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Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Barry W. Padgett grew up as a “Navy Brat”. The family
moved to Merritt Island, Florida in 1961 when his father began working at the space
center at Cape Canaveral after retiring from the Navy. Barry graduated from Cocoa
High School in 1965 and began working at the space center as a technician for the
Canaveral District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Donna E. (Prevatt) Padgett was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her family moved to
Merritt Island in 1961 where her father worked for the Canaveral District of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Donna graduated from Merritt Island High School in
1968.
Barry and Donna met in 1966 and were married in 1968. The couple relocated to Mobile,
Alabama in 1971 where Barry continued his Corps career with the Mobile District.
He received his Civil Engineering degree (BSCE) in 1976 from the University of South
Alabama. His 33 years of Federal service included various assignments ranging from
staff engineer, to project manager of both small and multi-
Donna received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1980 from the University of South Alabama. She began her career as a staff nurse in the Emergency Department at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. In 1990 she transferred to the Cardiovascular Lab, became the Lab Supervisor in 1995, and then Director of Cardiology in 1996. Donna began her career as a travel nurse in 2002. Her unique combination of knowledge and skills makes
her a valuable asset in the Cardiovascular Lab. She often serves as mentor and
trainer to those still developing the required skills.
Her assignments have allowed the couple to pursue two of their loves: travel and
photography. Together, they have produced this concise “window” to the world of
travel nursing and have included 64 pages of photographs depicting their journey
across America.
