FSARN 49th Annual Educational Conference

Aria Cross

Vice President Grateful Divers Worldwide

Aria Cross is the Vice President and a founding board member for Grateful Divers Worldwide, Inc. In this role she plans, leads, and oversees adaptive diving operations. Aria has over 19 years of extensive experience as a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Ship Captain with a current 200 Ton Rating. She has served in all levels of maritime leadership positions at South Florida Diving Headquarters (SFDH) in Pompano Beach, Florida. She has a 23-year career as a Professional Diver and Instructor. As an Adaptive SCUBA instructor, Aria has trained and certified individuals living with disabilities such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, MS, CP, vision impairment, TBI, amputees, autism, cognitive disabilities, and PTSD in SCUBA Diving. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Marine Engineering Management and Emergency Medical Technician from Broward College. Aria is an Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor and has completed certification as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer.

Joseph Dituri, PhD, CDR, USN (Retired), AKA "Dr. Deep Sea"

Assistant VP Veteran's Clinical Research, University of South FL

Commander Joseph Dituri is a retired Naval Officer and Ph.D. who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1985. He continuously served on various ships and shore stations where he was involved in hyperbaric system maintenance, saturation diving, rescue, and ship repair. In 1995 he was commissioned into the Special Operations Officer pipeline after earning his B.S. in Computer Science from University of South Carolina. After serving 3 diving tours in this community, he became the Engineering Duty Officer (diver). He then transferred to the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California where he earned his master's degree in Astronautical Engineering.

Alyssa Johnson, BSN, RN, CRRN

Charge Nurse Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Charge Nurse Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville, FL | February 2019 - Present Oversee daily operations in the Spinal Cord Injury unit and Pediatrics unit, including staff development, staff performance assessments, scheduling, and quality assurance. Participate in nursing committees, Rapid Response Team, and Behavioral Response Team. Additionally, acting as relief House Supervisor for the 171 bed hospital. Overseeing operations of all units in the facility and safeguarding strict policy adherence. Providing staff scheduling, and ensuring patient needs are addressed. Education: Bachelors of Science in Nursing Western Governors University Associates of Science in Nursing Iowa Lakes Community College Licensed in Practical Nursing Iowa Lakes Community College

Amy Jones, RN

RN Pediatrics at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital - Registered Nurse, Pediatric Jacksonville, FL 12/2020 - Current Education: Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA Associate of Applied Science: Nursing Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg VA Practical Nursing

Matthew Kaufman, MD, FACS

Advance Reconstructive Surgery Alliance

Education: July 2003- June 2005 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA July 1999- June 2003 Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY July 1998- June 1999 General Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY Sept. 1994- May 1998 Doctor of Medicine cum laude, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, Syracuse, NY Sept. 1990- May 1994 Bachelor of Arts with Honors, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY BOARD CERTIFICATION Jan. 2008 American Board of Plastic Surgery June 2004 American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Mary Kuncis, BSN, RN, CRRN

Staff Nurse Brooks Rehab Hospital

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, 1/2023- Present Spinal cord injury rehabilitation nurse, 4R staff nurse Embraces the Brooks mission and vision to provide quality care to the inpatient population. Passionate about patient care and education to prepare for discharge. Works as a team with colleagues (nurses and therapists) to provide best patient care. Received multiple compliments/ Star cards/ Daisy nominations from patients and family about the care provided, dedication and professionalism. Education: Chamberlain College of Nursing MSN-on hold University of Illinois at Chicago BSN Nursing Harold Washington College Associate in Arts

Tiffany LeCroy, MSN, RN, CRRN, FNP-C, ACNS-BC, FARN

Chief Nursing Officer at Shepherd Center

serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Shepherd Center, where she leads nursing operations with more than 30 years of experience in neurorehabilitation and clinical leadership. Since joining Shepherd Center in 1995, she has advanced through roles including staff nurse, clinical nurse expert, and program manager. Tiffany is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, and a Certified Rehabilitation Nurse. Tiffany is Nationally recognized for her contributions to rehabilitation nursing, serving on the Board of Directors for the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) and co-authoring chapters in The Specialty Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing: A Core Curriculum. She holds multiple board certifications and advanced degrees from Georgia State University & North College & State University reflecting her deep commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, patient centered care, and nursing excellence.

Orapin Lee, MSN, RN, CRRN, WCC

Nurse Manager Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Education: McCormick Faculty of Nursing Payap University, Thailand BS (Major: Nursing & Midwifery) Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital since 2008. Provide coaching to employees to improve quality and patient care initiatives. Ensure clinical staff competency in education and serve as resource to all unit staff members. Provide orientation and successful onboarding to new staff in collaboration with clinical educators. Evaluate staff performance in a timely manner in accordance with established criteria, set realistic goals and provide guidance for professional development. Assist in the allocation of resources such as supplies, staffing, and equipment. Maintain safe work environment. Ensure staff compliance with safety, fire, infection control, and sundry policies and procedures. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the healthcare team. Participating in Brooks Nursing Advanced Academy to enhance leadership skills. Communicate with physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to ensure patients receive needed care and treatment. Serve as a member of the hospital’s Nursing Leadership. Serve as a member of Interdisciplinary Shared Governance Research Council. Collaboration with Wolfson Children Hospital to improve outcomes for pediatric patients.

Ronica McFadden, LPN

Staff Nurse Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital since 2009 Education: Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate, Willingboro, NJ Restorative Nursing Assistant Certificate, La Mesa, CA Phlebotomy Training Certificate, San Diego, CA EKG Certificate, Pensacola, FL Licensed Practical Nurse, Jersey College, Jacksonville, FL Awards: West Florida Clinical Nurse Award, 2005 Florida Nurse Association Region Award, 2005 Outstanding Student Award, 2006 STAR Award (Employee of the Year), 2015 ART-IST Award, 2024

Kenny Menendez

Grateful Divers Worldwide

An avid diver for 25 years and an adaptive diver for the last 10, Kenny wants to live in a world where all people with disabilities can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving. As an equipment specialist and mentor, he enjoys creating and customizing assistive devices and gear for adaptive divers. As a Florida native, he’s always been connected to the water and became a NAUI Master Diver in 2004. He has been the head technician at Scuba World in Orlando for 17 years, servicing equipment from thousands of customers, and commonly overhauls equipment from other dive shops in the area. He enjoys staying current and up to date with the technical certifications from all of the major scuba manufacturers. Kenny is also the Vice President of the Greater Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Network (GOSCIN), which focuses on education, adaptive sports, social events, and advocacy for people living with spinal cord injuries. He specializes in connecting established wheelchair users in the community with those who have newer injuries to help them with their new normal, and enjoys coordinating multiple social events a year.

Ian Miller, DO

Medical Director Brain Injury Service at Memorial Healthcare System

Osteopathic Physician Medical License Physiatrist Education: Larkin Community Hospital – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Internship/Residency Miami, Florida Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Glendale, Arizona Arizona State University - Tempe, Arizona

Golda Parillon, BSN, RN, CRRN

Assistant Nurse Manager, Brooks Rehab

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital since 2012 and is currently the Assistant Nuse Manager of Spinal Cord Injury and Pediatrics. LPN from First coast Career College ASN from Fortis College BSN from Denver University MSN currently enrolled at Post University

Michael Rose, MD, FACS

Advance Reconstructive Surgery Alliance

Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Resident in Plastic Surgery, June 2000-2002. NYU Medical Center, New York, NY; Resident in General Surgery, June 1994 to 1999. Chief Resident and Executive Chief Resident 1999-2000. NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY; MD May, 1994. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY; BA May, 1990. Major: Biology-Chemistry. Honors: All-College Honors, Departmental Honors. Member: Periclean Honor Society. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2002-Present: Private Practice at The Plastic Surgery Center, Shrewsbury NJ 2014-Present: Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Yvette Salas, MSN, RN, CRRN

Infection preventionist and hospital educator at Encompass Health Miami

Yvette Salas, MSN, CRRN, an infection preventionist and hospital educator at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami, is one of two recipients of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) 2022 Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) Scholarship. The NIWI Scholarship is designed to educate and empower nurses to become directly involved with and influence policy at the local and national levels.

Leslie Schlang, BSN, RN, CRRN

Nurse Manager at Memorial Regional Hospital South

Nurse Manager at Memorial Rehab Institute. She is responsible leader in planning, directing, and managing a 32 bed Spinal Cord/Brain Injury/Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. Actively participated in planning and coordination of successful CARF Survey every three years since 2013, with disease specific certifications in Brain Injury and Stroke. Leads Hospital based Diabetes Management Committee and Animal Assisted Therapy Program. Member of the System wide Nurse Residency Advisory Committee. Sherman award for Patient Engagement and the Lucian Leape/Medtronic Innovation and Technology award 2018 for Family in Training program for the Memorial Rehabilitation Institute. Active member of the Hospital Based Patient Experience Committee. Responsible for all Quality Metrics on the Neuro Rehabilitation Unit Education: BS in Nursing from Duke University

Margaret Seymour Flood, MD, MBA

Dr. Margaret E. Seymour Flood, M.D., M.B.A., is a highly skilled and compassionate physician specializing in wound care throughout the Jacksonville area. With a background in trauma surgery and extensive experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Flood is uniquely equipped to handle a wide range of complex wound care needs. Currently, she attends to patients at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and rehab centers all over the Jacksonville metro area. Dr. Flood’s educational journey began with a dual BS in Microbiology and Environmental Health from the University of GA, followed by her medical degree from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. She furthered her expertise with a General Surgery Residency at the University of South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Flood holds an M.B.A. in Healthcare Management. Dr. Flood’s commitment to her patients and profession is evident in her years of experience with Accelecare Wound Professionals and Healogics, where she trained under Dr. William J. Ennis at the University of Illinois Chicago, a leading authority in wound healing and tissue repair.

Hakan Usal, MD

Advance Reconstructive Surgery Alliance

Education: Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul Plastic Surgery Residency at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Microvascular Fellow at Institute of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, NY University Medical Center Board Certified: The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc

Forina Williams, RN

Charge Nurse Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

EDUCATION Western Governors University Bachelor's degree of Nursing in progress Kaplan College of Jacksonville Associate’s degree of Nursing Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital since 2014 Leading a 28-bed nursing unit, managing patient care assignments, and overseeing administrative tasks like scheduling and supply monitoring. Act as a liaison between staff and management, ensure compliance with policies, and provide direct patient care when needed.