FranU Announces Spring 2026 Scholarship and Research Showcase Winners

FranU is pleased to announce the recipients of the Spring 2026 Research and Scholarship Showcase Awards held April 27-May 1 on campus.

The annual showcase highlights the scholarly work and innovation of FranU faculty, staff and students.

The quality and range of work presented throughout the week reflected the strong research and scholarship activities taking place across FranU,” said Dr. William Schreiter, research director and associate professor in the Nurse Anesthesia program. “From clinical and practice-focused projects to work in science, behavior and the humanities, our students and faculty demonstrated a clear commitment to inquiry, professional growth and service to others."

This year’s winners:

Best DNP Poster: Chance Selvidge, Tanner Welch and Meridith Bergeron, “The Impact of Ultrasound Guidance on First-Attempt Success Rates for Perioperative Vascular Access.”

Best DPT Poster: Sarah d’Hemecourt, Kolbi Richardson, Kirk Nelson and Phillip Page, “Assessing the Geographic Distribution of Licensed Physical Therapists by Practice Setting in Louisiana and Identifying Gaps in Care.”

DPT Student Choice Award: Bryant Anacker and Phillip Page, “Biomechanical Characteristics of Baseball Pitching in Youth and Adolescent Athletes: A Scoping Review.”

Best Faculty Poster: Michael Ludwig and Kirk Nelson, “Supporting Students in the Transition into Graduate School with Anatomy and Physiology Modules.”

Research and Scholarship Week will return next spring, April 26-30, 2027.