We could start 33 years ago to when Castro Tapler first visited UCF and dreamed of becoming a Knight.

Or jump to when she lost sight of that dream in the whirlwind of life after enlisting in the U.S. Marines, completing an overseas deployment, getting married and raising a family.

Or here, in present day, as the 49-year-old graduates alongside her oldest, each with degree choices influenced by Johnny 麻豆精品 S檚 struggle with neurological hearing loss 麻豆精品 S� hers, early childhood development and education and his, communication sciences and disorders. And don 麻豆精品 S檛 forget her other son, Michael, an emergency management major, close behind and husband, John, graduating later this year from Valencia College, a partner.

Their story is one of many subplots and selfless acts, and so much love for family 麻豆精品 S� a family that pulled strength from each other on the road to this long-awaited, triumphant moment.

麻豆精品 S淧eople doubted us for moving here from Long Island to become Knights, 麻豆精品 S� Castro Tapler says. 麻豆精品 S淲e said, 麻豆精品 S楯ust watch. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e proving that you can do anything you put your mind to doing by adapting and overcoming. 麻豆精品 S�

A Dream Put on Hold, But Never Forgotten

Castro Tapler 麻豆精品 S檚 mind first fixed on UCF in 1993 when the family of her friend, David Konits 麻豆精品 S�01, paid for her to visit them in Orlando to thank her for saving their son 麻豆精品 S檚 life after a serious injury. Putting others first had already become ingrained for Castro Tapler, then 16, despite a childhood without means. She lived with her mother in another friend 麻豆精品 S檚 basement and had never traveled beyond New York.

麻豆精品 S淭hey brought me to the UCF campus and I was blown away, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檇 never seen such nice kids studying together in such a beautiful environment. If I could ever afford college, I wanted it to be here. 麻豆精品 S�

Castro Tapler went back home, finished high school and joined the U.S. Marines. Shortly after 9/11, she was deployed to Kuwait. The idea of college continued to dim as she fulfilled her military duty, returned to Long Island, went to work and raised a family.

麻豆精品 S淭he goal was always out there, 麻豆精品 S� she says, 麻豆精品 S渂ut I just couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 get to it. 麻豆精品 S�

She wanted a more streamlined path for her sons, Johnny and Michael, so she and her husband always included tours of universities during family trips.

麻豆精品 S淲hen we came to UCF, the boys and John fell in love, 麻豆精品 S� Castro Tapler says, 麻豆精品 S渁nd to me, that feeling of belonging was still there after so many years. 麻豆精品 S�

On the day of Johnny 麻豆精品 S檚 high school graduation, they loaded up the car and moved to Orlando 麻豆精品 S� placing her within reach of the dream she never gave up on.

Planting Roots on Campus

As a U.S. Marine veteran, Castro Tapler has chilling stories about how she calmly put out oil fires in open combat zones. On her first day of classes at UCF, she 麻豆精品 S� like a good Marine 麻豆精品 S� arrived 30 minutes early with food and hydration. An emotion consumed her: Fear.

Here she was, surrounded by students half her age using tablets and carrying backpacks while she pulled around a wagon and used a spiral notebook. She would need to relearn how to learn. Three encounters quickly made her feel at ease.

麻豆精品 S淭he sound of a piano in the lobby soothed my nerves. Then a group of girls in my first class invited me to work with them. And I found the , 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎 college campus is a different world from what veterans are used to. The people in that office helped me understand aid, tutoring and the culture. They 麻豆精品 S檙e veterans, too, so they know how difficult the transition can be. 麻豆精品 S�

Her fear turned to joy and a genuine belief she belonged. She felt even more connected knowing Johnny and Michael were on the same campus feeling the same pride.

The Start of a New Future

We come to the most surreal moment: mom and son graduating together. She points out this is a goal achieved, but not the goal.

麻豆精品 S淥ur degrees open doors to serve others, 麻豆精品 S� Castro Tapler says.

She 麻豆精品 S檒l teach first grade, knowing each child is unique, perhaps with a challenge that hasn 麻豆精品 S檛 yet been identified. Johnny intends to use his communications and sciences disorders degree as the first step toward a medical degree in audiology. He visualizes being the first person parents see when their babies are diagnosed with a complication. He already knows what he 麻豆精品 S檒l say:

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 going to be OK. Look at me. I have a hearing disorder, too, and now I 麻豆精品 S檓 a doctor, 麻豆精品 S� Johnny says.

Michael will apply his emergency management degree from UCF to help communities on a larger scale. And John, after finishing at Valencia College, will consider an online business master 麻豆精品 S檚 program at UCF, so he can provide financial planning and support for those facing their own challenges.

麻豆精品 S淗e wants so badly to be a Knight like the rest of us, 麻豆精品 S� Castro Tapler says.

It makes sense. Knights are known for their grit. And this family has plenty of it.

麻豆精品 S淚 think back to people saying you 麻豆精品 S檒l never afford college, you 麻豆精品 S檙e too old, and Johnny can 麻豆精品 S檛 become a doctor with hearing loss, 麻豆精品 S� Castro Tapler says. 麻豆精品 S淣ow we 麻豆精品 S檙e going to walk to the stage together and hear our names called. 麻豆精品 S�

To better understand Assistant Professor Hamzeh Ghasemzadeh and his work, he goes back to a childhood memory of broken toys. Within hours of receiving little robotic figures or remote-control cars, he 麻豆精品 S檇 dissembled what had once been a carefully crafted package of technology. To him, sitting among the remnants of a new gift meant he was sitting in a circle of fun.

麻豆精品 S淢y favorite game was to take the toys apart to see how they work and then try to put them back together, 麻豆精品 S� Ghasemzadeh says. 麻豆精品 S淢y parents saw my curiosity as a great thing. 麻豆精品 S�

“This is why I came to UCF. I 麻豆精品 S檝e been able to jump right in and address mysteries that haven 麻豆精品 S檛 received much attention.”

That same curiosity now drives his research at , where he seeks to take apart discomforted voices, figuratively, so he can develop strategies to make each one whole again. Ghasemzadeh, who joined UCF in late Summer 2025 and will teach in the school 麻豆精品 S檚 newly launched , has already secured one research project funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and is developing another.

麻豆精品 S淭his is why I came to UCF, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檝e been able to jump right in and address mysteries that haven 麻豆精品 S檛 received much attention until now. 麻豆精品 S�

A Common Problem Without Clear Answers

The first such mystery sounds quite straightforward: vocal fatigue, a common vocal complaint. Beneath the surface, however, it 麻豆精品 S檚 deceptive. Solutions have mostly evaded scientists, leaving vocal fatigue as an ongoing problem for many people who rely on their voices, like coaches, public speakers, singers and teachers. Many of Ghasemzadeh 麻豆精品 S檚 colleagues experience the very throat discomfort that he 麻豆精品 S檚 deconstructing during the funded project just underway.

“We want to collect … multi-modal data and use machine learning models to analyze [vocal fatigue] and develop recommendations for each person.”

麻豆精品 S淪ome instructors get vocal fatigue quickly, some get it slowly and some don 麻豆精品 S檛 get it at all, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚 a genetic component, but there are also behavioral components. How do they use their voice? How often do they use it? What about the environment where they 麻豆精品 S檙e using it? What about personality? We want to collect such comprehensive multi-modal data and use machine learning models to analyze it and develop recommendations for each person. 麻豆精品 S�

The recommendations might include pacing voice usage, projecting the voice efficiently and allowing the voice to recover. Ghasemzadeh envisions this model being predictive and 麻豆精品 S� this is the part he stresses most 麻豆精品 S� personalized.

麻豆精品 S淭he approach to general medicine started with an assumption that while we 麻豆精品 S檙e different on the outside, we are very similar inside. Patients with similar ailments took the same medications and [the] same dosages. But we now know that people don 麻豆精品 S檛 always respond to pills the same way. If we can quantify how we 麻豆精品 S檙e different inside, we can create a computational model to predict responses to medications and optimize treatment plans. 麻豆精品 S�

To integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into vocal fatigue solutions, subjects in Ghasemzadeh 麻豆精品 S檚 study will wear sensors that track how and where they use their voices. He 麻豆精品 S檒l prompt them to perform specific vocal tasks and monitor their phonatory function throughout the day. The AI model will analyze these patterns in real time to identify early signs of vocal strain and predict when fatigue is likely to occur.

“We are different. Every prescribed solution should be different, too.”

Participants will also visit his lab at the in Central Florida Research Park, where specialists will collect imaging, aerodynamic and acoustic data. The highly equipped facility brings together America 麻豆精品 S檚 leading hearing and voice scientists to develop new technologies and clinical tools for people with hearing loss or voice disorders.

With all of that in hand, including the technology, Ghasemzadeh and his team hope to unwind the mystery of vocal fatigue 麻豆精品 S� one person at a time.

麻豆精品 S淭hat 麻豆精品 S檚 the idea I want to put forward with every project, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淲e are different. Every prescribed solution should be different, too. 麻豆精品 S�

From Engineering to Human Connection

Many would think a toy-reassembling boy is destined to become an engineer. That 麻豆精品 S檚 what Ghasemzadeh thought, too. He earned bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 and master 麻豆精品 S檚 degrees in electrical engineering and began his career with a focus on telecommunications and signal processing.

麻豆精品 S淭here was something important missing, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淗uman connection. 麻豆精品 S�

“Speech became my research interest because … it sets us apart as a species and as individuals.”

He crossed paths with a close friend who mentioned his own research in a field Ghasemzadeh was vaguely familiar with: communication sciences and disorders. The conversation sparked Ghasemzadeh’s enthusiasm for applying his expertise in areas such as signal processing to personally help others.

麻豆精品 S淪peech became my research interest because it 麻豆精品 S檚 the signal we predominantly use to communicate, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淚t sets us apart as a species and as individuals. 麻豆精品 S�

For example, it 麻豆精品 S檚 quite easy to identify Ghasemzadeh without even seeing him. He sounds young yet intelligent enough to have dual doctoral degrees. There 麻豆精品 S檚 an inflection of humility in his voice. The curiosity is always there, too. In fact, his peers have noticed, from his work, what his parents noticed among his broken toys: his curiosity leading to great things. Shortly after arriving at UCF, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association chose Ghasemzadeh for its Early Career Contributions in Research Award.

麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 also a reminder that I 麻豆精品 S檓 early in my career, 麻豆精品 S� he says, 麻豆精品 S渁nd the sky is the limit. 麻豆精品 S�

At the center of his work as a principal investigator is a belief that progress doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 happen alone, but through teamwork.

麻豆精品 S淵ou have to surround yourself with different skillsets, all of us willing to take things apart that have never been taken apart, with everyone focused on one goal, 麻豆精品 S� Ghasemzadeh says. 麻豆精品 S淲hen you win, I win and everyone wins. 麻豆精品 S�

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health under award number R00DC021235. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

To reduce these challenges, associate professors of health sciences Michael Rovito and Keith Brazendale in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Department of Health Sciences are conducting a 6-month intervention study, which is funded by the Florida Department of Health Cancer Innovation Fund.

The National Cancer Institute estimates survival rates for testicular cancer are high, as about 10,000 men are diagnosed each year and fewer than 5% die from the disease 麻豆精品 S� underscoring the need to improve quality of life for these patients.

麻豆精品 S淥ur focus is on finding ways to improve the quality of life for these survivors, and to improve their mental, emotional and social health, 麻豆精品 S� says Rovito, who has researched testicular cancer and men 麻豆精品 S檚 health for nearly two decades.

A New Approach to Survivorship Care

Previous survivorship programs have often focused on high-intensity exercise, which can be difficult for patients managing recovery, work and family demands. To develop a more sustainable path to recovery, Rovito and Brazendale are testing a uniquely designed intervention in Florida, known as the Physical Activity and Connectivity for Testicular Cancer Survivors (PACT) program.

PACT combines low-impact, remote, physical activity with an online support network to help survivors navigate psychosocial challenges. Participants engage in regular low-intensity physical activity, such as walking or taking the stairs, and track their progress using Fitbit devices. The devices provide real-time feedback, allowing researchers to set weekly goals and offer personalized guidance. This feedback loop helps participants stay engaged while building sustainable habits.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e seeking an intervention they can do for the rest of their lives, 麻豆精品 S� Brazendale says. 麻豆精品 S淲e want these healthy supports to become habit. 麻豆精品 S�

Support Beyond Physical Recovery

Connected through Zoom sessions, PACT program participants receive personalized counsel and encouragement from the researchers directly. They also take part in virtual peer-support sessions led by a social worker and a survivor advocate trained in trauma-informed care. Monthly sessions include breathwork, meditation and discussions on common concerns such as fertility, relationship changes and fear of recurrence.

麻豆精品 S淭he online support session provides coping strategies and tools for the participants to use during the day, when they can feel anxious or depressed or overwhelmed, 麻豆精品 S� Rovito says.

Outside of the meetings, researchers stay in touch regularly with individual messages to participants, sending tailored motivational text messages.

麻豆精品 S淥ur hope is that we are providing realistic physical activity changes that are sustainable when the monitoring ends, 麻豆精品 S� says Brazendale. 麻豆精品 S淲e want these survivors to have adopted habits and skills that result in them being healthier over the long-term. 麻豆精品 S�

The researchers say they hope to expand the program to other cancer survivor groups and integrate it into broader survivorship care across Florida, while securing additional funding for larger-scale trials.

The Feasibility of the Physical Activity and Connectivity for Testicular Cancer Survivors (PACT) program is supported by a grant from the Florida Department of Health Cancer Innovation Fund grant number 25C33.聽

Florida is turning to UCF experts to find better ways to prevent domestic violence and give survivors a stronger voice in the services they need.

Through a $257,384聽two-year grant聽from the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence,聽faculty from聽UCF 麻豆精品 S檚聽Violence Against Women聽research cluster聽are聽conducting聽a聽statewide聽domestic violence needs assessment.聽Their findings will聽help policymakers and local agencies聽develop better strategies to fund and support聽domestic violence prevention聽programs聽that聽empower survivors.

麻豆精品 S淭he collective goal of our work is to give people聽working in these programs and people using these services聽a voice, 麻豆精品 S澛爏ays聽Bethany聽Backes,聽associate professor of social work at聽, who leads the Violence Against Women cluster and is the project 麻豆精品 S檚 principal investigator. 麻豆精品 S淗aving research that practitioners can understand and interpret in a way that 麻豆精品 S檚 helpful is important to us. “What we’re creating now is hopefully something that can be used for years to come.”

The World 麻豆精品 S檚 Women

Violence against women is a global issue. According to UN Women, nearly one in three women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. In 2024, around 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members.

麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e looking at criminal justice, sociology, health, and so much more that altogether could create solutions beyond any one discipline. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Kim Anderson, Professor of Social Work

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 faculty cluster 麻豆精品 S� working across the disciplines of education, social work, criminal justice, sociology and medicine 麻豆精品 S� was created a decade ago to change these outcomes. 麻豆精品 S淲e know how complex this social problem is, 麻豆精品 S� says Kim Anderson, a professor of social work and cluster member. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e looking at criminal justice, sociology, health, and so much more that altogether could create solutions beyond any one discipline. 麻豆精品 S�

Informing Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Strategy

The聽researchers聽have already聽identified聽some key聽needs for the state to聽examine.

麻豆精品 S淔or example,聽we 麻豆精品 S檙e seeing people facing abuse who are having to spend more on food or other necessities as聽they navigate shifts in funding for certain assistance programs, 麻豆精品 S澛燘ackes聽says.聽 麻豆精品 S淲hat we 麻豆精品 S檙e also seeing is the effect of population booms, and how rapid growth and rapid decline in some areas聽affects聽the need for services. 麻豆精品 S�

The researchers are analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Florida 麻豆精品 S檚 Departments of Law Enforcement and Children and Families and are surveying organizations that provide domestic violence services. They are interviewing survivors who sought services and those who didn 麻豆精品 S檛 to understand access to care and risk factors.

Creating聽opportunities where more people feel聽comfortable sharing their聽domestic violence聽experiences is聽cluster聽member聽Karina Villalba 麻豆精品 S檚聽expertise.

麻豆精品 S淢y focus is on intimate partner violence, specifically within the Hispanic community, 麻豆精品 S� says Villalba, an assistant professor in the聽 麻豆精品 S檚 Population Health Sciences Division.聽 麻豆精品 S淭here聽are聽certain beliefs, like the concept of聽 麻豆精品 S榤achismo 麻豆精品 S�,聽that聽may give聽an avenue for some men to pursue this kind of violence.聽Because it can be part of the cultural acceptance, it might not even be seen as violence聽by the survivors. 麻豆精品 S�

She hopes efforts to聽prevent domestic violence in the U.S.聽will have impact globally.

麻豆精品 S淵ou 麻豆精品 S檙e seeing a ripple effect in countries聽in Latin America where people are becoming more aware, 麻豆精品 S� Villalba聽says.聽 麻豆精品 S淚t helps us keep pushing forward with our work so we cannot just be a beacon here in Florida and the United States, but to show the world what we can do. 麻豆精品 S�

Keys to Preventing Violence

Preventing domestic violence means聽identifying聽early warning signs and behaviors and聽providing services to lower the risk of continuing violence, Backes聽says.

Domestic violence is 麻豆精品 S渘ot always聽physical聽and it 麻豆精品 S檚 not just seeing someone with a black eye, 麻豆精品 S澛爏he聽says.聽 麻豆精品 S淧hysical violence can happen after there 麻豆精品 S檚聽been psychological abuse such as coercion, controlling, isolation or stalking. 麻豆精品 S�

Cluster member聽Alison Cares,聽associate professor of sociology at聽, says聽preventing domestic abuse involves changing misconceptions.

麻豆精品 S淭here 麻豆精品 S檚聽this expectation of how abusers or survivors look.聽It 麻豆精品 S檚聽easy to think the people doing this聽abuse聽look like monsters, 麻豆精品 S� she聽says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut the reality is these are people we know. They can be friends or family members or people we work with. 麻豆精品 S�

The researchers say they are encouraged by the resilience of the survivors and service providers they have met.

麻豆精品 S淲e聽see incredible聽bravery聽of聽people who talk to聽a support person, 麻豆精品 S澛燗nderson聽says. 麻豆精品 S淲e 麻豆精品 S檙e hoping that information we get from this assessment can elevate the voices of staff and survivors. 麻豆精品 S�

Our students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations, including Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President 麻豆精品 S檚 Leadership Council. The honorees include transfer students, those from first-generation and international backgrounds and members of the Burnett Honors College.

Aside from focusing on academics and campus causes, many of the student honorees volunteered at hospitals, schools, parks, food banks, shelters, clinics, youth clubs and with many community service organizations 麻豆精品 S� at times as organizers and coordinators for support drives and campaigns.

麻豆精品 S淲hen you look at this group, you see trajectory. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs

麻豆精品 S淭he students we recognize at our Founders 麻豆精品 S� Day Student Honors Celebration are extraordinary not just for what they 麻豆精品 S檝e achieved, but for how they 麻豆精品 S檝e shaped their time at UCF. They 麻豆精品 S檝e pursued opportunities, challenged themselves and lifted others along the way, 麻豆精品 S� says John Buckwalter, UCF’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. 麻豆精品 S淲hen you look at this group, you see trajectory 麻豆精品 S� students whose experiences here are opening doors in meaningful ways and changing the direction of their futures, the trajectories of their families and the communities they inhabit. 麻豆精品 S�

Student award categories highlight new inductees of the Order of Pegasus, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 highest student honor; graduate awards for outstanding master 麻豆精品 S檚 thesis and outstanding dissertation; undergraduate awards for honors thesis; and individual college awardees as chosen by the respective college deans. All honorees earned financial awards.

This year 麻豆精品 S檚 37 inductees into the Order of Pegasus mark the 25^th anniversary class of top-achieving Knights. The average GPA of the 2026 class is 3.912.

The campus community is invited to attend the Student Honors Celebration on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union 麻豆精品 S檚 Pegasus Ballroom. A brief reception will follow.

Here are the students to be recognized.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

• Fatima Alziyad, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Andy Ayup, College of Sciences
• Megan Bailey, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Stacie Becker 麻豆精品 S�23, College of Arts and Humanities
• Akash Hari Bharath 麻豆精品 S�25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Swati Bhargava 麻豆精品 S�25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
• Sanjana Bhatt, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Griffon Binkowski 麻豆精品 S�24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Nico Chen, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Kyle Coutray, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
• Allyson Crighton, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
• Nyauni Crowelle-Feggins, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Cameron Cummins, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Andrew 麻豆精品 S淒rew 麻豆精品 S� Hansen 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Andrea Hernandez Gomez, College of Sciences
• Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
• Sanjan Kumar 麻豆精品 S�23, College of Medicine
• Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Meera Lakshmanan, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
• Hannah Lovejoy, College of Business
• Taiel Lucile, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
• Robin Marquez, College of Sciences
• Shanel Moya Aguero, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
• Gabrielle 麻豆精品 S淕abby 麻豆精品 S� Murison, College of Sciences
• Varun Nannuri, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Natalie Otero, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
• Om Pathak, College of Medicine, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
• Pritha Sarkar 麻豆精品 S�24, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Jacob Vierling, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Janapriya Vijayakumar, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Ornella Vintimilla, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
• Om Vishanagra, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders 麻豆精品 S� Award

• Liam Pivnichny, Burnett Honors College
• Antonella Bisbal Hernandez, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jordan Nell, College of Business
• Jude Hagan, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Timothy Horanic, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Sun Latt, College of Medicine
• Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
• Jacob Silver, College of Optics and Photonics
• Emily Willis, College of Sciences
• Fabian Rodriguez Gomez, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

• Edwin Garcia 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Arts and Humanities, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Arts, Humanities and Creative Inquiry
• Eric Haseman 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Sciences, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Social Sciences
• Shreya Pawar 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Natural Sciences
• Andrea Molero Perez 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Medicine, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Health Sciences
• Nicholas Rose 麻豆精品 S�25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Engineering and Technology

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

• Jessica Moon 麻豆精品 S�25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Michael Pierro 麻豆精品 S�20 麻豆精品 S�23MS 麻豆精品 S�25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

The prestigious recognition is awarded to scholars who have made outstanding contributions to advance practice, education, research and policy in a healthcare profession and who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to interprofessional practice.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 inductees and their respective academies are: Mindi Anderson (Nursing), Morris Beato (Physical Therapy), Susan Dyess (Nursing), David Eddins (Audiology), Julie Feuerstein (Speech-Language Pathology), Kristine Gauthier (Nursing), Valerie Martinez (Nursing), Jacqueline Towson (Speech-Language Pathology), and Asli Yalim (Social Work).

The awardees were inducted during the National Academies of Practice Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on March 14.

College of Nursing Fellows

Mindi Anderson

Mindi Anderson, interim associate dean of academic affairs and professor at the College of Nursing, is one of the world 麻豆精品 S檚 leading experts in healthcare simulation. Her research, which has established best practices in healthcare simulation education, includes developing and evaluating simulation experiences to prepare healthcare students for clinical practice. She is also part of an interdisciplinary team at UCF whose research has contributed to multiple patents to advance simulation and training.

Susan Dyess

With over 30 years of academic, clinical, and administrative experience, Professor Susan Dyess is a nationally recognized leader in interprofessional education, curricular design and holistic nursing. An expert in aging, vulnerable populations and quality, safety and patient outcomes, she has played a pivotal role in advancing interprofessional learning through institutional councils, statewide initiatives and community-based partnerships. Previously, she held senior academic leadership positions that strengthened cross-disciplinary education and fostered student success through innovative models.

Kristine Gauthier

Kristine Gauthier, assistant dean for clinical affairs in the College of Nursing, is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner who collaborates on interdisciplinary teams to improve health outcomes for underserved pediatric populations. Her collaboration extends into academic settings with curriculum development and research to address childhood health and wellness. In addition to her UCF appointment, Gauthier leads a national center on child health and safety where she collaborates to develop resources, metrics, policies and research.

Valerie Martinez

As a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, Valerie Martinez collaborates across disciplines as a researcher and educator to improve health outcomes for children and families. In her role as director of the advanced practice in UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 doctor of nursing practice program, Martinez has designed courses and simulations to prepare future nurse practitioners to collaborate effectively across health professions. Her research seeks to generate evidence to improve care across healthcare professions.

College of Health Professions and Sciences Fellows

Morris 麻豆精品 S淩ick 麻豆精品 S� Beato

Morris 麻豆精品 S淩ick 麻豆精品 S� Beato, a clinical associate professor in the , has extensive experience in multidisciplinary clinical settings, including the UCF Huntington 麻豆精品 S檚 Clinic. He educates physical therapy students in IPE competencies and has received multiple national and state awards for teaching and professional service. His scholarly contributions include multiple collaborations in neurology and geriatrics. He is the director of the UCF and Orlando Health Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program.

David Eddins

Professor David Eddins is a nationally recognized certified clinical audiologist in the . Eddins is the founding director of the Communication Technologies Research Center at UCF, an interdisciplinary center that focuses on hearing technologies, simulation, auditory neuroscience, voice and aerodigestive systems, and simulation and virtualization. His contributions to the interprofessional community include extensive research, mentoring and editorial service focused on improving diagnostics and treatment in hearing, speech and voice.

Julie Feuerstein

Assistant Professor Julie Feuerstein is a speech-language pathologist, educator and clinical researcher who leads interdisciplinary initiatives uniting professionals in speech-language pathology, physical therapy and assistive technology. Her research and service in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders are centered around improving systems of care for young children with complex communication needs. Feuerstein 麻豆精品 S檚 expertise spans early intervention, augmentative and alternative communication, and implementation science.

Jacqueline Towson

Jacqueline Towson is a speech-language pathologist and associate professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders committed to improve outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families. Towson has published and presented extensively on her research focusing on dialogic reading, early language and literacy and training. She has led multiple large-scale interdisciplinary projects, designed to deliver statewide training to ensure the use of evidence-based practices in serving children with high-intensity needs.

Asli Yalim

Associate Professor Asli Yalim has served as the School of Social Work 麻豆精品 S檚 Interprofessional Education Research Liaison since 2024. She develops and leads IPE activities that integrate wellness content into her coursework, creating experimental learning opportunities that foster collaboration across different professions. Yalim has collaborated on several funded projects, including an interprofessional, evidence-based virtual program to prevent burnout, suicide and mental health conditions among healthcare workers.

Additionally, six UCF faculty members from the Colleges of Health Professions and Sciences and Nursing were elected as new professional members. Membership is extended to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and dedication to interprofessional healthcare.

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new professional members and their respective academies are: Frances Armstrong (Nursing), Jonathan Decker (Nursing), William Hanney (Physical Therapy), Ilana Logvinov (Nursing), Ayse Malatyali (Nursing), and Shari Norte (Athletic Training).

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 new distinguished fellows join 17 previously inducted faculty, 11 from the College of Health Professions and Sciences and six

This year, UCF honored 84 faculty members during the fifth biennial Faculty Authors 麻豆精品 S� Celebration, held Feb. 17 in the Solarium Room at the John C. Hitt Library on the university 麻豆精品 S檚 main campus. The event celebrates faculty whose published books 麻豆精品 S� from novels and poetry to textbooks and manuals 麻豆精品 S� contribute to scholarly excellence and creativity in their respective fields.

The event, which is sponsored by the聽Office of Research听补苍诲听, drew many guests, including Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs John Buckwalter and Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld.

Professor of English and Director of Graduate Programs Anastasia Salter delivered the keynote address. Salter is the author or co-author of 10 books on digital culture and electronic literature, including most recently Undertale: Can a Game Give Hope, which invites readers to rethink their relationship with gaming and game characters.

2026 Faculty Author Honorees

• Yara Asi 麻豆精品 S�07MA 麻豆精品 S�15PhD, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Jonathan Annand,
• Greg Autry, College of Business Administration
• William Ayers, College of Arts and Humanities
• James Bacchus, College of Sciences
• Morris Beato, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• James Beckman, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Martha Brenckle, College of Arts and Humanities
• Andrea Borowczak 麻豆精品 S�92, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Wayne Bowen, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sarah Bush, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Jessica Campbell 麻豆精品 S�12MA 麻豆精品 S�20PhD, College of Arts and Humanities
• Shannon Carter, College of Sciences
• Robert Cassanello, College of Arts and Humanities
• Necati Catbas, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Thomas Cavanagh 麻豆精品 S�06PhD, Center for Distributed Learning
• Karl Chai, College of Medicine
• Baiyun Chen 麻豆精品 S�07PhD, Center for Distributed Learning
• Amy Cicchino, College of Arts and Humanities
• Brian Collins,
• Ilenia Col贸n Mendoza, College of Arts and Humanities
• Joshua Colwell, College of Sciences
• Aimee Denoyelles 麻豆精品 S�00, Center for Distributed Learning
• Taseen Desin, College of Medicine
• Ahmad Elshennawy, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Katia Ferdowsi, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Julie Feuerstein, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Scot French, College of Arts and Humanities
• Martha Garcia 麻豆精品 S�97 麻豆精品 S�00MA, College of Arts and Humanities
• Amrita Ghosh, College of Arts and Humanities
• Carolyn Glasshoff 麻豆精品 S�11MA 麻豆精品 S�21PhD, College of Arts and Humanities
• Donita Grissom 麻豆精品 S�14PhD, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Gulsah Hancerliogullari Koksalmis, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Kenneth Hanson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Duncan Hardy, College of Arts and Humanities
• David Head, College of Arts and Humanities
• Bari Hoffman 麻豆精品 S�96 麻豆精品 S�98MA, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Emily Johnson 麻豆精品 S�15PhD, College of Arts and Humanities
• Naim Kapucu, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Lauren Kehoe,
• Haidar Khezri, College of Arts and Humanities
• Nolan Kline, College of Medicine
• Alla Kourova, College of Arts and Humanities
• Lanlan Kuang, College of Arts and Humanities
• David Lerner Schwartz, College of Arts and Humanities
• Hsiu-fen Lin, College of Health Professions and Sciences
• Robert Littlefield, College of Sciences
• Ty Matejowsky, College of Sciences
• Stephen Masyada, College of Sciences
• Jonathan Matusitz, College of Sciences
• Kevin Meehan, College of Arts and Humanities
• Lisa Nalbone, College of Arts and Humanities
• Hakan 脰zo臒lu, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jason Phillips, UCF Libraries
• Laurie Pinkert, College of Arts and Humanities
• Ghaith Rabadi 麻豆精品 S�96MSIE 麻豆精品 S�99PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Luis Rabelo, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Sherry Rankins-Robertson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jorge Ridderstaat, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Lee Ross, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Mary Rubin 麻豆精品 S�12 麻豆精品 S�19MA, UCF Libraries
• Houman Sadri, College of Sciences
• Anastasia Salter, College of Arts and Humanities
• Scott Carter, College of Sciences
• Melina Sherman, College of Sciences
• Marwan Simaan, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Christopher Spinale 麻豆精品 S�04MEd 麻豆精品 S�24PhD, College of Sciences
• Mel Stanfill, College of Arts and Humanities
• Sandra Sousa, College of Arts and Humanities
• Bulent Soykan, Institute for Simulation and Training
• Sidney Turner, College of Arts and Humanities
• Jennie Wagner, College of Nursing
• Linda Walters, College of Sciences
• Chung Ching (Morgan) Wang, College of Sciences
• Keri Watson, College of Arts and Humanities
• Taylar Wenzel 麻豆精品 S�11EdD, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Amanda Wilkerson 麻豆精品 S�16EdD, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Florence Williams, Center for Distributed Learning
• Andrew Williams Jr., College of Community Innovation and Education
• Ross Wolf 麻豆精品 S�88 麻豆精品 S�91MPA 麻豆精品 S�98EdD, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Sharon Woodill, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Kuppalapalle Vajravelu, College of Sciences
• Jill Viglione, College of Community Innovation and Education
• Staci Zavattaro, College of Community Innovation and Education

The IPA is a universal system that uses symbols to represent speech sounds. It 麻豆精品 S檚 a foundational skill for speech-language pathologists (SLP) who use the IPA to track and target a client 麻豆精品 S檚 articulation of speech sounds during speech therapy.

麻豆精品 S淚 was really excited to try this because I feel like you can see everything that we’ve built up to and everything that I’ve been teaching throughout the course, 麻豆精品 S� Leeming says. 麻豆精品 S淭his is even more real world for students to be able to read somebody else’s transcription and figure out what a client said and how they said it. 麻豆精品 S�

Held in the Blended Learning Interactive Simulation Suite (BLISS), students had 20 minutes to use the suite 麻豆精品 S檚 three touchscreen, interactive walls to solve a series of clues written in IPA that led students to complete tasks and locate specific items around the 麻豆精品 S渞oom 麻豆精品 S� to look for a way to escape. Students moved through the exercise in groups of five or six, testing their phonetic skills as well as encouraging communication and collaboration.

麻豆精品 S淭his could easily be a class where you just make it about memorization, and a teacher could say 麻豆精品 S楬ere 麻豆精品 S檚 symbols you have to memorize for a test, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� says student Carrie Miles.聽 麻豆精品 S淭his was a really great way to take all the things that we learned throughout the year and apply them to actual language and actual conversation, because when we get to the real world, we 麻豆精品 S檙e not going to be memorizing something off a piece of paper. We 麻豆精品 S檙e going to have to be listening and reading transcriptions and applying the things that we know about phonetics that way. 麻豆精品 S�

More than 120 undergraduate communication sciences and disorders students moved through the escape room, earning their final exam grade. Leeming says that the feedback and engagement from student participants was exactly what she hoped for; they found it digestible, challenging and less nerve-racking than a normal final exam.

麻豆精品 S淚ncorporating this simulation technology brought a completely new perspective to teaching and testing. … It enhanced engagement and reinforced learning in a creative, fast-paced way. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Erin Leeming, lecturer

麻豆精品 S淭hey like being able to see that they 麻豆精品 S檝e learned something and that they 麻豆精品 S檙e able to use it in a different way than they might in the classroom, 麻豆精品 S� Leeming says. 麻豆精品 S淚ncorporating this simulation technology brought a completely new perspective to teaching and testing. The field of communication sciences and disorders relies on collaboration and problem-solving, so instead of a traditional test, this gave students the opportunity to apply their skills in an interactive environment. It enhanced engagement and reinforced learning in a creative, fast-paced way. 麻豆精品 S�

BLISS, the immersive simulation suite, has added a new dimension to healthcare education and clinical training possibilities for the college. The space has been used extensively for teaching and learning, with scenarios ranging from physical therapy students experiencing fragile infants in a simulated NICU, to , to communication sciences and disorders students .

The interactive phonetics escape room is part of a broader continuum of technology-driven simulations developed within the Rehabilitation Innovation Center to model real-world complexity and support the development of workforce ready healthcare professionals.

麻豆精品 S淧oetry gives us permission to feel without judgment, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎nd when we share those feelings out loud, we remember that we 麻豆精品 S檙e not alone. 麻豆精品 S�

As a mental health therapist at Heart Bonds Counseling, working toward becoming a licensed social worker, Gaither has built her life around helping people find their voice. Whether she 麻豆精品 S檚 guiding veterans through trauma, leading poetry workshops for youth or performing for packed audiences, her message is the same: words can transform pain into power.

麻豆精品 S淧oetry gives us a place to put pain, 麻豆精品 S� says Gaither, who earned a master’s in social work from UCF. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 an accessible way to approach emotions that feel too threatening to face directly. 麻豆精品 S�

A Call for Change

Before she ever found the courage to share her poetry publicly, Gaither was navigating a season of change. Seven years ago, she and her husband moved to Orlando with their infant daughter, drawn by opportunity and the promise of new beginnings. Gaither had worked in the nonprofit sector for several years but felt called to something deeper 麻豆精品 S� something that could merge advocacy, creativity and care.

When the pandemic arrived, that call grew louder.

麻豆精品 S淚 realized I couldn 麻豆精品 S檛 keep waiting for the perfect time to go back to school, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭he world was changing 麻豆精品 S� and so was I. 麻豆精品 S�

She applied to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 social work program in the College of Health Professions and Sciences, drawn by its emphasis on evidence-based practice and serving others. The program offered her flexibility to balance graduate studies with motherhood and work, and it challenged her to explore the intersections between mental health, identity and storytelling.

A Transformative Journey

During her field placement at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gaither worked closely with veterans processing trauma and loss. There, she saw the power of creative expression in action.

麻豆精品 S淲hen we create a metaphor for something painful, we give ourselves a little space from it 麻豆精品 S� enough to begin understanding, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淎 veteran once described grief as 麻豆精品 S榤y neighbor. 麻豆精品 S� That line stuck with me. It gave him language for something that felt impossible to name. 麻豆精品 S�

Camara Gaither 麻豆精品 S�23MSW now uses her training to lead workshops that help trauma survivors, caregivers and young people reclaim their narratives.

That moment became a turning point. Gaither began studying poetry therapy, a clinical practice that uses creative writing to foster emotional healing. She later trained through the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy and now facilitates workshops that help trauma survivors, caregivers and young people reclaim their narratives.

麻豆精品 S淧eople who have been silenced in different ways often rediscover their agency through language, 麻豆精品 S� Gaither says. 麻豆精品 S淧oetry becomes a form of resistance and restoration. 麻豆精品 S�

Her dual background in art and social work allows her to see poetry as both medicine and a mirror. In her therapeutic work, she encourages clients to explore their experiences through metaphor and rhythm. In her performances, she models that same courage, voicing joy, grief and transformation in equal measure.

麻豆精品 S淭he holes in our lives 麻豆精品 S� the losses, the wounds 麻豆精品 S� they can be filled with good things, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭hat 麻豆精品 S檚 what poetry has done for me. 麻豆精品 S�

Gaither 麻豆精品 S檚 own journey with spoken word began as an undergraduate student in Tampa, where she first encountered the art form that would later shape her identity. She had been writing poetry since childhood, but the first time she experienced the spoken word genre was pivotal to her journey as a poet.

麻豆精品 S淚t was the first time I saw poetry embodied, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淭he way performers used not only words, but also vocal cadence and physicality to tell a story 麻豆精品 S� it all expanded what I believed poetry could be. I remember thinking, 麻豆精品 S業 want to do that. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S�

After graduation, she continued writing and performing, eventually becoming a fixture in Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 poetry community. Her work, known for its emotional depth and precise rhythm, explores themes of identity, mental health and faith. She has performed at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and at events across Central Florida, earning recognition as one of the region 麻豆精品 S檚 most resonant and thoughtful voices.

Strengthening Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 Community

In 2025, the City of Orlando named Gaither its third poet laureate 麻豆精品 S� and the third consecutive UCF alumni to hold the title ( and Shawn Welcome 麻豆精品 S�17 麻豆精品 S�25MA in 2021. In this role, Gaither will use poetry to connect communities, celebrate culture and promote literacy across the city. She plans to create youth workshops, write commissioned works for civic events, and lead Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 Words and Wonders poetry contest, where winning poems are displayed at the Orlando International Airport.

麻豆精品 S淏eing poet laureate isn 麻豆精品 S檛 just about performing, it 麻豆精品 S檚 about service 麻豆精品 S� showing people that poetry belongs to everyone. 麻豆精品 S�

Despite the growing spotlight, Gaither remains grounded in her purpose as both a clinician and an artist. She continues to work in mental health, blending her clinical training with creative approaches to trauma recovery. She says she believes that healing often begins with expression 麻豆精品 S� with finding a way to say what has long gone unsaid.

麻豆精品 S淲hen someone writes, I 麻豆精品 S檓 angry, that 麻豆精品 S檚 a start, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淏ut when they write, my anger is a storm that doesn 麻豆精品 S檛 know where to land, suddenly, we have something to hold and understand. That 麻豆精品 S檚 the power of poetry. 麻豆精品 S�

For Gaither, every poem is an act of courage and an invitation to connection. It 麻豆精品 S檚 a truth she carries from her UCF days to every stage she stands on: that the human voice, when used with honesty and empathy, can help others heal.

The clinic also serves as a mobile classroom, preparing UCF healthcare students in programs including medicine, nursing, physical therapy and speech-language pathology with hands-on experience delivering community-based care.

The clinic is the first interdisciplinary clinical care program offered by UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Academic Health Sciences Center (AHSC). The center unites UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 colleges of Health Professions and Sciences, Medicine and Nursing to create more interprofessional health education, research and patient care efforts.

麻豆精品 S淭his new mobile health clinic is expanding access to healthcare in our community, 麻豆精品 S� says Deborah German, who as vice president for health affairs leads the AHSC and serves as College of Medicine dean. 麻豆精品 S淥ur goal is simple and powerful 麻豆精品 S� when healthcare providers work together, the patient receives better care. 麻豆精品 S�

The clinic is focused on low income, uninsured and underinsured populations in Orange and Osceola counties, helping patients who face transportation, mobility or financial barriers that restrict their access to healthcare.

Services include screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and hearing, along with chronic disease monitoring, fall-risk assessments, medication reviews, audiology services and health education.

With two private exam rooms, diagnostic equipment, and point-of-care testing capabilities, the clinic is aiming to reduce preventable conditions and improve long-term health for the Central Florida region.

麻豆精品 S淭he UCF Health Mobile Health Clinic is designed to complement the incredible work being done by community health centers, federally qualified health centers and charitable clinics across Central Florida, 麻豆精品 S� says Caridad Hernandez, chair of medical education at the College of Medicine, who has worked for years to make the mobile clinic a reality. 麻豆精品 S淥ur goal is to fill gaps and meet people where they are, working hand in hand with these organizations to amplify resources and create a seamless continuum of care. 麻豆精品 S�

Training Future Health Leaders

UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 Academic Health Sciences Center is made up of healthcare providers, faculty, researchers, staff and students committed to improving healthcare. It is focused on educating the next generation of healthcare leaders and finding better ways to treat disease through innovation, discovery and collaboration.

The mobile clinic serves as a classroom on wheels that provides future UCF physicians, nurses, audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and others with the opportunity to learn in real-world settings, side by side, as part of interprofessional teams.

麻豆精品 S淭hese experiences prepare graduates who are not only clinically skilled but know how to work and communicate better in healthcare teams. 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� Caridad Hernandez, chair of medical education at the College of Medicine

麻豆精品 S淭hey will see firsthand how life and social circumstances impact health and care, and how collaboration strengthens outcomes, 麻豆精品 S� Hernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淭hese experiences prepare graduates who are not only clinically skilled but know how to work and communicate better in healthcare teams. That training stays with them when they go into clinics and hospitals to care for us all. 麻豆精品 S�

Mimi Alliance 麻豆精品 S�22 is a family nurse practitioner doctoral student at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Nursing who is providing care on the mobile health unit and conducting doctoral research on hearing screenings for seniors.

麻豆精品 S淯CF 麻豆精品 S檚 mobile health clinic is an incredible and innovative tool that will allow us, as a group of providers, the ability to care for patients by serving them where they are, 麻豆精品 S� she says. 麻豆精品 S淯ltimately, this is going to improve the health of our communities. 麻豆精品 S�

Addressing a Community Need

The mobile clinic serves Florida residents who are uninsured or underinsured with income levels at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Nearly 15% of both Orange and Osceola County residents are not insured, regardless of income level. In addition, 27% of Floridians say they do not have a personal physician.

Since March, almost 500 patients have visited the clinic for blood pressure checks, hearing screenings and point-of-care testing for blood sugar levels and cholesterol. It has provided care at Four Roots Farm, Kinneret Council on Aging, Grace Medical Home, the Central Florida Fairgrounds and four Central Florida YMCA locations. UCF has also reached an agreement with Osceola County to provide care at community centers in the future.

Thanks to a grant from the Florida Department of Health, the clinic is working to improve care for the community 麻豆精品 S檚 diabetic patients with limited access to care.

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic. In Florida, at least 2.17 million adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 550,000 more are unaware they have it. The state 麻豆精品 S檚 diabetes rate is higher than the national average and it is getting worse 麻豆精品 S� an additional 6 million adults in Florida have prediabetes.

麻豆精品 S淢any of our neighbors with diabetes have no access to healthcare. That leads to premature death, blindness, loss of limbs and kidney failure, 麻豆精品 S� Hernandez says. 麻豆精品 S淭hrough the FDOH grant, we can help provide these patients with needed care. We screen patients for diabetes, can provide prescriptions at no cost, and offer education on diet changes that will help them manage their disease. 麻豆精品 S�

As one recent patient at Kinneret Council on Aging explains, 麻豆精品 S淯CF helped me know what kind of food and protein I can eat to help my blood sugar not get too high or too low. Thank you so much. You are helping. 麻豆精品 S�

The clinic also started a diabetic foot program after one of the Kinneret patients said she and other diabetics lacked mobility and eyesight to regularly check their feet for ulcers or blisters. Diabetes increases a patient 麻豆精品 S檚 risk for foot ulcers that can lead to amputation. Thanks to the foot program, UCF College of Nursing faculty and students are providing hands-on education and preventive screenings to patients, who also received their own telescoping mirrors to do regular foot checks at home.

Providing Needed Audiology Care

One of the clinic 麻豆精品 S檚 major health services is hearing health and the prevention of hearing loss.

麻豆精品 S淭his is not just a 麻豆精品 S榥ice to have 麻豆精品 S� screening, 麻豆精品 S� says Bari Hoffman 麻豆精品 S�96 麻豆精品 S�98MA, associate dean for clinical affairs at UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 College of Health Professions and Sciences and a certified speech pathologist who has helped lead the mobile clinic effort. 麻豆精品 S淗earing loss is linked to diabetes, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic conditions, balance, cognition and overall health. When we catch hearing loss early, we can intervene before it affects someone 麻豆精品 S檚 safety, memory, their social connections, or their long-term health trajectory. 麻豆精品 S�

Thanks to a gift from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, UCF purchased diagnostic hearing equipment to provide clinical-grade hearing assessments in the community. And though a collaboration with Central Florida Hearing Aid Recycling Programs, the mobile clinic can help connect patients with reprogrammed, refurbished hearing aids at no cost.

麻豆精品 S淭his is such a meaningful addition, 麻豆精品 S� Hoffman says. 麻豆精品 S淚dentifying hearing loss is important, but ensuring people have access to hearing aids is what truly changes lives. 麻豆精品 S�

The mobile unit is also supported by the Community Fund of our teaching hospital 麻豆精品 S� UCF Lake Nona Hospital and our partners HCA Florida Healthcare and The Jules B. Chapman MD and Annie Lou Chapman Private Foundation.

Stephanie Garris is CEO of Orlando 麻豆精品 S檚 Grace Medical Home, which provides high-quality, continuous care to some of Orange County 麻豆精品 S檚 more than 160,000 uninsured residents. Grace patients have received audiology care from the UCF mobile clinic.

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Expanding Efforts

Mobile clinic leaders are eager to expand services and work with additional community organizations.

Plans also include expanding the mobile clinic into an innovation hub to pilot and evaluate emerging aging-in-place and digital health technologies and integrate new diagnostic and disease prevention tools.

UCF research faculty also want to use the vehicle 麻豆精品 S檚 services to study better ways to advance health accessibility and chronic disease management. Educators from the AHSC 麻豆精品 S檚 three colleges also plan to grow interdisciplinary student training across areas including audiology, nursing, medicine, physical therapy and speech language pathology.

Community organizations wishing to partner with the mobile health clinic can contact anna.cisneros@ucf.edu.