Eighteen students, twelve with an Associate Degree in Nursing and six from the Practical Nursing program, received a commemorative pin and a nurse’s candle to remember their accomplishments.

Practical Nursing Graduates include Sarah Branson, Annievette Camacho-Albarran, Breanna Holden, Sarah Jenkinson, Rhiannon Morgan and Sidney Towler-Pagan.

Associate Degree Nursing Graduates include Summer Alvarez, Tela Dixon, Amber Efird, Krista Futrell, Hanna Holt, Kellie Johnson, Cheyenne Little, Brianna Mabe, Taurice Nails, Tamara Owens, Charity Saunders and Erik Soto Gomez.

Sidney Towler-Pagan, one of the Practical Nursing graduates, spoke about the transformation which occurs during nursing studies, that graduates changed in order to emerge competent and confident.

In her speech, Pam Raffaldt, MCC Laboratory and Nursing Instructor, celebrated nursing as a trusted, revered profession marked by kindness and compassion.

Jan Scholl, Nurse Executive at First Health Montgomery, presented two student awards.

The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Nursing Enrichment Award is presented in recognition of clinical performance consistent with FirstHealth’s mission to care for people. The award winner demonstrated excellence in the clinical setting, portrayed outstanding interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills and took initiative to improve patient care. This year’s winner is PN Graduate Annievette Camacho-Albarran.

The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Nursing Enrichment Award is presented in recognition of mentorship consistent with FirstHealth’s mission to care for people. The award winner provided guidance to help other students gain confidence in their role, served as a role model, advocate and motivator and demonstrated patience and was supportive of peers. This year’s winner is AND Graduate Kellie Johnson.

Amber Wilson, MSN, RN and Pathway to Excellence Program Coordinator with Atrium Health, presented two student awards.                                                                                              

The Atrium Health Stanly Nursing Service Award, determined by vote of nursing leaders, is presented by the hospital foundation to the graduate who best meets the criteria of scholastic ability, professionalism, interpersonal relationships, teamwork, initiative and caring attitude. ADN Graduate Cheyenne Little is the recipient of this year’s award.

The Atrium Health Stanly Nursing Leadership Award, determined by the vote of the nursing leadership and with approval of the hospital executive, is presented by the hospital administration to the graduate who is most dedicated to caring.  PN Graduate Rhiannon Morgan received this award.

The MCC Faculty conveyed its Nursing Lantern Award to a student who was a steady, calming influence and the “mother of the class”, PN Graduate Sarah Branson.

Montgomery Community College offers a variety of programs in the health and human services fields to choose from, featuring associate, certificate and diploma options. Students can choose from nursing, dental assisting, human services, medical office administration, medical assisting, nurse aide, phlebotomy and practical nursing.