Verde Valley News – A traditional pinning ceremony on May 2 saw 46 Yavapai College Nursing Program graduates celebrate earning the degree that will open the door to a healthcare hero career — an associate of applied science in nursing.
The ceremony featured each future RN receiving a nurse pin from one or more loved one onstage at the Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center, a candlelight tribute to nursing founder Florence Nightingale, student award presentations and congratulatory remarks from YC leaders and nursing faculty.
In her remarks to the graduates and their well-wishers, YC Vice President of Workforce Development and Health Sciences, Dr. Marylou Mercado, likened the future nurses to “diamonds” who “have endured immense pressure, emerging stronger and more radiant than ever before.”
Dr. Barbara Durham, YC Nursing Program Director, officially welcomed the graduates to the nursing profession after recognizing four beloved and “esteemed” retiring faculty members: Maria Thomas, who is retiring after 17 years; Cynthia Schroder, also retiring after 17 years; Rosemarie Thieme, a nursing professor at YC for 18 years; and Dr. Kimberly Gould, a nursing professor for three years.
Thomas, Schroder, Thieme and Dr. Gould “have left an indelible mark upon this college and the countless lives they have touched,” Durham said. “To our graduates, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. And may your journey be filled with countless opportunities to make a difference one patient, one family and one community at a time.”
Dr. Gould delivered the keynote address at the spring nurse pinning ceremony, recounting for graduates some Civil War-era nursing history and the pioneering American women like Dorothea Dix, Cornelia Hancock and Clara Barton who endured horrific conditions while making invaluable and lasting contributions to the profession.
“Our legacy reaches back to these women who were passionate, caring, courageous and dedicated to improving the human condition… You will make a difference in the lives of many people over the course of your career, and although most of the time your actions will go unrecognized, they are not without great impact,” Dr. Gold said.
In her congratulatory remarks, YC President Dr. Lisa Rhine extolled the sacrifices of the students and their loved ones and appealed to the YC-trained nurses to be “good humans” because “your character and integrity will take you places your talent cannot… Believe there is good in the world and be the good in the world,” she said.
Following is a list of the YC spring 2024 Nursing Program graduating class:
Angela Allen, Ryan Allred, Cassidy Bassett, Leslie Bessert, Sydney Brown, Hannah Burdett, Katelyn Christopherson, Alexa Furrer, Melissa Gaitan, Cissy Gillo, Diego Gonzalez Mercado, Jessica Guerrero, Melissa Hardy, Valeria Hernandez, Heidi Howden, Samantha Imes, Jacob Kendall, Baylee Kite, Tiresha La Rue, Julie Lawrence, George Livingston, Irlanda Lopez, Taidyme Mae, Jessica Murphree, Monet Newell, Chyleah Novak-Thompson, Kyla Olson, Kamryn Pusl, Aniessa Ramirez, Michelle Rice, Sharon Robertson, Jordan Rogers, Anthony Rossano, Aaron Sanchez, Hope Satsuma, Spencer Shumway, Frances Singer-Isaacs, Tyra Smith, Ashley Sua, Emma Sullivan, Alexis Thompson, Hailee Thurman, Caleen Tinny, Shannon Trail, Kelsey West and Lauren Zeller.
To learn more about YC’s acclaimed nursing program, visit www.yc.edu/nursing.
Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.
To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.