientists Through Ocean Exploration
No full textWhat started as a simple lesson plan grew into an unforgettable journey of inspiring young minds to explore the mysteries of the deep sea. The goal of our service-learning project was to spark curiosity and make a meaningful impact on our community by inspiring the next generation of young scientists. We designed and taught an interactive marine science lesson for fourth graders at Rainbow Elementary School, diving deep into the fascinating world of the ocean’s darkest zones. Through hands-on games, creative crafts, and lively discussions, students explored how extraordinary adaptations help deep-sea creatures survive where sunlight never reaches. We wanted to make science come alive and show that learning can be exciting, personal, and full of wonder. To measure growth, we conducted pre- and post-quizzes, revealing a 20% increase in understanding. Beyond the numbers, our project highlighted the true power of service through education, showing how sharing knowledge connects generations, builds confidence, and inspires curiosity. Teaching the lesson gave us a chance to step into the role of mentors, strengthening our communication and teamwork skills while experiencing the joy of giving back. This project reminded us that even small acts of learning and teaching can ripple outward, creating a lasting impact in our community.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1053/thumbnail.jp
The World Is My Oyster: Restoring Nature, Inspiring Minds
No full textThrough Service Learning: Marine Conservation and Restoration, I was a co-leader for UCF STEM Day under the theme “Oyster City Safari.” Our team designed interactive games and crafts to teach two groups of 25 elementary students about oyster reef restoration. Students acted as oysters and reef animals, transforming fragmented reefs into whole ones to demonstrate how restored reefs support biodiversity. They also played a species-matching game and created oyster shell necklaces and crowns. These activities encouraged them to see the value of oyster reefs and inspired future stewardship of the environment. I also contributed to seagrass restoration by assisting Coastal Estuarine and Ecology Lab (CEELab) Master’s student Luciana Banquero and Brevard Zoo.I gained field experience by annotating seagrass cover and percentages. I supported her project while learning how seagrass meadows provide vital habitat for marine life. These experiences strengthened my communication, leadership, and restoration skills which strengthened my passion for conservation and ecological education.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1060/thumbnail.jp
Facilitation of Historic Preservation in Parramore
No full textThe Parramore Speaks project is an initiative hosted by the UCF Public History Department designed to give agency back to the resident’s of Parramore by putting the preservation of their history back into their hands. Through a collaborated with the City of Orlando, RICHES and the PHC Internship, I had the unique opportunity to be a part of a team dedicated to preserving and sharing the endangered local histories of communities located here in Central Florida. I worked personally with the oral interviews and transcriptions for individuals such as Reggie McGill, Alzo J. Reddick, Walter Hawkins and Paul Perkins, tirelessly ensuring that their words and stories would endure and survive as the community around them continues to evolve and change.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1067/thumbnail.jp
The National Issues Forums Institute: Lessons From Writing
No full textThe goal of our project was to create an issue guide for the intended use that schools would use this guide to teach students about civil discourse. In this guide we laid out a specific issue, in the case of this guide it is the lack of funding for Title I schools. The reader is then presented with possible solutions as well as the positives and negatives of implementing that solution. The goal of this issue guide is to teach Americans, and help promote the idea that dialogue is an important step in progress. Without the ability to listen to your peers without judging, and to be heard without being judged, is what allows us to move forward and create policies that make sure no one is left out.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1058/thumbnail.jp