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Building on Uncle Louis’ Lessons: A Recovering Academic’s Reflections on Death[and Life]
Get PDFIn this ceremony (offering), I reflect on the life lessons of my uncle, Louis Williams, who taught me about labor, resilience, and the beauty of letting go. From the patience needed to build a home to the wisdom of choosing the right tools, his lessons reach beyond practicality—they offer a framework for life, learning, and especially, death. As a recovering academic and death doula, I examine how we can mourn dead structures and ways of being, like schooling, to truly honor our sacredness. Through these reflections, I explore what it means to build toward remembered futures
The Rapsody Syllabus: Rescripting the Erasure of Black Women and Black Women Educators Through Rapsody’s Album Eve
Get PDFThis syllabus explores the connections between Rapsody’s album and the experiences of Black women, with an emphasis on education. Much like Black women in education, Rapsody \u27s talents are often obscured and minimized. Her album “Eve ” is a love letter to Black women and serves as a mirror for Black women educators. This syllabus centers on Black women and highlights the beauty and magic of our presence within oppressive institutions. It works to amplify and extend the nonfungible existence of Black women, the humanization of our voices and words as sacred texts, and illuminate our ever-evolving contributions. Black women’s stories are highlighted throughout this syllabus to underscore the ways our lived experiences can create effective pedagogical practices, space for healing, and disrupt oppressive institutions
Strengthening the Birthing Bridge: Educating Labor and Delivery Nurses on Scope and Impact of Volunteer Doulas
Get PDFThe objective of this quality improvement project was to address the lack of collaboration between the Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurses and the volunteer doulas on a L&D unit at a Bay Area hospital. There were reports of not understanding the role of the volunteer doula, which may have led to a lack of collaboration between both teams. The aim of this project was to improve the L&D nursing staff\u27s understanding of the scope of practice of the volunteer doula to increase positive perception and collaboration between both professions by 25%, from 63% to 88%, following an educational intervention at the monthly unit-based council meeting on March 25th, 2025. The method includes an education-based intervention that was implemented during the unit-based council meeting on March 25, 2025. This education session was delivered to L&D nurses and highlighted the benefits and scope of the volunteer doulas. Volunteer doulas were also in attendance at this meeting, providing an open source of communication between them and the L&D nurses. Results post-intervention revealed, 21% more nurses reported their willingness to present a volunteer doula to all of their patients, showing increased collaboration efforts. 84.2% of the nurses in attendance reported an increased understanding of the scope of practice of a volunteer doula. In conclusion, implementing educational sessions increases interprofessional collaboration and leads to an increase in understanding other individuals\u27 scope of practice
The Wright Way: Advancing Pediatric Perianesthetia Nursing Competencies
Get PDFObjective Implementing the Donna Wright Competency Model at a Bay Area Children’s Hospital in its peri-anesthesia units. Throughout available literature it was possible to observe the positive effects of implementing a competency model such as the DWCM has on the confidence of nursing staff and patient outcomes. An important point shown by literature was addressing more than technical skills and incorporating critical thinking and ethical considerations regarding patient care. Aim We aim to improve nurse competency in pediatric peri-anesthesia units at a Bay Area Children\u27s Hospital by implementing Donna Wright’s Competency Model. Data obtained in August 2024 from a series of surveys identified areas of need. Executed over a two-month period, foreseeing a 15% increase in competency self-assessment ratings from 65% to 80%. Improving nurses\u27 knowledge and skills by avoiding unnecessary repetition and being goal oriented, enhancing patient safety and care quality. Methods Areas of need were addressed throughout several skill days where nursing staff were able to reinforce their understanding through didactic, simulations, and hands-on learning. The nurse’s self-rate their competency levels prior to and after participating in the skill days. Results Data obtained from the surveys showed a competency increase greater than 15%. Additionally, nurses provided useful feedback that will be used to make future changes to skill days, further improving competency amongst nurses. Conclusion Results obtained from implementing the DWCM showed that having a standardized form of competency assessment where nursing staff take ownership and control of their learning leads to an increase in competency and confidence
The Last Push: Fostering a Culture of Collaboration and Respect Between Labor and Delivery Nurses and Volunteer Doulas
No full textLack of understanding of the doula role from labor and delivery nurses negatively impact the willingness for collaboration between the volunteer doulas and labor and delivery services at Hospital A. The negative attitudes towards volunteer doulas disproportionally affect laboring patients from marginalized communities and those experiencing complications by nurses’ refusal to offer volunteer doula services. The aim of this quality improvement project is to improve the understanding of the volunteer doula scope of practice amongst labor and delivery nurses, increasing positive perception and collaboration between both professions by increasing doula presentation to patients from 63% to 88%, following educational intervention at monthly unit-based council meeting on March 25th, 2025. Pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys were collected from labor and delivery nurses at Hospital A. 84% of the nurses in attendance at the council meeting answered that they had an increased understanding of the scope of practice of the volunteer doula and a 21% increase in labor and delivery nurse and volunteer doula collaboration was observed. The educational intervention proved to be effective at addressing collaboration between labor and delivery nurses and volunteer doulas, however future quality improvement project should consider addressing communication breakdown between the two and enhancing doula charting
Multi-modal Approach to Investigating Socioemotional Strengths in Children with Dyslexia
No full textChildren with dyslexia have persistent and well-documented reading challenges, yet emerging research suggests they may also exhibit unique socioemotional strengths. However, these strengths remain poorly understood and are often overlooked in traditional remediation approaches, which tend to emphasize deficits rather than assets. This dissertation takes a multimodal approach—through two complementary studies—to examine socioemotional functioning in dyslexia from both behavioral and neurobiological perspectives, with the overarching aim of mapping a comprehensive profile of dyslexia to advance strength-based models for development and intervention.
In Study 1, we explored how parents perceive the socioemotional strengths of their children with dyslexia. Ninety-seven parents responded to an open-ended question describing their child’s behavioral and emotional strengths, and responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five overarching themes emerged: (1) social skills, (2) positivity, (3) reliability, (4) determination, and (5) creativity. Subthemes revealed particular strengths in prosocial behavior, empathy, optimism, conscientiousness, and originality. While social skills were the most commonly reported, the diversity and depth of strengths highlighted the presence of meaningful socioemotional assets in children with dyslexia. These findings suggest that incorporating strengths-based perspectives into educational and clinical practices may reduce stigma and promote resilience.
In Study 2, we investigated the physiological correlates of these strengths by examining whether resting cardiac parasympathetic activity—indexed by RSA (RSA)—was associated with parent-reported socioemotional traits. One hundred children (88 with dyslexia, 12 typically developing; ages 7–17) completed a two-minute resting baseline physiological recording, and parents rated their child’s emotional and interpersonal functioning. Group comparisons revealed no significant differences in resting parasympathetic activity between children with and without dyslexia. However, across the full sample, higher RSA predicted greater parent-reported awe, pride, love, and perspective-taking, suggesting a potential physiological pathway supporting socioemotional traits in childhood.
Together, these studies provide converging evidence that children with dyslexia may have underrecognized socioemotional strengths and that individual differences in autonomic functioning may in part explain the variability in these traits. These findings advance a more holistic understanding of dyslexia and underscore the importance of incorporating both behavioral and biological indicators into research and practice aimed at supporting neurodiverse populations
Prison Education and Abolitionist Praxis: Insights and Reflections from Inside-Out Participants
Get PDFThis track draws on our experience in an Inside-Out course taught at a state correctional institution in Pennsylvania. As an outside student, inside student, and instructor in our learning community, we consider the abolitionist potential of classes taught behind prison walls. Does it necessarily perpetuate the prison industrial complex, or can it render boundaries porous? We take an autoethnographic approach to our experiences, frustrations, challenges, and triumphs, considering if, and under what conditions, such a program can promote abolition. Based on our reflection, we see the potential to intentionally create liberatory classroom spaces on a small scale. We offer some guidance on how to work to create these types of spaces
Driving Excellence in Assisted Living: Implementing a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program
No full textObjective: Assisted Living Facility A lacks a structured quality improvement process to identify, monitor, and address areas for enhancement in resident care, which hinders its ability to uphold high standards essential for operational success in long-term care. Aim: The project aims to develop and implement a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Program at Assisted Living Facility A over an eleven-week period, yielding recommendations for quality improvement initiatives and eventually resulting in a 25% increase in resident satisfaction. Methodology: Implementing a QAPI program serves as a targeted intervention to establish a systematic approach for identifying, tracking, and addressing care-related issues, thereby enhancing resident outcomes and supporting sustained operational excellence. The QAPI program will utilize a resident satisfaction survey and electronic health record (EHR) data on falls and hospitalizations as key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives and monitor overall program success. Results: The results are pending. Conclusion: The sustainability of the QAPI program at Assisted Living Facility A is supported by strong stakeholder engagement and alignment with the facility’s mission, positioning it as a long-term framework for enhancing care quality, resident satisfaction, and operational excellence through a culture of continuous improvement
The Shift: Collaboration Between Registered Nurses & Volunteer Doulas
No full textBay Area Hospital A is committed to providing patient-centered, equitable maternity care to all patients. In support of this mission, the hospital implemented a volunteer doula program to offer non-medical emotional and physical support to laboring patients from diverse backgrounds while maintaining cost-effectiveness by utilizing volunteer support. However, a significant barrier to the program’s full integration is that nurses do not have clear knowledge of the volunteer doula\u27s role or scope of practice. This gap in knowledge has resulted in limited collaboration between nursing staff and volunteer doulas, affecting the delivery of continuous, coordinated care. This disconnect not only reduces the program’s effectiveness but also contradicts the hospital\u27s commitment to interdisciplinary teamwork. Addressing this issue through improved education and communication among both roles will strengthen knowledge and collaboration, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure the volunteer doula program continues to support the hospital’s goals.
Key Words: doula, volunteer doula, labor and delivery nurses
A Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle (PIPCB) Education Approach To Improving HCAHPS Scores In Nursing Communication Domain
Get PDFObjective: Patient education is crucial for improving patient outcomes. An issue that has been consistent in healthcare is pressure injuries in inpatient care. Despite existing prevention efforts, there is an education gap between nursing communication and patient understanding. Aim: This QI project aims to improve HCAHPS scores, specifically in the nursing communication domain, by 5% and enhance patient understanding of pressure injury prevention strategies through the implementation of a Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle (PIPCB). Methods: The intervention included educational posters and fliers distributed to patients on a 93-bed acute care medical-surgical/telemetry unit. Educational materials focused on mobility, skin protection and nutrition. Nurses were encouraged to deliver and reinforce this education to patients upon admission and every shift. Data collection involved monthly HCAHPS scores and pre- and post- intervention surveys. A $100 raffle incentivized staff participation. Results: HCAHPS scores declined from 70.31% to 62.96%. However, 100% of participating nurses reported the material as useful and recommended continued usage. Surveys showed improved nurse engagement with patient education, however, patient understanding measures are limited. Conclusions: While HCAHPS scores did not improve as expected, nurse feedback supports the use of PIPCB education. Continued reinforcement and patient engagement are needed to improve patient outcomes and to close the communication gap between nurses and patients