Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

These projects were completed by students in the University of Vermont Family Medicine Clerkship. Block Clerkship Projects were completed during a five-week period, while Longitudinal Clerkship Projects were completed over the course of a 12-month longitudinal clerkship.

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Making Exercise Accessible for All

Katina Messier
Short-term Project
Regular physical exercise is often suggested as an important modifiable factor to lessen the occurrence of conditions that are associated with a sedentary lifestyle such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and more. However, there is little education surrounding how to exercise, or how to modify movements to fit individual needs. This project serves to educate the public about the importance of exercise, provide movements for each major muscle group, and include modifications based on individual needs.
Dietary Fiber as a Means of Optimizing Health

Carlos Montejo
Short-term Project
More than 90% of the US population does not meet the recommended dietary fiber intake goal of 25-30g per day. Dietary fiber is an essential component of a well-rounded diet and is associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Further, dietary fiber is linked with a reduced risk for colon cancer and has been found to alleviate constipation. Regionally, in Newport, VT, rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity among youth (grades 9-12), and T2DM were significantly higher when compared to the state average. This project aims to inform the community about the importance of incorporating fiber in their diet. Two individuals were interviewed in the Newport community and described the need for more information regarding dietary fiber. A tri-fold pamphlet was created to highlight the role of fiber in the body, how much fiber should be consumed daily, types of food sources rich in fiber, and price breakdowns of non-traditional fiber sources from local supermarkets. The results of this intervention have not been shown. With social determinants of health in mind, the desired outcome is for members of the community to become more conscientious about their diet and the role of dietary fiber in optimizing health outcomes.
Diabetes Prevention in High-Risk Populations

Petergaye Murray
Short-term Project
The American Diabetes Association estimated that the cost of diabetes care in the US in 2022 was $412.9 billion. With numerous patients being diagnosed with prediabetes, it was observed that these patients were underinformed about the necessary changes in diet and exercise needed to delay or prevent diabetes. Two interviews were conducted with professionals who work with diabetes, a pharmacist who providers nutrition counseling, and a physician who oversees the clinical management of diabetes. With their insights and information from nationally recognized resources such as the CDC and the American Diabetes Association, a mini-guide in preventing diabetes was created to disseminate to high-risk patients (patients with pre-diabetes) in clinical settings.
Anxiety Screening in a Rural Primary Care Setting

Erzsie Nagy
Short-term Project
Anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly occurring mental health condition. It is recommended to screen for anxiety in adults under the age of 65, but there is insufficient research to make this recommendation for older adults. Caledonia County in northeastern Vermont is a rural area with a large proportion of older adults, and this unique population could benefit from anxiety screening.
Management of Low Back Pain in the Outpatient Setting

Casey Norton
Short-term Project
Addressing Resource Gaps for Autistic Adolescents and Adults

Christopher Pham
Short-term Project
Autistic patients of all ages often experience greater difficulty accessing healthcare and worse health outcomes compared to neurotypical peers. Additionally, patients who are older when they are diagnosed as autistic (e.g. later adolescence, adulthood) frequently report increased comorbid medical problems and problems with mental and emotional health. Healthcare providers often feel they have inadequate knowledge and skills to confidently treat autistic patients, and are also often unaware of what resources are available to support patients. This project describes efforts to better equip primary care providers in Hardwick, VT with resources to support autistic patients, and discusses anticipated outcomes of similar interventions.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists & Dietary Recommendations...What We Know So Far

Olivia Richardson
Short-term Project
GLP-1 receptor agonists have been increasingly prescribed to both diabetic patients as well as overweight/obese patients. However, there is ambiguity on dietary recommendations that should be made to these patients to avoid nutritional deficiencies/muscle wasting. This project includes a literature view on what current recommendations are for these patients.
Understanding Colposcopy: Cervical Cancer Education For Somali Women

Jill C. Rogers
Short-term Project
Cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable through HPV vaccination and screening tests like Pap smears and colposcopies, yet stark disparities in incidence and outcomes persist worldwide. Eastern Africa, including Somalia, has the highest cervical cancer burden globally; Somalia’s incidence and mortality are approximately fourfold and tenfold those of the United States, respectively. Chittenden County, Vermont, is home to over 600 Somali New Americans, a population shown in past studies to have significantly lower cervical cancer screening rates than non-Somali patients in the US. Numerous barriers contribute to these disparities, including language and literacy challenges, cultural and religious beliefs, stigma, distrust of interpreters and the healthcare system, and shame and fear regarding female circumcision. This project aims to bridge the gap in cervical cancer screening rates for Somali New Americans in Vermont. In partnership with the Vermont Language Justice Project, I developed translated audiovisual resources in both Somali and Maay Maay to explain what cervical cancer is, the importance of screening tests, and how and why a colposcopy is done. These accessible, culturally sensitive tools aim to improve patient comprehension, facilitate shared decision-making, and increase screening completion with the goal of reducing disparities in cervical cancer outcomes.
Lead Testing Patient Education to Improve Primary Prevention of Lead Poisoning

Sung Bin Roh
Short-term Project
Lead poisoning is an expensive problem for the state of Vermont. Primary prevention of lead poisoning in Vermont could generate at least $40 million. Information about lead testing is inaccessible and the accuracy of lead tests are dependent on proper use and surface material. Because lead tests are designed to be highly sensitive, false positives can occur. Understanding which tests are accurate for different materials and what can interfere with tests can help prevent false positives. Creating and disseminating education materials about lead testing can aid primary prevention by identifying lead hazards.
Improving Obstructive Sleep Apnea Support in Rural Primary Care: Enhancing Patient Resources and Provider Tools

John L. Rustad
Short-term Project
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but underdiagnosed condition, particularly in rural populations with limited access to specialist care. This project aims to enhance OSA identification and management in a rural Vermont clinic by implementing an integrated patient education and screening initiative. Key interventions include a patient information pamphlet, a standardized screening tool, and a referral pathway to streamline diagnosis and treatment. Provider feedback highlighted the benefits of these resources in improving patient awareness, screening accuracy, and referral efficiency.
Screening for Adult ADHD in a Primary Care Setting

Harjas Sabharwal
Short-term Project
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized as a condition that persists into adulthood, yet primary care providers often feel uncertain about diagnosing it due to symptom overlap with other psychiatric conditions and the absence of standardized tools. This project, conducted at New Fairfield Family Practice, aimed to improve provider comfort with adult ADHD diagnosis by introducing the World Health Organization’s Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), an internationally validated screening tool. An educational intervention consisting of a slide presentation and integration of the ASRS-v1.1 into the electronic medical record was delivered to providers. Effectiveness was assessed with pre- and post-surveys measuring provider willingness to use the tool. Results demonstrated an increase in willingness from an average score of 0 (SD=0) pre-intervention to 9.5 (SD=0.71) post-intervention. This project underscores the value of integrating validated screening tools into primary care to address underdiagnosis of adult ADHD. Future directions include expanding provider education, creating accessible handouts for clinicians and staff, and strengthening referral pathways to behavioral health resources. These are small steps to address the significant personal and societal burden of untreated ADHD in adults.
Gender Affirming Care within Primary Care in Northern New York

Julie Scholes
Short-term Project
Gender affirming care is an integral part of healthcare, but is often difficult to identify or access. Primary care providers have the skillset to provide gender affirming care but identify education and resources as barriers to start prescribing gender affirming hormone therapy. This project aimed to assess existing access to gender affirming care and identify areas for improvement and support to enhance accessibility to care in northern New York
Day 1 of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Patient-Centered Educational Tool

Isaac E. Sellinger
Short-term Project
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents an overwhelming diagnosis for many patients, with a significant burden of education, lifestyle modification, and medical management required from day one. In Clinton County, NY, diabetes prevalence remains high, with disproportionately elevated rates of diabetes-related mortality and preventable hospitalizations compared to state averages. To address these gaps, a two-page, accessible, and actionable educational handout and accompanying clinical workflow tools for patients newly diagnosed with T2DM was developed. These materials were designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing after-visit summary (AVS) process at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Family Medicine Center. The project emphasizes small, achievable lifestyle changes, locally available resources, and goal-setting strategies to enhance patient engagement and build motivational inertia. Early implementation has shown that these tools are simple, well-received by providers, and practical for clinical integration. Future directions include assessment of long-term impact on patient outcomes, expanded patient feedback integration, and adaptation for use in other chronic disease management pathways.
New food for thought: Promoting updated concussion management guidelines

Ian A. Strohbehn
Short-term Project
Many in the general public are only aware of outdated concussion management strategies which emphasize strict rest. These strategies may delay healing and increase incidence of post-concussion syndrome. Current guidelines recommend early return to light physical activity which can shorten time to recovery.
Supporting School Behavioral Health in the New Mainer Population

Eunice Suberu
Short-term Project
This project addresses the growing youth mental health crisis in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, with a focus on refugee and immigrant adolescents. The intervention involved creating a culturally informed emotional regulation guide for middle and high school students. The guide was shaped through conversations with healthcare providers, youth, and community organizations, and aims to equip students with practical strategies to manage emotions and seek support. This work highlights the importance of trauma-informed, culturally competent approaches to behavioral health in school and community settings.
Improving Access to Halal Groceries in the Norwalk Area: A Community-Based Nutrition Resource

Zaymee Z. Syeda
Short-term Project
This project aims to increase awareness of culturally appropriate, affordable, and health-conscious grocery options for low-income and immigrant communities in Norwalk, Connecticut. By identifying SNAP-eligible stores that offer halal meat and healthy food choices, the project provides tailored guidance for navigating nutrition with dietary restrictions and chronic disease risks in mind.

Outreach included conversations with local store staff, food pantry coordinators, and shelter kitchen managers. The final resource is a printable guide with evidence-based ratings to support diabetes-friendly, heart-healthy, and weight-conscious choices
Hormone Therapy Education and Patient Empowerment in Menopause

Claudia Tarrant
Short-term Project
This project focuses on evidence-based education for patients going through menopause who are interested in learning more about symptomatic treatment options using menopausal hormone therapy. Many patients going through menopause are unaware that there are generally safe and effective treatments to help manage their symptoms. The goal of this project was to create patient centered, evidence based resources to help empower patients going through menopause and navigating treatment options.
Weight Management and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Practical Approach for Primary Care Patients

Adam B. Thompson
Short-term Project
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability, with obesity being the most significant modifiable risk factor for its progression. Weight loss has been shown to substantially reduce knee joint load, yet knee pain often limits physical activity, creating a challenging cycle. In Connecticut, 21.3% of adults have arthritis, and obesity rates have risen to 30%. The high cost of knee OA management, including knee replacements, underscores the need for preventive strategies to reduce financial and healthcare burdens. A one-page pamphlet was developed to provide evidence-based guidance on weight management and knee OA, incorporating recommendations from peer-reviewed literature and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The pamphlet was distributed at a primary care clinic in New Canaan, Connecticut, offering information on beneficial exercises and local community resources for weight management. The pamphlet was made readily available to patients and well received by clinic staff. While direct patient feedback was limited, the intervention ensured that educational materials were accessible to those seeking guidance on weight management in the setting of knee OA pain. Future interventions should incorporate structured patient feedback, extend the distribution period, and expand availability to additional clinics and community centers.
Providing Vaccine Education to Immigrant and Refugee Populations in Bridgeport, CT

Lauren Tien
Short-term Project
The population of refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM) across the United States is under vaccinated. Under vaccination puts the individual and community at risk for preventable communicable diseases.
Guiding Steps for Accessing Mental Health Care Resources in Danbury CT

Alex Tran
Short-term Project
My work aims to offer easy to access resources for accessing mental health care in Danbury and Newtown, CT. It is aimed at newcomers to therapy, but is especially targeted as elderly patients who find navigating the system unfamiliar. By providing a rack card with basic information and scannable QR code with detailed steps, we hope to make this process less intimidating for patients in the area. Information was gathered from local therapists in the region and patient interview on what steps that found challenging or vague.
Improving Access to Mental Health Resources: A Community-Focused Patient Brochure for Primary Care in New Canaan and Norwalk

Kelly K. Tran
Short-term Project
Mental health needs are common in primary care, but stigma, insurance barriers, and provider shortages limit access to care. To address this gap at a local primary care clinic, I created a brochure listing local therapists, psychiatrists, insurance accepted, telehealth options, and key hotlines in New Canaan and Norwalk, Connecticut. Information was gathered through provider interviews and verified with trusted directories.
Gun Safety in Lewiston Maine FMR Clinic

Ryan Trus
Short-term Project
Community project to help improve safe gun storage in Lewiston Maine
Addressing Polypharmacy in Older Adults in Primary Care

Genevieve T. Wakeman
Short-term Project
Polypharmacy is a common problem affecting older adults, leading to increased medication burden, risk of falls and negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and mortality. This community project attempts to improve medication management in older adults without increasing provider burden. A brief checklist was created to be included in provider note templates, prompting a consult with a clinical pharmacist if the patient meets criteria. Results have yet to be studied.
Expanding Access to Affordable Nutrition through Shelf-Stable Recipes in Brandon, Vermont

Shannon M. Wasley
Short-term Project
Access to Weight Loss Services in Western CT

Zachary E. Wheeler
Short-term Project