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Several studies have emerged over the past several decades attempting to pinpoint potential factors for occupational inequity and inequality for prospective and current female educational leaders. Although women are increasingly obtaining leadership positions in the field, one position has remained elusive to the aspiring female educational leader: the superintendency (Bilken & Brannigan, 1980; Brunner & Björk, 2001; Brunner & Grogan, 2007; Dana & Bourisaw, 2006; Mertz, 2006; Shakeshaft, 1987). Overcoming societal perceptions, handling hardships associated with attaining and maintaining one's position, and building powerful, meaningful relationships are some of the foci of previous research; however, there seems to be a piece missing from the current available literature. While one may evaluate the struggles females have faced in attaining district-level superintendent positions, research detailing the female's journey to the state superintendency remains incredibly limited to nonexistent. Through a postmodern-feminist lens, this qualitative study employs Harter and Monsour's (1992) Self-in- Relationship (SIR) interview protocol, in addition to open-ended interview questions, to explore a conceptual framework blending perceptions, reality, and relationships that potentially impact females on the journey to and in service within the state superintendency. From a constructivist, Grounded Theory approach, the study investigates a glaring gap in the current available literature in an effort to answer the overarching question: Do female superintendents perceive gender as playing a role in fulfilling one's duties at the state level? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused upon a intervention program that allowed adolescent mothers to have major input in identifying knowledge they needed concerning their children's growth and their own parenting skills. Seventy-six females participated in the 4-month program. A pretest-posttest design was used to measure changes in self-esteem, knowledge of child development, and tendencies toward inappropriate interactions with children. Analysis of effectiveness of this program indicated that it had been effective. Results revealed significant differences between pre- and posttest measures of child development knowledge in the areas of infant and toddler development. Further analysis indicated a significant change in the subjects' child abuse potential at the end of the program. No significant difference could be found in measures of self-esteem between the beginning and end of the program. A 10-month follow-up study coordinated between two public agencies found that none of the adolescent parents who had completed the program had been reported for child abuse or neglect. The results support the importance of short-term intervention programs for adolescent parents.

BACKGROUND: Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease (SPC) is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Star measure added to Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans in 2019 to incentivize statin use for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The measure assesses statin dispensing and adherence in patients with atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). Clinical pharmacists are well-positioned to affect positively a health system's performance on the SPC measure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of telephone outreach by clinical pharmacists on moderate- or high-intensity statin prescribing in patients with ASCVD. METHODS: Patients in managed care health plans who meet the SPC measure criteria and are not currently receiving a moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy were contacted by a clinical pharmacist through telephone outreach. If appropriate, they were prescribed a statin by a clinical pharmacist. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who meet the SPC measure classification and had 1 confirmed prescription fill for a moderate- or high-intensity statin after intervention by a clinical pharmacist. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were identified for review and outreach, of whom 35 (41.7%) met the SPC measure criteria. Of these 35 patients, 16 (45.7%) were female and the mean age was 66 years. A total of 22 (62.9%) patients agreed to a statin prescription, and 16 (72.7%) of these patients picked up the prescription within 10 days of prescribing. An additional 4 patients, for a total of 20 (57.1%) of the 35 eligible patients, were eventually dispensed a statin. Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) vendor data available after the intervention showed a larger SPC measure population than was captured with the health plan's internal report. HEDIS data showed an increase in statin prescribing for patients meeting the SPC measure classification from 24.7% to 56.6% during the study period (P <.001). The mean time spent per patient for chart review and/or outreach by the clinical pharmacist was 27.7 (standard deviation, 9) minutes. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that clinical pharmacists who conduct a telephonic population health intervention can achieve a high rate of success in initiating a moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy in patients with ASCVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]