Practical and Registered Nursing graduates at Ozarka College were honored at a Recognition Ceremony in the John E. Miller Education Complex on December 7, 2010.
Students completing their studies in practical nursing were: Erica Biard of Melbourne, Amy Billingsley of Ash Flat, Tatum Bishop of Melbourne, Jenifer Cap of Horseshoe Bend, Jackie Coggins of Oxford, Courtney Cook of Calico Rock, Samantha Corsaut of Salem, Lisa Furr of Cave City, Yvette Grisham of Horseshoe Bend, Alicia Havron of Fifty-Six, Samantha Johnson of Melbourne, Kimberely Langford of Melbourne, Nancy Miller of Mt. Pleasant, Sarah Morehead of Melbourne, Brandon Stanley of Wideman, Kristy Tate of Melbourne, Ashlei Tyson of Melbourne, and Margaret Whittle of Salem.
Students completing studies in registered nursing through the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) program located at Ozarka College were: Charlotte Billingsley of Melbourne, Mandy Brokaw of Sage, Whitney Cooper of Melbourne, Michelle Erickson of Pocahontas, Kayla Finley of Sidney, Marianne Fletcher of Timbo, Kagni Gillihan of Melbourne, Ashton Glenn of Mountain View, Josh Gooch of Cherokee Village, Brett Goodson of Salem, Leilani Jackson of Melbourne, Barbara Lewis of Mountain Home, Rhiannon Masson of Sidney, Ashley Ortgiesen of Pocahontas, Tina Parrish of Rector, Andrea Prondzinski of Pocahontas, Susan Rhodes of Ash Flat, Jenni Slifer of Melbourne, Gladys Sparacio of Hardy, and Amanda Tedeschi of Melbourne.
After Ozarka President, Dr. Richard Dawe welcomed guests attending the ceremony; and Margaret Whittle offered the Invocation; ARNEC Program Director, Alison DeLong, opened the ceremony.
Nursing students and faculty members recognized outstanding students, as well as the top facilities and nurses. This semester’s Florence Nightingale Awards went to Brandon Stanley for LPN and Tina Parrish for RN. This award is given to a student in each program who exemplifies the true meaning of nursing with hard work and a true dedication to the profession.
The LPN class awards were given as follows: Theory award winners were Margaret Whittle, first place; and Sarah Morehead, second place. Clinical award winners were Amy Billingsley, first place; and Jenifer Cap, second place. Perfect attendance award went to Jenifer Cap. Students awarded Bridget Carlton, RN of White River Medical Center as nurse of the year, and Pioneer Nursing and Rehab as the facility of the year.
The RN awards were given as follows: Theory award winners were Michelle Erickson, first place; and Gladys Sparacio, second place. Clinical award winners were Barbara Lewis, first place; and a three way tie between Josh Gooch, Marianne Fletcher, and Ashton Glenn, second place. Students with perfect attendance were Amanda Tedeschi, Marianne Fletcher, Barbara Lewis, Charlotte Billingsley, Gladys Sparacio, Michelle Erickson, Tina Parrish, and Whitney Cooper. Students awarded Pam Chambers, RN, of Baxter Regional Medical Center as nurse of the year and Baxter Regional Medical Center was facility of the year.
A slide presentation was given courtesy of Nursing Secretary, Stacy Dale, followed by family honors offered by the entire class of students to their family members. Nursing faculty, Alison DeLong, Ruby Johnson, Susan Thielemier, Valerie West, and Katie Wilson presented graduates with caps, pins and lamps. Allied Health Division Chair and instructor, Ruby Johnson offered closing remarks and Josh Gooch offered the Benediction.
There was a reception for the graduates, their families and friends and other guests following the ceremony.
For further information regarding Ozarka’s 18-month LPN program, the 11-month programs in Ash Flat or Mountain View, or the RN program through ARNEC please contact the admissions department at 870-368-7371 or via email, admissions@ozarka.edu.
