Loretto Heights School of Nursing Pinning and Recognition Program
Dec. 13, 2024
PROCESSIONAL
INTRODUCTION AND INVOCATION
Kelly Bastian, RN
Facilitator
OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Jake Bucher
Provost, Regis University
WELCOME
Dr. Linda Osterlund
Academic Dean, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions
STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
Jennifer Hilliard, RN
Master of Science
Leadership in Health Care Systems
Julianne Dumond
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Nursing Program
Alexander Adams
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
CHOICE Nursing Program
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Grace Cort, RN
Outstanding Achievement:
Master of Science
Leadership in Health Care Systems
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD
Megan Shapiro
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Nursing Program
Michael Kirby
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
CHOICE Nursing Program
DAISY FOUNDATION FACULTY AND STUDENT AWARD
Presented by
Dr. Catherine Witt, RN
Lauren Woeste, RN
Loretto Heights School of Nursing
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty
Ali Gordon, RN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Student
Sarah Hartmann
LUKE DANIEL YOUNG AWARD
Presented by
Dr. Catherine Witt, RN
Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Rylan Losh
Accelerated Nursing Program
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT EVIDENCE-BASED POSTER AWARD
Rosalynne King
Accelerated Nursing Program
OUTSTANDING AFFILIATE FACULTY AWARD
Dedra Merrill, RN
GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Dr. Patricia Cullen, RN
Assistant Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Graduate Programs
UNDERGRADUTE PINNING
Dr. Lisa Zenoni, RN
Assistant Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Undergraduate Nursing Programs
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Catherine Witt, RN
Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE
BLESSING
Dr. Jules Javernick, RN
Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Associate Professor
THE TRADITION OF THE MASTER’S HOOD
The tradition of wearing graduation regalia dates back nearly 800 years. Robes varied in color, material and style based upon a person’s place in society regardless of gender or class. With the formation of professional guilds, color and material were indicative of professions. Eventually, further differentiation was made between the apprentices (bachelor’s prepared), the teachers (master’s prepared) and teachers who had completed graduate studies (doctoral prepared). Through time, the hood, which was once a practical piece of clothing, became purely symbolic in the academic world.
Today, these hoods are worn by graduates with a degree beyond the undergraduate level. The color of the hood’s lining indicates the institution granting the degree, while the color of the hood’s velvet edging that carries forward around the throat of the hood is indicative of the discipline from which the degree is offered.
GRADUATES
Master of Science
Department of Graduate Nursing Programs
Leadership in Health Care Systems
Molly Berch
Samantha Brant
Grace Cort
Jennifer Hilliard
Alissa Nelson
Tanya Petry
Karin Price
Amanda Seader
Amanda Wilmoth
Quality and Patient Safety Certificate
Alissa Nelson
Grace Cort
THE TRADITION OF PINNING
Several ways of recognizing the educational level and status of nurses have existed throughout history. They included a nursing school cap and pin. Both the school cap and pin were unique to each school of nursing. Historically, nursing students were awarded a school cap during the first few months of the nursing school program. For each year of their nursing education, the students received a band indicating another year completed. Upon graduation they were awarded a different, wider band. The tradition of the capping was eliminated from nursing programs in the 1960s, but the tradition of pinning remains.
The current pin is unique to Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing. Designed in 2002, the pin is reflective of the roots of Regis’ nursing program, which was established at Loretto Heights College in 1948. The lamp on the pin represents the traditional lamp of nursing knowledge. The cross represents the faithbased tradition of Regis University’s Jesuit mission.
WHEN THE BODY OF WORK IS TENDING TO BODIES
When the body of our work is tending to bodies
Minds become adept at piecing together all the moving parts of treatment,
adept at bridging science and care
Eyes become observant
Ears, attuned to subtle sounds
Hands well-versed in working tools performing procedures
These hands,
Hands that pump hearts that no longer beat
Hands that feel for veins to administer lifesaving medication
Hands around shoulders when death comes
When the body of our work is tending to bodies
Our bodies become vessels of Listening and Healing
They become simultaneously tender as they strengthen from this labor of tending to bodies
Nursing is labor.
Labor that demands not just our minds, but our bodies, and our hearts,
and when we hear talk of heart, or care we cringe and call it fluff because in a culture
and in a system that devalues
Care
We strip away the language of heart work but the heart, mind, and spine of
the $800B dollar healthcare industry body is nursing & without nursing, the industry
declines from within
For the body cannot function without the mind and heart
We know in our bones that at the core of this profession is heart work
So when the time comes when your own heart becomes heavy from the trials & tribulations
of this labor
Bring those eyes that assess inward
Tune those ears that listen to your own internal rhythm
Place those hands that heal others on your own beating heart and remember that you form
the body of nursing which is the mind, spine, and heart of healthcare
Rosa Le
January Accelerated 2022
GRADUATES
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Nursing
Angela Atkinson
Sarah Blilie (Kisiel)
Breanne Booren
Macy Brown
Amy Collins
Elizabeth Brown (Comden)
Lauren Crookston
Andrea Cruz
Joie Davis
Amber DeMarsico
Juliane Dumond
Paige Eivins
Maggie Foos
Alessandra Gawell
Jess Glen
Sarah Hartmann
Savannah Panjwani (Hibbin)
Zoe Humphrey
John Hyland
Emma Jones
Susannah Keith
Rosalynne King
Ashley Lamar
Kamola Lapasova
Stefan Lavender
Natalia Leonczuk
Celine Long
Rylan Losh
Fiona Mangan
Keely Manzo
Teaghan Mercer
Kaitlyn Montemayor
Taylor Noval
Ann Pham
Skyler Robinson
Mia Salinas
Megan Shapiro
Kathryn Smolensky
Isabella Stanley
Sara Sterck
Mackenzie Vetter
Luisa Weiner
Jacinda Whitney
Kristilynn Zanini
CHOICE Nursing
Alexander Adams
Valeria Blankley
Katherine Bolyard
Nicole Casey
Emilia Chapin
Markayla Conn (Poree)
Fatu Dolo
Daisy Juarez
Todd Kershner
Michael Kirby
Darya Kovalchuk
Elena Lupo
Eric McDonnell
Lara Rogers
Emily Than
Haelee Zeinert
RN-BSN Nursing
Ada Dickerson
Nicole Gonzales
Melinda Hess
Maral Mehtemetian
Michelle Moxley
Hellen Nalunkuma
Abigail Renick
Jennifer Shumway
Lynn Simons
Autumn Talbert
Patricia Talijan
Laurie Turney
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
LIGHT AS A SYMBOL
The symbol of light can mean many things. To the soldiers she cared for, Florence Nightingale was known as the Lady with the Lamp. Light is a symbol for wisdom.
We ask that this light open your hearts to the opportunity of each new day and challenge you to use your learning and skills in thoughtful patient care.
May light illuminate the faces of all we serve helping us to face the darkness of suffering and enabling us to work with care and compassion.
With this light, help us in our search for wisdom so that all of our dealings with others may be guided by honesty.
May the warmth of this light give us the courage to confront difficult or unjust situations and the strength to advocate for ethical patient care.
Let the brilliance of this light lead us to a love of learning in all stages of our lives.
NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.
As a missioner of health, I will dedicate myself to devoted service for human welfare.
BLESSING FOR NURSING GRADUATES
Presider: May the God of gentleness be with you, calming the fears of your patients and bringing them hope.
ALL: May the blessing of gentleness go with you.
Presider: May the God of compassion be with you, holding you close when you are weary, fearful and alone.
ALL: May the blessing of compassion go with you.
Presider: May the God of joy be with you. May God thrill and surprise you with nearness and newness, filling your heart with gratitude for your own talents and gifts.
ALL: May the blessing of joy go with you.
Presider: May the God of love be with you, brightening your eyes and helping you to share God’s healing power with your patients, your family and your friends.
ALL: May the blessing of love go with you.
Presider: May the God of strength be with you, preserving your ideals and keeping you well-balanced.
ALL: May the blessing of strength go with you.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Loretto Heights School of Nursing Faculty and Administration
Dr. Shawn Anderson
Charlotte Ardizzone
Kelly Bastian
Christine Beck
Dr. Cecilia Benns
Dr. Mary Castang
Dr. Lora Claywell
Dr. Stephanie Craddick
Dr. Patsy Cullen
Dr. Susan Dalbey
Dr. Courtney Duggan
Dr. Kandice Eakes
Rebecca Freeman
Dr. Candon Garbo
Justin Garcia-Grace
Dr. Kari Goerke
Alexandra Gordon
Dr. Phyllis Graham-Dickerson
LuAnne Hicks
Andria Hinds
Dr. Jules Javernick
Kelsie Kline
Sarah Kurash
Dr. Vincent LaBarca
Amanda Linegar
Dee Martinez
Sarah Masten
Melissa Mooney
Dr. Michelle Redfearn
Keith Roussil
Dr. Debra Roybal
Danielle Schuurman
Dr. Krista Scorsone
Beth Smith
Dr. Holly Vali
Amy Wallace
Dr. Carol Wallman
Abbie Wegert
Dr. Kathleen Whalen
Angle Whiteacre
Susan Wilcinski
Dr. Catherine Witt
Lauren Woeste
Dr. Lisa Zenoni
Loretto Heights School of Nursing Staff
Rashelle Arrazola
Sherry Birney
Sally Chambless
Tennille Hamler
Jaynee Hilfer
Tori Hinds
Daniela Lotito
Ellen Martinelli
Liz Mason
Jenn Massler
Doug Miller
Cassandra Mondrow
Cristian Soto
REGIS HISTORY
The seeds for Regis University were planted in 1877 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, when a group of exiled Italian Jesuits founded a small school called Las Vegas College. In 1884, the school relocated to Morrison, Colorado, and was renamed College of the Sacred Heart. Thanks to a generous donation of land from John Brisben Walker, the college settled in its current Denver location in 1887. The school was renamed Regis College in 1921 in honor of the Jesuit saint, John Francis Regis. Today, Regis University serves more than 8,000 students through its five colleges. Loretto Heights College was founded in 1891 by the Sisters of Loretto. After beginning as a Catholic school for girls, college curriculum was introduced in 1918. In 1988 the school closed and moved its academic programs to Regis, becoming the foundation for the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions.
Special Thanks
To all the speakers, the Loretto Heights School of Nursing staff, and most of all, to all the family, friends and faculty for their support and encouragement.