St. Johns River Community College informed Historic City News that they recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize recipients of the Associate in Science in Nursing degree.
The pinning ceremony symbolized the “rite of passage into the nursing profession,” said Anna Lebesch, SJRCC’s vice president for workforce development. The pin is a reminder to the 24 graduates of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed.
Lebesch described the pinning and lighting ceremony as the symbol of the care and devotion nurses provide. The ceremony is also a continued tradition of Florence Nightingale’s extended honor to her most outstanding nurses.
In addition to the ceremony, students were recognized for special achievements throughout their two-year program. Clay County resident Debra Henry received the Academic Excellence award. Flagler County resident Elizabeth Camacho received the Outstanding Student of the Year and Florence Nightingale awards.
Students were pinned by family members. The recipient of the Florence Nightingale award lit a single lamp and began the Florence Nightingale Pledge with all graduates joining in. This tradition serves as an icon in nursing from Nightingale, who is known as the founder of modern-day nursing. In the 1800s, Nightingale was known as the “lady with the lamp,” tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way. The ceremony was held at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts located on the Orange Park Campus.
The following students are from St. Johns County: David Bairstow, Tiffany Brigeman, Michael Giarratano, Galyna Komives, Ellen Lopez, Hinda Mamdouh, Nicole Sampson and Daniel Stift.
The following students are from Clay County: Debby Anson, Tammy Burns, Margaret Carrier, Jennifer Chaney, Larisa Churchill, Tiffany Corley, Debra Henry, Erica Humphrey, Melissa Lee, Bernardita Sason and Maria Yates.
The following students are from Duval County: Kimberly Harvey, Hannah Martin and Carolyne Okero.
The following student is from Putnam County: Elisabeth Pacilli.
The following student is from Flagler County: Elizabeth Camacho.
SJRCC’s nursing program is offered in Palatka and Orange Park. SJRCC offers additional health programs such as respiratory care, nursing assistant, health information management and radiologic technology. For more information on degree and certificate programs in the health field, call (386) 312-4176.