08/13/2025
Supporting a Study on Personalized Postoperative Prescribing
Adeline Whaley reflects on her experiences and work for safer pain care in Ohio
|
Adeline Whaley Internship: Adeline's research at NEOMED aims to develop a tool for optimizing opioid prescriptions for cancer patients in rural Northwest Ohio, balancing pain management with preventing over-prescribing in an under-served community. |
This summer, Adeline is supporting a university hospital study that enrolls patients undergoing laparotomies for cancer. The team is investigating what drives opioid use after surgery, with the goal of creating a tool that helps clinicians tailor prescriptions to each patient in rural Northwest Ohio. In Adeline's Words: “This summer, I had the opportunity to assist with a university hospital study focused on recruiting patients undergoing laparotomies for cancer to investigate the factors that contribute to opioid usage. I was eager to step into this role, as our goal is to use these findings to develop a tool that can help tailor postoperative opioid prescriptions to an individual’s specific needs, recognizing some may need more and some may need less. As a future physician, this experience has allowed me not only to support patients during some of their most vulnerable moments, but also to contribute to work that holds the potential to transform how we understand and manage pain." |
With the recent passage of the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ proposed cuts to Medicaid, a resource over 70 million Americans utilize, threaten access to life saving interventions like naloxone. Without naloxone, opioid overdose deaths will likely rise, further highlighting the need for creating tools that can reduce opioid exposure at the source.
“In my role, I meet with patients during their appointments to introduce the study and obtain informed consent for participation. While we are still actively recruiting, we are optimistic that this work will help reshape how opioids are prescribed and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.”
What This Work is Building Toward
Findings from this study will inform a practical prescribing tool that helps clinicians right-size postoperative opioids for cancer patients. The aim is better pain control for each person, less unnecessary exposure, and stronger outcomes for underserved communities.
Support the Next Generation of Physician Leaders
Adeline’s commitment to safer, patient-centered pain management is exactly the kind of leadership the OSMA Foundation is proud to support. Her story shows how thoughtful research and compassionate care can improve outcomes for families across Ohio.
Are you an alum of an Ohio medical school that participates in OSMA’s Summer Scholars Program? When you give, make sure to select your alma mater from the dropdown menu on the donation page so your gift can be counted toward your school’s total. We are challenging all Ohio medical schools to help fund the next class of Summer Scholars and provide more opportunities to students like Adeline.
We also accept grants from Donor Advised Funds (DAF). Simply provide your DAF Sponsor with the following:
EIN# is 31-0907287 and organization listed as Ohio Medical Education Foundation • 4400 N High St. Ste. 304 Columbus, OH 43214