{"id":152350,"date":"2026-04-13T10:02:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=152350"},"modified":"2026-04-13T17:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T21:23:02","slug":"central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Floridian of the Year Finalist: UCF\u2019s Deborah Beidel"},"content":{"rendered":"<hr>\n<p>UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who serves as executive director of UCF RESTORES, has been named a finalist for the <em>Orlando Sentinel<\/em>&#8216;s 2026 Central Floridian of the Year award, an honor recognizing those whose leadership and community impact shape the region.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152352\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152352 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team.jpg\" alt=\"Roughly a dozen people standing shoulder to shoulder in front of black and yellow mobile trailer with words on the side that read: Resiliency Command Center. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152352 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Roughly a dozen people standing shoulder to shoulder in front of black and yellow mobile trailer with words on the side that read: Resiliency Command Center. \" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/UCF-RESTORES-team.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Deborah Beidel (center, black and white dress), Director of the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal Joanne Rice (right of Beidel) with the UCF RESTORES team at the Resiliency Command Center unveiling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The award recognizes Beidel \u2014 representing the entire UCF RESTORES team \u2014 for building a national model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. Since its founding in 2011, UCF RESTORES has treated more than 2,150 individuals, including nearly 600 military members and more than 1,350 first responders. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we founded UCF RESTORES, we set out to prove that PTSD treatment could be faster, more effective and accessible to everyone who needs it,\u201d Beidel says. \u201cOver the past 15 years, that mission has grown into something larger: a comprehensive system of treatment, training, and crisis response that meets people wherever they are in their journey toward healing. This recognition reflects the clinicians, researchers and staff who have made that vision a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The center\u2019s intensive outpatient program produces outcomes that exceed national standards \u2013 <strong>76% of participants no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD following treatment<\/strong>, and the program boasts a relapse rate of less than 1%.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_151799\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-151799 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy.jpg\" alt=\"A woman sits at a desk with two computer monitors while a man in blue shirt wearing a black VR headset sits next to the desk.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-151799 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"A woman sits at a desk with two computer monitors while a man in blue shirt wearing a black VR headset sits next to the desk.\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/03\/UCF-RESTORES-Therapy.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Virtual reality is used in exposure therapy at UCF RESTORES to help treat PTSD.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Several states are now establishing similar programs, sending clinicians and researchers to Orlando to study UCF RESTORES&#8217; approach.<\/p>\n<p>What began as a research-focused treatment program has expanded into a comprehensive ecosystem of care encompassing clinical treatment, peer support training, crisis response and family resources.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ucfrestores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2026\/02\/UCF-RESTORES-Annual-Report-2025.pdf\">In 2025 alone<\/a>, UCF RESTORES clinicians:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Delivered more than 2,100 hours of evidence-based care;<\/li>\n<li>Trained more than 450 first responders through the center&#8217;s REACT peer support program;<\/li>\n<li>Unveiled a first-of-its-kind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-restores-unveils-first-of-its-kind-resiliency-command-center-to-support-floridas-first-responders\/\">mobile Resiliency Command Center<\/a> to deliver psychological support at disaster scenes; and,<\/li>\n<li>Integrated the UCF RESTORES 2nd Alarm Project, extending capacity-building and behavioral health navigation services to agencies across Florida&#8217;s Panhandle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>UCF RESTORES has also responded to large-scale tragedies including the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/pegasus\/supporting-surfside-responders\/\">2021 Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, FL<\/a>, providing on-site mental health support to survivors, families, and emergency personnel. All treatment is provided at no charge, supported by state funding, federal grants and private donations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDr. Beidel\u2019s work reflects the very best of UCF. She combines compassion, research and innovation to address one of the most complex challenges facing our local communities,\u201d says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. \u201cThrough UCF RESTORES, she has redefined how PTSD is treated, turning breakthrough ideas into real solutions for those who need them most. Because of her work, first responders, trauma survivors, and so many others across Central Florida, and beyond, are finding a path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Central Floridian of the Year finalist recognition follows Beidel&#8217;s selection as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/deborah-beidel-named-big-12-conferences-2025-faculty-of-the-year-from-ucf\/\">Big 12 Conference&#8217;s 2025 Faculty of the Year<\/a> for UCF. Now in its second year, the award showcases the academic excellence, research breakthroughs and educational opportunities available to students at Big 12 institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The <em>Orlando Sentinel<\/em> recognizes the UCF RESTORES executive director for leadership in trauma treatment and first responder care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":152353,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[19309,14924,14751,3820,10908,5055],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-152350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colleges","tag-alexander-cartwright","tag-deborah-beidel","tag-faculty-excellence","tag-ptsd","tag-ucf-restores","tag-veterans"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Central Floridian of the Year Finalist: UCF\u2019s Deborah Beidel | University of Central Florida News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Orlando Sentinel recognizes the UCF RESTORES executive director for leadership in trauma treatment and first responder care.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Central Floridian of the Year Finalist: UCF\u2019s Deborah Beidel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Orlando Sentinel recognizes the UCF RESTORES executive director for leadership in trauma treatment and first responder care.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"University of Central Florida News | UCF Today\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UCF\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T14:02:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T21:23:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/04\/deborah-beidel-ucf-office.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jenna Lee\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@UCF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@UCF\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jenna Lee\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/news\\\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/news\\\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jenna Lee\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/bbcb2bbfa580f27936bd841c70479c63\"},\"headline\":\"Central Floridian of the Year Finalist: UCF\u2019s Deborah Beidel\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T14:02:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T21:23:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/news\\\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":554,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/news\\\/central-floridian-of-the-year-finalist-ucfs-deborah-beidel\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ucf.edu\\\/wp-content\\\/blogs.dir\\\/20\\\/files\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/deborah-beidel-ucf-office.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Alexander N. 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