Meet Gabrielle Giovati, 2024 South University, Tampa PTA Graduate
Gabrielle Giovati has had a lifelong interest in health, movement, and working with others. The South University, Tampa Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program helped prepare her for a career that was the perfect fit. Today, Gabrielle works as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant with Independent Living Inc, a pediatric therapy provider.
“I’m extremely fascinated by the human body and what it’s capable of. I believe it was made to move, and I want to help people move it well,” she says. “It has so much to offer us, so I want everyone to be able to use it to the best of their ability.”Finding Her Way to the PTA Field
Gabrielle’s first encounter with physical therapy came long before she enrolled at South University. Growing up, Gabrielle ran cross country and track and would train with her dad when he was home from the Army Reserves. One day during warm-ups, he ruptured his Achilles tendon. “Watching his rehab journey sparked my curiosity about physical therapy,” she recalls. “Though I wasn’t there for his appointments, I had a great relationship with my athletic trainer and learned a lot through observation and completion of my own rehab for an IT band injury.”Still, her path to becoming a PTA wasn’t straightforward. After high school, Gabrielle attended Florida State University and majored in Family and Child Sciences. There, she worked as a personal trainer at the campus gym, eventually becoming a supervisor and then student director. She trained clients one-on-one, led small groups, and taught fitness classes.
After graduating, Gabrielle kept working in fitness and teaching classes locally. She also took a second job at a company called StretchLab, where she got hands-on experience in body mechanics and movement. Eventually, one of Gabrielle’s co-workers told her about their experience in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at South University. They suggested she check out the school if she was interested in the physical therapy field. “After researching the PTA program, I felt it was the perfect fit for where I was in life and where I wanted to go with my career. The rest is history!” Gabrielle says.
From Struggling Student to Excited Learner
Gabrielle isn’t ashamed to admit that she’s never been a straight-A student. She struggled even more during her bachelor’s program. In fact, she originally thought about going to graduate school for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, but her grades didn’t allow it. Still, everyone told her she would be fine once she started studying in her field. In the PTA program at South University, Gabrielle learned the truth of that advice.“It’s made an enormous difference!” reflects Gabrielle, who stayed on the Dean’s List throughout her time as a PTA student. “They couldn’t have been more right. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. Completing my PTA licensure gave me the foundation to continue growing both professionally and personally, and I genuinely love the process.”
Support and Structure in the PTA Program
At South University, Gabrielle gained both the technical knowledge and professional support she needed to enter the PTA field with confidence. “While my background in fitness and wellness helped, I still had much to learn. The structure and mentorship in the PTA program truly accelerated my development and readiness for real-world practice,” she says.In particular, she describes the interactions with her instructors as game-changing. “Their genuine enthusiasm for the field made every lecture more meaningful and left a lasting impression,” she says. “Their impact continues to motivate me in my current practice, and I’m grateful for the momentum they helped build.”
A Career in Pediatric Physical Therapy
As part of the PTA program, Gabrielle had a 9-week clinical rotation in an outpatient pediatric clinic, where she found her passion for working with children. Today, Gabrielle works full-time at that same clinic, Independent Living, Inc.As a PTA, she provides evidence-based, play-focused physical therapy sessions and home exercise programs aligned with the physical therapist’s (PT) plan of care. Sessions can take place at the clinic as well as at patient homes, daycares, and schools. “I adapt sessions in real-time based on the child's condition that day, ensuring each session is individualized, engaging, and impactful,” she explains.
Gabrielle’s clinical interests include pediatric nutrition, documentation innovation, lymphatic therapy, detox pathways, and neurological development. She is a Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialist (CPRCS). Gabrielle plans to pursue certifications in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), holistic nutrition, and lymphatic drainage. She is also working to become an Early Steps provider of in-home therapy for children from newborn to three years old. Within her clinic, she participates in a journal club with her colleagues in physical and occupational therapy.
“I’ve found a strong sense of purpose,” Gabrielle says. “I continue to learn more and have fun every day.”
Advice for Your Time at South University
When asked for advice for current South University students, Gabrielle had several things to note, including advising you to aim for progress, not perfection. “It’s okay to get things wrong,” she says. “Mistakes usually lead to the greatest learning and growth.”She also encourages you to be curious in your studies. “Stay open, stay passionate, and trust the process,” she urges. “Don't be afraid to ask for help or collaborate with peers/co-workers. Last but not least (maybe the most important), learn yourself. Find the best way to fuel yourself (brain and body), and unlock potential you maybe didn't even know you had, one day at a time.”
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Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program.) Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
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Testimonials have been provided by students/alumni in their own words and without coercion. This spotlight is based on information shared in 2025.
