Scholarship Winners

Originally, Carly is from Orlando, FL. She now lives in El Paso, Texas as her husband is currently stationed at Fort Bliss. Carly enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd and 2 cats, cooking, and doing yoga. While the military lifestyle can be difficult, she enjoys living and traveling across the U.S. She writes:

To the Robin Shari Parker HAPPi Foundation’s Board of Directors:

Words cannot express the immense gratitude I feel for receiving this scholarship. I am deeply humbled to be a recipient of the Robin Shari Parker HAPPi Foundation scholarship, and to even be associated with Dr. Parker’s extraordinary work in the field of autism spectrum disorders.
Like Dr. Parker, I also attended Florida State University for my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Additionally, I briefly worked alongside Dr. Amy Wetherby, whom instilled within me a passion for working with individuals with autism. I am also an avid reader of the PrAACtical AAC blog due to its invaluable information regarding AAC implementation and strategies.

I want to extend a sincere thank you to this Foundation. Not only does it provide invaluable education and resources related to autism spectrum, it also increases awareness of pancreatic cancer. As an individual whose family was directly affected by both pancreatic cancer and autism, I understand firsthand how devastating these ailments can be to individuals and families. Given my family history, I strive to help families affected and educate the public. Pancreatic cancer is a vile disease and autism spectrum disorders add immense stress to family units; my
prayers go out to those affected.

Going forward in my career, I hope to work with military families afflicted by autism spectrum disorders. Given that my husband is in the Army, I have been made aware of the lack of support military families receive financially, emotionally, and educationally in this area. Due to constant
cross-country moving, it’s difficult for these families to establish a solid support network. This lack of support impedes on progress, specifically for children on the spectrum. I wish to be a solid support system for those in need by offering education, resources, and emotional support.
Although Dr. Parker’s time on earth was cut short, her legacy continues in the field of speech-language pathology. Dr. Parker’s research will continue to provide vast insight and knowledge for years to come. I can only hope to impact as many lives as she did.

It is an incredible honor to be associated with the Robin Shari Parker HAPPi Foundation. Thank you for this generous opportunity!

Sincerely,
Carly Finocchio

Please accept my sincere gratitude for selecting me as the first recipient of the Robin Shari Parker HAPPI Foundation Scholarship.  It is truly an honor.  My passion for this field has been solidified by the caring and knowledgeable professors that I have connected with since beginning my journey at Nova Southeastern University. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

As my time at Nova is quickly coming to an end, the scholarship will allow me to complete my studies this summer.  I am currently placed in a middle school environment enjoying every moment assisting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  It is my hope to continue working with this population of students. 

Again, thank you for honoring me with this prestigious award.

Sincerely, 

Lauren Lagunovich

Nova Southeastern University, SLP Graduate Student

2023 - 2024 Recipients

Jasmine Mahboob

Physician Assistant

Fort Lauderdale

Jasmine is a 2nd-year PA student at Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from the University of Florida. In 2020, she earned her Master's in Medical Sciences while embracing motherhood. She has experience working in ENT, urology, surgical oncology, and a human remains identification lab. She is dedicated to community service, particularly for underserved populations, and is driven by a passion for health equity and improving healthcare. Within her program she has illustrated her values of leadership, collaboration, and empathy through her involvements as Philanthropy Co-chair of the Physician Assistant Student Association, competitor in the ethics bowl, representative at the Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow Symposium, and volunteer for Special Olympics and the Clewiston Health fairs. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, dance parties and crafts with her daughter, and soaking in the Florida sun at the beach.

Andrea Meston

Occupational Therapy

Tampa Bay

I graduated with my baccalaureate in psychology and a minor in biology in May 2023. My true love is helping people build self-confidence and creating an inclusive and encouraging community. I wanted to bring that community to NSU Nova when I started my occupational therapy doctoral program. As a single mother to two children on the spectrum and with severe allergies, I found I stood out from the average students. Coming from such diversity, I wanted to nurture the acceptance of all people into my education. I chose to join multiple organizations, holding a chair in each, SOTA, Ikebana, and the student ambassador. I am honored to have received such an accolade as this scholarship. I look forward to continuing my passions while completing this program to foster inclusion and acceptance of every person in every stage of life. 

Sedem Adjewoda

Speech-Language Pathology

Fort Lauderdale

I'm originally from Queens, NY, born to Ghanaian immigrants. I earned my bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University, in NY, and later pursued a second BA degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Queens College.

In terms of academic achievements, I've been recognized for excellence at both Stony Brook University and Queens College, consistently making the Dean's List. Additionally, I've been honored with the Apraxia of Speech Scholarship and received the Excelsior Scholarship for my academic performance and commitment to higher education. 

Beyond academics, my interests include swimming, rock climbing, traveling, volunteering, and cooking. Notable extracurricular accomplishments include participation in the Weill Cornell Youth Scholars Program, induction into the Honor Society at Queens College, and admission into New York University's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP), designed for students with academic potential in the sciences.

I also dedicated my time to volunteering at a local non-profit organization, where I provided free speech therapy and language development activities to children. This practical experience allowed me to directly apply the theories and practices learned in my speech pathology courses.

Looking ahead to my clinical goals and areas of interest in SLP, I'm deeply passionate about working with children and adolescents to address various speech and language disorders. These include articulation disorders, language delays, fluency disorders, and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Down Syndrome. Additionally, I aim to specialize in early intervention services to support infants and toddlers who are at risk for or diagnosed with communication disorders, recognizing the crucial role of early identification and intervention in shaping a child's developmental trajectory.

Vanessa Perez

Physician Assistant

Orlando

Currently a second-year Physician Assistant student at Nova Southeastern University, Orlando Campus, Vanessa Perez is dedicated to advancing her career in medicine. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Vanessa Perez completed her undergraduate education at the University of Florida, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. With aspirations to pursue a Doctorate in Medical Sciences after PA school, Vanessa Perez aims to specialize as a Physician Assistant in either Orthopedics or Emergency Medicine. Her commitment to healthcare and academic excellence underscores a promising future in the medical field.

Christeena Fehling

Physician Assistant

Orlando

My name is Teena Fehling and I am currently in my clinical year in the Orlando PA Program. I've wanted to be a provider since I was very young and decided to apply to Nova's Orlando PA Program after hearing friends speak highly of the faculty and curriculum. Upon my acceptance and matriculation, I found it was the perfect fit. My career goals include providing high quality care for patients in a surgical field, advocating for the Physician Assistant profession both locally and nationally, and building trust with communities that have historically been mistreated in the medical field. I grew up in Florida but am originally from Colorado. I returned to Florida with my boyfriend, Mike, and our dog, Annie, to attend NSU. 

Troy Hogan

Physician Assistant

Orlando

Jonah Barros

Anesthesiologist Assistant

Fort Lauderdale

I am originally from Virginia but moved to Fort Lauderdale to pursue my master's degree in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program at NSU. I chose NSU Fort Lauderdale for its "big school" environment and the opportunity to collaborate with students from various professional health programs. Fortunately, I was able to do just that.

In 2023, I served as the Class President of the AA program and the Vice President of PCHCS, where I worked with students from NSU's five regional AA programs and across HPD. Notably, PCHCS organized a successful charity food drive competition. Additionally, I competed on the HPD Ethics Bowl team, where AA Fort Lauderdale received first place.

NSU has been a significant and enjoyable part of my graduate school experience, and I look forward to giving back by teaching future NSU students, either in the operating room or the classroom.

Alianna Payabyab

Physical Therapy

Tampa Bay

Alianna Payabyab is a first-generation Filipino-American currently pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). As a motivated and independent individual, she takes pride in being a proactive leader, always striving to create a positive impact on her peers and the community. Her passion for physical therapy is driven by a desire to improve the lives of others through compassionate care and innovative practice. Alianna is committed to excellence in her academic and professional journey, embodying the values of resilience, empathy, and service.

Sydney Jean Henderson

Physical Therapy

Tampa Bay

I was interested in Nova Southeastern's DPT program due to the emphasis on interprofessional learning, opportunities to work with patients, and the integration of evidence-based practice. My leadership involvement consists of volunteering at events held by my program and mentoring fellow students which has improved skills in collaboration, communication, and problem solving. Post graduation I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained to make a difference in the lives of patients, improve their outcomes, grow professionally, and contribute to the profession of physical therapy.

Ava Erickson

Audiology

Fort Lauderdale

My name is Ava Erickson and originally from Miami, Florida. I am in my final year of my Audiology Doctoral Program and am currently at South Florida ENT Associates for my residency year. I attended undergrad at Florida State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. Upon graduation this May, I would like to specialize in Amplification and Vestibular Sciences.  

Marissa Torres

Speech-Language Pathology

Fort Lauderdale

Mikayla Dunn

Occupational Therapy

Fort Lauderdale

My name is Mikayla Dunn, and I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in May of 2023 to attend Nova Southeastern University's Occupational Therapy program. As a second-year OT student, NSU has assisted me in developing both academically and professionally. So far, I have had the opportunity to serve as President of the Student Occupational Therapy Association and Interprofessional Representative of the Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences. In addition, I have participated as a member of the Interprofessional Diabetes Education and Awareness team to inform the Broward County community on how Occupational Therapists can assist with Diabetes management alongside other multidisciplinary health professions. I am a firm believer that the best type of education occurs outside of the classroom, and through these positions, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of community settings, build relationships and understand the value of other healthcare professions within the PCHCS college, advocate for the profession of occupational therapy, and plan and facilitate numerous events for my program and PCHCS.

My commitment to the field has been unwavering since I was 12. Even then, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career dedicated to helping others regain their ability to engage in meaningful occupations. I enjoy reading romance novels, going to the beach, creating designs with my Cricut, and working out. As a wellness enthusiast, I hold an L1 CrossFit Certification, which allows me to coach functional fitness classes and assist in managing Fuel Fitness, a local gym in Plantation, Florida. Because I am interested in a variety of settings and populations, I am currently indecisive about which specialty to focus on; however, in the near future, I aspire to open my own practice that combines functional fitness with Occupational Therapy. That being said, I firmly believe that Occupational Therapy is my true calling and while attending NSU this has only strengthened my belief and is bringing me closer to transitioning from a student to a practicing professional by the year of 2026.