United States

Background
With 890,000 new diagnoses and 450,000 deaths each year, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Pathologic extranodal extension (pENE)—defined as histopathologically-evident tumor growth beyond the lymph node capsule—is an important prognostic factor for HNSCC.
pENE+ cancers are more aggressive, more difficult to remove surgically, and more likely to metastasize. Thus, pENE presently serves as an indication for more intensive treatment, including adjuvant chemoradiation. In this study, progression-free survival outcomes were compared by pENE status to determine whether current treatment approaches adequately address the increased risks posed by pENE+ cancer.

Methods
A retrospective review was performed of 146 patients with HNSCC, a subset of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s BioMER cohort. Patients were excluded if they never received surgical intervention, if their cancer was human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive, or if they presented with recurrent disease originally treated at other institutions.
Data was extracted from clinical records in Epic, stored in a secured REDCap database, and anonymized prior to analysis in SPSS Statistics. Survival outcomes were compared using log-rank tests, while chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used for all other analyses.

Results
Patients who were pENE+ had significantly worse progression-free survival outcomes (P &lt; 0.0001) than patients who were pENE-. There was also a trend towards worse overall survival, which did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.2255). Interestingly, macroscopic pENE (&gt;2mm) was associated with significantly worse overall survival compared to microscopic pENE (&lt;2mm) (P = 0.0387).
In investigating correlations with other variables, tumors with poor differentiation (P = 0.0004), advanced T stage (P = 0.0053), or distant metastasis (P = 0.0045) were all significantly more likely to be pENE+.

Conclusion
Despite relatively aggressive treatment regimens, pENE+ patients still suffer from significantly higher rates of recurrence. pENE status was also strongly associated with several other indicators of aggressive tumor behavior.
One limitation of this study was the relatively short follow-up period, which may have limited the statistical power of some analyses.
Further research is needed to determine how we can fulfill this unmet clinical need and improve outcomes for pENE+ patients. One promising approach involves radiologic ENE, which could potentially enable accurate risk stratification and treatment planning from the first diagnostic scan.

AMA Research Challenge 2025 

Pathologic extranodal extension: an undervalued prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

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AMA Research Challenge 2023

Join the AMA Research Challenge poster symposium and semifinals to explore top research posters, score posters in the semifinals (an AMA member exclusive opportunity) and attend education sessions with experienced physicians to learn tips to advance your research and career. 

Background
With 890,000 new diagnoses and 450,000 deaths each year, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Pathologic extranodal extension (pENE)—defined as histopathologically-evident tumor growth beyond the lymph node capsule—is an important prognostic factor for HNSCC.
pENE+ cancers are more aggressive, more difficult to remove surgically, and more likely to metastasize. Thus, pENE presently serves as an indication for more intensive treatment, including adjuvant chemoradiation. In this study, progression-free survival outcomes were compared by pENE status to determine whether current treatment approaches adequately address the increased risks posed by pENE+ cancer.

Methods
A retrospective review was performed of 146 patients with HNSCC, a subset of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s BioMER cohort. Patients were excluded if they never received surgical intervention, if their cancer was human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive, or if they presented with recurrent disease originally treated at other institutions.
Data was extracted from clinical records in Epic, stored in a secured REDCap database, and anonymized prior to analysis in SPSS Statistics. Survival outcomes were compared using log-rank tests, while chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used for all other analyses.

Results
Patients who were pENE+ had significantly worse progression-free survival outcomes (P < 0.0001) than patients who were pENE-. There was also a trend towards worse overall survival, which did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.2255). Interestingly, macroscopic pENE (>2mm) was associated with significantly worse overall survival compared to microscopic pENE (<2mm) (P = 0.0387).
In investigating correlations with other variables, tumors with poor differentiation (P = 0.0004), advanced T stage (P = 0.0053), or distant metastasis (P = 0.0045) were all significantly more likely to be pENE+.

Conclusion
Despite relatively aggressive treatment regimens, pENE+ patients still suffer from significantly higher rates of recurrence. pENE status was also strongly associated with several other indicators of aggressive tumor behavior.
One limitation of this study was the relatively short follow-up period, which may have limited the statistical power of some analyses.
Further research is needed to determine how we can fulfill this unmet clinical need and improve outcomes for pENE+ patients. One promising approach involves radiologic ENE, which could potentially enable accurate risk stratification and treatment planning from the first diagnostic scan.

poster

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Abstract Title
Topological Characterization of the Glioblastoma Microenvironment Reveals Perivascular Niche Interactions

Background
Differential response to treatment in many tumors can be attributed to intratumoral heterogeneity. This describes diversity of features on the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels that contribute to driving tumor dynamics and fueling disease. In glioblastoma (GBM), a deadly and aggressive brain tumor, extensive cellular and genetic intratumoral heterogeneity play a major role in the inevitable resistance to treatment. Routine histopathological analysis of GBM reveals an extremely diverse cancer ecosystem inclusive of marked nuclear atypia, microvascular proliferation, and foci of necrosis while large-scale genomic analyses have demonstrated an accumulation of genetic changes within cancer cells. However, interactions between genetically distinct GBM cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) are incompletely understood. Considering the dynamic GBM microenvironment and heterogeneous clonal populations that arise within, the high degree of both molecular and cellular diversity may be reflecting a level of cooperation. Wherein, genetic heterogeneity confers an evolutionary advantage to tumor cells in the face of fluctuating microenvironmental selective pressures.

Methods
In a cohort of matched primary and recurrent GBM samples, we integrated immunofluorescent staining, fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization techniques, reflectance imaging, species distribution modeling, and computational image analysis methods alongside spatial RNA sequencing to achieve multiplexed single cell spatial profiling. With this method, we have evaluated the TMEs for various histopathological niches, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, hot-spot mutations, and oncogenic amplifications in the same tissue and at the same histological coordinates. 

Results
Our study found that specific textures of the ECM were linked to specific genetic and phenotypic characteristics of tumor cells. We observed that “string-like” ECM textures, possibly representing neuron-rich environments, serve as selective niches for tumor cells with TERT promoter mutations and EGFR amplifications. Additionally, reflectance imaging of the ECM revealed structured organization of perivascular niches in recurrent GBM which were enriched in collagen and immunosuppressive macrophages. Results from the single-cell spatial transcriptomics further confirmed the presence of the niche-specific macrophage populations and identified interactions between endothelial cells, immunosuppressive macrophages, and perivascular fibroblasts. 

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate how TME elements may serve as markers indicative of spatial heterogeneity and how combined analysis of spatial diversity can be used to uncover novel niche interactions. Understanding the molecular and cellular dependencies within the GBM microenvironment is crucial for devising targeted therapeutic strategies. In this work we expand the knowledge base of spatially resolved GBM characterization by evaluating the interplay among tumor cell populations, TME members, and ecological features that impact GBM pathophysiology.


Topological Characterization of the Glioblastoma Microenvironment Reveals Perivascular Niche Interactions

Background: Post-COVID-19 complications have been reported in up to 60% of infections globally, contributing to a significant burden on public health and quality of life. Among these complications, persistent immune dysregulation and inflammatory syndromes, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), have been increasingly recognized. MCAS is characterized by an exaggerated and inappropriate mast cell response, resulting in widespread systemic inflammation and allergic-like symptoms. Understanding these phenomena is critical for improving diagnostic strategies and therapeutic approaches. In this report, we present a rare case of transient MCAS-like hypersensitivity symptoms following COVID-19 reinfection, with a notably intensified symptom presentation compared to the initial infection.

Case Presentation: A 33-year-old male with a past medical history of asthma and obesity presented with unusual post-COVID hypersensitivity symptoms. Following an initial COVID-19 infection two years prior, he developed transient, mild diffuse epidermal pruritus triggered by sugary foods, which resolved spontaneously after two weeks. However, after a second infection in April 2024, he experienced severe hypersensitivity reactions resembling anaphylaxis, including diffuse pharyngeal and distal extremity swelling, pruritic urticaria, dyspepsia, diarrhea, persistent left lower quadrant abdominal and lumbar pain, wheezing, and nausea. Symptoms were triggered by ingestion of nearly all foods except red meats seasoned only with sea salt. Comprehensive evaluation, including upper gastrointestinal biopsy, ruled out celiac disease, and a full allergy panel showed no food allergies. Laboratory workup and physical examination revealed no abnormalities. Symptoms gradually resolved over a four-month period without targeted intervention.

Discussion: MCAS is typified by inappropriate mast cell degranulation, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and systemic symptoms such as fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, and dermatologic manifestations. Nonspecific mast cell activation following COVID-19 infection remains a rare but increasingly reported complication. In this case, symptom severity was markedly intensified following reinfection compared to the initial episode, reflecting a pattern akin to the immune system’s heightened response following booster COVID-19 vaccinations. We propose that reinfection may further prime mast cells, precipitating an exaggerated inflammatory response and more severe clinical manifestations. The absence of food-specific IgE antibodies supports a non-IgE-mediated hypersensitivity mechanism, consistent with mast cell dysregulation. Although MCAS-like reactions post-COVID are rare, accumulating evidence suggests they are not isolated occurrences. Greater awareness and further studies are warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology, improve diagnostic criteria, and develop effective management strategies to enhance the quality of life for affected patients.

Transient Mast Cell Activation Syndrome-Like Hypersensitivity Following
COVID-19 Reinfection: A Case Report of Intensified Symptomatology

Abstract Title
Halo Nevi with Poliosis: A Scoping Review and Case Report

Background:
Halo nevi (HN) are benign melanocytic nevi surrounded by a depigmented ring, typically occurring on the trunk. Rarely, they may appear on the scalp and can present with poliosis, a localized white patch of hair. This uncommon presentation poses diagnostic and management challenges. We present a case of scalp halo nevi with poliosis in a pediatric patient and review the literature to characterize clinical, histological, and management patterns.

Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Collection, and Web of Science, limited to English-language articles through October 2024. Search strategies incorporated relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and textword searches. Identified citations were screened using Covidence, and relevant case reports were extracted for clinical and histopathologic data.

Results:
Our case involves a 9-year-old female with three pink macules and intralesional white hairs on the scalp. Biopsy confirmed a briskly inflamed intradermal melanocytic nevus consistent with a halo nevus. Follow-up at three months showed persistence of two lesions and spontaneous resolution of one.

Literature review identified six prior cases of halo nevi with poliosis on the scalp and two involving the eyelid. Most patients were children or young adults. Common histopathologic findings included dense dermal lymphocytic infiltrates surrounding melanocytic nests with a decrease in follicular melanocytes in some cases. Dermatoscopy, when reported, showed depigmentation, globules, and poliosis. Treatment was typically conservative, with excision pursued for cosmetic reasons or concern for atypia. No recurrences or adverse outcomes were reported.

Conclusion:
Halo nevi with poliosis are rare, especially on the scalp, and primarily affect children. Though benign, these lesions can mimic pigmentary disorders or melanoma-associated leukoderma. Biopsy remains the diagnostic gold standard, with dermatoscopy serving as a useful adjunct, though underreported in this context.
Current literature is limited to isolated case reports without standardized management or long-term outcomes, and no consistent association with vitiligo has been observed in cases presenting with poliosis. Clinicians should manage these lesions conservatively, offering reassurance and reserving intervention for diagnostic uncertainty or cosmetic concerns. Improved documentation of dermatoscopic and histopathologic findings will enhance recognition and inform future clinical guidance for this uncommon presentation.


Halo Nevi with Poliosis: A Scoping Review and Case Report

A Small Polyp with a Big Impact: Metastatic Duodenal NET Initially Presenting with PE & Pancytopenia

Background
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare malignancies emerging from neuroendocrine cells, accounting for <1% of all cancers. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract represents the primary site for these tumors but duodenal NETs (D-NETs) occur exceptionally rarely because they make up only 2% of GI NETs. Typically slow-growing and asymptomatic —especially when <2 cm—these tumors are often discovered incidentally. However, some may metastasize and present atypically. We report a rare case of a metastatic D-NET arising from a 3–4 mm duodenal polyp, initially presenting with pulmonary embolism (PE), pancytopenia, and systemic symptoms.

Case Presentation
A 72-year-old African American woman with hypertension and GERD presented with left arm swelling, generalized weakness, and significant unintentional weight loss. CT angiography revealed bilateral submassive pulmonary emboli and parenchymal lung disease. Doppler ultrasound showed DVTs in the left upper and lower extremities. Labs demonstrated anemia, leukocytosis, and hypoalbuminemia. Given concern for malignancy, a CT-guided lung biopsy identified a well-differentiated grade 2 NET (Ki-67 index 5%) with markers suggestive of GI or pancreatobiliary origin. Bone scan showed osseous involvement, raising concern for widespread metastatic disease and bone marrow suppression contributing to pancytopenia.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 3–4 mm duodenal bulb polyp, which was
confirmed on biopsy as the primary tumor—a well-differentiated grade 2 NET. The
patient was treated with anticoagulation and discharged in stable condition with plans for PET imaging and oncology follow-up.

Discussion
This case illustrates an unusual presentation of metastatic D-NET from a lesion <5 mm in size. While most small duodenal polyps are benign, this case challenges the
assumption that size correlates with clinical risk. The initial presentation with PE and
pancytopenia illustrates the diverse and sometimes misleading ways NETs can
manifest, particularly when metastasized. Diagnosis hinges on histopathologic
confirmation with immunohistochemistry. Although small, localized D-NETs are often cured with endoscopic resection, metastatic cases require systemic therapy and close surveillance. Clinicians should maintain a broad differential when evaluating unexplained hypercoagulability and cytopenias, recognizing that even minute GI lesions can harbor significant malignant potential.

A Small Polyp with a Big Impact: Metastatic Duodenal NET Initially Presenting with PE and Pancytopenia

Gemella Sanguinis is a gram positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria that is normally found in mucosal surfaces of oropharynx, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Gemella species can cause bacteremia and is a rare cause of infective endocarditis particularly in patients with underlying cardiac and valvular disease. The main source of gemella bacteremia is oral from dental infections but has also been reported in patients with colon malignancies. We present an interesting case of Gemella Sanguinis bacteremia with mitral valve endocarditis in a patient with colon cancer.

CASE:

61 year old male with history of rheumatic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension presented with chief complaints of fevers, chills, cough and shortness of breath for 3 weeks. He had a 15- pack year history of smoking but denied alcohol or substance abuse. There was no family history of malignancies. Upon initial presentation he was hypotensive and required vasopressors for severe sepsis with shock. Broad spectrum antibiotics was initiated for sepsis. Cardioversion was performed since he was noted to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. His blood cultures grew Gemella Sanguinis. After review of the susceptibilities for gemella sanguinis, he was successfully treated with rocephin for 6 weeks. Gentamicin was not administered secondary to concern for acute kidney injury. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed thickened anterior mitral valve leaflet with diastolic doming consistent with rheumatic valve disease. Transesophageal echocardiogram was performed that showed severe aortic valve stenosis, severe mitral valve stenosis with a 1 X 1.3 cm echo density on the anterior mitral valve leaflet consistent with a vegetation. Aortic and mitral valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis and extensive biatrial modified maze procedure was performed. Panorex films was performed that did not reveal oral source of infection. CT abdomen/pelvis showed diffuse wall thickening involving the sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy was done that revealed colorectal mass and biopsy was consistent with adenocarcinoma. He underwent colorectal resection with loop ileostomy and surgical margins were negative. His hospital course was further complicated by intraabdominal fluid collection and subdural hemorrhage. Oncology was consulted but secondary to low risk for recurrence chemotherapy was not recommended. He underwent colostomy reversal and continues to follow up with oncology.

CONCLUSION:

There are well known association between colon cancers and bacteremia including gemella species as presented above in this patient. Bacteria can enter the blood stream from disruption of the colonic barrier and intestinal dysbiosis. In a patient presenting with gemella sanguinis bacteremia with no clear source, clinicians should consider colonic etiologies and colonoscopy is warranted to search for underlying colonic malignancies. Appropriate timely diagnosis and workup enables early diagnosis and treatment.

Gemella Sanguinis bacteremia with Mitral Valve Endocarditis as a Presenting Sign of Colon Cancer

Background
Corpus callosum infarction is a rare presentation of ischemic stroke, typically manifesting with atypical symptoms such as ideomotor apraxia or interhemispheric disconnection.
Moyamoya disease, a progressive cerebrovascular occlusive disorder, most often results in ischemic events in the MCA and ACA territories.
Roger’s Syndrome, or Thiamine-Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia (TRMA), is a rare autosomal recessive condition characterized by early-onset diabetes, sensorineural deafness, and megaloblastic anemia.
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with both Moyamoya disease and Roger’s Syndrome, highlighting potential synergistic risk factors for stroke.

Case Presentation
A 22-year-old female with a history of TRMA, Moyamoya disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, a left cochlear implant, and multiple prior strokes presented with left leg weakness, aphasia, altered mental status, and new-onset urinary incontinence.

The patient had a recent insulin dose reduction and was found to be in diabetic ketoacidosis (glucose 419 mg/dL, bicarbonate 9.6 mmol/L).
CT of the brain demonstrated hypoattenuation in the genu of the corpus callosum, indicating an acute/subacute infarct, along with chronic bilateral frontal infarcts. MRI was limited due to cochlear implant artifact.

Cerebral angiography revealed progression of Moyamoya disease with occlusion of the ICA, MCA, and A1 segment, and extensive collateralization.
She underwent a combined revascularization procedure with a right STA-MCA bypass and bilateral indirect onlay craniotomies.
Postoperative imaging confirmed evolving infarcts in MCA and ACA territories. Rehabilitation was initiated with moderate functional gains; the patient was ambulating 50 feet with moderate assistance by discharge.

Discussion
This case illustrates an unusual presentation of Moyamoya disease involving the corpus callosum, resulting in a form of Callosal Disconnection Syndrome.
While stroke is a known complication of Moyamoya, infarction of the corpus callosum remains uncommon.
The co-occurrence of TRMA may represent a novel risk enhancer, potentially through mechanisms such as chronic metabolic stress, thiamine deficiency–related microangiopathy, and diabetic endothelial dysfunction.
Diabetic ketoacidosis likely exacerbated cerebral ischemia by further compromising vascular integrity. This case underscores the importance of multidisciplinary management and vigilance for cerebrovascular events in patients with overlapping rare genetic and metabolic conditions.

Roger’s Syndrome and Callosal Disconnection Syndrome in a Stroke Patient: A Case Report

Note: All abstracts must be submitted using this approved template and must not include pictures, graphs, or tables. The abstract must not exceed 400 words, excluding the abstract title, page numbering, or any ancillary entrant information. Citations or references are not a necessity with the abstract. If your abstract is accepted for consideration, you may include citations or references with your poster.

Abstract Title
Prototype for a Predictive Healthcare Inventory Management System

Background
Inefficient medical inventory management significantly burdens healthcare, exacerbating rising hospital expenses, with supplies (22%) and labor (56%) being major drivers. Challenges include high-value items, varied stock, product expiration, manual tracking inefficiencies, and financial implications leading to waste and potential delays in care. Hospitals predominantly use real-time or retrospective systems rather than anticipatory systems. While structured approaches like frequency-based or mathematical modeling within these existing systems can reduce management time, their implementation can be challenging. Existing solutions are not cost-effective, with some systems costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Other industries leverage machine learning (ML) for large-scale inventory applications, but this approach is largely unapplied in healthcare. We aim to create an ML model for the implementation of a predictive system to streamline the process of inventory management in the hospital setting.

Methods
We created an ML-based forecasting tool to predict monthly and quarterly order quantities for medical supplies using historical data from an academic tertiary care center. Our dataset included information on dates, categories, quantities received, and costs for all item orders from January 2022 to December 2024 for the interventional radiology department. Items ordered fewer than 10 times per year were excluded. For each item, order history and quantities were analyzed, and an ML model was created using Python 3.9 using Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost algorithms, tuning each with GridSearchCV. Models were trained with 10 iterations per item to average predictions and reduce variance. Performance was analyzed with median absolute error (median AE), mean absolute error (MAE), and explained variance score.

Results
Our training data was trained on 26 months of order data, and the testing was done on the subsequent 10 months. Over the 42 items, the Random Forest model showed the best performance with monthly data, resulting in a mean MAE of 5.69 and SD of 4.54. In contrast, Gradient Boosting outperformed other models with quarterly data, resulting in a mean MAE of 6.00 and SD of 4.7.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that an ML model can be utilized in the healthcare inventory setting to optimize item procurement and storage, relieving the burden of inventory from staff and improving efficiency. With our model, we seek to minimize procedure cancellations from a lack of requisite supplies and avoid overstocking. Further iterations will modify model inputs and parameters to improve performance and validate the model using another dataset from other departments and institution-wide orders.


Low-Cost Prototype for a Predictive Healthcare Inventory Management System

Background: 
Effective patient education in ophthalmology is critical for promoting adherence and outcomes, yet existing resources are often limited by cost, readability, and language accessibility. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) provides expert-developed handouts, but these are paywalled and may exceed recommended reading levels. ChatGPT-4 offers potential to generate low-cost, accessible materials that are easier to scale. Prior work has evaluated AI-generated medical responses, but its ability to create comprehensive, multilingual ophthalmic handouts comparable to trusted educational materials remains underexplored. This study compares the readability, content quality, and clinician preference of ChatGPT-4–generated handouts with AAO materials in English and Spanish.

Methods:
Ten AAO handouts on common ocular conditions were obtained in English and Spanish. ChatGPT 4.0 was prompted to generate matched handouts at an 8th-grade reading level and similar word count. 

Readability was assessed with Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease (FKRE) in English; and Fernández Huerta Index (FHI) and Szigriszt-Pazos Perspicuity Index (SPPI) in Spanish. 
Three ophthalmologists per language independently evaluated each handout using the validated Quality of Generated Language Outputs for Patients (QGLOP) rubric, which scores accuracy, comprehensiveness, bias, currency, and tone on a four-point scale. Graders were blinded to authorship and asked to indicate their preferred version and guess the source.

Results:
In English, ChatGPT and AAO handouts had comparable readability (SMOG 7.86 vs. 7.49, p=0.35; FKRE 62.37 vs. 65.70, p=0.24) and content quality (QGLOP 14.73 vs. 14.87, p=0.97).

In Spanish, ChatGPT handouts were slightly less readable (SPPI 60.26 vs. 64.82, p=0.04), but still fell within accepted ranges and significantly outperformed AAO materials in QGLOP scores across all domains (15.83 vs. 14.23, p<0.001).

Clinicians preferred ChatGPT handouts in 76.7% of English and 96.7% of Spanish comparisons. ChatGPT authorship was correctly identified in 56.7% of English and 10% of Spanish cases.

Conclusion:
ChatGPT-4 can generate ophthalmic handouts with content quality comparable to AAO materials in English and superior in Spanish, despite slightly lower Spanish readability within acceptable ranges. Strong clinician preference suggests potential to expand multilingual patient education access. However, the discrepancy between preference and source recognition indicates possible clinician bias toward AI-generated content, underscoring the need to better understand how such perceptions influence clinical adoption. Future work will also explore patient perspectives to ensure that materials are not only accurate but also accepted by the intended audience.

Utility of ChatGPT 4.0 in Creating Patient Handouts in Ophthalmology: A Comparison with the American Academy of Ophthalmology Educational Materials

Background: University students often encounter significant health challenges while simultaneously managing their health independently for the first time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceived impact of community-based educational events on participants’ health perceptions across five health domains.
Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the annual Women’s Health Day (WHD) annual event held on the Florida State University campus. Self-reported perceptions about the impact of the event and future health behaviors were assessed with the post-event survey using the Likert scale model.
Results. Of the 327 respondents (mean age 20.14 years, 82.0% women), out of 512 event participants, 92.4% were first-time attendees at WHD. Participants strongly agreed with the event's educational impact on their future health (M = 1.49, SD = 0.79), the importance of interactive and community-based events on campuses (M = 1.29, SD = 0.69), and their likelihood of attending similar events in the future (M = 1.25, SD = 0.53). Sexual health was reported to have the greatest perceived impact, followed by mental and physical health, with significant differences across domains (p < .001). Gender identity influenced perceived impact, with cisgender participants reporting greater impact in mental, clinical, and physical health compared to gender minority participants (p < .05).
Conclusions. WHD demonstrated significant benefits in promoting health literacy and preventative care resources, particularly in sexual and mental health. Future studies should explore the longitudinal impacts, enhance engagement across all health domains, increase involvement among underrepresented groups, and tailor educational content to diverse health needs.

Impact of a Community-Based Health Education Event on Participant Perceptions and Behaviors

Background
The impacts of climate change are experienced in the community and in clinical practice. This study combines interdisciplinary climate change research with advocacy strategies to address the evolving challenges imposed by climate change upon patients and practitioners. A systematic review of the neurological literature related to climate change was conducted and findings were compiled into examples of patient health impacts. In addition, examples are provided of ways practitioners can adapt their practices to address the impacts of climate change on patients and to reduce environmental harm in the clinic and operating room.

Methods 
Literature pertaining to the neurological effects of climate change on patients and practices was reviewed. Following PRISMA guidelines, search parameters for the systematic review were identified and relevant studies were sorted for inclusion based on selection criteria. Studies sought discussed neurological disease variance due to climate change that may require neurological consultation, or directly identified information relevant to sustainable practices. Two tables were constructed presenting (1) specific patient health implications of climate change on neurological illness, and (2) strategies for clinical practices to prepare for and address these emerging sequelae.

Results
A total of 421 studies were initially obtained via the search criteria and 84 were removed as duplicates. After abstract screening of 337 studies, the full text of 95 studies were reviewed. 70 were relevant to neurological disease impacted by climate change, and 20 studies were deemed relevant to sustainable practices. The neurological impacts of climate change on patients and practices include cerebrovascular disease (increased stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and heatstroke), neurodegeneration (increased hospitalizations, symptom exacerbation, and mortality), CNS infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, prion, and amoeba), trauma (extreme weather events and violence), and environmental exposures (birth defects, contamination, brain tumorigenesis, and seizure trigger).

Conclusion
Through sustainable clinical practices and education/training the healthcare field can prepare patients and practitioners for these impacts and rise to address the challenges facing our communities in the 21st century.

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