Fellowship Project Highlights

An essential part of the Golisano Fellowship in Developmental Disability Nursing is the final Fellowship project. The focus of the project is to solve a problem, address a concern, add to the literature, or create change that can positively influence the health and quality of life for individuals with IDD and their families.  The project should inform nursing education, nursing practice, or IDD disability policy.

Below are samples of a few Fellowship final projects. 

Improving Sleep Monitoring Accuracy in OPWDD Residential Settings

Title slide with a purple-to-pink gradient background. Large white text reads, “Improving Sleep Monitoring Accuracy in OPWDD Residential Settings.” Presenter name at bottom left reads, “Rebecca Brown, BSN RN, CDDN.” A small magenta accent tab appears in the upper-right corner.

Automated sleep monitoring improved care for people with IDD by providing more accurate sleep data, reducing staff workload, and supporting better clinical and medication decisions than traditional hourly sleep checks. Overall, the project shows that integrating automated sleep monitoring into residential IDD services can support more accurate, data-driven care, enhance management of sleep disorders, and ultimately improve quality of life for individuals with IDD. 

Rebecca Brown, BSN RN, CDDN 
Heritage Christian Services 
Mentor: Laurie Ernest, DNP, MS, WHNP-C 

For more information about this project, email Rebecca Brown.

The Lived Experience of a Mini-Mass Casualty Simulation Involving Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Title slide with a blue-toned photograph of an empty wheelchair as the background. Large white text reads, “The Lived Experience of a Mini-Mass Casualty Simulation Involving Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” Presenter name below reads, “Lisa Depperman MS, RN.” A thin white border frames the slide.

This project invited people with IDD to participate in a community-wide emergency simulation alongside first responders, nurses, and emergency personnel. The project demonstrated that inclusive emergency preparedness training can strengthen community response systems, improve communication, and promote safer, more person-centered care for people with IDD. 

Lisa Depperman, MS, RN
Hartwick University
Mentor: Deborah Napolitano, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA 

For more information about this project, email Lisa Depperman.

Utilizing a NP to Reduce Non-Emergent Use of the Emergency Department by Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Living in Group Homes

Title slide featuring the People Inc. logo with a butterfly graphic and the tagline “Where your world opens up” on the left. On the right, gold text reads, “Utilizing Nurse Practitioner Services to Reduce Non-Emergent Use of the Emergency Department by Adults with IDD Living in Group Homes.” Smaller blue text below reads, “Maralyn Militello, MPA, BSN, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC” and “June 11, 2026.” Soft bl

This project brought nurse practitioner services directly into residential homes, reducing unnecessary emergency department visits for non-urgent health concerns. Individuals received timely assessments, testing, treatment, and care coordination in familiar environments, avoiding the stress and disruption of hospital visits. During the pilot, the nurse practitioner evaluated 58 individuals and prevented emergency department visits, a 74% avoidance rate. Follow-up showed that nearly all individuals remained stable without requiring higher-level care. The project also strengthened collaboration with primary care providers, improved access to healthcare, and demonstrated a more person-centered, cost-effective model for supporting people with IDD. 

Maralyn Militello, BSN, RN, CPHQ, NEA-BC 
People, Inc
Mentor: Cathy Koetting, CPNP, NP-C 

For more information about this project, email Maralyn Militello.