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- Assistant Professor
- College of Veterinary Medicine - Arizona
- Assistant ProfessorCollege of Veterinary Medicine - Arizona
Dr (Cavalcanti) McKenzie received her DVM from Universidade Federal Fluminense - RJ, Brazil in 2013. After that, she worked as an ER and GP doctor for about 2 years but her passion for veterinary anesthesia led her to pursue a residency in anesthesia and emergency medicine, from 2015 to 2017, at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil. In 2018, she moved to the US and in 2020 she started her combined program of master's and residency in anesthesia and pain management at the University of Florida. In 2024, after concluding the residency program, she joined Midwestern University (AZ) as an Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology. She passed her boards exam and is a diplomate of the College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (DACVAA)
Dr (Cavalcanti) McKenzie received her DVM from Universidade Federal Fluminense - RJ, Brazil in 2013. After that, she worked as an ER and GP doctor for about 2 years but her passion for veterinary anesthesia led her to pursue a residency in anesthesia and emergency medicine, from 2015 to 2017, at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil. In 2018, she moved to the US and in 2020 she started her combined program of master's and residency in anesthesia and pain management at the University of Florida. In 2024, after concluding the residency program, she joined Midwestern University (AZ) as an Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology. She passed her boards exam and is a diplomate of the College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (DACVAA)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Glendale
- Associate Professor
- Occupational Therapy
- Associate ProfessorOccupational Therapy
Dr. Abraham graduated with a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Abraham's doctoral work focused on increasing awareness and confidence among practitioners to use occupation-centered model and assessments that systematically look at a child's volition. The long term vision of her doctoral project was to increase the active engagement of children with disabilities in more meaningful occupations of choice, and in turn, increase participation and outcomes in occupations of development, learning and play. Dr. Abraham's experience working with the pediatric population includes evaluating and treating children with a variety of conditions. She has conducted in-services that teach practitioners about the importance of evaluating and utilizing their client's volitional information in outpatient settings. In an effort to serve the community, she continues to practice as a clinician in an outpatient setting. She currently teaches pediatric courses, and mentors student research groups at Midwestern University. She hopes to support and mentor future practitioners who will make an impact on the lives of many individuals and families.
Dr. Abraham has conducted research to understand medical staff perspectives on caring for children with autism in the hospital setting. Her current research focuses on increasing nursing staff self-efficacy when working with children with disability. Following is an abstract from one of the studies that was published in 2021.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe nursing staff perspectives about caring for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the hospital, strategies they use to support care, and relationships between these factors.
Design and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with nursing staff at a large pediatric hospital system in the United States was employed. The researcher-designed, pilot-tested survey assessed participant demographics, knowledge about ASD, perceived effectiveness caring for children with ASD, previous training, and current strategy use. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlations, and group comparisons based on interaction frequency with the population and previous training.
Results: The participants involved 90 pediatric hospital nursing staff members providing direct care. Respondents demonstrated 90% accurate knowledge of the characteristics of ASD. Self-reported effectiveness in caring for children with ASD did not correlate with knowledge and significantly correlated with an increased number of strategies. Nursing staff with frequent interaction with people with ASD or those with previous training reported significantly more strategies to care for children with ASD. Only 35% of participants reported that they have adequate strategies to care for children with ASD in the hospital.
Practice Implications: Having more strategies was the factor associated with higher self-efficacy, so training for nursing staff should focus on increasing the number of strategies to use with children with ASD in the hospital and provide mechanisms to collaborate with other professionals to individualize strategies to meet each child's needs.Dr. Abraham graduated with a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Abraham's doctoral work focused on increasing awareness and confidence among practitioners to use occupation-centered model and assessments that systematically look at a child's volition. The long term vision of her doctoral project was to increase the active engagement of children with disabilities in more meaningful occupations of choice, and in turn, increase participation and outcomes in occupations of development, learning and play. Dr. Abraham's experience working with the pediatric population includes evaluating and treating children with a variety of conditions. She has conducted in-services that teach practitioners about the importance of evaluating and utilizing their client's volitional information in outpatient settings. In an effort to serve the community, she continues to practice as a clinician in an outpatient setting. She currently teaches pediatric courses, and mentors student research groups at Midwestern University. She hopes to support and mentor future practitioners who will make an impact on the lives of many individuals and families.
Dr. Abraham has conducted research to understand medical staff perspectives on caring for children with autism in the hospital setting. Her current research focuses on increasing nursing staff self-efficacy when working with children with disability. Following is an abstract from one of the studies that was published in 2021.
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe nursing staff perspectives about caring for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the hospital, strategies they use to support care, and relationships between these factors.
Design and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with nursing staff at a large pediatric hospital system in the United States was employed. The researcher-designed, pilot-tested survey assessed participant demographics, knowledge about ASD, perceived effectiveness caring for children with ASD, previous training, and current strategy use. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlations, and group comparisons based on interaction frequency with the population and previous training.
Results: The participants involved 90 pediatric hospital nursing staff members providing direct care. Respondents demonstrated 90% accurate knowledge of the characteristics of ASD. Self-reported effectiveness in caring for children with ASD did not correlate with knowledge and significantly correlated with an increased number of strategies. Nursing staff with frequent interaction with people with ASD or those with previous training reported significantly more strategies to care for children with ASD. Only 35% of participants reported that they have adequate strategies to care for children with ASD in the hospital.
Practice Implications: Having more strategies was the factor associated with higher self-efficacy, so training for nursing staff should focus on increasing the number of strategies to use with children with ASD in the hospital and provide mechanisms to collaborate with other professionals to individualize strategies to meet each child's needs.- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Associate Dean
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- Associate DeanCollege of Veterinary Medicine
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Downers Grove
- Director of Residencies
- Eye Institute
- Director of ResidenciesEye Institute
Dr. Laura Addy is the Director of Residencies and an Associate Professor at the Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale, Arizona.
Dr. Addy received her optometry degree from the Arizona College of Optometry, and then did a postdoctoral residency in Ocular Disease & Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Addy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).
As the Director of Residencies, she provides direction and oversight in all areas of residency development including internal and external programs.
She leads the Electrodiagnostics clinic and her patient care interests include electrophysiology testing in cases of infectious, inflammatory, toxic, and genetic conditions of the eye, and working with patients with unexplained vision loss.
Dr. Addy enjoys teaching classes with primary focus in Clinical Services, Theory & Methods in the first year curriculum, and Ocular Disease in the thrid-year curriculum.
Dr. Laura Addy is the Director of Residencies and an Associate Professor at the Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale, Arizona.
Dr. Addy received her optometry degree from the Arizona College of Optometry, and then did a postdoctoral residency in Ocular Disease & Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Addy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO).
As the Director of Residencies, she provides direction and oversight in all areas of residency development including internal and external programs.
She leads the Electrodiagnostics clinic and her patient care interests include electrophysiology testing in cases of infectious, inflammatory, toxic, and genetic conditions of the eye, and working with patients with unexplained vision loss.
Dr. Addy enjoys teaching classes with primary focus in Clinical Services, Theory & Methods in the first year curriculum, and Ocular Disease in the thrid-year curriculum.
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
- Glendale
- Associate Dean
- College of Dental Medicine - Illinois
- Associate DeanCollege of Dental Medicine - Illinois
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Chair
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- ChairArizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Glendale
- Assistant Professor
- Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine
- Assistant ProfessorArizona College of Podiatric Medicine
- Glendale
- Research Asst. Professor
- College of Dental Medicine - Arizona
- Research Asst. ProfessorCollege of Dental Medicine - Arizona
I am a biological anthropologist with a specialized focus on large-scale projects in health and biology. I have nearly 20 years of university teaching experience. I received my PhD (with distinction) in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst for work in human long bone structural variation, in particular identifying the degree to which arm and leg bone morphology reflects both intrinsic (genetic, developmental, endocrinal) and extrinsic (mechanical) stimuli. I am currently a Research Assistant Professor at Midwestern University Dental Institute where I work in collaborative teams on all stages of research, from project development through analysis to reporting. I am also involved in several ongoing, collabroative projects characterizing the effects of Marfan Syndrome on the musculoskeletal system. I have been directly involved in ~$4 million in grant awards (NIH NIDCR, NSF SBE and DBI, institutional, and independent) and am the current President of the AZ state chapter of the American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
I am a biological anthropologist with a specialized focus on large-scale projects in health and biology. I have nearly 20 years of university teaching experience. I received my PhD (with distinction) in 2017 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst for work in human long bone structural variation, in particular identifying the degree to which arm and leg bone morphology reflects both intrinsic (genetic, developmental, endocrinal) and extrinsic (mechanical) stimuli. I am currently a Research Assistant Professor at Midwestern University Dental Institute where I work in collaborative teams on all stages of research, from project development through analysis to reporting. I am also involved in several ongoing, collabroative projects characterizing the effects of Marfan Syndrome on the musculoskeletal system. I have been directly involved in ~$4 million in grant awards (NIH NIDCR, NSF SBE and DBI, institutional, and independent) and am the current President of the AZ state chapter of the American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Glendale
- Assistant Professor
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Assistant ProfessorNurse Anesthesia
- Entry into Practice Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
- Glendale
- Chair
- Physiology
- ChairPhysiology
The research in my lab is primarily concerned with understanding the effects of dietary genistein and other nutriceuticals (and exercise) on intestinal function.
Genistein is an isoflavonic phytoestrogen found naturally in soy, and a known activator of the CFTR chloride channel. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease in which epithelia are adversely affected by loss of proper CFTR function (i.e. sweat duct, pancreas, vas deferens, airway and intestine). \We have shown that consuming dietary genistein increases basal and cAMP-mediated chloride secretion in female wild-type (Wt) murine jejuna and in the well established DeltaF508-CF mouse dietary genistein eliminates the dependence of CF mice for laxatives. Current work is aimed to evaluate how genistein mediates benficial effect on survival and weight gain in CF mice. We have shown that diabetic/obese ob/ob mice have significantly reduced jejunal basal chloride secretion, and furthermore, we demonstrate that consuming genistein-diet will rescue this deficit in basal secretion via influences on intestinal ion transporters. Recent work in my lab is aimed to evaluate the influence of genistein and exercise in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar (HFHS) diet, a model of diet-induced diabetic obesity, known to lead to Alzheimer's like pathology. In this model we are examining the gut brain axis.
Current studies in the lab are aimed at determining the mechanism(s) of action of genistein on intestinal function in Wt, CF, ob/ob and HFHS-fed mice, and importantly understanding the sex-dependent differences observed.The research in my lab is primarily concerned with understanding the effects of dietary genistein and other nutriceuticals (and exercise) on intestinal function.
Genistein is an isoflavonic phytoestrogen found naturally in soy, and a known activator of the CFTR chloride channel. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease in which epithelia are adversely affected by loss of proper CFTR function (i.e. sweat duct, pancreas, vas deferens, airway and intestine). \We have shown that consuming dietary genistein increases basal and cAMP-mediated chloride secretion in female wild-type (Wt) murine jejuna and in the well established DeltaF508-CF mouse dietary genistein eliminates the dependence of CF mice for laxatives. Current work is aimed to evaluate how genistein mediates benficial effect on survival and weight gain in CF mice. We have shown that diabetic/obese ob/ob mice have significantly reduced jejunal basal chloride secretion, and furthermore, we demonstrate that consuming genistein-diet will rescue this deficit in basal secretion via influences on intestinal ion transporters. Recent work in my lab is aimed to evaluate the influence of genistein and exercise in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar (HFHS) diet, a model of diet-induced diabetic obesity, known to lead to Alzheimer's like pathology. In this model we are examining the gut brain axis.
Current studies in the lab are aimed at determining the mechanism(s) of action of genistein on intestinal function in Wt, CF, ob/ob and HFHS-fed mice, and importantly understanding the sex-dependent differences observed.- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Post-Master's Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (D.N.A.P.)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (M.A.)
- Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.)
- Entry into Practice Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
- Master of Medical Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies (M.M.S.)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
- Glendale
- Director
- College of Dental Medicine - Illinois
- DirectorCollege of Dental Medicine - Illinois
Director of Preclinical Curriculum
Director of Preclinical Curriculum
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Assistant Professor
- Pharmacology
- Assistant ProfessorPharmacology
My laboratory focuses on investigating the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to develop stress resilience, contributing to drug resistance. By using functional genetic and biochemical methods, we aim to uncover how molecular chaperones rewire protein activity to drive cancer growth and resistance. We will explore how these chaperones regulate protein interactions in healthy versus cancerous cells, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets to overcome cancer resistance. We will utilize cell-based models and a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to gain deeper insights into these processes.
My laboratory focuses on investigating the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to develop stress resilience, contributing to drug resistance. By using functional genetic and biochemical methods, we aim to uncover how molecular chaperones rewire protein activity to drive cancer growth and resistance. We will explore how these chaperones regulate protein interactions in healthy versus cancerous cells, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets to overcome cancer resistance. We will utilize cell-based models and a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to gain deeper insights into these processes.
- IL-MABS Student Research
- IL-MBS Student Research
- Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (M.A.)
- Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Clinical Coordinator
- Physician Assistant
- Clinical CoordinatorPhysician Assistant
- Glendale
- Clinical Assistant Professor
- Dental Institute
- Clinical Assistant ProfessorDental Institute
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Visiting Instructor
- Pharmacy Practice
- Visiting InstructorPharmacy Practice
- Downers Grove
- Clinical Assistant Professor
- Dental Institute
- Clinical Assistant ProfessorDental Institute
- Downers Grove
- Assistant Professor
- Occupational Therapy
- Assistant ProfessorOccupational Therapy
Dr. Sarah Anderson joined Midwestern University's Occupational Therapy team in March of 2018. She earned her post-professional doctorate degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University in the fall of 2019. She graduated with her master's degree in occupational therapy from Midwestern University in 2014, and obtained her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2012.
Areas of interest include program development, emotional intelligence development, maternal health, stress management, self-regulation/emotional regulation programming for populations across the life span, sensory modulation and trauma informed therapeutic programming for children and adolescents, child/adolescent/adult mental health (emphasis in anxiety & trauma-informed care/education), parent empowerment through education, and role emerging areas of practice.
Dr. Anderson has experience across many pediatric practice areas including: home health, behavioral health, private practice, and school based practice. She has advanced training from the Star Institute in sensory processing disorders and formal training in the S.O.S Feeding Approach. Dr. Anderson has additional advanced training in mood disorders, anxiety, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. She completed the clinical trauma professional certification course in December of 2017. Other trainings include mindfulness based treatment strategies, Integrative Listening Systems, Safe Sound Protocol, sleep in pediatric occupational therapy practice, maternal mental health, and trauma informed care. In December of 2019 she completed a fellowship program in dementia care, and in March 2021 she became certified in administering the EQi-2.0 and EQ360 assessments (Emotional Intelligence Assessment).
She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, and The Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona.Dr. Sarah Anderson joined Midwestern University's Occupational Therapy team in March of 2018. She earned her post-professional doctorate degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University in the fall of 2019. She graduated with her master's degree in occupational therapy from Midwestern University in 2014, and obtained her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2012.
Areas of interest include program development, emotional intelligence development, maternal health, stress management, self-regulation/emotional regulation programming for populations across the life span, sensory modulation and trauma informed therapeutic programming for children and adolescents, child/adolescent/adult mental health (emphasis in anxiety & trauma-informed care/education), parent empowerment through education, and role emerging areas of practice.
Dr. Anderson has experience across many pediatric practice areas including: home health, behavioral health, private practice, and school based practice. She has advanced training from the Star Institute in sensory processing disorders and formal training in the S.O.S Feeding Approach. Dr. Anderson has additional advanced training in mood disorders, anxiety, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. She completed the clinical trauma professional certification course in December of 2017. Other trainings include mindfulness based treatment strategies, Integrative Listening Systems, Safe Sound Protocol, sleep in pediatric occupational therapy practice, maternal mental health, and trauma informed care. In December of 2019 she completed a fellowship program in dementia care, and in March 2021 she became certified in administering the EQi-2.0 and EQ360 assessments (Emotional Intelligence Assessment).
She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, and The Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona.- Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)
- Glendale
- Assistant Professor
- Cardiovascular Science
- Assistant ProfessorCardiovascular Science
- Master of Science in Cardiovascular Science (M.S.)
- Glendale
- Associate Professor
- Pharmacy Practice
- Associate ProfessorPharmacy Practice
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Professor
- Pharmacy Practice
- ProfessorPharmacy Practice
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Assistant Professor
- College of Dental Medicine - Illinois
- Assistant ProfessorCollege of Dental Medicine - Illinois
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
- Downers Grove
- Clinical Assistant Professor
- Assessment
- Clinical Assistant ProfessorAssessment
- Glendale