Elected leaders joined founding donors to celebrate the pavilion鈥檚 opening on 鲍颁贵鈥檚 at Lake Nona. They gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the pavilion, which will help to address Florida鈥檚 critical nursing shortage. Fittingly for Florida鈥檚 Premier Engineering and Technology University, the pavilion also features the latest in immersive modeling and simulation technologies.

“This facility will help strengthen Florida鈥檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier.” 鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is a powerful example of what is possible when vision, community and partnership come together. Built with the generous support of state leaders, donors and health care champions, this facility will help strengthen Florida鈥檚 nursing talent pipeline in ways that make communities across our state healthier,鈥� says 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭ogether, we are fueling hands-on learning, enabling new research and discovery, and preparing generations of Knight Nurses who will have a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.鈥�

With the opening, 麻豆原创 will increase access to its accredited and nationally ranked nursing degree programs and graduate an additional 150 newly licensed nurses annually. These graduates will have a direct impact on the state. Of the 17,000 Knight nurse alumni, 85% live and work in Florida, and nearly 60% remain in Central Florida.

Located next to the College of Medicine and in Lake Nona鈥檚 Medical City, a nationally recognized hub of healthcare innovation, the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will bolster interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare providers to thrive in the workforce and deploy cutting-edge research to solve the industry鈥檚 greatest challenges and ensure a healthier future for all.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson played a vital role as Senate President in securing about $43 million in state funding for the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, as well as additional funding for state university and state college nursing initiatives throughout Florida.

鈥淲e worked very hard to secure the funding,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen you think about state-of the-art nursing, when you think about doubling the capacity of nursing, this couldn鈥檛 come at a better time. Florida is growing 400,000 people a year still. We鈥檙e going to continue to grow.鈥�

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the state continues to invest in key academic programs that set an example nationwide,鈥� says State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. 鈥淭he new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at the 麻豆原创 is no exception 鈥� by providing innovative educational opportunities for nursing students now, Florida is ensuring a promising future of skilled nurses that will care for our communities.鈥�

The Power of Partnerships

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, which came to fruition through $43 million from the State of Florida and over $29 million from private donors, will directly impact the community that created it and will be a longstanding symbol of what can be achieved through the power of community partnerships 鈥� unleashing potential for generations to come.

鈥淲e are honored to be part of this transformative moment for Central Florida,鈥� says Kenneth Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Inc. and the Dr. Phillips Foundation. 鈥淭his investment will help address the nursing shortage, strengthen our healthcare system, and expand access to exceptional education and career opportunities. By supporting this project, we鈥檙e helping to graduate more Knight nurses who will make a lasting impact. We鈥檙e proud to stand with 麻豆原创 and our community partners to shape a healthier, brighter future.鈥�

Founding donors of the facility also include the Helene Fuld Health Trust; 麻豆原创 Pegasus Partners AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children鈥檚 Health and Addition Financial; Zaby and Suree Vyas; and many others.

鈥淭oday we are witnessing the power of partnerships,鈥� says Professor Emerita Mary Lou Sole, who, as the previous College of Nursing dean, led the efforts to advocate and raise funds for the new building. 鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is the result of the collective efforts of 麻豆原创 and this community to come together to solve one of our greatest healthcare challenges. We are incredibly grateful for the support, which will have an immeasurable impact for generations to come.鈥�

Inside the Future of Nursing

Every aspect of the 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility was thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and student success and well-being.

鈥淭he Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion will serve as a catalyst for ensuring a brighter, healthier future,鈥� says new College of Nursing Dean Sharon Tucker. 鈥淚n this space, 麻豆原创 will strengthen and empower future nurses and nurse leaders to advance healthcare innovation and collaboration to improve evidence-based patient care and outcomes.鈥�

On the second and third floors is a hub of healthcare innovation, the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center. 麻豆原创 is Florida鈥檚 first simulation center to earn three international accolades in the field and the new, expanded space will build upon its global leadership to innovate healthcare education using the latest immersive technologies to prepare nurses for practice as compassionate, skilled providers.

The second floor also features the Dr. Colleen Conway Welch Virtual Reality Learning Studio, a makerspace design studio to accelerate nurse-led innovations, a home health apartment to meet growing demand for home-based healthcare, and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation Healthy Aging Research Lab for interdisciplinary research and innovations led by renowned aging expert Ladda Thiamwong.

Upon entering the pavilion, students, faculty, staff and visitors are greeted with the inspiring 鈥溾�� public art commissioned by Florida鈥檚 Art in State Building program. The first floor also includes three large high-tech learning studios, the Zaby and Suree Vyas Collaboration Concourse, the Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation Study Cafe and a student success suite.

The opening comes a little over a year and a half after the groundbreaking in January 2024. 麻豆原创 built the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in conjunction with HuntonBrady Architects, Ayers Saint Gross and DPR Construction.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Industry Partners Highlight Transformational Impact

AdventHealth

鈥淎t AdventHealth, we鈥檝e seen firsthand the extraordinary caliber of nurses who graduate from 麻豆原创. They bring clinical excellence, compassion and an unwavering commitment to their patients 鈥� values that perfectly align with our mission to provide whole-person care. As the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow, we鈥檙e happy to support this exciting new chapter for the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing. And as a 麻豆原创 alum, I鈥檓 excited to welcome even more outstanding Knight nurses to AdventHealth.鈥�

-Cathy Stankiewicz, (MSN鈥�11), chief nursing officer, Central Florida Division

Helene Fuld Health Trust

鈥淭he Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center at 麻豆原创 exemplifies our mission to support the education of nursing students. Simulation is a critical component [of] nursing education and will continue to be in the future, and we鈥檙e proud to make this investment to strengthen nursing skills and improve the welfare of our communities.鈥�

-Robert Campbell, vice president of Trust & Fiduciary Services at HSBC, who oversees the trust

Nemours Children鈥檚 Health

鈥淕rowing and solidifying the nursing workforce is critical to care delivery across the healthcare sector. Through our longtime relationship with the 麻豆原创 College of Nursing, we have seen firsthand the benefits of hiring their well-trained, work-ready graduates. The new nursing pavilion will be a tremendous asset in our continued collaboration, partnership, and investment to support the education, development, and maturation of emerging nurses.鈥�

-Nicole Johnson, (DNP鈥�17), senior vice president and chief nursing and patient operations officer 聽

Orlando Health

鈥淚t is an honor and privilege to be associated with 麻豆原创, and we are thankful for our partnership with the university, nursing professors, and students.鈥�

-David Strong, president and CEO

Fueling a Talent Pipeline

Nursing programs across the nation are turning away qualified applicants due to a shortage of doctorally prepared faculty. The shortage is caused by an aging workforce that is expected to worsen with one-third of faculty projected to retire this year.

With a nursing Ph.D., Ojo will help fill a vital role in the future of the profession as a faculty member and already has two job offers in progress.

Through opportunities at 麻豆原创, Ojo is prepared for her next role. As a doctoral student, Ojo gained valuable experience working as a teaching assistant to support graduate students鈥� research and working as a graduate teaching associate to educate undergraduate students.

鈥淚 have a strong desire to perform effectively as a member of nursing faculty and a nurse researcher who will mentor nursing students, support innovation, and undertake research challenges to improve the nursing workforce,鈥� says Ojo.

Improving Health Outcomes

Her research focus on fall prevention among older adults was inspired from her scholarly project in the nurse executive doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Nursing.

鈥淓ven though I obtained a DNP, I believe I could make more of an impact by obtaining a Ph.D. in nursing,鈥� she says.

It is estimated 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. age 65 or older experience a fall annually, making it the leading cause of injuries among that growing population.

鈥淚 believe that falls are preventable and there is a need to determine a fall prevention program that is feasible to nursing staff since they are critical to its successful delivery and the achievement of its outcomes,鈥� says Ojo.

At 麻豆原创, Ojo was able to grow her skills as a researcher as part of an interdisciplinary team led by healthy aging expert Ladda Thiamwong. She also had the opportunity to present her research at conferences across the U.S. and abroad, and has six publications in peer-reviewed journals with more in progress.

Her Ph.D. dissertation on 鈥淭he Moderating Effect of Objectively Measured Physical Activity in the Association of Cognitive Function With Fear of Falling and the Experience of Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults鈥� was honored with an award from the Aging/Gerontology Research Interest Group of the Southern Nursing Research Society.

鈥淚 always aspired to achieve the highest educational degree to engage in inquiry, discovery and development of innovation to make the world a better place,鈥� says Ojo.

She is among 47 experts from across the U.S. named to the 2025 class for outstanding contributions to the field. The newest fellows will be formally recognized during the organization鈥檚 2025 annual scientific meeting in mid-November in Boston.

For more than 20 years, Thiamwong has dedicated her clinical practice and research on promoting healthy aging and preventing falls 鈥� the second leading cause of unintentional injuries and deaths worldwide.

Her research findings have been presented at more than 100 national and international conferences and published in more than 100 peer-reviewed journals. She has been awarded more than $7 million in funding to date.

In her native Thailand she developed the healthy aging instrument to assess processes involved in healthy aging. The instrument is available in seven languages and used in nine research institutions around the world.

She is currently leading an interdisciplinary team of experts at 麻豆原创 to develop a technology- and community-based approach to fall prevention. The innovative intervention is being piloted through a $2.3 million grant and partnership with the City of Orlando.

At 麻豆原创, where she鈥檚 been on faculty since 2016, Thiamwong leads a healthy aging lab, which seeks to empower older adults to cultivate their capacity to cope with challenges.

Thiamwong has also been honored as a fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and National Academies of Practice and recognized as a Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.

In addition to her faculty appointment, Thiamwong shares her expertise as an appointed member of the City of Orlando Mayor鈥檚 Committee on Livability and Healthy Aging and a section editor for Aging Matters in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services.

Induction recognizes accomplished nurse leaders who have made significant contributions to advance and impact public health. The 2025 class of fellows is the largest in the academy鈥檚 history, representing 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries.

Koszalinski and Parchment will be inducted on Oct. 18 during the academy鈥檚 annual Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. They will join more than 3,200 fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, including 10 at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Nursing.

Rebecca Koszalinski

, an associate professor who joined 麻豆原创 last year, is currently leading a team of researchers on phase two of a longitudinal study examining health outcomes of exposure to harmful algal bloom toxins in Florida and its impact on social engagement of older adults. The research not only seeks to recognize patient symptoms and develop actionable nursing interventions, but also address policy challenges to improve health and the environment.

Her impact also includes patient-led solutions and the development and use of technological innovations to improve the health of older adults. She developed SFM-V (Speak for Myself – Voice), an app that helps users with disabilities easily communicate with providers in acute-care settings by indicating pain level and specific needs. The app was released for free during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is still available for free download today and used by several healthcare systems around the world.

Koszalinski is a founding member and fellow of the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, &Leaders, a fellow of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, and a 2025 cohort member of the Environmental Health Research Institute for Nurse and Clinical Scientists, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Joy Parchment 鈥�15笔丑顿

, an sssistant professor, joined 麻豆原创 in 2020 after previously holding various leadership positions at Orlando Health, including corporate director of nursing strategy implementation.

Her impact as a nurse leader extends nationally through her service in professional organizations and scholarly activities. She currently holds appointments on the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on Magnet, the academic practice advisory committee of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, as well as the research committee of the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing.

As a researcher, Parchment focuses on professional nursing practice and nursing leadership science. Her published work on defining role-based factors perpetuating nurse manager workplace bullying has been cited 45 times in national and international publications.

Most recently she led the development of an evidence-based electronic manual for interim nurse managers. The publication has been downloaded more than 170 times to-date and was recognized by the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing as an innovative solution for mitigating the nurse manager workforce crisis and developing other front-line nurse leaders.

With Mother鈥檚 Day nearing, the achievement and memorable moment will be even more special for the family, who calls Apopka, Florida, home.

Stacie pursued the online master鈥檚 degree in nurse leadership and management at 麻豆原创 at the same time that her twin daughters Hannah and Elizabeth were in the bachelor鈥檚 in nursing (BSN) program on the Orlando campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚聽everything I want to celebrate as a mom,鈥� says Stacie Scarborough 鈥�13, who recently accepted a position as manager of nursing professional development at AdventHealth Orlando. 鈥淓very parent dreams of seeing their聽children grow into happy and functional adults that have succeeded in flying on their own. They have done this and more.鈥�

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be prouder to see them walk that stage and join them in doing so,鈥� Stacie adds. 鈥淪haring the same path right now is amazing.鈥�

鈥淚 never thought that, after being so inspired by my mom鈥檚 nursing career, I鈥檇 not only graduate from the same nursing program as she did, but also do it right beside her,鈥� Elizabeth Scarborough says. 鈥淚 am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and I will cherish this moment forever.鈥�

Elizabeth鈥檚 twin sister, Hannah, shares the same pride and gratitude, making the family鈥檚 dual-generation graduation a truly unforgettable moment.

鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 made our 麻豆原创 legacy much more impactful,鈥� Hannah says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to go to same school as your parents, but it鈥檚 another to experience that school with them.鈥�

Supporting One Another

Since the family calls Central Florida home, all three have lived together while pursuing their degrees.

鈥淚magine three stressed-out students in nursing school living together. We all owe my husband, and their dad, a debt of gratitude,鈥� Stacie says with a laugh.

鈥淲e also had a lot of great opportunities to share each other鈥檚 worries while building each other up and supporting one another,鈥� Stacie says. 鈥淚t is an experience that I will never forget and consider it to be an amazing gift.鈥�

In addition to their clinicals and classes, both Hannah and Elizabeth who are Bright Futures scholars have worked as nurse techs while in their final year of the traditional BSN program.

鈥淚 am thankful for this position as it taught me a lot about patient care,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淚 learned how important it is to take the time to make patients feel truly seen and heard, while also tending to their most basic needs.鈥�

For Elizabeth, her favorite part of the program is the 鈥渢hings the rest of the world does not always get a chance to see,鈥� she says.

鈥淔or instance, on the very first day of my OB (obstetrics) clinical rotation, I was able to assist in a live birth,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淲atching a baby come into the world, and seeing the parents鈥� instant love and affection for that little baby, was such a moving and emotional experience that I could never forget.鈥�

鈥淭hroughout these past two years my mom has been a major support system and encouragement, while my twin sister has been my best friend and favorite study partner,鈥� Elizabeth says.

It is those memories, both with her family and friends in the cohort, that Hannah says she will cherish the most from her time at 麻豆原创.

鈥淣ursing school has become more of a wonderfully unique experience to me than simply a career path,鈥� Hannah says.

Moms, and Nurses, Inspire

Hannah鈥檚 and Elizabeth鈥檚 decision to pursue nursing was inspired by their mom and fellow Knight nurse.

鈥淲atching my mom go through nursing school when I was very young was very impactful for me,鈥� Elizabeth says. 鈥淚 remember hearing all of her nursing stories, how the job could be fun, challenging and meaningful at the same time, and it sounded like such a rewarding career to step into.鈥�

Stacie began her nursing career at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) as a nurse resident in the orthopedic institute on the Orlando campus. She then became a nurse educator on the Apopka campus and part of the opening team as it transitioned to a new building.

She next joined the system team as a simulation facilitator for two years. While in this role, she says she longed to be back in the clinical environment, which led her to become an educator supporting the float pool team on the Orlando campus, where she was the assistant nurse manager of professional development for the cardiac progressive care unit. With her graduate degree, Stacie is able to make another transition in her career.

鈥淲atching my mom balance her nursing career with a family was the main point of inspiration for me,鈥� Hannah adds. 鈥淲ith nursing, she was able to be available for either weekdays or weekends, allowing our family plenty of opportunities to make fun memories as well as just do normal life together.鈥�

Finding Opportunity at 麻豆原创

The family鈥檚 legacy at 麻豆原创 began two generations before them. Stacie鈥檚 grandmother, Mary Kline, graduated from 麻豆原创 with a business degree when Stacie was a new mom in her 20s.

That was the beginning of a legacy. Stacie followed in her footsteps and went back to school at 麻豆原创 at age 35 and a mom to four children.

鈥淚 truly understood what a blessing it was to have this opportunity,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was very proud of being able to finally complete my education,聽provide for some of our financial needs and doing so at my hometown university.鈥�

The four are not the only 麻豆原创 graduates in the family. Stacie鈥檚 eldest daughter, Jesse, Hannah鈥檚 and Elizabeth鈥檚 sister, also is an alumna. She graduated from 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Education in 2015 and is currently pursuing her master鈥檚 degree at 麻豆原创.

鈥淭hey each spoke highly of the culture and environment at 麻豆原创,鈥� says Elizabeth. 鈥淚t made me want to be a part of the 麻豆原创 community too.鈥�

Hannah also chose 麻豆原创 for the family legacy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 local, affordable, and accessible with many academic options. However, the fact that my family had gone before me was a primary reason for me to go,鈥� says Hannah.

These newest 麻豆原创 graduates, and three Knight nurses, will no doubt continue to shine bright and show their Central Florida community the strength of Black & Gold.

After graduation, Elizabeths plan to continue to follow in her mom鈥檚 footsteps and apply to AdventHealth. Hannah will continue working as a nurse tech until she accepts a nursing position in the area.

鈥溌槎乖� represents opportunity, elevation, pride and family to me,鈥� Stacie says. 鈥淚 am just so grateful for a hometown university that made so many dreams possible for me and my family. It is truly an honor to be a Knight alumnus and to welcome my two baby girls聽(sorry, Hannah and Ellie, you will always be my babies) into this club.鈥�

An educator for more than two decades, Anderson was an early pioneer in adopting healthcare simulation in academic settings and today is one of the foremost experts in the field. She was among the world鈥檚 first 20 healthcare simulation educators to earn advanced certification seven years ago.

Anderson鈥檚 research has been widely published and presented nationally and internationally, and has helped shape nursing education and establish best practices in healthcare simulation. Her research includes using simulation in preparing students for nursing practice and in interprofessional education, virtual and game-based simulation, and new simulation technologies.

In addition to her accomplishments and research, Anderson鈥檚 鈥済rowing national and international reputation as an independent investigator and major contributor in advancing the field of healthcare simulation鈥� was a determining factor for the award, says Robert Armstrong, president of the society.

Anderson, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified pediatric nurse practitioner 鈥� primary care, has been at 麻豆原创 since 2015. She earned her BSN at Texas Christian University, her master鈥檚 at University of Texas at Arlington, and her doctorate at Texas Woman鈥檚 University.

She holds two patents on advances in simulation and training, is associate editor of Simulation & Gaming, a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and is on the board of directors of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, which honored her with an Excellence in Academia Award in 2018.

鈥淗er work is not limited to academic research and aspects of the simulation experience 鈥� but the care of vulnerable populations such as children, her clinical specialization.鈥�

鈥淪everal national studies have used her collaborative work,鈥� says Assistant Professor Frank Guido-Sanz in a letter of recommendation to the society. 鈥淗er work is not limited to academic research and aspects of the simulation experience 鈥� but the care of vulnerable populations such as children, her clinical specialization.鈥�

In addition to her impact on nursing education and training, Anderson is influencing future generations of simulation researchers and leaders as a mentor.

鈥淒r. Anderson has the unique ability to mentor learners from varying levels of expertise and inspire them to achieve higher goals,鈥� says senior lecturer Erica Hoyt.

Anderson says she鈥檚 been fortunate to have worked with the best coworkers and students at 麻豆原创 and beyond.

鈥淚 am inspired daily from my colleagues and students and their commitment to advancing nursing and patient safety,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am particularly humbled by this award as the nominators were faculty colleagues and mentees. For 麻豆原创, I believe this highlights the innovative programs and solutions we have to offer and have developed.鈥�

Anderson last week also was honored by Faculty Excellence as one of 31 women faculty members for their impact on students and the campus community. The award was part of the campus鈥� annual Women鈥檚 History Month observance.

One of the latest examples is sewing homemade face masks for first responders and medical personnel who are having trouble getting them because they are in short supply.

Chris Dantes, a grants specialist in the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Office of Research, is one of the people who has taken up the effort.

鈥淚 was reading about medical health professionals who are running out of protection for themselves, and that touched me because they are sacrificing their own health by taking care of others in need,鈥� Dantes says. 鈥淭hey need to protect themselves.鈥�

Dantes, who has been sewing for over 15 years and has worked at 麻豆原创 for 26 years, has a personal connection to the medical profession.

鈥淢y mom is a retired nurse, but she never encountered anything like this,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 have family in the medical profession as well.鈥�

The face masks she sews are 100 percent cotton and come from her ample stash of fabric.

And while the homemade masks are not adequate protection for healthcare providers, they may help bridge the gap until the more effective masks for blocking coronavirus particles, N95 respirators and surgical masks, become available again, says Annette Bourgault, an assistant professor in 鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Nursing.

鈥淟ike the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, only use homemade masks if commercially manufactured masks are unavailable,鈥� Bourgault says. 鈥�Healthcare providers should work with their administration to obtain commercially manufactured masks.鈥�

鈥淭here is no comparison in the effectiveness of cotton masks to N95 masks,鈥� she says. 鈥淣95 masks are the gold standard for airborne precautions, and a properly fitted N95 mask may block 95 to 99 percent of aerosol particles.鈥�

For masks sewn at home, Bourgault says studies have shown that transmission of particles is affected by the type of material and the seal of the mask around the mouth and nose.

鈥淏efore you start sewing, make sure that you have evidence to back up your choice of fabric and mask pattern,鈥� she says.

Nevertheless, Bourgault says homemade masks may help alleviate anxiety for healthcare providers and give mask makers a sense of purpose in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

That need to help is one of the driving factors for Dantes.

鈥淎t times like these, I like to help,鈥� Dantes says. 鈥淎nd if we鈥檙e running out of something, then I want to at least be able to contribute a little bit.鈥�

So far, Dantes has made 15 masks. She says she has an ample supply of fabric; however, the one thing she does not have plenty of is more of the elastic that forms the band that holds the mask in place.

鈥淭he quarter-inch elastic is out of stock everywhere,鈥� Dantes says. 鈥淚 think every person who knows how to sew is probably making these.鈥�

However, Dantes says she may make more with straps that tie instead of using elastic.

Dantes plans to donate the masks to medical professionals through her network of friends. She has already given five to a friend who is a traveling nurse and 10 to a local healthcare facility.

鈥淚 have seen masks selling for $5 on social media,鈥� Dantes says. 鈥淚 understand people have a need, but for me personally, I plan not to charge. I see a need and I want to help. We are all in this together.鈥�

Today, there are a growing number of adults who do not have children for various reasons, but are productive members of society. Even so, they often seem to be deliberately or unconsciously judged by others.

The objectification and scrutiny that some women are unfortunately subjected to can be unsettling for them. I鈥檝e observed the way some childless adults are portrayed by society seems to be a reflection of how women are sometimes seen in general, measured against long-standing and insensitive ideology. The long-held conditioning that suggests girls should grow up to marry, bear children and raise families is something that often is carried into adulthood. And for those who don鈥檛 follow that path, I think society tends to use this ideal to perpetuate disparaging views of those women.

I still detect there is some subconscious energy focused toward how much we define a woman鈥檚 life and worth based on her maternal 鈥� and often marital 鈥� status.

Although society鈥檚 views seem to be becoming more progressive, with an increasing number of childless adults, I still detect there is some subconscious energy focused toward how much we define a woman鈥檚 life and worth based on her maternal 鈥� and often marital 鈥� status.

Most people never give a thought before spouting unsolicited and often insensitive comments such as 鈥淲hat are you waiting for?!鈥� or even more demeaning, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 wrong with you?鈥� 鈥� questions that point to the absurd belief that a woman is somehow incomplete, unhappy or unsuccessful if she is without children or not married.

Of all the amazing personal attributes and accomplishments women possess 鈥� cultured, athletic prowess, scholarship, humor 鈥� it鈥檚 disheartening to think that women are every so often perceived as less of a woman if they are not mothers. Yet those who so hastily attach labels rarely ponder circumstances that may have led to a woman鈥檚 status. Yes, some women (and couples) are childless by choice but oftentimes the reasons may be physiological or spiritual or because of traumatic experiences.

As a friend confided: 鈥淲hen asking the No. 1 question, 鈥淒o you have kids?鈥� I consider the story behind their answer before my reply. I never wish for my response to imply judgment or pity for their existence or their choices. As I am a 鈥榗omplete鈥� woman, so are they, and we are so much more than just vessels for children no matter how a woman鈥檚 story is written and whether they made the choice or the choice was made for them to be without child.鈥�

All women should be revered as complete 鈥� with or without children, married or not. Despite how the choice was made whether to be a parent, women get to decide what they want and don鈥檛 want for their lives. We should not feel like second-class citizens for those decisions. We should know that when we make those decisions we should make them for girls and young women that look to us as an example.

It is our responsibility to inspire future generations to create their own narrative without concern of society鈥檚 outdated views of what is normal and acceptable in our culture.

Syretta Spears is assistant director of the 麻豆原创 Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing. She can be reached at Syretta.Spears@ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on 麻豆原创 Today and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.

I set the stage for success鈥攂alanced meals, gym memberships, etc.鈥攐nly to end up miserably falling from the back of the wagon, but for a long time never fully understanding why.

Sugar鈥攁nd more sneakily hidden sugar鈥攚as a key cause of my past downfalls. Discovering this little devil in the details and how it affects my body has helped me break the desire for sugar and change my health status to be the healthiest version of me I can be.

It鈥檚 often difficult for me to fathom, but there are some people who rarely crave or feel a great need for sugar.

While refined sugars give us initial bliss and keep us wanting more, we seldom realize this sugar-monster is slowly robbing us of our health.

Decades ago Americans generally consumed less sugar and extremely smaller portions overall. Today, sugar consumption is at an all-time high and I must admit I鈥檓 in that number of guilty consumers. On most occasions the sugar-laden drinks and foods that we consume contain minimal nutritional value and are easily available. These days you can find sugar in fast foods, highly processed (pre-packaged) foods, and even in foods deemed health foods. We should all be able to see that our sugar intake is not beneficial to our wallets or waistlines.

Whether you realize it, sugar has been one of society鈥檚 biggest controversies, from the foundation of slave labor for profit and growth of the sugar industry, organizations banning soft drinks, schools removing it from lunch menus, and health care professionals advising consumers to reduce consumption or totally purge sugar from daily nutritional habits.

From first-hand experiences, it would seem that people would simply make lifestyle changes and eat better to prevent health problems. In my journey for better health, I initially discovered that most things I tried were only temporarily successful before falling off the wagon and ending up right back on that sugar train鈥攂ut never really understanding how someone could fail so miserably.

To keep us unknowingly hitched to the sugar train, more sugar in the form of sweeteners and fruit juices are refined and incorporated into our foods and drinks for better taste. While refined sugars give us initial bliss and keep us wanting more, we seldom realize this sugar-monster is slowly robbing us of our health.

Sugar jeopardizes our health by contributing to the development of conditions such as high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

From my personal struggles, I鈥檝e learned that sugar alone is not always the sole culprit. Increased sugar intake increases excess calories, excess calories increase our waistlines and our exposure to developing other health problems grows. The cycle is vicious and constantly repeats itself, creating the dangerous nature sugar has on our lives.

Not everyone believes that sugar is necessarily a factor in the expansion of our waistlines and the health crisis. But even as people are becoming more health conscious and it would seem that individually sugar consumption is on the decline, our waistlines are stilling expanding.聽 As I worked through my own personal battle, I discovered that 鈥渉idden鈥� sugar (known as high fructose corn syrup) is the likely suspect responsible for continuing health dilemmas.

This and other hidden sugars are also linked to heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and as studies consistently show, women are at least twice as likely to die from these diseases as men. Yet again, there is some debate whether hidden sugar really causes the diseases or if the main cause is our excessive calorie consumption, with sugar as just one piece of the puzzle.

I would be remiss in not mentioning the addictive nature of sugar. Science tells us that sugar affects the brain in the same way that cocaine use affects the brain, producing cravings and habit-forming behavior that can be detrimental to our daily way of life.

So, while sugar may seem like heaven to our taste buds, we need to recognize the concerns that sugar places upon our quality of life, keeping us on a merry-go-round of uncontrollable urges and nutritionally bad choices.

Syretta Spears is assistant director of the 麻豆原创 Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling Center in the College of Nursing. She can be reached at Syretta.Spears@ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on 麻豆原创 Today and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.

鈥淣ot in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like me being called 鈥榓 stroke survivor.鈥欌��
鈥� Former 麻豆原创 offensive lineman Ray Forsythe

Two months earlier, the former 麻豆原创 offensive lineman, who played for the Knights from 1993-94, had suffered a major stroke at the age of 41 despite being, as he says, 鈥渋n the best shape of my life.鈥� A lengthy stay in rehab had finally allowed him to return home a day before Easter, and he was eager to get on with his daily life 鈥� which meant on Sunday he鈥檇 prepare dinner.

That鈥檚 when the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Forsythe, whose hands once manhandled massive defenders, realized he could no longer handle a knife. Every time he attempted to carve the turkey, the knife fell to the floor.

Forsythe, who majored in what is now called interdisciplinary studies at 麻豆原创, walked out of the kitchen, away from his wife and six children. He sat in the bedroom wondering what more he鈥檇 have to do to be an active dad, a breadwinning husband, to simply be himself again.

鈥淣ot in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone like me being called 鈥榓 stroke survivor,鈥� 鈥� Forsythe says.

Thousands of people who have yet to hit midlife are wrestling with those same thoughts. While the vast majority of strokes in the United States occur in people age 65 and older, according to a study in JAMA Neurology, from 2003 to 2012, there was an increase of more than 30,000 patients hospitalized for strokes in people younger than 65 鈥� accounting for an increase of roughly 30 percent. A number of factors can explain a portion of the increase, including population growth and changes to how diagnoses are classified, but the fact remains that people are having 鈥� and surviving 鈥� strokes younger than ever before.

And while certain factors can come into play, such as lifestyle, pollution, genetics and better diagnoses, there is no real profile of a stroke victim. It happens to toddlers and teenagers. To athletes and artists. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. For Forsythe, it happened at the mall with his family.

鈥淚鈥檇 been cautious about the foods I ate,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was going to the gym every day, spending time on the treadmill. As big as I am, my body fat was only 10 percent. The idea that I鈥檇 have a stroke 鈥� it鈥檚 almost five years later and it still doesn鈥檛 sound right.鈥�

鈥淚 refuse to be stagnant, even with the lack of resources available for young stroke survivors,鈥� Forsythe says.

Forsythe admits he鈥檚 blessed just to wake up each day and say: 鈥淕ood morning.鈥� His wife, Doreen, is a nurse and made sure he received immediate care following the stroke, including the two months at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville. But then he lost his job. The family had to sell their cars and downsize their home. His wife had to figure out how to get Forsythe to therapy, the kids to their activities, and herself to work.

All the things you never think about because it can鈥檛 happen to someone like me.

鈥淚 have one speed now 鈥� slow,鈥� Forsythe says, referring to his speech as well as to the legs that once ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.7 seconds. 鈥淏ut I refuse to be stagnant, even with the lack of resources available for young stroke survivors.鈥�

And so he has become an expert, not so much on why he had a stroke when he did, but on recovery. He started a support group. He attends seminars. He listens to stories from young stroke survivors trying to raise families and hold jobs, such as fellow Knight Rachel Groves 鈥�05 鈥�10MS.

鈥淪omeone Like Me鈥�

Groves, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 in nursing from 麻豆原创, remembers everything about June 3, 2016. First, the tingly fingers. Then the pop in her ear, followed by ringing. When she started losing her vision, her 4-year-old son called 911 for help. He would later say, 鈥淢ommy looked like a fish flopping out of water.鈥�

According to study in Neurology, young stroke survivors face physical, emotional and financial challenges uncommon to stroke survivors who are past retirement age.

A nurse herself, Groves knew she was having a stroke. But at the age of 32? With two young children?

鈥淚 thought, 鈥楾his cannot be happening to someone like me.鈥� 鈥�

When paramedics arrived, Groves tried telling them exactly what was going on, but her speech had become so slurred they were convinced she鈥檇 been drinking. It would be the first of many frustrations. 鈥淵ou want so badly to get on with life, pursue your goals, and be productive for the people around you. But …鈥�

You start to speak, but stop because the words are trapped between the brain and the mouth. You want to move from here to there, but it takes three times longer than it should. You鈥檙e willing to do whatever it takes to recover, but find nothing but brick walls and maybe a wheelchair.

According to study in Neurology, young stroke survivors face physical, emotional and financial challenges uncommon to stroke survivors who are past retirement age. Not only is diagnosis often more challenging, but once patients receive an accurate diagnosis, survivors and their families often face significant financial difficulties due to extended leaves from work or the inability to return to the work force at all during what should be their most productive years. That speaks nothing to the cost of paying for medical bills, fighting for continued rehabilitation services, or finding and paying for childcare.

鈥淭here shouldn鈥檛 be so many obstacles for someone who simply wants to be productive,鈥� says Groves. 鈥淪itting in a chair all day is not the answer.鈥�

Just as daunting as the physical limitations is a system based on old assumptions rather than realities. In short, it鈥檚 set up for older stroke survivors, not young ones.

Forsythe and Groves connected after hearing each other鈥檚 stories at a stroke awareness event in 2018.

鈥淭he first few weeks after a stroke are crucial to restoring basic functions, but insurance companies heavily regulate therapy. Fortunately, my husband and I fought hard enough to get what I needed. But what about stroke survivors who don鈥檛? What do their lives become?鈥�
鈥� Rachel Groves 鈥�05 鈥�10MS

鈥淪trokes create a chemical imbalance and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder,鈥� says Forsythe. 鈥淏ut neurological care isn鈥檛 typically allowed as part of recovery. And what about disability forms? They鈥檙e difficult to fill out, especially for someone recovering from brain trauma. Then there鈥檚 the challenge of transportation because your spouse needs to work.

鈥淢y battles on the football field are not even close to what I鈥檝e been through as a stroke survivor. I don鈥檛 want to sit at home and simply say I survived a stroke. That doesn鈥檛 do anyone any good.鈥�

Groves similarly didn鈥檛 want to feel sidelined.

鈥淲hen I left the hospital, they were going to send me home with a walker, and left me to figure out my own logistics for rehab,鈥� she says. 鈥淎t the time, I had the functional abilities of a toddler. I said, 鈥楴o. I need to perform my daily activities and be a mom. Then I need to return to work if we鈥檙e going to pay the bills.鈥� I needed intense rehab, but we continually ran into resistance.

鈥淭he first few weeks after a stroke are crucial to restoring basic functions, but insurance companies heavily regulate therapy. Fortunately, my husband and I fought hard enough to get what I needed. But what about stroke survivors who don鈥檛? What do their lives become?鈥�

A shared frustration 鈥� and determination 鈥� is exactly why Forsythe and Groves decided to take their own initiative and launch Young Empowered Stroke Survivors (YESS) Foundation. They鈥檙e forming support groups, recruiting volunteers and raising funds.

In the meantime, Forsythe and Groves continue their own recoveries.

Groves can now kick a soccer ball around the backyard with her kids. But she also has a constant headache and occasional bouts with vertigo. Like Forsythe, her mental fatigue can be so severe it actually hurts.

Forsythe can now hold a knife well enough to cut vegetables, though maybe not a turkey. He walks without assistance 鈥� unless he鈥檚 at his son Stone鈥檚 football games at the University of Florida where he needs someone to push him in a wheelchair.

If you couldn鈥檛 tell already, Groves and Forsythe are driven. It鈥檚 why they鈥檝e been able to relearn motor skills and speech. But both say they鈥檇 never be where they are today if they hadn鈥檛 learned to do something entirely new to them: Ask for help.

Through YESS, it鈥檚 a lesson that could benefit thousands of young stroke survivors just like them.