- UCF Pegasus Health

Director of Clinical Operations

Linda brings to UCF Pegasus Health an extensive background in hospitality and health care and a proven record of “firsts.” As owner of the Stone School of Business, she started the first Medical Assistant training program in Connecticut. She was the administrator for Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Ambulatory Services Division, where she ran Yale-New Haven Hospital’s freestanding outpatient medical facilities. She opened the first Gamma Knife Center in Connecticut at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and ran Yale-New Haven’s Eye Laser Center, the first joint venture between the hospital and the Yale University School of Medicine. She was the administrator for Yale-New Haven’s Recovery Care Center which was the first subacute care facility in Connecticut and helped launch Yale-Haven Hospital’s first freestanding outpatient medical center. To give back to the community, she started the first homeless shelter in New Haven for single woman and mothers with children. Voted one of the 10 Most Noteworthy Women in New Haven by Business Times Magazine, Linda’s foray into hospitality came during her years as the proprietor of the Inn at Chapel West, recognized as one of the 10 best inns in the country by Inn Review Magazine. Linda is proud to be a part of UCF College of Medicine and to assist in the development of its first faculty practice plan.

Business Services Manager

Hospitality and service is in Kathy’s nature and has been since a young age. Her formal hospitality career began at age 15 as a banquet server, front desk associate and hostess, and continued to her formal education and customer service work with large companies such as Quality Inns, Holiday Inns, Lockheed Martin and Marriott/Ritz Carlton. At UCF Pegasus Health, Kathy’s goal is to create a medical hospitality patient-care model that will make a difference throughout Central Florida. “My philosophy of TEAM is that Together Everyone Achieves More. People may not always remember the words you share, but they absolutely remember the way you made them feel. My favorite mantra is, ‘Yes is the answer. Now what’s the question?’ ” Kathy and her husband John have been heavily involved in growing the sport of lacrosse in the Central Florida area for many years. They enjoy volunteering, traveling, and spending quality family time. “I’m privileged to be part of history in the making with the College of Medicine and UCF Pegasus Health,” she said.

Medical Staff Credentialing and Accreditation Manager

New York City-born, but having spent most of her adult life in South Africa, Margaret entered the health care field when she returned to the United States in 1995. As Manager of Physician Services at Yale New Haven Ambulatory Services Corporation, she was responsible for credentialing more than 300 physicians, surgeons, nursing and ancillary staff and maintaining the facility’s accreditations and state licensing. Margaret was also very involved in quality improvement, risk management, safety and HIPAA compliance programs at Yale New Haven. An avid tennis fan, Margaret served as an umpire with the US and South African Tennis Associations and has umpired such tennis greats as Chris Evert, Gabriella Sabbatini and Ille Nastase. “I am thrilled to be part of the UCF Pegasus Health team, working with pride and dedication to improve and enhance patient care in Central Florida,” she said.

Manager, Patient Services

With 25 years in medicine, Traci brings to UCF Pegasus Health a unique combination of patient and financial care. She has worked as a nurse in specialties ranging from family practice to OB/GYN and also has extensive experience managing clinical practices. As Patient Services Manager, Traci will help UCF Pegasus Health patients with their financial and insurance questions. “My nursing background will help me guide patients so they can make smart decisions about their health and their finances,” she said, “I’m here to listen, care and pay attention to what they’re asking for.” An active community volunteer, Traci works with the Girl Scouts, The American Cancer Society and Autistic and Handicapped Children of Central Florida. She and her husband have two daughters.

Patient Services

Mary Anne brings to UCF Pegasus Health 30+ years as a business management professional in the banking industry, where she managed customer service, operations, marketing and training areas. “I enjoy empowering teams to handle people’s needs,” she said. “It’s a great feeling to be able help someone and know they are getting the best service possible.” Attention to detail, accuracy and follow-up are Mary Anne’s hallmarks. So is community service. She has volunteered at organizations for children, adults and even pets and has sat on boards for The Areawide Council on Aging and The Patient and Family Advisory Council at Memorial Hospital, both located in Broward County, Florida. “Leadership appeals to me,” she said. “It’s inspiring to be part of the UCF Pegasus Health team that is providing ground-breaking innovation to health care.”

Assistant Director of Finance

Tricia Brenan brings 20 years of accounting and finance experience to UCF Pegasus Health.  A native Floridian, she received her B.S. degree in finance from the University of Florida.  Tricia has extensive experience in health care finance.  She was the assistant controller for Nemours’ Children’s Clinics and has managed private clinics for 12 years.  Tricia says she was excited to join the team at UCF Pegasus Health because she shares its vision of compassionate patient-centered care.

Senior Accountant

Maribel Amaro-Garcia received her Bachelor’s Degree in business administration with a major in accounting from University of Turabo, Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Puerto Rico. Her business experience includes construction, government and health care. She entered the health care field nine years ago and brings 22 years of experience in finance to UCF Pegasus Health.

“I am particularly honored to serve as senior accountant and have been extraordinarily pleased at the growth of the College of Medicine and UCF Pegasus Healthcare,” she said.

Nurse Manager of Clinical Services

Anthony Dearman brings to UCF Pegasus Health a strong background of clinical nursing experience and nursing leadership.  He previously served as a nurse manager with Florida Hospital and East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana.  Anthony also holds a strong background in service excellence, having served on patient experience development teams to create and outstanding patient care models. “I’m excited to be a part of the Pegasus Health team in establishing a practice centered on putting patients first and proving service excellence to every patient, every time,” he said.

Medical Assistant

Brian Malberti is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. He received an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design from Florida Technical College and designed construction documents for residential houses for 14 years. When the housing market went into a decline and Brian suffered a hand injury, he returned to Florida Technical College and received an Associate’s Degree for Medical Assistants. He was named to the Dean’s List all five quarters he studied at FTC and was one of four students named as “Students of Distinction” based on knowledge, medical aptitude and professional demeanor. Brian participated in an externship at Emergent Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist in Orlando.

Medical Assistant

Steven Nunez was born and raised in North Bergen, N.J. and has been in the medical field for the last five years. He began as an EMT and graduated from Seminole Community College, then returned to New Jersey and worked at Holy Name Medical Center in the Emergency Department. It is there that he became sure that his purpose was to help others. He went back to school for Medical Assistant/ Phlebotomy & Surgical Technology. While receiving his Associates Degree in Surgical Technology he was employed at Palisades General Hospital as a Surgical Technician.

Medical Assistant

David Richardson describes himself as a “New Yorker who grew up on a tractor in the South.” Born in Jamaica Queens, New York, he was raised in North Carolina. An 18-year Navy veteran, David served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman and combat medic with the U.S. Marine Corps. He served on naval vessels and numerous other duty stations, including handling mass casualty accidents and sea and air rescues. “I love people and I love to help others,” he said. “When you give of yourself, you get that blessing back.” David graduated from Florida Technical College, where he was salutatorian with a 4.0 grade point average and was named the school’s top medical assistant and also winner of the Presidential Leadership Service Award. He interned with Orlando Orthopedic Group. A sportsman, David enjoys golf, basketball and baseball and has 17 years of experience as a sports referee/official in the community.

Medical Assistant

Resha Sookhai was born and raised in island of Trinidad and immigrated to Flanders, N.J. in 2001 at the age of 17. She served in several customer service positions before joining American Open MRI as a bill collections representative. She was soon promoted to scheduling specialist. Being part of patients’ lives inspired her and when she moved to Orlando, she pursued a medical assisting degree “so I would have a closer connection to patient care.” Her passion for the medical field inspired her to graduate at the top of her medical assisting class with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She and her husband have three children. She says her reward is “the feeling of happiness and contentment at the end of each day knowing the difference that I’m making in the lives of patients.”

Business Services Staff Specialist

Born in Long Island, New York and raised in Orlando, Daniel graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012 with a degree in Psychology. With experience in hospitality, fitness, customer service and the entertainment industry, he has a love for helping people. A professional hip-hop dance instructor, Daniel demonstrates his service-driven heart by volunteering his time at local schools and spreading the gift of dance. He teaches dance at night at dance studios and schools around Central Florida.

Business Staff Specialist

Homeschooled from first through 12^th grade, Julianna learned service to others as a young girl. Beginning at age 10, she raised her first of three seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired and raised funds and support for Southeastern Guide Dog’ annual Walk-a-thons. “One of my favorite things in life is learning how to work with and serve a broad range of people, and contribute to their life along the way,” she said.

Julianna brings to UCF Pegasus Health years of experience as a program advisor for university students seeking Business and Communication degrees. In her spare time, Julianna enjoys studying fashion, running, watching football and singing in a community choir. She is also an avid traveler, and has visited over 17 countries.

Business Services Staff Specialist

Michael has been dedicated to giving back to the community ever since childhood.

When he graduated from high school in 2003, he joined the U.S. Navy as an airman. He spent one year in San Diego on the USS John C. Stennis and then transferred to Japan to serve on the USS Kitty Hawk, the oldest carrier in the Navy’s fleet. Michael volunteered to provide humanitarian efforts in Thailand after the 2004 Tsunami and served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Enduring Freedom.

As a civilian, Michael’s experience has focused in the hospitality industry, specifically with the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. In his spare time, Michael enjoys running, baseball and movies. As a Patient Ambassador, Michael hopes to bring this Ritz-Carlton-inspired attitude to patients: “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.”

Business Services Staff Specialist

Jessica loved her alma mater, the University of Central Florida, because “it felt like home,” and she hopes to bring that same feeling to patients at UCF Pegasus Health. As a patient ambassador, Jessica will work at the front desk and be one of the first people patients see when they come through the door. “I put myself in the patient’s shoes,” she said. “Going to the doctor can be scary. I want to give them a feeling of friendship, compassion and hopefulness with a smile.” Jessica graduated from UCF in 2008 with a degree in Psychology and believes her educational training will help her relate to the feelings of the patients as well as their needs. “I’m excited to play a part in changing the face of health care by providing great hospitality and passionate patient care,” she said. “I’m also excited to be making history as part of UCF’s new medical community.”

Patient Services Specialist

Born in New York City, Michael Aguirre has always been on the front lines of patient care, having grown up in a household run by two trauma nurses.   Between that knowledge and customer service skills obtained through companies like Winter Park Towers and AT&T, he was able to join Orlando Health as a verification specialist, helping hundreds of patients a month and ensuring their hospital registration was a smooth transaction.  Michael firmly believes that a well-informed patient is a happy one, and strives to help patients understand the business side of health care and the insurances they use.

Patient Services Specialist

Cary Ann Demchuk was born and raised in Naperville, IL and moved to Orlando in 1985.  She has over 20 years of medical insurance experience and enjoys helping patients understand the entire insurance billing process.  “I feel it’s important to protect our patients’ rights when it comes to insurance,” she said.

Patient Services Specialist

Raquel Marrero joins UCF Pegasus Health with over 20 years of experience managing medical office staff. Raquel is a certified coder with experience in establishing billing and coding departments and office policies and procedures.

A native of Puerto Rico, Raquel has called Orlando home for the past 27 years.  She and her husband raised twin daughters and a son in Central Florida and enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.  Raquel believes “Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success. If you love what at you doing, you will be successful.”

Business Services Staff Specialist

Melissa Abramson knows the meaning of customer service. Her first job was opening the first Nordstrom stores in the New Jersey market and her experience with the fashion specialty store that is renowned for its service “taught me you always do right by the customer and have a total no-problem attitude.” Melissa is a working mom with three children, a 13-year-old son and 9-year-old twin girls, so she knows what it’s like to have a busy life of school, golf tournaments and dance recitals and the challenge of scheduling the family’s health appointments. “Everyone’s life is busier,” she said. “I have my hands full, so I want hassle-free. I came to UCF Pegasus Health because I enjoy working with people and wanted to make a difference. We want to make going to the doctor a pleasant experience.”

Business Services Staff Specialist

Susan brings to UCF Pegasus Health more than 30 years of management and customer service in the travel industry. She served as the Corporate Station Manager for National Car Rental, where she managed a staff of over 50 employees, and later worked in customer service for USAirways.

Throughout her career, Susan has been recognized for her excellent communications and organizational skills. She believes that every interaction with a customer is a “moment of truth” that requires a personal commitment to service excellence.

A lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Susan is most proud of her son, Joe, a physician assistant and Army captain stationed in Hawaii. A breast cancer survivor, Susan lives by the credo that every day is a blessing.

Business Services Staff Specialist

In 2009, Lashonda helped welcome the UCF College of Medicine’s charter class of 40 students. Today, she is at the starting gate of UCF Pegasus Health, the medical school’s first faculty practice. Lashonda gained a reputation for organization, multi-tasking and keen attention to detail as she served faculty and students through her work in the college’s Assessment Office. When it comes to grades and test scores, information has to be precise, and as a patient scheduler, Lashonda says she is all about accuracy. “I am the patient’s first point of contract,” she said. “So what I do has to be right.” Lashonda’s first job was in high school, where she worked at The Guadalupe Center, a community organization that works to provide educational and other support programs to impoverished families in Immokalee. From there, she worked at Florida Gulf Coast University’s registrar’s office, where she learned customer service skills by aiding students, parents and faculty members. The mother of two believes that personal faith and attitude – not life’s circumstances – determine your happiness and success. “I believe you make each day what it is,” she said.

System Programmer

Chad Nagel brings to UCF Pegasus Health over 15 years of Information Technology experience, including past positions at the UCF Foundation and College of Medicine.  Originally from Bloomington, IL, he moved to Orlando in 2001.  He is married and has 3 children. His hobbies are UCF and Notre Dame football, bowling and spending time with his family.  He is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.