Fiona Easton
Research Mentor(s): Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Mentor Department: VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Authors: Fiona Easton, Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Session: Session 7 (4:00pm – 4: 50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 51
Abstract
Veterans face numerous challenges, with mental health being a primary concern. To address this, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed the “Whole Health†system of care, a patient-centered approach that empowers individuals through its eight pillars of wellness. Guided by the principle, “What matters to you, not what’s the matter with you†(VA.gov), this model promotes holistic, personalized care to veterans. This project adapts “Whole Health†principles for students and healthcare professionals experiencing burnout or struggling to prioritize well-being. With Dr. Nikhil Parekh at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, the initiative involved a literature review, survey design, and distribution via Qualtrics. We received 217 respondents to our survey. The data was exported to R Studio and cleaned, performing a variety of statistical and qualitative testing. After the results of my data analysis, I decided to focus on the pillar of “Food and Drinkâ€. My individual focus examines milk consumption among college students in collaboration with Michigan Dining. By assessing current intake levels, promoting milk-based recipes, and providing educational resources on its nutritional benefits, this project aims to improve student health and awareness of milk’s essential nutrients. Overall, this serves as a model for how holistic wellness principles can be adapted to diverse communities, emphasizing the importance of specialized, evidence-based approaches to improving well-being in various populations.
