Dual degree program celebrates first graduates
By Amanda Ennis
The University of North Florida Brooks College of Health is shaping future leaders in the healthcare industry through an innovative new dual degree program.
Jacksonville is home to some of the nation’s leading healthcare institutions, and UNF is a vital part in helping prepare the industry’s workforce while continuing the education of healthcare professionals already in the field.Hearing from partners about the need for young professionals to have healthcare leadership skills in addition to the physical therapy course knowledge and clinical practice experience, program directors Drs. Sherry Pinkstaff and Shyam Paryani collaborated to create a dual degree program that opened in fall 2023.
The Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) prepares individuals to serve as effective administrators, managers and leaders in the wide variety of organizations and agencies that make up the health services field. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to become physical therapists of the highest caliber working in the region, state and beyond. Graduates work in diverse fields of physical therapy such as hospitals, clinics, home health, rehab centers and on sports teams. They work with babies, aging adults, athletes and others promoting health and wellness through movement.
The program’s first two students graduated this spring. Gianna Forte and Shekinah Mitchell were both high achievers at the top of their class in the DPT program when Pinkstaff invited them to be the first students to complete the dual EMHA and DPT degrees.Gianna Forte
Gianna Forte grew up in Jacksonville and attended Bishop John J. Snyder High School. Her hard work earned her a spot on the University of Florida’s cross country and track teams, where she completed her degree in applied physiology and kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology. After graduating, she pursued her DPT at her first-choice university, UNF.
In the fall of 2022, Forte started the DPT program at UNF. In the first two years of the doctoral program, she continued her collegiate eligibility by competing on the cross country and track teams. She quickly distinguished herself as a dedicated student, securing a research project with Dr. Raine Osborne, assistant professor of physical therapy. They reviewed more than 30,000 papers on post-professional studies in healthcare, a project that Forte found very rewarding. She presented part of this research at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting in Houston, Texas, in February. Her commitment to research did not stop with one project. In the fall of 2023, she joined assistant professor of physical therapy Dr. Gui Ceasar's cerebral palsy study as a graduate research assistant as well as began the EMHA and DPT dual degree program.
Forte completed her first internship before starting the DPT program as a physical therapy technician at Atlantic Coast Physical Therapy, where she discovered her love for hands-on patient care. In the summer of 2024, she undertook her first clinical rotation at H2 Health on Southside, immersing herself in the world of outpatient physical therapy. Her second clinical rotation took her to AdventHealth in East Orlando, where she enjoyed inpatient care. She finished her third rotation at Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic and her final rotation at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
“Throughout my academic journey at UNF, I have been supported by incredible mentors,” said Forte. “My physical therapy professors played pivotal roles, opening doors for networking and providing invaluable guidance.”
In addition to her academic and clinical achievements, Forte is a leader within her community including volunteering with her church and inspiring youth with her dedication and passion.
Forte applied for the Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Residency a few months ago and was accepted into the one-year residency program which begins in August. The 52-week Residency is designed to significantly advance skills as a specialist in orthopedic clinical practice to optimize movement and health for patients.
Shekinah Mitchell
Shekinah Mitchell grew up in Jacksonville and attended Darnell-Cookman School of Medical Arts. She was born with a servant's heart and her passion for science and helping others was evident from a young age.
Mitchell earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences from UNF in 2021. Her undergraduate involvement in the Hicks Honors College Honors Colloquium program fostered a strong sense of community and helped her connect with others. She actively participated in student groups and as a member of the Community Alliance for Student Success (CASS), a mentoring program that pairs students with professional leaders.
“I met so many impactful professors, friends and mentors during my time at UNF,” said Mitchell. “Under the remarkable CASS leadership and direction of Whitney Meyer, current senior vice president and chief community impact officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, I met my mentor Darnell Smith, market president of Florida Blue. UNF has connected me with so many community healthcare leaders who have been so helpful in sharing guidance and advice on my journey.”
In 2022, Mitchell was accepted into the DPT program and in fall of 2023, she began the EMHA coursework. Mitchell also worked as a graduate assistant with Dr. Cesar’s cerebral palsy research. Her dedication and hard work culminated in her presentation at the the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in Boston in March 2024. She presented their research on kinetic outcomes post balance-related interventions for children with cerebral palsy. The systematic review is also published, showcasing Mitchell's lasting contributions to the field.
Mitchell's leadership skills were evident as she served as the first-year representative for her cohort in the Student Physical Therapy Association. In her second year, she was elected president, where she worked tirelessly as a liaison and bridge for the community. Her dedication extends further to her involvement in Leadership Jacksonville, where she participates in community events and networking opportunities.
Mitchell has finished her fourth clinical rotation at Brooks Rehabilitation Clinic in Arlington, focusing on outpatient orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy. Her previous rotations included Preferred Physical Therapy in Fleming Island, Middleburg Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing facility, and Gainesville VA Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She aspires to specialize in orthopedics and sports physical therapy.
As they move into their careers, Forte and Mitchell will surely make incredible contributions to the community through their physical therapy practice and leadership skills.
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