Photography by Roberto Gonzalez at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
From left: Dr. Treshonda Baucom, Dr. Keyne Johnson-Nowlin
Dr. Treshonda Baucom: LMHC-QS, RPT, CEO, Enriched Life Counseling
“I was fascinated by how the mind, personality and body work together to shape human behavior,” says Dr. Baucom. “This curiosity led me down a path of studying mental health, ultimately fueling my passion for helping others navigate their own journeys.”
Dr. Baucom describes her personality as innovative and bubbly, but she also can be reserved and introverted, which help her in different areas of her work.
“My creativity allows me to think outside the box and develop unique approaches to therapy, marketing and business growth,” she says. “My ability to work independently and remain self-motivated ensures that I keep pushing forward, even without external validation.”
Dr. Baucom is gratified by helping others achieve their goals and make sense of their stories and experiences.
“Watching clients grow, heal and step into their full potential is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “Similarly, supporting my team and seeing them thrive professionally and personally brings me immense satisfaction.”
Dr. Baucom has served for two years as the social chair for the Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida and is an Orlando Business Journal 2025 40 Under 40 award winner.
She admires actress Taraji P. Henson for discussing her own mental health struggles.
“Her advocacy has sparked important conversations and increased awareness, which I deeply respect,” says Dr. Baucom.
Dr. Keyne Johnson-Nowlin: MD, FAANS
“I was 12 years old when my father called me to watch the news,” Dr. Johnson-Nowlin recalls. “A man was being recognized for successfully separating twins conjoined at the head. As I watched, something inside me clicked. Without hesitation, I turned to my dad and said, ‘That’s easy. I can do that. That’s what I’m going to do—pediatric neurosurgery.’”
“He looked at me,” she continues, “and with three life-changing words, simply said, ‘You sure can.’ From that moment on, I never wavered. His belief in me planted a seed of confidence and faith that carried me through the long and challenging journey to becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon.”
Dr. Johnson-Nowlin went on the become the first Black female neurosurgeon in Central Florida. She provides the highest level of care for her patients and believes that beyond the technical skills required in her field, that true healing also comes from empathy and connection.
“My ability to uplift and reassure families during some of their most difficult moments is just as critical as the surgeries I perform,” Dr. Johnson-Nowlin says.
“I am also deeply driven by the pursuit of innovation,” she adds, “finding new ways to treat complex neurological conditions, especially those that others may have deemed untreatable. The idea that there is always hope, always another possibility, fuels my dedication to both my patients and the advancement of my field.”
Dr. Linda Papa: MD, MSc
“Since childhood, I have been surrounded by extraordinary caretakers,” says Dr. Linda Papa. “They instilled in me the importance of taking care for those in need. Volunteering in hospitals and nursing homes throughout my youth left me in awe of the dedication of healthcare workers and the unique and inspiring stories of the patients they looked after. These experiences steered me toward a career in medicine.”
As an emergency medicine physician and clinical researcher at the Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center Level One Trauma Center, Dr. Papa is on the frontlines of medicine every day. Not only does she provide critical and lifesaving care, but develops new treatments, assesses the safety and effectiveness of those treatments, and improves patient care.
One of the highlights of her scientific career has been the discovery and validation of the very first FDA-approved blood test for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as a concussion.
“Over 30 years ago when I began practicing emergency medicine, many patients I assessed in the ER with mild TBI suffered from terrible symptoms like headaches, fogginess, problems thinking, memory loss, insomnia, anxiety and balance problems,” says Dr. Papa.
“Inspired to look for solutions, I started working with other scientists to find a blood test for brain injury. I was told it would be impossible. In 2005, we conducted a groundbreaking research study in mild TBI patients in the ER by collecting blood samples and looking for substances (biomarkers) that were released from damaged brain cells. While analyzing the data, I identified two biomarkers that could tell how badly the brain was injured. Against all odds, we identified a blood test for the brain.”
In August 2024, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to use this new TBI blood test to assess patients with mild TBI.
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