activity Reviewer
Journal of the American Academy of PAs2009 - Presentactivity Board Member, Transgender Health Journal
Editorial Advisory Board, Transgender Health Journal2015 - Presentactivity Member
Core members are the engine of DAC, meeting monthly to drive tasks and projects. contributed on LGBT health policy endeavors, external communications including co-author of AAFP letter on gender-affirming care in minors, invited speaker Q-Forward 2020 (canceled Covid19).2019 - Presentactivity Member
AAC servces as a group that reviews the academic status of students who have been referred by the Progress Committee for various concerns. AAC reviews the data submitted on students who fail to achieve satisfactory academic progress, are identified as participating in academic dishonesty, or may be involved in program or university violations.2020 - Presentactivity Reviewer
Transgender Health Journal2015 - Presentactivity Board of Directors
10/01/2023 - Presentactivity Steering Committee member
Health Profession Education/Training Lead, Scientific Steering Committee, USPATH 2023 Scientific Symposium, Westminster (Metro Denver), Colorado, November 1 -7, 202311/01/2023 - 11/07/2023honor Inducted, Distinguished Alumnus
activity What can I do? Empowering Allies to Address a Public Health Crisis
Abstract/SynopsisBridge D, Bruessow D, Fleming S. What can I do? Empowering Allies to Address a Public Health Crisis. 49th Annual Conference of the American Academy of PAs. Nashville, TN. May 23, 2023.
activity President-elect
President-elect (elected) In this role, responsibilities included: Prepare to succeed to the office of the president; Serve on the Board Internal and External affairs committees; Serve on the Board Finance Committee; Serve on the Executive Committee & the Executive Compensation Committee. In this role I am responsible for effectively applying an appropriate level of professional deliberation to judgment processes, explicitly considering alternative perspectives, and engaging management in frank & open discussions. Candidacy was endorsed by AAPA Nominating Work Group * NYSSPA * NJSSPA * PAVMT. Founded in 1968, the AAPA is the national professional society for PAs representing a profession of more than 150,000 PAs and PA students across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, DC, the majority of the U.S. territories & the uniformed services.07/01/2020 - 07/01/2021activity Caring for Gender Diverse Patients in Your Practice
Abstract/SynopsisBruessow D, Baker J, Dunn D, McLauglin K. Caring for Gender Diverse Patients in Your Practice. 48th Annual Conference of the American Academy of PAs. Held Virtually due to COVID-19. May 24, 2022
activity Toward Health Equity: Social Determinants of Health and PA Practice
Abstract/SynopsisSturgis D, Bruessow, D, Greenlee Q, Tshuma L. Toward Health Equity: Social Determinants of Health and PA Practice. 48th Annual Conference of the American Academy of PAs. Held Virtually due to COVID-19. May 24, 2021.
activity Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients In Your Practice: Considerations Across the Lifespan
Abstract/SynopsisBruessow, DM. Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients In Your Practice: Considerations Across the Lifespan. Annual CME Symposium. Vituity. Held Virtually. May 18, 2021
activity Summit to Define the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery.
Abstract/SynopsisSummit to Define the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery: Care Coordination, Clinical Trials and Implicit Bias. Steering Committee Member.
activity Enhancing Care for Gender Expansive Patients with Telemedicine and Remote Care.
Abstract/SynopsisBruessow DM, Dunn D, McLaughlin, K. Enhancing Care for Gender Expansive Patients with Telemedicine and Remote Care. National LGBT Health Awareness Week Forum hosted by the PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine, cosponsored by the LBGT PA Caucus. Held Virtually Due to COVID-19. March 23, 2021
activity Abstract Grader
Review of 44 abstracts for 2021 Scientific Symposium on the topics of Education, Endocrinology/Hormone Therapy - Adult, Endocrinology/Hormone Therapy - Child and Adolescent, Health Services and Systems, and Primary Care- Adult (Medicine)2021 - 2021activity Advisor, Advisory Board
PA Program Advisory Board2018 - 2021activity Mentor
Doctoral project mentor for Bernadette Yalung-Almondiel, PA-C, DMSc. Course PA 963 Doctoral Project titled Experiences and the Unmet Needs in the care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Cancer Patients.2019 - 2021activity Medical Provider Awareness of Patient Gender Identity and Assigned Sex at Birth, and Influence on Clinical Decision Making: A Quality Improvement Study
Abstract/SynopsisBackground: Health outcomes for gender minorities are influenced by the common and predictable systemic biases and judgement tendencies, resulting in assumptions that patients are cisgender. The US instituted meaningful use criteria for electronic health records that require fields for gender identity (GI) in addition to sex since 2015, and public awareness of gender diversity is increasing. Yet, medical professional’s awareness of patient GI and assigned sex at birth (ASAB) is unknown, as is the relationship between awareness, documentation and clinical decision-making. Specific Aim: The present study examined practice issues related to GI and ASAB at both the system level and individual participant level. The study investigated whether participant’s system-level patient intake process included a 2-question method for identifying GI and ASAB. At the individual participant practice level, the study examined the frequency of awareness of patient GI and ASAB prior to and 30-days following a quality improvement (QI) educational intervention, and whether awareness informed clinical decision making. Finally, the study explored whether system-level patient intake process influenced patient-level outcomes. Methods: A national sample of clinically practicing physician assistant (PA) participants (N=181), in 37 US states and Washington, DC, were identified via convenience sample. The cohort completed a random chart review pre-and post-intervention (30-days) later; study recruitment was from 2017-2019. Paired-samples analyses were conducted, with significance testing and effect size calculated for each effect. An additional system-level survey explored whether patient intake used a 2-question approach to GI and ASAB. A mixed-measures analysis of variance with measurement time (pre-or post-intervention) as a within-subjects factor and system-level patient intake process as a between-subjects factor was conducted to examine whether these factors interacted. Open-ended responses were collected but lacked specificity, preventing thematic analysis. Results: Individuals identified GI and ASAB separately in 9.89% of charts reviewed. Statistically significant improvements from pre-to post-intervention in awareness of 25.97% (9.89%, 35.86%, respectively) were observed, as well as informed clinical decision making 12.65% (7.3%, 20.00%, respectively). At the system level, a 2-question method for patient-intake, identifying GI and ASAB separately, was reported among 33.1% of the cohort initially. When scores were analyzed based on intake method, two patterns emerged. Pre-and post-intervention scores differed significantly between participants based on intake method F(1, 179) = 40.46, p< .001, partial ηp2= .18, and post-intervention ideal responses were significantly higher than pre-intervention as noted above, While there was an improvement in participants’ practices from pre-to post-intervention, and participants with 2-question patient intake reported more frequent awareness of patient GI and ASAB, these two factors did not significantly interact; the size of improvement from pre-to post-intervention was statistically equivalent regardless of patient intake procedure (23.97% vs. 30.00% improvement), F(1, 179) = 1.35, p= 0.25). Qualitative data identified a lack of participant awareness of the available fields for GI and ASAB within EHRs, and difficulty introducing these topics into the patient encounter, with some participants reporting their questions were poorly received by patients. Conclusion: Statically significant improvements regarding GI and ASAB awareness, documentation, and associated clinical decision-making may result from the 2-question method at intake as well as from the QI educational interventions. Even with large-sized effects in each category, participants were aware of GI and ASAB in only 53.33% of the post-intervention charts where the 2-question method was in use during patient intake, and some participants lacked awareness of the availability of GI and ASAB fields in their EHRs. Without explicit training, it is unlikely improvement will occur spontaneously, highlighting a need for further education.
activity Toward Health Equity: Social Determinants of Health and PA Education
Abstract/SynopsisThe hosting organization is the PA equivalent of the AAMC. This meeting, and this presentation, is remarkable for the timing; it follows the release of new accreditation standards from the ARC-PA which includes a requirement to prepare graduates to care for patients with regard for social determinants of health, making this presentation, this year, especially meaningful to attendees. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are multi-level contributors that can negatively affect the health of patients. SDOH threaten health equity, disrupt health systems, and widen health disparity gaps. PA educators can serve as change agents in preparing a PA workforce equipped with the proper skills to assess and address SDOH. Learning Objectives: 1. Define SDOH. 2. Assess health literacy. 3. Discuss the association between SDOH and health disparities. 4. Understand the role of SDOH in health systems and health equity outcomes. 5. Compare and contrast health needs and outcomes among special patient populations. 6. Discuss strategies for incorporation of SDOH into PA curricula.