BK News

Being a first-generation student in the United States, Dr. Juan (Danny) Pulido ’98 faced some academic challenges and describes himself best as an "average" student at Bishop Kenny. He spent his time playing sports year-round which included football, track, and soccer while lifeguarding during his summers. Football was his love with offers to play at the next level, but life took him in a different direction. Danny loved his time at BK and credits his amazing experience to his teachers. He remembers Mr. Weber who went above and beyond his teaching of science with a passion that inspired him.  Danny never imagined becoming a doctor while he was in high school, but his life-guarding experiences steered him toward the field of medicine. While working ocean rescue during high school summers, he was impacted by many cases but his first case of having to pull a drowning victim out of the water and start CPR until EMT arrived inspired him to learn more on how to make a difference in saving lives.

After graduation, Danny pursued his foreign medical degree at UCIMED in San Jose, Costa Rica, following in the footsteps of family members including his two brothers who also studied medicine in Costa Rica. Living in a new country with limited language proficiency presented social challenges, leading him to focus on his studies. Drawing images while studying medicine made learning by visualization more enjoyable. He quickly realized his best method of learning was visualization which he applied in the hardest subjects such as biochemistry, anatomy and physiology. After four years in Costa Rica, he returned to the U.S., completed his boards, and began his residency at Shands Jacksonville in internal medicine.

Prior to his residency, Dr. Pulido originally wanted to pursue a career in orthopedics due to his passion for sports, but he also enjoyed spending time with his uncle Dr. Jesus Pulido, a local cardiologist. After much consideration he decided to apply for both orthopedic and internal medicine and was awarded internal medicine at Shands Jacksonville. After completion of internal medicine, he was offered the opportunity to be the first fellow in their Pulmonary and Critical Care program. His advice to others is to take opportunities when provided and sometimes following the path of least resistance can be rewarding. Currently, Dr. Pulido works as the medical director of Baptist Beaches Intensive Care Unit, and he is the owner of Northeast Florida Lung Clinic and medical officer for Dolphin Point rehab center.  He also serves at the director of Advanced Respiratory Therapy Care with Jacksonville University. 

Excitingly, Dr. Pulido announced that Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) will open its fifth campus here in Jacksonville, in partnership with Jacksonville University to create a four-year osteopathic medical school, becoming the first medical school of Jacksonville! LECOM plans to enroll sixty-five students by fall 2026 with plans to grow it to 150 students by 2030. Danny currently serves as a Regional Dean for LECOM and will serve as the Clinical Dean for third- and fourth-year students once completion of the school campus is built. He is also collaborating with JU on a project allowing high school students to shadow pre-med students, providing them with a firsthand experience before making career decisions.

In his free time, Dr. Pulido enjoys spending time with this wife and four children. He recently acquired a farm which he looks forward to developing agriculturally and adding various animals. He emphasizes to young people that academic performance in high school does not necessarily determine their outcome, crediting his success to his parents' strong work ethic instilled in all their children. Bishop Kenny is proud to call Dr. Pulido a member of our Crusader family.

 

 

 

Martha Barrett ‘68 has memories of her time at Bishop Kenny, where she attended the girls’s school situated in the 100 building while the boys' school was across the street in the 200 building. Mrs.Jane Marnett, one of Martha's favorite teachers, played a pivotal role in her education. Although math was not Martha's forte, Mrs Jane. Marnett's patience and kindness made the subject more manageable, fostering a positive learning experience. Martha's enthusiasm for her history classes at BK left a lasting impact, guiding her through various civic duties and political accomplishments throughout her career. Today, she expresses gratitude for the invaluable Catholic education she received at  Assumption Catholic School and Bishop Kenny. She continued her Catholic education at Maryville University in St. Louis where she majored in political science followed by Xavier University in Cincinnati where she received her master’s degree in education. 

Martha's love for politics led her to work on the campaign for Florida Senate candidate Richard Stone. Following his victory, she joined him in Washington, D.C., working for the Senator during his term. While in D.C., Martha learned of the campaign for presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and offered her assistance. Recognizing her potential, the campaign suggested Martha work in Jacksonville, FL, a critical location for the campaign’s win in the state of Florida. After Jimmy Carter's victory, Martha returned to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Fire Administration, a part of FEMA.

In 1978, Martha returned to Jacksonville to work for Jake Godbold, who was running for mayor. She cherished her role working for Mayor Jake Godbold in various capacities, from aide to media coverage, throughout his eight year term. One notable highlight was when the city hosted Robert Irsay, owner of the Baltimore Colts, exploring potential new cities for the team. Martha recalls the city rallying in excitement over the prospect. Following her tenure working for Mayor Jake Godbold’s, Martha worked with various companies, including Independent Life Insurance Company, Jim King Companies, Duval County School Board, and Bank of America, where she recently retired after 22 years as a senior vice president.

Martha's love for Jacksonville is evident through four decades of service and dedication to the community. She remains committed to giving back, a value instilled by her parents and sister, who emphasized the importance of service from an early age. Martha believes our mission on earth is to serve, not just to be served. We extend our heartfelt wishes to Martha for a joyful retirement, confident that her presence will continue to enrich our community.

As an Army Brat, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Miller ’00 transferred to Bishop Kenny High School in his sophomore year after his father was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Although his time at BK was only three years, Matthew found a sense of belonging that he attributes to much of his career success. Developing an interest in playing soccer and becoming a member of the German Club, he particularly credits Frau Simpson as a significant influence. Having been born in Germany and later serving in the 82nd Engineer Battalion in Bamberg, Germany, and the 9th Engineer Battalion in Schweinfurt, Germany, Matthew gained valuable knowledge about the language and culture, aiding him in adapting to the challenges of living abroad. It was during his time at BK where he also met his future wife, Shawn, a graduate of the class of 1999.  Although math was not his subject, being in Mrs. Voelker’s class where he met Shawn made it a little better. Reflecting on his time at Bishop Kenny, Matthew acknowledges the role the school played in fostering his strong faith, a faith he and Shawn prioritize and pass on to their five children today.

After graduating from BK, Matthew continued his education at West Point, where he played soccer for four years. The West Point connection runs deep in his family, with his father, uncle, brother, and cousins all being graduates of the academy. Notably, Matthew takes pride in his Uncle Gary Steele, the first African American football player at West Point. In 2004, Matthew graduated from West Point as an Engineering Officer.

Matthew's military journey led him to various assignments, beginning with service in Germany and later deploying to Iraq for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Post-Iraq, he was stationed in Washington, D.C., where he served as an intelligence analysis chief with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the United States European Command (USEUCOM). Currently, he holds the position of Professor of Military Science at Augusta University and the University of South Carolina Aiken.

When asked about his greatest military accomplishment, Matthew points to his current role at Augusta University, where he shapes the future leaders of the army, preparing them for their future endeavors. He has earned numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, and Air Assault School completion.

As a private citizen, Matt has started the Army Soccer Legacy Project in honor of his classmate, AJ Smith, who passed away while serving in Iraq.  Every year on December 8^th, the project leads community service and other creative ways to remember and honor the service of AJ Smith.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Strong Grey Line, a West Point Class of 2004 charitable giving governing body that serves the needs of fallen classmates and their families from basic needs to mental health. In his leisure time, Matthew enjoys being with his wife and five children and has a passion for art, frequently auctioning and selling his pieces. Currently, he is working on his first commissioned piece. Matthew is set to retire from the Army in June 2024 after a distinguished career and looks forward to what the future holds. We express our gratitude to Matthew for his years of service to our country and proudly recognize him as a valued member of the BK family.