Outstanding Students and Alumni

Athletic Trainer

Tom Hines

B.S., Health Sciences-Athletic Training Track ('05), ATC, LAT*
*Professional certifications (ATC: Certified athletic trainer; LAT: Licensed athletic trainer)

As a certified athletic trainer at a CORA rehabilitation clinic in Orlando, Tom Hines works closely with referring physicians — as well as parents, coaches, athletic trainers at schools and employers — to help injured athletes and workers in physically strenuous jobs return to their prior level of performance. Following his assessment of a patient, Hines develops and implements a therapy plan, which may include sports-specific exercises, bracing and taping, joint and soft-tissue mobilization, position-movement training, and electrical stimulation.

"There's nothing more satisfying than working with the physically active population to get them back to a competitive level." — Tom Hines

---

Erin Cash, the student chosen as the 2006 Athletic Training Outstanding Student, distinguished herself from peers with her great determination, which will serve her well as she progresses in her career in athletic training. The athletic training program is incredibly demanding, and students must commit a great deal of time and energy to their study, in both classroom and clinical areas. Erin earned over a 3.6 grade point average, participated as a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, and gained recognition on the Dean's List. Erin's success in academics is only part of what makes her stand out among her peers.

Erin served as president of the Student Athletic Trainers' Organization (SATO) and has demonstrated unprecedented dedication to her role. One of her many achievements as president was the organization of a relief-drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to her leadership of SATO, Erin worked as an American Health Association basic life support instructor and volunteered to provide medical assistance for a number of events, including the Villages Gridiron Classic and Disney Marathon.

During her tenure at UCF, Erin interned with Boone High School athletics, UCF football, and UCF women's basketball. The time commitment of working with Division 1 athletics was substantial, as Erin worked both home and away games, and she attended doctor's appointments and surgeries. Erin was chosen to work with UCF athletic teams because she displayed amazing initiative and a strong work ethic as a junior in the AT program. After graduating from UCF, Erin went on to graduate study at Virginia Tech, which is the next step in what is sure to prove a successful academic and professional career for Erin.

YouTube interview with AT graduate:
Athletic Trainer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFF5jn87ZNo

---

Respiratory Therapist

Jaime Magnetico

B.S., Cardiopulmonary Sciences ('05), CRT*
*Professional certification (CRT: Certified respiratory therapist)

Jaime Magnetico is a respiratory therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando. She helps critically ill infants with respiratory distress breathe with the assistance of ventilation devices and medical gas delivery systems. She also works closely with physicians to wean infants from assisted ventilation devices and with nurses to monitor vital signs and suction airway passages. The hospital's NICU respiratory care manager, Kathy Mahanke ('83), began her career as a respiratory therapist with Orlando Regional Healthcare System in 1983. She now oversees 65 respiratory therapists working different shifts, providing specialized care around the clock.

"It's very rewarding to help babies go home, knowing you were part of making it happen." — Jaime Magnetico

---

Amanda Dear, chosen as the recipient of the 2006 Cardiopulmonary Sciences Outstanding Student Award, distinguished herself by excelling in both classroom and clinical settings. Amanda's performance illustrates she will become an outstanding clinician in the future.

Amanda's clinical preceptors noted her as an exceptionally talented student and were impressed with skill at clinical data interpretation, ventilator management, and bedside patient monitoring and evaluation. As part of her education, Amanda completed a clinical specialty rotation in neonatal care units, and she is employed as a staff respiratory therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Florida Hospital Orlando.

In addition to Amanda's success in the classroom and clinical settings, she also participated in extracurricular activities. She served as an officer of the UCF Student Respiratory Therapy Association. Amanda also took part in a number of community service activities that serve the Central Florida community.

YouTube interview with Cardiopulmonary Sciences graduate:
Respiratory Therapists: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDC8XbkubDQ

---

Physical Therapist

Karlyn Dauplaise

M.S., Physical Therapy ('06)*, PT**
*A Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) is now the entry-level degree offered at UCF. **Professional certification (PT: Licensed physical therapist)

Florida Hospital Orlando physical therapist Karlyn Dauplaise helps patients with disabling conditions resulting from accidents or debilitating illnesses. She works Monday thru Friday, from 8 to 5, as well as one weekend a month. On a typical day, she reviews her patients' medical records, assesses their motor function and pain, and develops appropriate treatment strategies. She says she is very hands on with therapy, using her whole body to help patients restore their strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, and overall fitness.

"I am so blessed to have the knowledge and skills to help people ... I give absolutely everything I can." — Karlyn Dauplaise

---

Scott Durfee, recipient of 2006 Physical Therapy Outstanding Student award, earned recognition for his exceptional academic and clinical performance. Before attending the University of Central Florida, Scott captained ocean-going vessels as a Merchant Marine officer and also earned licensure as a pilot with single and multiengine ratings. The leadership skills and intellectual excellence Scott cultivated during his diverse, real-world experience helped earn him acceptance into the PT program and later earned him the recognition of faculty members and his peers.

Scott's classmates elected him class president during his second year in the PT program, and the faculty considered him its go-to guy. In addition to his fine leadership skills, Scott excelled in clinical performance. Clinical instructors praised both Scott's knowledge and his caring, compassionate treatment of patients. Program Director Gerald Smith said, "If Scott has any personal deficiencies, they are hard to find, with the possible exception of his inordinate support of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Despite his appalling lack of taste in sports teams, on a personal level, it has been a pleasure for me to get to know Scott. Should the need ever arise, he is one of the first therapists I'd choose for my or my family's care."

With his diverse professional background and exemplary educational career, Scott has a lot going for him as he enters his career in physical therapy.

YouTube interview with Physical Therapy graduate:
Physical Therapist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY6cfkB1BvI

---

Kaysee Brinkley, chosen as the 2006 Phyllis Klock Award recipient for outstanding physical therapy student, earned the attention of the program faculty for her exceptional contributions to the program and the profession. Kaysee overcame a series of obstacles in her life—obstacles that would have held most others back. These struggles, and Kaysee's approach to them, strengthened her intellectually and morally, and she learned some hard lessons, which many have yet to master.

Paramount among the lessons Kaysee learned was forgiveness of those who have caused her pain or stood in the way of her pursuit of happiness. Having learned this lesson well, Kaysee is a woman who can be relied upon whenever the need should arise. In the physical therapy program, Kaysee consistently went out of her way to help faculty members and her fellow students. She participated in every event the program held and often distinguished herself as an indispensable, instrumental leader who helped bring the program's events to fruition.

The Klock Award differs from the program's outstanding student award in that the criterion for its recipient is exemplary service as opposed to clinical or academic excellence. Yet, in addition to her commendable service, Kaysee also achieved great success in the classroom and clinic. Of Kaysee, Program Director Gerry Smith said, "As an educator, I look for individuals like Kaysee—individuals who are committed, caring and compassionate. When I find them, I rejoice. They are people who, regardless of their backgrounds, succeed in life. I have no doubt that Kaysee will be a success in all areas of her life, and I look forward to following her career."

---

Radiographer

Darcie Nethery

B.S., Radiologic Sciences, ('83) RT(R)*
*Professional certification (RT(R): Registered radiologic technologist). Nethery also has a doctorate in educational administration.

Darcie Nethery is a radiographer and the education coordinator for the Halifax Medical Center Radiography Program in Daytona Beach, Fla. She says radiographers use a variety of imaging technologies, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography, to produce accurate images used by physicians and other health professionals to diagnose and treat injuries and disease. Some radiographers become specialists in an imaging technology; others specialize in areas such as radiation therapy. Those with a four-year degree in the field are well-positioned to advance into teaching, anagement, sales or registered radiologist assistant positions.

"The constant challenges and innovations make the role of the radiographer exciting and fun." — Darcie Nethery

---

Kelsi Bardwell, recipient of the 2006 Radiologic Science Outstanding Student award, has a long history of determination and academic excellence. Diagnosed at three years of age with a severe and profound hearing loss, Kelsi attended class for children with hearing impairment from preschool through first grade when Kelsi's parents chose to mainstream her into public school for second grade. Kelsi excelled, remaining in mainstream classes through the remainder of her public school career and graduating in the top one percent of her class at Madison Central High School.

At the University of Central Florida, Kelsi participated as a member of the Burnett Honors program, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and UCF's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During her sophomore year, she served on the fellowship's leadership board. In her spare time, she helped others through service by being part of Volunteer UCF.

Upon entering the radiologic sciences program, Kelsi continued to demonstrate academic excellence and her determination to succeed. Kelsi earned an overall GPA of 3.975 and a perfect 4.0 GPA in the major. She received almost perfect marks on all of her competency evaluations (averaging over 99 percent), and earned outstanding grades from clinical evaluators on her personal and professional attitudes as well. Kelsi's high level of academic excellence has earned her a number of awards, but perhaps the most significant benefit of her dedication to scholarship, leadership, and clinical experience will be her professional success as she puts the knowledge and expertise she has acquired to work.