Conference Speakers

Brooke Bennett - Olympian

Brooke Bennett, one of America's most elite swimmers, is an Olympic gold medalist, sports broadcaster and a soon-to-be author, just to name a few accolades. Her talent and determination that ultimately created her entrepreneurial spirit today started at an early age with encouragement from her grandfather who built Bennett a swimming pool and taught her to swim. As her role model, Bennett still dedicates every race and accomplishment to him. At the young age of 12, Bennett qualified for her first junior national cut and went on to win her first gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. That same year, the U.S. Olympic Committee named Bennett the “Sports Woman of the Year.”

After adding 14 U.S. champion titles to her record, Bennett continued her success, winning two gold medals, one in the 800 meter freestyle and another in the 400 meter freestyle, in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Inspired by Bennett’s passion and athleticism, Wheaties honored her wins by placing her on the cover of its “Breakfast of Champions” cereal box. Disney also praised Bennett’s success by having her handprints immortalized in cement at Disney Hollywood Studios. If that wasn’t enough, Bennett was also inducted into the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame in 2009 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in May 2010. Currently, Bennett is utilizing her passion for sports as a sports broadcaster for Bright House Sports Network in Florida. Bennett is also a certified personal trainer and nutritionist through the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT).

Adding to her list of achievements will soon be author of her very own cookbook offering home-style cooking recipes with a healthy spin. When Brooke isn’t in the pool, cooking in the kitchen or on television, the avid animal lover enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Indy, a mini Pincher, and Peppermint, a mini Yorkie.

Swimming Achievements:

Three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 800m and 400m freestyle
Fourteen National Titles
Ranked Ninth in the world in the 800m freestyle – 2004
Holds world record for 800m freestyle in 2000 at Olympic Trials

Augustine Agocha, MD, PhD, MBA Cardiologist

Augustine E. Agocha, MD, PhD, is board certified in cardiovascular disease. He earned his undergraduate degree in biological chemistry and then enrolled in the Medical Scientist Training Program at the State University of New York School of Medicine at Buffalo, where he received both his MD and PhD degrees. Through an award from the American Heart Association, Dr. Agocha performed post-graduate training at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT, serving an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency, and performing post-doctoral research in molecular cardiology and heart failure. At Yale New Haven Hospital, he completed a Cardiology Clinical Fellowship, and pursued further training in advanced cardiology imaging through a Fellowship at the DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, NJ. Additionally, Dr. Agocha earned an MBA from Temple University Fox School of Business in Philadelphia where he focused on service quality and health care business strategy.

Dr. Agocha has more than 19 years of experience in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, with clinical and research expertise in the area of heart failure evaluation and management, and women's heart disease. As Chief of Cardiology, he created and directed successful heart failure programs at the University of South Carolina Specialty Clinics, the Dorn VA Medical Center and the DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center. Most recently, he served as Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine, Director of Heart Failure Programs, and Professor of Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Agocha has also held posts as Chairman of the Department of Cardiology, Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Exercise Labs, and Medical Director of Ambulatory Services at the DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center. Dr. Agocha is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Healthcare Executives, and the American Heart Association.

Douglas Carlan, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Carlan, raised in St. Petersburg, FL, knew his calling early in life. As a member of a large local family, he was raised around leaders in the community and the practice of medicine. He attended Boca Ciega High School and graduated from the University of Florida with highest honors. Upon graduating with honors from the University of Florida College of Medicine, he completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Following his orthopedic training, Dr. Carlan completed a Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. While at Washington University, he worked under the direction of international leaders in the fields of hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder surgery. Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Carlan returned home to St. Petersburg to join Eaton Orthopaedics as a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand and upper extremity. His practice includes treatment of degenerative and rheumatic conditions, work and sports related injuries, nerve compression syndromes, and traumatic reconstruction in patients of all ages.

Presently, Dr. Carlan is the hand and wrist consultant for the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Lakeland Tigers. The Emanuel B. Kaplan Award was presented to Dr. Carlan by the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand. This award is presented at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand annual meeting to the author(s) of the presentation judged to best represent “anatomical excellence in surgery of the hand.”

Naakesh Dewan, MD Sports Psychiatrist

Dr. Dewan is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, and completed residency training in general adult psychiatry at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the University of California in San Diego. He has a national reputation spanning medicine, technology and public affairs and has been a pioneer in the health care industry for more than 20 years. Dr. Dewan is an internationally recognized psychiatrist and expert in quality of care. Dr. Dewan also enjoys recognition as a thought leader, and published author on the use of information technology and best practices in behavioral health care.

Koco Eaton, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Eaton's interest in sports injuries stems from his own athletic career. While at Columbia University, he lettered in basketball. Upon graduating from Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, MD, Dr. Eaton began an Orthopedic Residency at the Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. After completing his orthopedic training, Dr. Eaton completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship in Birmingham, AL, under the direction of Dr. James Andrews. Following his fellowship, Dr. Eaton moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where he set up his private practice. Dr. Eaton has been awarded a patent for knee surgery. He utilizes the latest surgical techniques including minimally invasive incisions. He is the orthopedic surgeon for the Tampa Bay Rays and a faculty member at the University of South Florida. He has written many orthopaedic articles and gives medical presentations, sharing his expertise on procedures, to medical professionals throughout the country.

Kevin Elder, MD Family Medicine/Sports Medicine

Kevin Elder, MD, is board certified in Family Practice with Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and earned his medical degree from the Medical University of Ohio/University of Toledo. He served his Family Practice Residency, as well as his Sports Medicine Fellowship, at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Elder practices both family medicine and sports medicine. His training in the latter encompassed the care of young and older athletes, as well as the treatment of common overuse injuries, fracture casting and management, joint injections and the treatment of many non-operative orthopedic sports medicine problems.

Dr. Elder’s past experience includes providing medical coverage or team physician responsibilities for professional football, boxing, volleyball, soccer, baseball and hockey teams. He has also volunteered for several community sports medicine events and races in Tampa Bay including team physician for Tampa Catholic High School for seven years. Dr. Elder is currently Team Physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Additionally, he is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Family Medicine for the University of South Florida, teaching medical students and residents while also serving as a voluntary faculty preceptor for the Family Practice Residency Sports Medicine Fellowship Programs at Morton Plant Mease/USF and Bayfront Medical Center.

Dr. Elder has published book chapters related to exercise stress testing, including a recent chapter in “Exercise Testing for Primary Care and Sports Medicine Physicians.” He has also given numerous lectures on sports medicine topics, including wilderness medicine. Dr. Elder is trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound and uses this to perform diagnostic and therapeutic injections/procedures in the office. He is also trained in and performs platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections.

Steven Masley, MD, FAAFP, CNS, FACN, CCD President, Masley Optimal Health Center

Steven Masley, MD, is a fellow certified physician and nutritionist, author, speaker and award-winning patient educator. His research focuses on the impact of lifestyle choices on aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive function and weight control. His passion is empowering people to achieve optimal health through comprehensive medical assessments and lifestyle changes. Dr. Masley is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida, and he teaches programs at Eckerd College and the University of Tampa. In 2010, he received the physician Health Care Hero award by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Dr. Masley sees patients from across North America at the Masley Optimal Health Center in St. Petersburg, FL.

Dr. Masley has published several health books, including “Ten Years Younger,” and numerous scientific articles. His next book will be called “The 30-Day Heart Tune-Up” and will be published by Center Street, with Hachette book group. His work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, the Today Show, plus over 250 media interviews.

Matthew J. Swick, MD Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Swick is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine and Foot and Ankle Treatment and Surgery. His medical degree was earned from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, FL. He completed his Internship and Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Atlanta Medical Center in Georgia. He has a Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroplasty from Triangle Orthopaedic Associates in Durham, NC, and in Foot and Ankle Surgery from Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand.