A routine healthcare visit can be an opportunity to catch what might otherwise go unnoticed. For Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate Dr. Aishia Wall ’26, that opportunity became the focus of her DNP project, which explored how a simple behavioral screening tool could help identify men who may be at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but may not recognize their own risk.
“Men don’t have a dedicated person for this, so they’re not being screened appropriately,” Wall said. “This was a much-needed topic because people don’t talk about it.”
Wall partnered with Assistant Professor of Nursing and primary care provider at Jackson’s Health, Dr. Carnell Jackson, to study a growing concern in preventive healthcare: the disconnect between how men perceive their STI risk and their actual behaviors.
“This was a much-needed topic because people don’t talk about it.”
Dr. Aishia Wall
Rather than relying solely on patients to request testing or report symptoms, Wall created a 20-question behavioral screening survey using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
Patients could choose whether to complete the additional survey at check-in, which assessed STI risk based on reported behaviors rather than personal perception alone. When responses indicated a higher level of risk, Wall notified the practice’s primary care providers, who followed up with those patients to share their results and discuss whether they wanted to move forward with STI testing.
“We found out in the study that a lot of men don’t perceive themselves to be high risk,” Wall said. “Their perceived risk and their actual behaviors are not the same. Screening men based on their behavior is much more efficient and effective.”
Dr. Aishia Wall
Over a six-week period, 32 men completed the survey, and 23 chose to receive STI testing. Out of those tested, six received positive results and were connected with treatment.
Wall hopes the behavioral screening tool will continue to be used at Jackson’s Health and eventually be adopted by other healthcare settings.
“The plan is to keep this in practice because we’ve gotten positive results,” said Wall. “I think this would be good anywhere in the community where people don’t have access or resources.”
Through her DNP experience, Wall was able to apply her learning to address a real-world healthcare challenge while gaining hands-on experience developing, implementing, and evaluating a clinical intervention with the potential to improve preventive care.
Wall credits the McNair Program, the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), and nursing faculty for providing the mentorship and support that helped her succeed throughout her academic journey.
A Rochester native and first-generation college student, Wall began her Brockport journey as an undergraduate before earning her RN-to-BSN in 2019, completing her Family Nurse Practitioner master’s degree in 2023, and graduating with her DNP in 2026.
“I built so many substantial relationships at Brockport that it’s changed my life for the better.”
Dr. Aishia Wall
“Brockport is such a hidden gem for me because a lot of people don’t really know the resources,” Wall said. “I built so many substantial relationships at Brockport that it’s changed my life for the better.”
Looking back on her journey, Wall hopes her story encourages others to take advantage of those same opportunities and resources.
“It’s not easy,” said Wall. “There were times where I wanted to quit, and I’ve done so many things that I never thought I would be able to do just by being at Brockport.”