Recent Submissions

  • Large Event Public Protection Plan With Juneau Ironman Case Study

    Phinney, Christopher E. (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2022-12-01)
    Due to the increase in large public events being targeted by lone wolf terrorists since September 11, 2001, large sporting events are being categorized by United States Department of Homeland Security as soft targets for potential attacks. (Martin, 2016) The Ironman Group identified Juneau, Alaska, as a premier site for conducting an Ironman Event in August 2022 and is expected to be repeated through 2024. The Juneau fire and police departments have limited resources to support an event of this magnitude. Due to past malicious incidents that have taken place during large public events, the Juneau Ironman event raised concerns regarding local responders’ ability to respond to possible hazardous situations and initiated requests for augmented support from federal, and state agencies for the event. Many project managers for these events include and conduct varying levels of emergency response planning. However, emergency prevention and reaction planning is only sometimes included in event project plans or applied for similar-sized events. Using the case study of the Juneau, Alaska Ironman event held in summer of 2022, this project created a large-scale Public/Participant Protection Plan to help reduce the likelihood of attacks from taking place during the event and minimize the effects of attacks if they occur. A Schedule Template was also created, and its performance was assessed.
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) 2023 Open Enrollment

    Cairns, Stevi (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2022-12-01)
    Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), serving residents and businesses in the North Dakota area. BCBSND is an equal opportunity employer where employees and retirees are valued and cared for through provision of superior benefits. The BCBSND 2023 Open Enrollment project focused on the planning and execution of the 2023 Enrollment of Benefit programs (Medical, Vision, Dental, HAS/FSA, WLSA, and 401K) offered by the organization to employees and retirees. BCBSND employees and retirees require clear understanding and guidance about benefit updates and requirements in order to enroll annually for benefits during the two-week timeframes scheduled by the BCBSA. To create more efficiency in the annual planning of the BCBSND 2023 Open Enrollment, research was conducted to explore the BCBSND Project Management Office (PMO) project planning processes. This is due to the lack of project management tools and techniques being leveraged at BCBSND. The project highlights the findings of that research and produced project management tools and techniques that can be used in future projects where key stakeholders include employees and retirees of the organization.
  • Project Risk Management Plan for Alaska Affordable Housing Project

    Ouedraogo, Kadidiatou (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    Adequate housing has been a consistent problem in rural Alaska. COVID-19 pandemic has made living there even more difficult. The state requires approximately 16,107 housing units each year. To reduce the housing deficit in Alaska, need interventions in the provision of affordable housing. We have collaborated with the state for providing affordable housing in Anchorage. Project focus is to provide 100 housing units in Anchorage. This project will focus on the Risk Management for affordable housing project. Risk management is a key project management practice to minimize negative risk occurrences during the project. While we can never predict the future with certainty, we can apply a simple and streamlined risk management process to identify uncertainties in projects and proactively minimize the negative impact of these uncertainties. A robust risk management process improves the probability of successful project completion and reduces the negative consequences of those risks. This project created the risk management process, tools, and techniques to increase the probability and impact of opportunities and decrease the probability of negative events for affordable housing projects in Alaska
  • Creation, Implementation, and Adoption of Customer Success Manager Lifecycle Utilizing Agile

    Theis, Jason (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    Creation, Implementation, and Adoption of Customer Success Manager Lifecycle utilizing Agile addresses the lack of documented internal processes for a company providing aerial imaging services (“Company”) that specifically describes how, when, and at what frequency a Customer Success Manager (CSM) would be most effective in communicating with active customers to maintain a predefined customer retention quota of 96.85%. This project’s goal is to create a measurable and repeatable lifecycle utilizing an agile methodology based on stakeholders’ feedback at regular sprint intervals to ensure final deliverables provide customer value. Business goals that this documented lifecycle will fulfill include creating a universal process to reduce rework at an individual CSM level for each customer. Based on this process the Company’s leadership team will be able to measure predefined key performance indicators (KPI): churn, upsell value, renewal status, risk, and overall customer satisfaction. These KPI’s are used to determine and forecast revenue generated by customer retention. Main project deliverables are a CSM lifecycle, an implementation plan of a CSM lifecycle for CSM teams, a training plan for CSM teams on use of these CSM lifecycle, an adoption plan for CSM team’s continued use of this process, and customer communication templates to CSM teams.
  • A Guide to the Application of Project Management Processes to Implement Complex Home Projects

    Lennartz, Delaney Leigh (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    The purpose of this project was to create a research-based project management guide for homeowners to plan and execute complex home projects in a deliberate and effective manner to avoid failure of home renovation projects. For research, ten scholarly articles were reviewed to identify the top mistakes made in complex home projects. To determine which project management tools would increase the likelihood of project success, each identified mistake was analyzed and paired with one or several project management processes. Project management templates from each identified processes were selected and tailored to complex home projects to address each mistake. A literature review was conducted on guide writing to identify best practices to create instructional guides. Results were analyzed to inform and optimize guide formatting. Data was analyzed to determine the best project management tools and techniques to use for complex home projects and guide structure and formatting. Conclusions made from this research provided the framework for the product of this project, A Project Manager’s Guide to Complex Home Projects: Simplifying Project Management with Templates to Plan and Accomplish Your Next Project. The use of stakeholder management, risk management, and change management led to a successful project outcome.
  • The Art of Muklu Making; The Preservation of Yup'ik Boots

    Lyon, Jolene D. (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    The Art of Mukluk Making has been dwindling for the past 50 years in my lifetime; with the passing of the elderly women within the Yup’ik community, they took this skill’s expertise with them. Today only a tiny handful of elders are alive to share their proficiency. Those interested in the traditional role want to learn to preserve the knowledge to make them for their children and family members; others want to make them for the challenge of wanting to learn, and some for the simplicity of keeping the culture alive. No matter how it is perceived, teachers and experts in this skilled craft have passed on, leaving only a few with the knowledge to teach others; some try to decipher the remaining tweaks and balances of getting the boot just right. The research of this project has shown a need to teach others how to make the boots, preserve the teachings through internet technology and data sharing, and enable others to learn the skill and begin the Art of Mukluk Making. Using a social platform, the YouTube channel, The Art of Mukluk Making, provides clear instructions and demonstrations on how to make contemporary-style piluguk, also known as mukluks.
  • A Standardized Communication Guide for Anchorage Municipality

    Hart, Sasha-Gaye (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    As the most populous city in the state of Alaska, with approximately 40% of the state’s total residents, Anchorage has a deficit of affordable housing that affects its residents’ economic standards. There has been an increase in affordable housing for homeless to low-income inhabitants, with recent setbacks due to high unemployment, pandemic and inflation that have hindered Anchorage’s housing sector. An integrated communication guide with effective distribution, collection and storage of information are critical components that bridge information dispersion, negotiation and collaborative processes among stakeholders and resources. Different communication approaches for stakeholders are adapted to impart homogeneity and interconnectivity for important decision-making models and monitoring tools to alleviate disconnect and affect change between stakeholders and their expectations. Communications tools, templates and methodologies are explored to implement a strategic design that supports the importance of a multilayered communication network. Utilizing a qualitative questionnaire, communication process evaluation was conducted resulting in a communication model that ensures prompt execution within a designed framework. Project communication methodologies and terminology are illustrated in research execution and outcome of the communication repository. In essence, the report promotes the importance of project management communication, its necessity, and limitations for a concise communication catalog.
  • An Assessment of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' Attitudes and Behaviors in Culinary Medicine and the role of the RDN

    McEwen, Ellen (2023-05-01)
    Culinary medicine (CM) is an emerging practice that combines evidence-based guidelines for health and disease management with practical food preparation techniques.1,2 Americans spend little time in the kitchen. Meanwhile, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are increasingly common in the American population. CM can teach practical, buildable skills to help alleviate these conditions. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who are well-positioned to be leaders in CM interventions but current research suggests an overall lack of understanding in how RDNs engage in CM in their work. Most RDNs work in the clinical setting, which suggests that culinary skills interventions are not necessarily a priority or a feasible option in their jobs. The objective of this project was to understand the RDNs’ attitudes and behaviors in CM and their role in CM. An electronic survey was sent to 4,865 RDNs utilizing the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Research Request Application process. A total of 175 RDNs completed the survey. The results showed that overall RDNs have good exposure to culinary activities in the didactic setting but once they reach supervised practice, they receive almost no cooking education. This lack of exposure in supervised practice may explain why RDNs do not use CM to its full potential, because they have not been taught a practical application of it in the work setting. RDNs reported confidence in cooking but seem unsure if they have the education and training needed to provide CM to patients. This project provided more insight into RDN work activities and revealed the importance of continuing culinary education for RDNs.
  • An Assessment of Dietetics and Nutrition Graduate Program Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding the Subject of Microplastics

    Arnes, Gabrielle M. (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    Microplastics exist in every aspect of our lives, from the ground and ocean to food and clothing. It is becoming more and more evident that microplastics can have negative effects on the environment, human health and food safety. This study examined Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited graduate program (GP) students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards microplastics. An electronic survey was sent to ACEND GP program directors (n = 56) to forward to their GP students. Among the 30 students who completed the full survey, 83.3% had previously heard of microplastics. Although almost all participants had heard of microplastics, the impact of this awareness was not consistently reflected in their responses. The majority of participants strongly agreed that microplastics have a negative impact on human health (n = 16, 53.3%). In terms of microplastics and concern about the effect on their own personal health, the majority of students either strongly agreed (n = 6, 20.0%) or agreed (n = 14, 46.7%) that it was a concern. All participants who completed the knowledge section of the survey (n = 25) selected that people ingest microplastics without knowing. However, not all students selected that microplastics can be found in frequently consumed items or in the human body. Most participants selected yes (n = 22, 88.0%) when asked if microplastics could be inhaled unknowingly, but only 60% (n = 15) answered that microplastics were present in the atmosphere. Furthermore, 100% (n = 25) of students who had previously heard of microplastics indicated that they were found in aquatic life, but 53.3% (n = 16) said that they consumed fish weekly, illustrating a disconnect. There is a need to raise awareness of microplastics and settle discrepant results. Further research needs to explore the understanding and behaviors of GP students’ involvement in sustainable food systems, including the topic of microplastics particularly, within entry-level RDN education.
  • Application of Project Management Concepts to Planning a 5K Athletic Event

    Fowler, Dylan (2023-05-01)
    University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is an organization dedicated to teaching students leadership and preparing them to enter the United States Army (Army). Every year within the program, students are given the opportunity to plan and execute events for charity. These events are completed with varying degrees of success. Often, project management tools are not used for planning and executing these events. This project applied concepts of project management to create a guide to planning a charity 5k athletic event by ROTC students and others without prior project management experience. Using project resource management, scope management, and time management, ROTC students and other personnel can use these tools to guide them through planning and executing a 5k event as a practical exercise to test the hypothesis: using these techniques will help an event run more efficiently in terms of resource, scope, and time management. The result of this exercise will confirm or deny the hypothesis and be the basis of lessons learned to add to the guide. Incorporating project management into everyday planning at UAA ROTC must start at the entry level and the outcomes of this project can facilitate building that capability.
  • Optimized and Integrated Project Schedule Management Methodology for Ensuring Suitability, Feasibility, and Acceptability of a Cost-Constrained Affordable Housing Program in Anchorage, Alaska

    Umah, Fitzgerald (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    The housing deficit in Alaska is growing annually. The Municipality of Anchorage is in dire need of Affordable Housing. The housing sector has been the bedrock of most developed nations' economies. Housing construction indices are vital for measuring economic developments in emerging countries. Urban dwellers make up about 55% of the global population. This share is predicted to rise dramatically by 2030, adding 1.6 billion people to urban regions. Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly India, China, and Nigeria, will account for 90% of this rise. (U.N. 2020). The building sector wants to alleviate Alaska's affordable housing shortfall, but government regulations, an ailing economy, and a dysfunctional appraisal system impede the process. Land, weather, and construction materials limit affordable housing deliveries. This research investigates how project management might create affordable homes, focusing on scheduling, stakeholder management, budget, risk, and quality. To ensure the acceptability and viability of a cost-constrained affordable housing program in Anchorage, Alaska, this project will optimize and integrate project schedule management. It will address the following: • Create a strong scheduling plan to build 500 to 1000 dwelling units in 12 months • Develop an efficient schedule management approach and communication tools plan to assist contractors, vendors, city officials, and stakeholders in affordable housing development
  • A Project Management Guide for an Organization in the Cultural Resource Management Sector

    Graves, Emma (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    Drayton Archaeology, a cultural resource management company, is working to expand their operations into larger and more complicated projects. Many changes and updates to the company’s internal processes and structure are necessary to ensure a large expansion would be feasible. One of those updates is the creation of a project management guide. For many years, Drayton Archaeology has utilized a close-knit company structure and informal communication to provide instructions to project managers on how to plan, execute, and close projects within the company. To support growth objectives, a more robust project management approach was necessary to improve effectiveness and outcomes, including a formal, written project management guide for project managers. Research assessed other project management guides in adjacent industries and what it was it could be used and tailored for the cultural resource management sector. Additionally, internal company research assessed current project management processes and determined other necessary content to include. Based on research conducted, a guide was produced and approved for use by Drayton Archaeology sponsors and integrated into the company’s formal process portfolio. This paper includes research conducted, and methodologies used to create the project management guide for use by Drayton Archaeology. A template based on the project management guide created for Drayton Archaeology is included in the appendices of this paper.
  • The Impact of a Tailored Nutrition Education Program on Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors in Adolescent Male Hockey Players

    Shine, Kerianne M. (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2023-05-01)
    During adolescence, athletes are at risk of failing to meet dietary recommendations due to their bodies' demand for additional energy during physical activity. For adolescent athletes, data on sport nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) are limited, especially when studied collectively. This project analyzed the impact of nutrition education on KAB of adolescent male hockey players with the incorporation of measurement of maximal oxygen consumption. A single arm trial was conducted with participants and parents/guardians from the Team Alaska 16U and 18U hockey teams. Pre intervention, the participants completed a demographics survey, the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ), to assess nutrition knowledge; validated surveys for nutrition-related attitudes and behaviors; and the Bruce protocol test to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2MAX). The intervention included four group nutrition education sessions and four individual counseling sessions. Post intervention, the participants again completed the ANSK-Q, the nutrition-related attitude and behavior surveys, VO2MAX, and an exposure survey. Participants exhibited a knowledge increase of 21.43% after completing the educational sessions, with general nutrition knowledge increasing by 31.82% and sports nutrition knowledge increasing by 16.67%. Participants reported attitude changes and behavior changes. A nutrition education and counseling program intervention for adolescent male hockey players could improve both general and sports nutrition knowledge, as well as attitudes and behaviors related to nutrition. Further research is needed on how athletic performance can be improved through nutrition education and counseling.
  • Sisters of the Fin: A Nonprofit Start-Up Connecting Women Veterans Through Fishing in Alaska

    Berna, Shelly (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2022-12-01)
    Sisters of the Fin (SOTF) is a prospective nonprofit organization (NPO) startup focusing on connecting women veterans by offering recreational fishing opportunities in Alaska. This SOTF project objective proposed development of a nonprofit organization business plan using research and application of project management principles and Project Management Institute (PMI) PMBOK® Guide Knowledge Areas. In combination with an NPO business plan, a project management plan (PMP), an integrated project schedule, relevant templates, and metrics for project monitoring and control were developed and utilized. The SOTF Project Manager employed selected project management tools and techniques to determine suitability for nonprofit application. Online research revealed a lack of female-focused fishing nonprofits nationwide specifically catering to women veterans. Further investigation of women veteran population demographics revealed a smaller population size could inversely impact nonprofit participation. A questionnaire distributed to women veterans, to gauge perspectives of a recreational fishing nonprofit tailored to them, resulted in positive feedback. Research assessed analogous Alaskan NPO startup feasibility among a large community of diverse nonprofits, especially in recreation services. NPO startup research aligned with defined project deliverables by developing a PMP, assessing risks, managing scope, adding project resources, and producing a narrative guideline which resulted in an informed an persuasive nonprofid business plan.
  • Infant Home Apnea Monitoring: A Quality Improvement Project for Provider Training of Practice Recommendations

    Dunlap, Amanda (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017-08-01)
    The use of home apnea monitoring for infants is a technology that has been utilized for over 40 years. Home apnea monitoring is currently prescribed for infants considered high risk following discharge from the hospital. Management of these monitors is within the scope of practice for pediatric providers in the primary care setting. Confusion has existed among pediatric outpatient providers about medical management of the monitors and when they should be discontinued. This project reviewed the evidence related to home apnea monitoring and sought to share current evidence with local pediatric primary care providers. Prior to presenting current evidence to a wider audience, a summary of the content was reviewed by local clinical experts. This content summary was placed into a digital (PowerPoint) recorded presentation. It was then distributed to the five local clinical experts for their review. These clinical experts were selected because they had extensive experience and knowledge in neonatology as well as a pediatric cardiology, and serve as resources for primary care providers These experts completed a survey before the educational brief, as well as after, measuring the usefulness of the information. Three of the five experts viewed the curriculum and responded. In the post-survey, all three responses indicated that this educational curriculum improved their knowledge of home apnea monitoring, indicating further education would be helpful. After the content was requested, a follow-up presentation with a more in-depth review of the literature was created and given to an audience of pediatric primary care providers at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Alaska Chapter, Grand Rounds. The same surveys were also given to the pediatricians to complete, with data obtained from the providers lending more support to the benefit of this education.
  • SBIRT Screening in Primary Care of Women of Reproductive Age to Aid in the Identification of Alcohol Use Patterns Focusing On Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Exposure

    Vesely, Isabel (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017-11-01)
    The over consumption of alcohol can directly correlate with negative effects on health and quality of life. When vulnerable subjects such as pregnant women and subsequently the fetus is alcohol exposed lifelong detrimental consequences can ensue such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Jones, Smith, Ulleland, & Streissguth, 1973). Although most women reduce their alcohol intake during pregnancy, 45% of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned (Finer & Zolna, 2016). The combination of social patterns of alcohol use in women of childbearing age and the prevalence of unintended pregnancy set the stage for an alcohol exposed fetus. Late recognition of an unintended pregnancy exposed a fetus to levels of alcohol capable of teratogenic effects (Balachova et al., 2015). Research asserts that prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancies should begin before conception by identifying unhealthy drinking patterns among women of reproductive age. Alcohol screening and brief interventions in medical settings can significantly reduce alcohol use and potentially decrease the prevalence of a 100 % preventable condition such as FASD.
  • An Integrative Review: Assessing Family Practice Providers Level of Confidence in Assessing, Managing, and Treating Suicidal Adults

    Glasheen, Ashley (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017-12-01)
    Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death in Alaska and continues to be a public health crisis that is disproportionate to the population. Primary care providers (PCP) are at the front line of suicide prevention, which includes assessment, management, and treatment of severely depressed patients. The literature supports that PCPs as having the most frequent contact with those at risk for suicide in comparison to other types of health care providers. This reinforces the necessity of PCPs to be confident in their suicide assessment, management, and treatment skills. An appraisal of current evidence revealed that when suicide intervention education is inadequate or absent providers demonstrate a decreased level of confidence in their ability. The purpose of this integrative review was to assess PCPs confidence levels associated with suicide prevention. An extensive literature review concluded that there is a direct link between suicide education and training, and PCP confidence level. The results of the review also identified that with increased education and training, PCP can confidently assess, manage, and treat suicide. This integrative review highlighted the need for practice change by providing PCPs the necessary skills to treat and prevent suicide
  • Primary Care Provider Time Limited Interventions for Obesity an Integrative Review

    Finkenbinder, Kristie (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2018-05-01)
    Obesity and excess weight are significant health problems in the United States, affecting the majority of United States citizens. The prevalence of obesity is already a large burden on individuals and society, but the steady growth is an ominous warning of what’s to come. If not addressed, the various complications of obesity are multiple and significant with often both immediate and lifelong sequelae. With an already taxed healthcare system the additional costs of obesity related healthcare are further depleting resources. Primary care providers have the best opportunity to influence this population and are thus on the front lines of this grave problem. Studies have shown that when providers counsel patients in weight and lifestyle, it can make a positive difference. The aim of this study is to identify the most effective methods and brief interventions that can be implemented in the primary care setting to achieve weight loss success. A literature search was performed in order to create an integrative review, and the results showed several consistencies. Importantly these recommendations can help achieve clinically significant weight loss from accessing primary care, if these services are reimbursed.
  • An Integrative Review: Routine Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences of Adults in Primary Care Settings

    Walsh, Maura (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017-11-01)
    Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events occurring in children prior to the age of 18 years. They include physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. ACEs have been associated with an increased risk of health-risk behaviors, leading to increased risk of chronic diseases and disability in adulthood. ACEs screening is not currently part of routine health assessment of adults in primary care settings. An integrative review of the current evidence supports that primary care providers believe their role is to screen adults for childhood traumas. Unfortunately, primary care providers lack confidence, education, time, and knowledge of the ACE survey tool in practice. Dissemination of evidence-based ACE education and screening tools to future health care providers and practicing providers is essential to prevent the devastating effects of adverse childhood experiences and promote healthy persons, families, and communities
  • Improving Outcomes: Diabetes Management in Alaskan Primary Care, An Integrative Review

    Hand, Stephanie (University of Alaska Anchorage, 2017-12-01)
    Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease with a rising incidence in the United States. It is a major cause of complications such as renal failure, heart disease, stroke, lower extremity amputations, as well as blindness. The purpose of this integrative review was to discover what strategies are evidence-based and practical for effective diabetes self-management in the primary care setting. There is a plethora of published evidence that proves Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is effective for the management of diabetes and prevention of complications. A review of the most current evidence revealed there is no standardized system that allows delivery of DSME from a primary care standpoint. The dissemination of a delivery system that is both feasible and cost-effective within primary care could be revolutionary to the prevention of diabetes in Alaska. Development of a DSME program for primary care could promote improvement in patient self-management of this complex chronic disease. Improving DSME would also help ameliorate serious complications with resultant decrease in costs associated with uncontrolled diabetes on Alaska’s health care system. The possibility of creating healthier lives, healthier communities, and a healthier planet is in the grasp of today’s clinicians.

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