GERALD PADGETT VETERAN HEALTH HERO Paving his way in the United States Army from E-1 Private in 2002 to E-6 Staff Sergeant in 2014, Mr. Padgett answered the call to serve the nation for 12 years in various roles, including as a Heavy Construction Equipment Operator and Supply Sergeant. During his military career, Mr. Padgett completed a one-year tour in the Middle East during the AfghanistanWar, carrying out tactical convoys to move supplies such as food, clothing, technology, equipment, ammunition, and radios across the country, undetected from enemy threats, and performing security details in high-threat environments. When reflecting on his military service, Mr. Padgett stated: “After I completed basic training, some soldiers in my unit were actively in transit to the Middle East. I volunteered to deploy and, when the opportunity came up, I completed mobilization training and arrived immediately afterward. Getting there was intense, nerve wracking. It was deafening silence, waiting in anticipation to finally arrive. But I had a job to do – I did what I was supposed to do. When I transitioned back to civilian life, I took with me many transferable skills and the ability to think logistically, see the big picture and its parts as a synchronous system. I find that massage therapy is similar in that it is rooted in holistic medicine. Even if there are not actual similarities between the two, it’s still the logistics and planning that brought me to open my own private practice. While at Massage School, I went to all the regulatory board meetings to learn what kind of decisions of the profession were being made. I brought ME D I CA L QUA L I T Y A S S UR ANC E | F L O R I D A V E T E R A N H E A L T H H E R O E S 1 2 this knowledge back to the school with me. When I began teaching, I designed course content around business planning, professional development, and Florida Statutes and rules.” While Mr. Padgett looks to his grandfather, a World War II veteran of the former Army Air Corps as a role model, nowMr. Padgett serves as one for his students: “One thing we work on is setting career and life goals, so you know what you’re shooting for on a regular basis. Just because your paths can change in life, doesn’t make you a failure. It is the bridge that gets you from one place in life to another.” From his service in the military, Mr. Padgett was twice recognized with the United States Army Commendation Medal and awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. In 2021, Mr. Padgett was appointed to the Florida Board of Massage Therapy (Board) where he considers his duty to serve as a Board Member “for the betterment of the profession” a humbling, rewarding experience. When not working or serving in an advisory capacity to the Board, Mr. Padgett may be found flipping another house, watching movies, or camping with his partner and four children. Mr. Padgett, thank you for the inspiration, sense of duty, and service you have given to our country and the profession!
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