Public health students presented with 2022-23 FL Blue ESG Minority Scholars Award

The 2022-23 FL Blue ESG Minority Scholars Award was recently awarded to three University of North Florida public health students, Duna Calixte, Trinity Hooks and Ja’Nya Johnson. The FL Blue ESG Minority Scholars Program is an annual award that aims to help students to form connections in the community, strengthen their leadership skills, and ultimately have a competitive edge in obtaining leadership positions in public health in the future. 

Duna Calixte is an undergraduate public health student interested in helping improve maternal outcomes for underprivileged women. She plans to become a nurse specializing in OB/GYN and then eventually obtain a nurse practitioner license.

Calixte’s mentor is Dr. Akilah Pope. Dr. Pope is the Florida Department of Health-Duval Medical executive director. She also serves as the lead senior physician for the Florida Department of Health-Duval and has been with the health department since 2010. She currently provides pediatric services to patients at the Center for Women and Children. Prior to joining FDOH-Duval, she worked as an emergency room doctor and cared for children at a private practice. 

Trinity Hooks is a Master of Public Health(MPH) student with a career goal to gain more knowledge in her associate clinical research coordinator position, and after doing so, she plans to focus on pediatric health. She hopes to one day work with local community leaders in efforts to decrease several preventable diseases in children in Jacksonville.

Hooks’ mentor is Dr. Pauline Rolle. Dr. Rolle is a pediatrician and medical director of pediatrics at Ascension St Vincent’s and serves as a member of our UNF Public Health Advisory Board.  Prior to Ascension St. Vincent’s, Dr. Rolle spent over eight years as the medical director of the Florida Department of Health - Duval County.

Ja’Nya Johnson is an MPH student with a career interest in public health research related to human behaviors and health challenges. Her goal is to discover how changes in behavior can influence better health outcomes without the use of medication.

Johnson’s mentor is Dr. Jossie McCloud. Dr. McCloud is a family physician and has served over five years as the transitional care medical director at Ascension St Vincent’s. Prior to Ascension St. Vincent’s, Dr. McCloud spent over nine years as the chief medical officer of Agape Community Health Network and she has served as a physician for the Florida Department of Health - Duval County for the last 16 years.