CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020!

DAY 3
HEALTH

TODAY'S SPEAKERS

EMELY CURIEL
Criminal Justice

CHRISTOPHER BRAXTON
Mechanical Engineer

KAITLYN TRACY
Occupational Therapy

BETHANY TEACHMAN
Psychologist

ALVANETA OSBOURNE
Pharmacy Owner

CAMRYN PRESSIN
Sex Educator

SHARLYN THREADGILL
Healthcare CEO

VERONICA KAULINIS
Vulnerability Coach

MAT SHAFFER
Transformational Coach

AMANDA SELLARS
Medical Biller

CONSIDERING ALL THINGS HEALTH IN A PANDEMIC
Looking Forward to 2020 & Beyond
EMELY CURIEL
Sometimes life throws us hurdles and the comeback is stronger. Criminal justice professional Emely Curiel discusses getting through daunting times. The past two months have been a whirlwind of uncertainty and anxiety. You may find yourself questioning everything you planned for when it seems out of reach. But what if this time was used to focus on yourself and your well-being, manifesting your dreams and thinking ahead of the curve? Life might feel like it’s at a standstill, but you aren't. Emely Curiel is no stranger to the anxiety, fear, and excitement of graduating college. She understands how uncertainty can take hold and control your perspective. Emely has a background in criminal justice, finance, business, and education. Her experiences have exposed her to a diverse group of people and she applies these incredible experiences to her life and career. Emely graduated in 2018 with a degree in Public Justice and minors in Communications and Peace and Conflict Studies. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Emely Curiel - A Bump in the Road | Couch Commencement | Day 3
CHRISTOPHER BRAXTON
Christopher Braxton, a mechanical engineer gives insight on life as Merchant Marine for four years traveling across the world, past engineering related research. He also offers advice for the graduating class of 2020. Braxton graduated in SUNY Maritime College with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. He is a merchant mariner working on board with transporting cargo and has visited over a dozen countries and cities. He worked amongst scientists researching wave energy sponsored by the Science Foundation in Alaska for months. Now supervising all engineering aspects at Mt. Sinaí hospital at 23.

Christopher Braxton - Navigating a Career in Engineering as a Marine | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG:@chrisbrizzy05
KAITLYN TRACEY
Kaitlyn Tracey explains the importance of mindfulness and how to use it in your daily life. In this talk, Kaitlyn addresses what mindfulness really is, talks you through some exercises and activities and how to incorporate them daily to be a better you. Tracey is a graduate of Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program. She was born and raised in New York and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with concentrations in chemistry and biology from Stony Brook University. Kaitlyn considers occupational therapy both her profession and her passion. She has experience working with individuals of all ages with various diagnoses such as spinal cord injury, mental illness, autism, upper extremity conditions and more. Her favorite part about occupational therapy is being able to help others engage in the activities that are most meaningful to them

Kaitlyn Tracey - Being Productive in the Present Moment | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG: @kaitlyn_leigh
BETHANY TEACHMAN
During this pandemic, life has changed drastically. Bethany speaks on the things we can do to overcome the anxiety that comes with this big life change and 4 areas of our lives we can focus on. Bethany Teachman is the director of clinical training, and of diversity and inclusion, at the University of Virginia in the department of psychology. She is the author of over 175 publications and has been awarded by the American Psychology Association a scientific award for early contribution to psychology. She specializes in research areas studying the processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathology, specifically anxiety disorders.

Bethany Teachman - Dealing with Stress & Anxiety | Couch Commencement | Day 3
ALVANETA OSBOURNE
Pharmacist and pharmacy owner Alvaneta Osbourne shares tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. She also shows the behind the scenes of a medical business. Alvaneta Osbourne is a self-employed, registered pharmacist and consultant pharmacist. Ms. Osbourne was born in Jamaica and wanted to own a pharmacy since youth. Alvaneta Osbourne moved to New York to attend college. Ms. Osbourne started college at Long Island University in 1993 and graduated in 1997. Ms. Osbourne moved to Florida when she was pregnant with her second child. Alvaneta Osbourne owns her own pharmacy, Epic Care Pharmacy, in Hollywood, Florida. Epic Care Pharmacy is over 5 years old. Ms. Osbourne is her pharmacy manager. In addition, Ms. Osbourne is a diabetes program coordinator. Moreover, Alvaneta Osbourne is currently considered an essential worker. Alvaneta Osbourne’s skills include customer service, management, and leadership.

Alvaneta Osbourne - Healthcare Hero Talks COVID-19 | Couch Commencement | Day 3
CAMRYN PESSIN
Camryn Pessin emphasizes the importance of sexual education. She explains the uncomfortable and awkward reactions within this topic and why it is essential to encourage this conversation. She speaks about our earliest memories of sexual talk and how it is incorrectly taught to students in middle schools, high schools, and even colleges. Camryn makes it clear that this change of sexual education is essential to inhibit our growth and overall confidence. Camryn is an aspiring Sex Educator and Creator of HUSH Magazine (linked below). Born in Boulder, Colorado, she became passionate about this conversation because of her relationship with her mother. From her school lacking the essential sexual education, Camryn was fortunate to have her mother by her side, someone who was open and fully supportive of these topics. When moving to NYC, she quickly discovered that the lack of sexual education made a severe impact on society. She believes that this conversation should be comfortable and essential for our health and well-being. After all, getting out of our comfort zones is what makes us feel the most free. Camryn wants all individuals to feel confident within themselves meaning their sexuality, sexual choices, and so on. Being in our 20s, this is an important time in our life where we should be fully knowledgeable of all these topics.

Camryn Pessin - How the Lack of Sex Education Affects Society | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG: @hushmagazine_
SHARLYN THREADGILL
CEO of a successful healthcare company, Sharlyn Threadgill explains how to navigate a world that is made up of mostly suits. Sharlyn spills it all on how she took a seat at the table filled with men and gives her expertise insight on how you can too. Sharlyn Threadgill is CEO and owner of Momentum Skilled Services, a healthcare management company located in Texas. She started Momentum Skilled Services in 2015 where she has grown from one building, to six skilled nursing communities. Sharlyn began her long-term care career in the early 90’s as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and quickly worked her way up to Regional Vice President of Operations. In 2000, she co-founded and operated Paramount Healthcare, which she then sold in 2007. With more than 30 years’ experience as a licensed Administrator, Sharlyn brings a true “hands-on” approach to the facilities managed by Momentum Skilled Services. She believes that it is our job to make a difference in people’s time of need- and for her that means giving individuals quality care, whether that entails a short-term recovery or a long-term chronic issue.

Sharlyn Threadgill - A Woman CEO in a Man’s World | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG: @sharthread
VERONICA KAULINIS
Veronica Kaulinis discusses being vulnerable, putting yourself out there, and how that applies to relationships, connection and life as a whole, once you graduate. Veronica Kaulinis is a Facilitator, Connector and Professional Community Builder currently living in Brooklyn. NY. Veronica is the Founder of Vulnerable AF - a community event series and safe space for vulnerable conversations and meaningful connection. She offers trainings and workshops internationally. Her methods are based on various practices, trainings and studies from around the world. Veronica's mission is to bridge the gap between men and women and to mobilize the next generation of thought leaders and change makers through real connections and straight up conversations.

Veronica Kaulinis - Volnurablity Leads to Connection | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG: @veronicakaulinis
MAT SHAFFER
Mat discusses living in alignment, finding and focusing on what you truly enjoy doing, and how to avoid living your life for other people and rather live it for yourself to get the most out of it. Mat Shaffer is an experienced, intuitive coach for women craving deep connection and personal empowerment so they can experience freedom, joy and fulfilling relationships in all areas of their lives. He works with with thousands of clients worldwide through his coaching programs and online courses, and touch millions of lives through his YouTube Channel and speaking from stage across the United States.

Mat Shaffer - How & Why To Live in Alignment | Couch Commencement | Day 3
IG: @matshaffer
AMANDA SELLARS
How healthcare professionals such as Medical Billers are handling the overflow of work and stress a worldwide pandemic has created and what they have learned from it. Amanda Sellars is a professional Medical Biller in Long Island, New York. Her interest in analytics motivated her to this career path. Her day-to-day job consists of working with insurance companies and hospitals regarding the finances of their customers/patients and making sure that the data she has on each individual case is accurate so that all patients are billed correctly and process their claims properly. Her work requires great customer service skills and the ability to work well in teams. Working in the healthcare industry that is now dealing with difficult times due to the Coronavirus pandemic, she is working remotely which only enhances the importance of each team member doing their part to make sure all customers are getting the help they need to be able to not stress about their medical bills or health insurance.

Amanda Sellars - A Healthcare Professional Discusses the Pandemic | Couch Commencement | Day 3
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