In May 1982, Diana Burgess graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College with honors obtaining an Associates of Science degree of Nursing. After being married in August that same year, she began her nursing career at Edward White Hospital working in the Intensive Care Unit for over ten years. She obtained her certification in critical care, or CCRN, in 1985. She also served as president for the local chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Eventually, Diana literally took her career to new heights by working fifteen years as the chief flight nurse for a nationally accredited fixed wing air ambulance in Clearwater. She had the remarkable opportunity to travel the world transporting all types of patients battling many different medical conditions.

Diana acquired specialty certification in flight nursing while developing and teaching a flight physiology course to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics across the country who desired to become medical flight crewmembers.

Her proudest accomplishments remain wrapped around her being the wife of Ed Burgess for twenty-three years as well as the mother of two children, Chad, twenty-two and Mallory, eighteen.Diana survived a deadly plane crash on August 30, 2002. The tragedy occurred upon landing during a medical transport to Lexington, Kentucky. The medically equipped Lear Jet, unable to stop, careened off of a sixty-foot cliff on fire sliding on its belly across a six lane major thoroughfare.

Trapped inside the burning inferno unable to move, she called out to God, in Jesus name to save them all. She battled just to survive after sustaining life-threatening and debilitating injuries. Diana endured many surgeries, fought countless complications and spent four weeks in the hospital. She worked hard at rehabilitation for over two years, eventually learning to walk again.

Having been a certified fitness instructor for years contributed greatly to her astounding recovery. Diana suffered a great deal of pain and frustration yet also gained a unique perspective of nursing by becoming a patient herself. Her personal faith in Jesus Christ, though tested, grew stronger as she watched Him provide her every need. She recently graduated from St. Petersburg College of Nursing with her Bachelors in Nursing in May 2005 with honors. God willing, she plans to teach nursing while continuing to share her miraculous story to all who will listen.