Faculty of Health Sciences celebrates Nursing grads at annual graduation tea and pinning ceremony

2014 Nursing graduates recently took the Nightingale Pledge as part of the annual Graduation Tea and Pinning Ceremony.

"Congratulations to the Nursing class of 2014," said Dr. Sue Coffey, Director Collaborative UOIT-DC Nursing program. "I cannot stress enough how proud the faculty members in the Nursing program are with each and every one of our graduates for all their hard work, and the dedication they’ve shown since they first set foot inside our classrooms. Each one of our graduates will be a very, very fine nurse who will make a difference in the lives of their patients."

Dana Chorney, DC Nursing
faculty member; Joan Edwards, Graduation Tea and Pinning Ceremony Salutorian;
and Arlene de la Rocha, Nursing faculty member, DC.

“These students have set an incredible example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication to one’s studies,” said Dr. Ellen Vogel, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences. “The annual graduation tea is an opportunity to acknowledge the valued support each Nursing student has received from family members and friends along the way, together with the strong commitment from community partners that ensures the success of the Collaborative Nursing program.”  

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)-to-BScN graduates were joined by their family and friends, FHS and Durham College (DC) faculty and staff and community partners for an evening that included speeches from Valedictorian Jacqueline Mangal and Salutatorian Joan Edwards, as well as student awards and preceptor recognition. The programs are offered collaboratively with DC.

The evening's festivities concluded with the presentation of the 2014 BScN pin to each graduate. The graduates also participated in the candle-lighting ceremony, which represents the passing of the flame from Florence Nightingale to each nurse, and the nurses' commitment to the profession. The graduates also recited the Nightingale Pledge, an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath.

Arlene de la Rocha, DC Nursing faculty member;
and Jacqueline Mangal, Graduation Tea and Pinning Ceremony Valedictorian.

Award highlights

Student award winners

• • Advocacy and Social Justice: Lisa Marie Rebello
  • Caring Award: Amy McGrath and Stephanie Lalonde
  • Leadership Award: Lindsay Duivesteyn
  • Personal Development Award: Jennifer Bilasz and Mariam Abdelmalik

Preceptor distinction award

• • Lorianne Larsen — Northumberland Hills Hospital
  • Carolyn Powell — Lakeridge Health Oshawa
  • Espernace Uwamahoro — Toronto Public Health

Agency of Distinction Award

• • University Health Network