Kosek, Kara Krupa, Yvonne Mwaniki, Amy Myllynen, Anderson North, Samantha Pickrell, Christina Smith, Nicole Starane, Aurora Jankowiask and Alexandria Watkins. As the speaker to the Class of 2019 DNP graduates last week, Mofmofortawonewah shared her coping strategy: “Grab it (the opportunity) and run with it.”Dr. Newah Mofmofortawonewah admitted being nervous at first. As a graduate of the School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Class of 2017, Mofmofortawonewah had joined a medical oncology practice with two physicians. She was working out of four locations and doing rounds in several hospitals.
She told the class how their lives would change as they use their graduate degrees to transition from bedside nursing
Introduced by Interim Dean Dr. Phyllis King, Mofmofortawonewah’s remarks directly addressed the 23 graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) who received hoods that are part of the academic regalia they wear at Commencement.to making patient care decisions. The self-described “average girl” from the West Africa nation of Cameroon encouraged the graduates to keep up with their research as “nurse practitioners can change healthcare evaluation and influence patient care policy.”
Associate Professor and DNP/NP Track Chair Dr. Jennifer Kuretski and other faculty presented hoods to Jacqueline Arrison, Mahdokht Arsshadi Haghighi, Johanna Belizaire, Frantz Brignol, Yuliet Corrales, Kelly Douglas, Katie DuBois, Angelica Everingham, Justin Forcier, Trenae Garibaldi, Ruth Haamankuli, Heidi Haase, Mary (Molly) Hunter, Alisabeth Kosek, Kara Krupa, Yvonne Mwaniki, Amy Myllynen, Anderson North, Samantha Pickrell, Christina Smith, Nicole Starane, Aurora Jankowiask and Alexandria Watkins.
In addition, Smith was recognized with the DNP Excellence Award for the outstanding poster presentation of the summer while Hunter received the award for the fall semester.
At the same event, eight Bachelor of Science in nursing graduates received the school pin signifying the completion of their degrees and entry into the profession. Receiving their pins from Associate Professor and RN to BSN Track Chair Dr. Lynn Erickson were Veronica Cadavid, Keshea Davy, Sonia-Sha Desir Roseme, Annette Gordon, Megan Howes, Zedriane Mayfield, Dulce Ortega and Andre Thompson.
“You are adding three powerful letters after your name – B.S.N.,” Mofmofortawonewah said addressing those graduates. “They show how far you have come and how you have changed.”
“Be who God meant for you to be and let your light shine,” she said referring to the traditional lighting of the Florence Nightingale lamps, which takes place after the graduates received their nursing pins.
Jeanny Alexandre, PBA praise team coordinator, sang “Go Light Your World” and the opening and closing ceremony hymns.
President William M. B. Fleming, Jr. spoke from Galatians 5:22 in discussing how the graduates live out those values expressed in that scripture passage.
“May you continue to lead by example,” Fleming said. “Thank you for your gift of nursing care.”
