Ted Tenaglia’s journey has been a progression through education, service, and commitment to public safety and health care, with each step contributing to the next stage of his journey. Growing up in Florida, he had an interest in structured learning and community participation from a young age, which later shaped his decision to pursue higher education and work in a certain profession. In addition, his time spent in environments focused on leadership and serving others helped him to establish a solid foundation in responsibility, communication, and teamwork.
Tenaglia began his professional career by receiving training in Emergency Services. In 2020, he received the certifications of Firefighter I/II and Emergency Medical Technician from the Florida State Fire College. This marked the beginning of his career in public safety. He then continued his education and received a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services from the University of Florida, graduating Cum Laude while also serving as a Firefighter for the City of Gainesville. Balancing the demands of school and the obligations of working in emergency service provided him with direct exposure to the realities of working in emergency response, which strengthened his commitment to continuous education and disciplined service.
To deepen his knowledge of healthcare systems, he completed a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Central Florida in 2025 along with various certifications in Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Financial Operations. Additionally, he started working as both a Lifeguard and an EMT while searching for opportunities in the field of Healthcare Administration; thus, he is transitioning at a steady pace from responding at the point of incident development to having system-level responsibilities within the Healthcare System. His experience and education have provided him with the skills necessary for successfully transitioning from one stage of his career to another.