Highlights

  • The Orlando VA selects three applicants annually in the highly competitive postgraduate primary care nurse practitioner residency program β€” this year all three spots were awarded to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduates.

  • The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduate residents selected are Mimi Alliance ’22, Melissa Fajardo ’11 ’23 and Nancy Saintil ’10MS ’25DNP – three first-generation college graduates and two first-generation Americans.

     

  • ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s nurse practitioner graduates have been consistently in the program, located at the nation’s fourth-largest VA medical center, since its inception.

Three ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduates have been selected for the Orlando Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care nurse practitioner residency, a highly competitive postgraduate training program at the nation’s fourth-largest VA medical center.

Only three residents are selected annually from a pool of applicants to participate in the program, in which ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ has had consistent representation since its inception. This year, all three spots were awarded to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduates.

For , Melissa Fajardo ’11 ’23 and Nancy Saintil ’10MS ’25DNP β€” three first-generation college graduates and two first-generation Americans β€” it’s a career opportunity forged in hard work and shaped by an education at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.

β€œThis milestone represents years of perseverance, faith, growth and the encouragement of people who believed in my potential,” says Alliance, who, along with Fajardo, is among the more than 300 nursing students graduating from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ this week. β€œIt is also a reflection of the mentorship, opportunity and support I received throughout my education at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½.”

“These three ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduates are highly qualified and will excel in both their residency and future careers as nurse practitioners.” β€” Jacqueline LaManna ’13PhD, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ director of adult primary care nurse practitioner programs

The one-year program is designed to ease the transition into independent practice for newly graduated, licensed nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioner residents rotate through clinical settings with structured mentorship to help care for the 149,000 veterans served by the Orlando VA Healthcare System.

β€œThis program requires advanced clinical practice, scholarship and leadership skills,”  says Jacqueline LaManna ’13PhD, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½’s director of the adult primary care nurse practitioner programs. “These three ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ graduates are highly qualified and will excel in both their residency and future careers as nurse practitioners.”

β€œΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepares nurse practitioners for success,” adds Jonathan Decker, director of the family nurse practitioner program. β€œOur graduates’ consistently surpass national first-time pass rate averages on board certifications and many secure employment or advanced training opportunities before graduation – just like these three.”

The graduates will begin their residency this fall at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona, minutes away from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s new Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. The state-of-the-art facility is helping address critical nursing shortages β€” awarding more than 900 nursing degrees in the last academic year.

For Saintil, the wife of a veteran, the opportunity is deeply personal.

β€œThrough my exposure to the VA healthcare system, I have seen firsthand the positive impact it has on the lives of America’s veterans,” she says. β€œI am inspired by the VA’s commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care and honored to contribute to that mission.”

Together with their cohort, the three new Knight nurse practitioners are joining one of the nation’s fastest-growing occupations and meeting increasing demand in Florida. Driven by physician shortages and a growing and aging population, the growth rate of nurse practitioners in the Sunshine State is projected to be 41.6% by 2034.

Meet them here.

Mimi Alliance ’22 aims to become a family nurse practitioner known for compassionate, patient-centered care and lasting relationships with those she serves.

Mimi Alliance ’22

What inspired your nursing career?

From an early age, I knew I wanted a career in healthcare where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As I grew older, I became drawn to the structure and mission of public service, particularly organizations with the ability to improve health at both the individual and community level.

How did ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepare you for practice?
ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepared me through academic rigor, diverse clinical training, faculty mentorship and meaningful opportunities to serve the community. ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Family Nurse Practitioner doctoral program challenged me to strengthen my clinical reasoning, communicate clearly, and think beyond the walls of the clinic.

For example, my doctoral project provided hearing screenings for older adults in Central Florida based in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Mobile Health Clinic. Working alongside faculty, providers, audiologists, students and community partners taught me how collaboration can improve preventive care.

As a student who carried significant responsibility early in life, being part of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ community allowed me to fully experience scholarship, service, leadership and connection.

In the future…
My long-term goal is to become an exceptional family nurse practitioner known for compassionate, whole-person care, strong clinical reasoning and meaningful relationships with patients over time.

I also see education as part of my professional identity and hope to continue mentoring future nurses and nurse practitioner students.

Inspired by the hospice nurses who cared for her grandparents, Melissa Fajardo ’11 ’23 traded a 20-year career with the Orange County Corrections Department for a new calling in nursing.

Melissa Fajardo ’11 ’23

What inspired your nursing career?
Nursing is my second career. I initially worked as a first responder and worked with the Orange County Corrections Department for more than 20 years.

I was inspired to pursue a nursing career after watching my grandparents transition through life in the care of the most genuine and loving hospice nursing staff.

How did ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepare you for practice?
ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ has been instrumental in my education. I grew up in Massachusetts and was the first in my family to consider attending college. I chose ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ for my first degree and have continued to choose ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½. I love the campus and the education.

The mentorship of my professors, especially in the doctoral program, has given me the confidence to believe in my ability to pursue a higher-level role.

In the future…
After completing the residency, my goal is to secure a full-time position with the VA as a family nurse practitioner in one of the primary care clinics in Central Florida.

I come from a long line of veterans, beginning with my grandfather who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and providing care to veterans is an incredible privilege. While we can never fully repay them for their sacrifices, I believe we have a responsibility to honor them by providing compassionate, high-quality, and respectful healthcare. I want to become the kind of provider who not only manages chronic illnesses, but also empowers veterans to take an active role in their health and ensures they always feel heard, respected and valued.

Nearly 16 years into her nursing career, Nancy Saintil ’10MSN ’25DNP found a new calling after her father’s stroke: becoming an even stronger advocate for vulnerable patients.

Nancy Saintil ’10MSN ’25DNP

What inspired your nursing career?
My mom was a nursing assistant, and she encouraged me to pursue a career in the profession. I remember as a child watching her with patients, and I wanted to care for others as she did.

After nearly 16 years in nursing and following my father’s stroke, I felt called to expand my role in patient care. That experience inspired me to become a stronger advocate for vulnerable populations, including those who may struggle to access or trust the healthcare system.

As a nurse practitioner, I hope to make a meaningful difference by providing compassionate, patient-centered care and serving as a voice for those who need it most.

How did ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepare you for practice?
ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ prepared me for my career as a primary care nurse practitioner by combining strong academic instruction with meaningful clinical experiences.

Many of the faculty are practicing nurse practitioners, which allowed them to bring real-world experiences into the classroom. Their expertise, mentorship, and commitment to student success helped bridge the gap between theory and practice and strengthened my readiness to enter clinical practice.

Through rigorous coursework, hands-on lab experiences, and strong clinical partnerships, I gained exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.

These experiences have equipped me with the foundational knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the VA.

In the future…
Upon completion of the residency, I hope to continue serving veterans within the VA healthcare system and build a fulfilling career in primary care, providing compassionate, evidence-based care.