A SUNY Brockport School of Nursing graduate is gaining national recognition for research that improved care for veterans with chronic illness while preparing to return to her alma mater as a faculty member this fall.
Dr. Carolyn Gaulke ’25 published her quality improvement study in the August 2026 issue of The Nurse Practitioner. The article, “Utilization of an Electronic Dashboard to Improve Health Maintenance in Veterans with IBD Receiving Biologic Therapy,” highlights an innovative approach to improving care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Patients receiving biologic therapies require ongoing laboratory monitoring, screenings, and vaccinations to remain safe while taking immunosuppressive medications. Prior to Gaulke’s intervention, key health maintenance measures at the medical center where she conducted her project were falling below recommended targets.
Over a 12-week period, Gaulke integrated an underused electronic dashboard into the clinical workflow. The results were significant: laboratory monitoring, tuberculosis screening, and bone density testing increased to 96% completion rates, while vaccination rates rose to 78%. Staff also rated the dashboard highly for usability, giving it an average score of 97 out of 100.
The project demonstrated how improved communication and care coordination can close gaps in chronic disease management. By providing a centralized source of patient information, the dashboard helped clarify responsibilities among healthcare providers and improve follow-through on recommended care.
Now teaching at Upstate Medical University’s College of Nursing, Gaulke will join SUNY Brockport’s graduate nursing faculty this fall. Her return brings valuable expertise in quality improvement, clinical scholarship, and evidence-based practice to the School of Nursing.