Whitney Herd, ±«Óătv Health Morsani College of Medicine School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Class of 2025.
From the first moment she stepped into a dance studio as a child, Whitney Herd was captivated by movement. She spent years performing ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop, intently analyzing the mechanics of each motion to make them look effortless.
As she prepares to graduate from the ±«Óătv Health Morsani College of Medicine School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (SPTRS), Herd is channeling that same passion and precision into patient care.
Although she knew she always wanted to work in health care, it was not until college when Herd decided physical therapy was the perfect way to apply the mechanics of movement she gained as a dancer in a scientific profession that could help patients.
“From a young age, I spent a lot of time analyzing movement and how to make it as beautiful or artistic as possible,” Herd said. “I think it transitioned me very nicely into physical therapy to start looking at movement how to make it as functional as possible.”
She earned her undergraduate degree in applied physiology and kinesiology at the University of Florida, before coming to the ±«Óătv, where she was excited by the school’s abundance of clinical training opportunities and collaborative culture. Herd quickly distinguished herself as both a leader and student.
Over the program’s three years, Herd earned several prestigious honors, including the 2024 Dr. Gregory R. Nicolosi Award, a peer-selected recognition given to the classmate who most embodies the core values of the American Physical Therapy Association. She also received the 2024 Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Award presented by the Florida Physical Therapy Association, for demonstrating scholastic achievement and significant contributions to the promotion of physical therapy.
Douglas Haladay, DPT, PhD, professor and director of SPTRS, praised Herd’s work ethic and intellectual curiosity, as well as her leadership and character.
“Whitney has distinguished herself as an exceptional student within the DPT program,” said Dr. Haladay. “She approaches her academic and professional development with a thoughtful evidence-based mindset and a genuine commitment to excellence in patient care. She exemplifies the values of integrity, professionalism and compassion that define our field, and it has been a pleasure to watch her grow into the emerging clinician and leader she is today.”
During Herd’s clinical rotations, she found herself unexpectedly drawn to the high-intensity environment of acute care, where she worked with patients recovering from surgeries, strokes or serious illnesses.
“I was surprised how much I loved it,” she said. “You are meeting people in a very vulnerable time in their lives when something they’ve always had, like movement, has been taken away. To be able to work with those patients to give them independence to walk again was so rewarding. After that, I knew that I wanted to work in acute care.”
After graduation, Herd will be starting a position at PT Solutions, where she will work in partnership with AdventHealth in an acute care setting, a role she says perfectly blends her clinical skills with her desire to make a meaningful impact in patients’ lives.
Looking ahead, Herd is excited to build lasting relationships with patients rooted in compassion, trust and respect.
“When I begin and eventually end my career, I hope to be known as someone who truly cares for their patients, someone who listened and really improved their quality of life,” she said.
Herd and the DPT class of 2025 are set to graduate May 9.