Taite Heller

Taite Heller is a dedicated student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she is majoring in Health and Exercise Science and minoring in Biology and Psychology. She has maintained a 3.97 GPA and is expected to graduate in 2027. As a student on the Pre-Physician Assistant track, she is preparing for a future in healthcare and plans to attend PA school after completing her undergraduate studies. Her academic accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to education, professional development, and helping others.

In addition to her academic responsibilities, Taite is a Division I student-athlete on the Wake Forest University Dance Team. Balancing the demands of collegiate athletics with a challenging course load has strengthened her discipline, leadership skills, and ability to manage her time effectively. Her commitment to the team was recognized during the 2025-2026 season when she received the MVP Award for her dedication and performance.

As a member of the dance team for three years, Heller trains and performs for more than 15 hours each week while maintaining her academic success. She contributes to the game-day experience by engaging with fans and helping create a positive environment at athletic events. Her involvement also includes mentoring young dancers through junior spirit programs and representing the university at alumni and donor events. She competes annually at the Universal Dance Association National Championship in Division IA, one of the most competitive collegiate dance divisions in the nation. During the 2025-2026 season, the team achieved a historic milestone by earning its first national championship in the DIA Gameday Live category.

Her leadership extends beyond athletics through her role as a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In this position, Taite helps connect student-athletes with the athletic department by sharing feedback, supporting campus initiatives, and encouraging student involvement. In 2025, she was selected to serve as the student-athlete voice at the Faculty Advisory Committee meeting for Wake Forest Athletics. This achievement marked the first time a member of the Spirit Program had been chosen for the role. She was also selected to represent Wake Forest Athletics at a Leadership & Character Development Program event, where she discussed values, team culture, positivity, identity, and mindset.

Her interest in healthcare has led her to participate in meaningful research opportunities. As a Research Assistant for IGROOVE-POWER, Heller assisted graduate students with collecting and organizing muscle power measurements involving the knee and ankle joints. Working in a geriatric movement laboratory gave her experience in functional movement assessment, cognitive aging research, and non-pharmacological approaches to health and wellness.

During the Spring 2026 semester, Taite served as a clinical research intern for The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study at Wake Forest University. This large multisite clinical trial investigates whether diet, exercise, and weight-loss maintenance can help prevent knee osteoarthritis in women at risk of developing the condition. Through this experience, she gained additional exposure to clinical research methods and healthcare-focused studies.

Taite Heller has been selected to serve as a Teaching Assistant in Human Gross Anatomy. In this role, she will assist faculty members with cadaver preparation and dissection, lead open laboratory sessions, and mentor fellow students. She is also working toward obtaining her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification while seeking opportunities to gain direct patient care experience. Through her accomplishments in academics, athletics, research, leadership, and community service, she continues to build a strong foundation for a future healthcare career.