Nearly 30 students from the Mount Saint Mary College Nurse Practitioner program were honored at the Spring 2024 semester white coat ceremony on Friday, May 10.
The graduates’ white coats were presented to them by their chosen family members, from spouses and children to parents and grandparents.
The ceremony reflected the students’ transition to the professional nurse practitioner role. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality healthcare services. They can diagnose, treat, and prescribe across a wide range of health problems.
After a welcome speech by Marilyn Lashlee, associate professor of Nursing and School of Nursing Graduate Coordinator, and a blessing from Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of the Mount, students and their families enjoyed a congratulatory message from Nancy Checchi, instructor of Nursing and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator.
“Each of you has a unique story to tell, a unique path to follow, and a unique impact to make on the world,” said Cheechi. “You have the power to make a huge difference in peoples’ lives and I know you will do just that.”
Graduate Roselle Little of Port Jervis, N.Y. was selected to discuss the group’s progression through the rigorous Mount program.
“It’s been a privilege watching all of you answer the question ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?” and then going out there,” said Little. “We’ve been tested and pushed to our limits in ways we never thought possible…Each experience, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.”
After the graduates received their white coats, Little was recognized for excellence in her studies with the Sigma Award. Likewise, Ashley Laidlaw of Lindenhurst, N.Y. was honored with the Sr. Leona DeBoer Graduate Nursing Award, named after one of the Dominican Sisters who founded the Nursing major at the Mount.
Fr. Fluet closed out the ceremony with the Blessing of the Hands. As nurse practitioners, he noted, the graduates’ hands are their most important healing tool.
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