Method and apparatus for a head gimbal assembly (HGA) which incorporates a microactuator. In accordance with various embodiments, a gimbal assembly has a gimbal island disposed within an aperture of a gimbal plate, which is mechanically decoupled from the gimbal island. At least one microactuator element is attached between the gimbal island and the gimbal plate to allow rotation of the gimbal island independent of the gimbal plate. The gimbal assembly is suspended from a dimple which extends from the gimbal island.