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Welcome to the fourth quarter FCM Research Group Newsletter for 2025! We have had a productive year!
Congratulations to our first TBMH graduate, Jamie Turner!
Jamie Turner successfully defended her masters thesis titled " An Examination of Trends in the Rates of Low-Value Opioids Prescribed for Acute Low Back Pain in Rural vs. Non-Rural Virginia" as part of the Translational Biology Medicine and Health program at Virginia Tech.
Congratulations!
NAPCRG 2025
The North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting was held this year in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Rockwell presenting "High-Risk NSAID Prescribing in Patients with CKD" at NAPCRG 2025
Dr. Epling presenting "Diaphragmatic Breathing vs Control to Improve Blood Pressure Rechecks" at NAPCRG 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Rockwell and Dr. Epling for having their abstracts selected as two of eight Clinical Pearls Awards at NAPCRG!
Learn more about NAPCRG
New Publications
Congratulations to Dr. Epling for kicking off a new education research methods series in PRiMER!
Authors: David Gregory, John Epling
Dr. Gregory, MD, FAAFP is a professor of Family and Community Medicine at VTCSOM and serves as Medical Director of the Medical Education Clinics in Family and Community Medicine at Carilion Clinic
Authors: Matthew G. Vinson , Allison N. Tegge, Mamata R. Tokala , Cara R. Spivey, Martha M. Tenzer , Jeffrey S. Stein , John W. Epling, Michelle S. Rockwell
Matthew Vinson, MD is currently an emergency medicine resident. This project was part of his VTCSOM research domain work. The educational video evaluated in this study is currently being implemented within Carilion's ACO.
Authors: Jonathan Stewart, Tonja Locklear, John W. Epling
Dr. Stewart, Associate Medical Director of Medical Education Clinics in FCM, is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at VTCSOM
Authors: John W. Epling, Michelle S. Rockwell
Authors: Michelle S. Rockwell, Elizabeth A. Polk, Camille Mittendorf
Authors: Michelle S. Rockwell, Elizabeth A. Polk, Camille Mittendorf
Authors: Christopher P. Morley, Amanda Kost, Tyler Barreto, Kristen L. Bene, John W. Epling, Joel J. Heidelbaugh, Amy L. Lee, Julie P. Phillips, Jacob Prunuske, Andrea L. Wendling, Sam Grammer
Mentioned in the Washington Post!
Mentioned in the Washington Post!
"Demographic Variation In US Outpatient Hydroxychloroquine And Ivermectin Use During The COVID-19 Pandemic" published in Health Affairs in 2025 was mentioned in a Washington Post article.
Congratulations Dr. Rockwell!
De-sludging Bone Health Clinic Referrals Project
Highlighting one of our ongoing projects....Our team is partnering with Carilion Clinic's Ambulatory Clinical Advancement and Patient Safety (ACAPS) team to implement an intervention to improve management of osteoporosis in primary care. The multi-component intervention bundle includes academic detailing, audit & feedback, and educational resources focused, in part, on reducing referrals to the bone health clinic that are inconsistent with referral criteria (established based on USPSTF and ACP recommendations and internal procedures). Our first batch of performance reports were delivered in December thanks to the hard work of TBMH student Neeharika Yallayi and many other collaborators. Thank you! We are optimistic that this intervention will result in improved capacity for high-needs patients to be seen in the Bone Health Clinic.
Sample performance report
For more resources related to the Bone Health Clinic project, check out the FCMRG intranet resources page (accessible only to Carilion users)
Newsworthy Happenings
Welcome Dawn!
Welcome Dawn!
FCMRG welcomes Dawn Smith, an administrative assistant who will be supporting FCMRG. Welcome and we are so happy to have you, Dawn!
Noelle
Noelle
Congratulations to Isaiah and Grace Yim for welcoming a new member to their family! Noelle is beautiful!
Congratulations to Kate (VTCSOM '28) and Anya (VTCSOM '29) and many med school classmates on running a marathon relay over Thanksgiving!
FCMRG Bowling
The FCMRG group enjoyed a fun day of bowling to celebrate Jamie's successful defense and the end of a great year!
FCMRG Pets
Featuring some of the furry members of our research family!
Sadie Abott relaxing and enjoying a winter day
Penny Layne (on the left), and Jane Smith relaxing on the couch!
Toby and Elizabeth Kitley Southworth reminiscing about warm summer days (seems like so long ago!)
Kali Smith enjoying the best hideout spot (an Amazon box!)
Squid (and Cami) Mittendorf studying!
Squid enjoying a snow day!
That's it for now! Stay tuned for next quarter!
Happy New Year from FCMRG!
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