The students, their instructors, leaders from LVH–Schuylkill and the health network joined with representatives from Penn State Schuylkill to celebrate the 122nd graduation ceremony held in the Morgan Auditorium at Penn State’s campus in Schuylkill Haven on Thursday, June 6.
Twenty-four graduates from Schuylkill and neighboring counties celebrated this phase of their educational journey.
“Health care is a team sport,” says Keynote Speaker Lawrence M. Riddles, LVHN Regional Chief Medical Officer. “Health care is far too complex for any one care provider to be able to accomplish all that must be done to care for even one patient.” Instead, Dr. Riddles encouraged teamwork and respectful communication to maintain safe and efficient care. Riddles also encouraged the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge, to serve to their highest capacities and to remain focused in the care of their patients.
Riddles, is a 30 year board certified general surgeon and retired (2012) US Air Force Colonel with extensive experience in real-world contingency and disaster medical operations, planning, training and global response.
Also addressing the graduates were Thomas Whalen, MD, MMM, CPE, FACS, FAAP, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for LVHN, Patrick M. Jones, PhD., Chancellor, Penn State University Schuylkill, Jeanne Boyer Porter, Vice-Chair Board of Directors LVH–Schuylkill, William Reppy, President LVH–Schuylkill, Gabrielle Lorady, President Student
Nurses’Association, Desiree McHugh, President of the Student Association and Erik Taylor, President of the Class of 2019.
Attendees were greeted with a video which played prior to ceremonies. The presentation, which highlighted the Class’s educational journey and those who helped them along the way, was created by graduate Marissa Klinger.
“Our graduates have made an impact throughout the state, the nation, and the world – practicing in every nursing setting imaginable, including service to our country in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the global war on terrorism,” says Lynne Hausman, MSN, RN, CNE, Director of the School. “These graduates have an impressive tradition to follow and uphold.”
Since it was established in 1895, the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at LVHN has graduated nearly 2500 nurses. The school continues to be the main supplier of Registered Nurses for Schuylkill County.
Graduates of the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, Class of 2019, included:
Alyssa Marie Abrachinsky-Shenandoah
Kimberly Ann Baransky-Pottsville
Shawna Nicole Bernotas-Frackville
Stephen Peter Bolusky-Mount Carmel
Leah Brianne Bucher-Mount Carmel
Mikayla Elizabeth Dietrich-Hegins
Callie Marie Edwards-Schuylkill Haven
Danielle Favinger-Stonington
Lauren Ashley Gross-Tremont
Michelle Hoke-Freeburg
Alexis Lee Huntzinger-Branchdale
Marissa Sue Klinger-Taylorsville
Gabrielle Lennette Lorady-Barnesville
Autumn Rose Maroldt-Hegins
Desiree Marie McHugh-Middleport
Sarah Elizabeth Palerino-Schuylkill Haven
Angelique S. Pennypacker-Kulpmont
Corey Anne Pronio-Lost Creek
Jennifer Sanchez-Torres-Freeland
Janine Marie Schaffer-Shenandoah Heights
Seth Andrew Studlack-Forestville
Erik Robert Taylor-Shamokin
Mary Elizabeth Toolen-Mount Carmel
Tucker James Yost-Coal Township
Numerous awards were also presented.
1. RAE ANN LUBOLD Memorial Award to the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Jennifer Sanchez Torres
2. LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL–SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL STAFF AWARD to the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Jennifer Sanchez-Torres
3. DR. GABRIEL M. LIZAK MEMORIAL AWARD to the Salutatorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Corey Pronio
4. DR. A. WESLEY HILDRETH MEMORIAL AWARD for superior knowledge and skill in obstetrics, presented to Leah Bucher
5. LOUISE WARNE HILDRETH MEMORIAL AWARD to the student who has shown sensitivity and caring in geriatric nursing, presented to Kimberly Baransky
6. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE AWARD to the graduate who is a resident of Schuylkill County, possesses leadership skills and a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others, presented to Desiree McHugh
7. JOHN AND ANNA BREITIGAN MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who possesses leadership skills and has maintained academic and clinical excellence, presented to Seth Studlack
8. JOSEPH F. McCLOSKEY SCHOOL OF NURSING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD for superior skill in clinical nursing, presented to 2 recipients: Alyssa Abrachinsky and Angelique Pennypacker
9. LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL – SCHUYLKILL – SOUTH JACKSON – OPEIU AWARD for involvement in community activities, presented to Gabrielle Lorady
10. CONTANCE D’ALLESANDRO MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who has consistently demonstrated academic progress achievement, presented to Shawna Bernotas
11. ROBERT DECOLLI III AWARD presented by Dr. and Mrs. Robert DeColli to the graduate who excelled in critical care nursing, presented to Angelique Pennypacker
12. ELLEN BRENNAN, RN, MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who has demonstrated excellence in critical care nursing, presented to Autumn Maroldt
13. SCHUYLKILL EMS AWARD for the student who demonstrated the most interest in the nursing of the pre-hospital patient, presented to Stephen Bolusky
14. ETHEL M. JONES ERMERT, RN, MEMORIAL AWARD for obstetric nursing, presented to Mikayla Dietrich
15. BARBARA ZELLNER MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate nurse who clinically excelled in labor and delivery or nursery nursing, presented to Mary Toolen
16. LEHIGH VALLEY HOME CARE – SCHUYLKILL AWARD to the student who excelled in home health nursing, presented to Mikayla Dietrich
16. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SOCIETY FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN AWARD to the student who excelled in orthopedic nursing, presented to Leah Bucher
17. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SOCIETY FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN AWARD to the student who excelled in rehabilitation nursing, presented to Seth Studlack
18. RETIRED NURSES’ AWARD to the graduate who demonstrated excellence in medical-surgical nursing, presented to Alexis Huntzinger
19. JOSEPH F. McCLOSKEY SCHOOL OF NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY AWARD to the student who excelled in patient teaching, presented to Lauren Gross
20. Certificate of recognition for proficiency and excellence in emergency nursing, presented to Mary Toolen
21. Certificate of recognition for proficiency in relating to psychiatric patients of all age groups, presented to – Callie Edwards
23. Certification of Recognition to the student with notable aptitude, interest and skill in nursing of children, presented to Jennifer Sanchez-Torres
24. Award for highest average during the first-year courses at Penn State Schuylkill to three students – Shawna Bernotas, Marissa Klinger, Seth Studlack
25. Underclass Scholarships
· The REGINA ZWERLING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP to the student who achieved the highest average at the end of the first year of the program. This year, there is a tie. The two recipients are:
Antonio Madera and Jaynie Mora