Rising Stars 2010: Josh Harman, BSN, RN Robert “Josh” Harman (B.S.N. ‘09) works as an RN in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was recently accepted into the Nurse Anesthesia program at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. Prior to becoming a nurse, Harman earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. He began his professional career working in financial services and in research and development. His corporate job allowed him to travel extensively, which he loved, but a promotion soon relegated him to a cubicle.
Past Recipient: His father, an emergency department nurse, encouraged him to consider nursing. At first, Harman wasn’t sure how to switch from a corporate career track to nursing — that is, until he found UCF’s Accelerated Second Degree B.S.N. program. “The program was the perfect fit and prepared me for my new career in nursing,” said Harman. When asked if he misses the corporate world, he replied, “I haven’t looked back. I have zero regrets!” •
2009 Jenna Benyounes (B.S.N. ‘09) graduated in December 2010 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. with her master’s degree in Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She recently passed her boards and has founded Insightful Pregnancy, offering private childbirth classes and other services. She will pursue a doctorate degree in the Fall. Benyounes is engaged to Chris Ulrich and the couple will marry May 29, 2011 in south Florida. Danielle Briggs (B.S.N. ‘09) is working in pediatric/hematology at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fla. She writes, “I’m now a preceptor for new employees on our unit, a pain resource nurse, and a member of both the pain improvement committee and the magnet committee. I continue to volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek as well.” 1 Sarah Dickerman (B.S.N. ‘09) is an RN in the emergency department of Florida Hospi-
Brandie Hollinger, RN (B.S.N. ‘07)
Works in the special care unit at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fla.
2009: Brian Ligad, BSN, RN, PCCN, CCRN After graduating from UCF, Mark “Brian” Ligad (B.S.N. ‘08), was accepted into Duke University’s premier Cardiothoracic program in Durham, N.C. As a certified progressive care nurse, he provides post-operative care to patients undergoing invasive cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures. In addition to his clinical duties, Ligad serves as a nurse preceptor where he trains and orients newly hired registered nurses and nursing students. He also serves on Duke’s Preceptor Development Council. Ligad has also been recognized with Duke’s “Hope, Strength, Caring” Award. •
Harman says he didn’t feel fulfilled in the corporate world and sought a career change that would allow him to make a difference.
Class Notes >>>
2008:
tal Altamonte and a member of the Emergency Nurses’ Association. She and her husband Doug welcomed their first child, Wyatt, on Dec. 27, 2010. Wyatt weighed 8 lbs. 12.9 oz. Josh Harman (B.S.N. ‘09) is pleased to announce his engagement to Jacqueline Charney. The couple plan to marry in July, 2011 in Washington, D.C. (See award profile above) Allie Hocking (B.S.N. ‘09) and Bryan Ramey are pleased to announce their engagement. The couple plan to marry in February, 2012. Hocking is an RN in the Level 3 NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Fla. 2 Caroline Muthaisu (B.S.N. ‘09) married Wambua Mwanth on December 18, 2010. Muthaisu works in the Cardiac ICU department at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Fla.
2008 Maria Stahl (M.S.N. ‘08) was honored with a 2009 Public Health Leadership Award from the Florida Association of Public Health Nurses for her work as the nursing director at the Brevard County Health Department. Stahl is a graduate
of the college’s M.S.N. Nurse Educator program and teaches undergraduate courses in UCF’s College of Nursing as an adjunct instructor. • 1
2
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2011 |
Nursing magazine
35