Patient Experience Scholars
The Beryl Institute Patient Experience Scholar Program reinforces our commitment to support the growing conversation on the importance of the patient experience in healthcare and expanding the body of knowledge on this topic. The program supports Professional doctoral students as they conduct research associated with the patient experience. Candidates come from across the healthcare educational spectrum from nursing to management to healthcare administration.
Identified, recognized and supported by The Beryl Institute, Patient Experience Scholars are scholar-practitioners at the forefront of expanding the body of research on the patient, resident and/or family experience and committed to exploring ideas and practices that will lead to positive healthcare outcomes.
2024 Patient Experience Scholars
Arany Sivasubramaniam
Health Specialist, William Osler Health System, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
PhD Candidate, Aging, Health, & Well-being, University of Waterloo
Research Title:
How can the Health Justice module of the iHuddle curriculum, a supplemental in-service for staff and management, enhance the quality of service at point of care and overall patient experience?
Martin Checklin
Senior Speech Language Pathologist, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
PhD Candidate, La Trobe University
Research Title:
What are the healthcare experiences of people with head and neck cancer who face associated communication changes?
Xiao Li
Graduate Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant, The University of Texas Health Center at Houston, Houston, TX
PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Research Title:
How does physician-hospital integration influence physician communication and patient experience in US acute care hospitals?
2022 Patient Experience Scholars
Jenni Davis
Doctoral Candidate, International Family & Community Studies, Clemson University
Research Title:
What are levels and sources of stress for outpatient healthcare professionals (OHP), nurses, medical assistants, medical technicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians, casting techs), as identified through the modified Nursing Stress Score? Do OHP who receive Child Life support in a patient interaction report less stress and greater satisfaction than OHP who request but do not receive Child Life support?
Lisa Huddleston
Doctoral Candidate, Health Communication, University of Kentucky
Research Title:
Is an intense focus on “just the scores” and piecemeal solutions detrimental to patient experience? An examination of organizational communication breakdowns from the perspectives of nurse managers who are accountable for their organizations’ patient experience measures.
Tiffany C. Jennings
Doctoral Candidate, Organizational & Change Leadership, University of Southern California
Research Title:
Beliefs, experiences and perceptions of frontline medical doctors within a primary care clinical setting when attempting to implement PX initiatives
Benta Omonge
Doctoral Candidate, Organizational Leadership & Development, Pan African Christian University, Kenya
Research Title:
Leadership strategies in healthcare facilities and patient experience in tertiary hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya
Kayley Perfetto
Doctoral Candidate, Health Quality, Queen’s University, Ontario Canada
Research Title:
What have been the experiences and perceptions of informal caregivers of adult patients of safety in inpatient units in hospitals with restricted visiting hours due to COVID-19?
2021 Patient Experience Scholars
Claire Hutchinson
PhD in Nursing, Sydney Local Health District / University of Sydney (Susan Wakil School of Nursing & Midwifery) Emerald Beach, NSW, Australia
Research Title:
Exploring staff and patient perspectives on why patients return unplanned to the Emergency Department
Gloria Sanmartín Antolín
PhD in Business, University of Barcelona Business School and Patient Experience Coordinator, Quironsalud
Research Title:
Defining the outpatient patient experience in a real hospital through the definition of a Case Study
Tammy Thompson, AIA, CPXP, EDAC, EdD (c)
Doctor of Education, Charleston Southern University and Director of Experience Design, Vidant Health
Research Title:
How might design and creative thinking facilitation serve as useful tools for nurse innovation?
2020 Institute Scholars
Haripriya Sathyanarayanan
PhD Student, Architect, University of California, Berkeley
Research Title:
Spatial Perception of the Pediatric Built Environment and Patient-Centric Design: Can Collaborative Design of Inpatient Spaces Enhance the Patient Experience?
Natalie Jones
DNP Candidate, Thomas Edison State University
Research Title:
Will implementing an improved communication protocol improve nursing stress levels and improve patient safety outcomes related to pressure injuries?
2019 Patient Experience Scholar
Gail Sims
DNP Candidate, Grand Canyon University
Research Title:
Can training in HeartMathTM to patients and families of stroke survivors decrease caregiver anxiety and stress and improve mindfulness in preparation to care for their loved ones after discharge?
2018 Patient Experience Scholars
Emily Stefano
PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Research Title:
Examination of the multifaceted construct of body image dissatisfaction among pre-and post-operative bariatric surgery patients
Michael Molta
DM Candidate in Strategic Leadership, Thomas Jefferson University
Research Title:
Using exit polling at discharge to prove the HCAHPS survey is an inaccurate instrument for measuring patient experience or overall hospital rating
2017 Patient Experience Scholars
Courtney Haun
PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy, Auburn University
Research Title:
Examining the Influence of Proximity to Nurse Staffing Resources on Quality of Care Outcomes in Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Malcolm Moses-Hampton
Medical Doctorate, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Research Title:
Validation of Narrative Inquiry as a Device to Measure Patient Satisfaction
Sean Peter McKee
Doctor of Medicine, Ichan School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
Research Title:
Does regular mindfulness practice and wearable biofeedback decrease cognitive load on surgeons and diminish perceived stress among patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures?
Nancy Reiland
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Lewis University College of Nursing
Research Title:
Does Training in Motivational Interviewing Techniques Increase Primary Care Providers Use of Self-Management Goals in Patients with Diabetes and/or Hypertension
2016 Patient Experience Scholar
Deborah Waltermire-Burton, MHS, OTR/L
Doctorate of Public Health Candidate, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Research Title:
How Do Family-Centered Rounds Affect the Family Experience in Pediatric Inpatient Settings?
2015 Patient Experience Scholars
Amy Costanzo
PhD Candidate, University of Cincinnati College of Nursing
Research Title:
Identifying Information Needs and Strategies for Patient Involvement in Hospital Safety
Kelly Edwards
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate, University of Tasmania, Australia
Research Title:
"Nothing About Me Without Me": The Co-Creation of a New Patient Experience Measurement and Feedback Instrument
Donna Kincheloe
Doctor of Nursing Practice Candidate, University of Southern Indiana
Research Title:
The Effectiveness of a Spiritual Care Toolkit to Facilitate Spiritual Care Needs
2014 Patient Experience Scholars
Kimberley Barker
PhD Candidate, Benedictine University and Manager, Operations and Support Services, University of Michigan Health System
Research Title:
How Patient- and Family-Centered Care is Impacting Health Care at a Major U.S. Health System
Meredith L. Clements
Instructor and Doctoral Student - Department of Communication, University of South Florida, Manager
Research Title:
Expanding Conceptions of Patient-Centered Dialogue
Hemant Kassean
Senior Lecturer, University of Mauritius
Research Title:
An Investigation into Patients' Perceptions of Service Quality of the Public Health Care Sector of Mauritius
Tami Lewis
PhD Candidate, Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Director, Service Excellence, Robinson Memorial Hospital
Research Title:
The Relationship between Leaders Who Contribute and Influence the Sustainability of High Patient Satisfaction Scores
2013 Patient Experience Scholars
Logan Kendall
PhD Candidate, University of Washington
Research Title:
Identifying Information Needs and Strategies for Patient Involvement in Hospital Safety
Gayle Ridgway
DNP Candidate, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and Private Contractor, CRNA Group, Anesthesia Professionals
Research Title:
An Educational Intervention to Increase Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes of Postoperative Pain Management to Improve Patient Satisfaction
Anthony C. Stanowski
President & CEO, Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Research Title:
Association Between Patient Experience and Hospital Financial Performance Pre and Post Implementation of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Pay for Performance Initiative
2012 Patient Experience Scholars
Karen Grimley
PhD Candidate, Nursing, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and Chief Nursing Officer, UC Irvine Medical Center
Research Title:
Identifying Descriptions of Quality Nursing Care Shared by Nurse and Patient in an Acute Care Hospital Environment
Claire Senot
PhD Candidate, Operations Management, The Ohio State University
Research Title:
The Financial Impact of Combining Clinical and Experiential Quality in U.S. Acute Care Hospitals