Improving Emergency Care Through Telehealth Innovation

From a young age, Kristina Ng has been helping people. Whether it was teaching a first grader how to read or taking care of her younger brother, her compassion and desire to assist others inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

Ng earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UCF with a minor in computer science. She found a strong sense of community on campus and chose to continue her graduate studies at UCF, where she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

“UCF was one of the few schools in Florida that had the prestigious DNP degree, and this allowed me to stay in Orlando to work as an RN while attending school,” she says. “UCF provides top quality education and resources for me to become the best nurse practitioner I can be.”

Her research focused on the effects of telehealth on emergency room medicine, particularly its impact on wait times. Through her work, Ng aimed to improve patient access to care and enable individuals to connect with healthcare providers more efficiently from home.

During her time at UCF, Ng was highly involved both on campus and in the community. She served on the Graduate Student Advisory Council, volunteered with Special Olympics as a gymnastics coach, and participated in a competitive dance team, TheSQUAD.

Though Ng is Chinese, she found a strong sense of belonging within the Filipino Student Association, where she participated in events and dance performances, including Fresh Off the Beat during her undergraduate years.

Ng encourages fellow students to step outside their comfort zones and take advantage of available support systems. She credits her professors and mentors for helping her succeed, including Dr. Brian Peach and Dr. Decker, whose guidance helped her navigate the challenges of graduate school.

After graduating in summer 2025, Ng moved to Seattle, expanding her telehealth research to continue improving patient care in emergency medicine.

• Graduate Student Advisory Council Member
• Volunteer gymnastics coach with Special Olympics
• Member of competitive dance team TheSQUAD
• Taught first aid to students in Nepal (Summer 2022)