Publications
Research from the Sandelich Lab spans pediatric emergency medicine, adolescent substance use disorder, implementation science, and community-based outreach. Below are our most recent peer-reviewed publications. For a full list, visit our Google Scholar profile.
Healthcare Utilization Patterns Among Adolescents with Dual Diagnoses of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Sandelich S, Buresh C, Axson S, Linn B, Mareboina M.
What this means: Adolescents who struggle with both mental health challenges and substance use disorders interact with the healthcare system in distinct patterns. This study identifies those patterns — helping clinicians recognize and intervene earlier with this high-risk population.
Peer-Reviewed Article | Journal of Affective Disorders | 2026
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Emotional Regulation in Adult ED Patients
Schweitzer C, DiGiovanni A, Bu D, Burynski R, Kassim A, Sabry A, Russell M, Sandelich S.
What this means: Early-life trauma shapes how adults cope with stress and emotion — including during emergency department visits. This research explores that connection and points toward more trauma-informed care in acute settings.
Peer-Reviewed Article | Journal of Affective Disorders | 2026
A Comparison of Pediatric Prehospital Opioid Encounters and Social Vulnerability
Sandelich S, Cavaliere G, Buresh C, Boehmer S, Glasser J, Klansek I, Tolpin A.
What this means: Using a national EMS database of nearly 8,000 pediatric opioid emergencies, this study found that children in socioeconomically vulnerable communities face significantly higher risk of opioid-related emergencies requiring naloxone. The findings point directly to where prevention and harm reduction efforts are needed most.
Peer-Reviewed Article | Prehospital Emergency Care | 2025 | Open Access
Ignite & Engage": A Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Peer-Led, School-Based Substance Use Prevention Program
Verbos KW, Agolli A, Alvarado A, Croes KD, Sandelich S, Jusufagic A, Zgierska AE.
What this means: Young people in recovery sharing their stories with students can be one of the most powerful prevention tools available. This evaluation of the Ignite & Engage program found that peer-led storytelling meaningfully reduced adolescents' intent to use substances, especially among middle schoolers, validating lived experience as a scalable, evidence-based approach.
Peer-Reviewed Article | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice | 2025 | Open Access
Social Vulnerability and Pediatric EMS Behavioral Health Activations: Trends in Utilization and Sedation Practices
Stancliff H, Boehmer S, Buresh C, Cavaliere G, Sandelich S.
What this means: When children experience mental health crises, EMS is often the first responder. This study examines how often those calls happen, how social vulnerability shapes who gets called, and how sedation is used in the field, with implications for training, equity, and policy.
Peer-Reviewed Article | Prehospital Emergency Care | 2025 | Open Access
Acute Opioid Overdose in Pediatric Patients
Sandelich S, Hooley G, Hsu G, Rose E, Ruttan T, Schwarz ES, et al.
What this means: With opioid fatalities rising sharply among children and teens, emergency physicians need clear, evidence-based guidance. This comprehensive clinical review covers how to recognize opioid overdose in pediatric patients, the unique challenges of naloxone use in this age group, and harm reduction strategies including safe medication storage and naloxone distribution.
Peer-Reviewed Article | JACEP Open | 2025 | Open Access
Collaborate With Us!
We welcome research collaborations, media inquiries, and partnership opportunities with schools and community organizations. If you are interested in our work or want to cite, build on, or extend our research, we'd love to hear from you.