Research Objective Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in one’s living environment that affect health, functioning, and quality of life. Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged joint with an artificial joint. TJA complications include acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, sepsis, surgical site bleeding, pulmonary embolism, or periprosthetic joint infection. Previous research demonstrates that Black race, Hispanic ethnicity and poverty were negatively associated with TJA outcomes in veterans. The goal of this mixed methods quality improvement study is to determine if SDOHs affect TJA complications at a health system in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Methodology For this study, records from patients who underwent hip or knee TJAs at any of the four system facilities between 2/2019-2/2020 were included. Demographics and clinical data were extracted from the electronic health record (EHR) via Midas+ Care Management with SDOH variables from case manager notes corresponding to food, utilities, housing and transportation insecurities, and interpersonal safety. Complications were identified using ICD-10 codes. SDOH for individuals with and without complications were compared. A multinomial logistic regression was performed in SPSS to identify significant variables. Semi-structured interviews with case managers (n=2), orthopedic surgeons(n=5), and primary care physicians (n=4) were performed to explore care team interactions with SDOH. Interview notes were coded and analyzed based on response frequency and themes. Results Of 2,520 patients who underwent TJA, 50 (1.98%) experienced a TJA complication. Of those, 38% screened positive for an SDOH. For those without a TJA complication, 27% screened positive for an SDOH (p=0.093). Most interview participants identified a correlation between socioeconomic status and surgical outcomes. They also recognized that language barriers for Spanish-speaking individuals and family involvement post-discharge are significant factors in TJA outcomes. Conclusions This single system mixed methods retrospective quality improvement study demonstrates that patients who screen positive for an SDOH are more likely to experience a TJA complication. We recommend that SDOH assessments be obtained for all patients undergoing TJA, be available to care teams, and be incorporated into care plans to improve outcomes.

Recreating the Magic of Studio Ghibli is a creative project dedicated to recreating the imagery (and magic) of iconic Studio Ghibli films using costuming, props, set design, illustration, and photography.The project melds professional and personal interests, photography and cosplay, to create a gallery of nearly 200 images, with 80 or so direct recreations, inspired five films: Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, the Cat Returns, and Spirited Away. These images were shared in print (in a photo book) and in a digital gallery (ghofer.myportfolio.com/home).

Video link: "The Last Fire Sprite." For my Thesis Project, I wrote, directed and produced a 25-minute long animatic for my series “The Last Fire Sprite.” This animatic is to be used as a pilot for the show to pitch it to studios. It includes an all-star crew of 14 voice actors, 2 artists, a vocalist, and a composer. While most of the work was completed by myself, the project as a whole would not be as quality without the hard work of this amazing crew. The pitch: A young Fire Sprite named Blaise awakens in the future to find her world completely changed. Magic is scarce and sold to the highest bidder. A twisted oligarchy holds the last living witch hostage in order to remain in power. Blaise bands together with Axel, a young street rat, in order to evade countless bounty hunters after the price on her head. Only together can they free the last witch and bring magic back into their world. Please enjoy “The Last Fire Sprite: Welcome to the Future Part 1”! 

U.S. border colonias, otherwise known as Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities, are rural settlements along the U.S. Mexico border with substandard housing conditions. Colonia residents often face inadequate access to necessities such as appropriate shelter, septic and sewer systems, and potable water. Water insecurity in colonias poses a particularly difficult challenge for residents who require clean water not only for consumption, but also household use in sanitation and hygienic practices. As of 2015, an estimated 30% of over five million US colonia residents lack access to clean drinking water, resulting in health complications and unsanitary living conditions. Preliminary health data collected indicates that due to water insecurity, colonia residents are more likely to contract gastrointestinal disease, be exposed to carcinogenic compounds from contaminated water, and experience psychosocial distress. Yet more comprehensive research needs to be conducted to understand the full breadth of the public health issue. A scoping review on water insecurity in colonias has not been completed before and could be beneficial in informing policymakers and other stakeholders on the severity of the situation while advising possible solutions.

It is a fact of modern food processing that the majority of products contain one or multiple food additives. Yet, while these additives see great abundance of use, the average consumer has relatively little knowledge about them and, more often than not, a negative opinion of their inclusion. This piece explores the discrepancy between these two realities by delving into the origins, histories of use, health effects, and misconceptions that surround a number of modern food additives, exploring along the way the social changes and regulatory history that brought about the legal landscape of food safety in the United States. Ten author-developed recipes are included at the end to encourage not only a conceptual, but also a practical familiarity with these same food additives.

A notable dilemma in the educational systems of current year is the lack of diversity in the faculty, administration, and curriculums. Diversity in education is colloquially understood to instill benefits in students that include development of sophisticated communication skills and heightened motivation, which may in turn have measurable benefits on health. In an effort to articulate the impact of introducing greater variegation into these systems and vocalize recommendations toward incorporating diversity into existing educational systems, the history of minority groups in schooling systems was analyzed, as were common health concerns for these communities. To this end, local students from Arizona State University were surveyed about their perceptions on diverse populations within their educational system. Moreover, these groups were also polled about how the messaging they receive about health and diversity may impact self-perceptions about their own health, as well as how applicable that messaging is with their own experiences.

This project is a critical intersectional analysis of the representation of women in movies. I use thirteen movies to showcase how feminism is still needed in the US in order to move closer to a state of equity for everyone. I utilized film as a medium through which to represent this idea because film is intimately linked to societal values, beliefs, and norms, and therefore reflects what can be changed or improved in the US.

“What the Health is This” is a creative project that aims to provide health education, improve health literacy, encourage young adults to do their own reputable health research, and empower them to make informed health decisions through that research. Centered on topics of interest for young adults, the podcast covers four main concepts: wellness, self-care, health care, and public health. Each episode is approximately 20 minutes.

“What the Health is This” is a creative project that aims to provide health education, improve health literacy, encourage young adults to do their own reputable health research, and empower them to make informed health decisions through that research. Centered on topics of interest for young adults, the podcast covers four main concepts: wellness, self-care, health care, and public health. Each episode is approximately 20 minutes.

The intent of this project was to design, build, and test a female-intended vibrator that incorporates elements of haptic feedback, biomimicry, and/or micro robotics. Device development was based on human-centered user design elements and the study of physiological arousal, as sexuality and sexual functioning are a part of a human’s overall assessment of health and well-being. The thesis sought to fill the gap that prevents data collection of a female entire sexual response from initial arousal to final orgasm.