GOOD NEWS: MC names nursing program graduating class

Pictured are, back row, from left: Ashley Bradley, Valeria Acosta, Emilee Lee, Hilda A. Olivera Gomez, Ricardo Vega, Ginny Schechter, Carly Kidwell, Kaitlyn Stroope, Rylee Gatewood and Tiffany Jones. Front row: Ifeoluwa Adeosun, Melynda Cardona, Madison Currie, Deanna Reyes, Angelina Lee, Cindi Casas and Cassandra Villarreal. (Courtesy Photo)

MIDLAND Midland College recognized 17 graduating Associate Degree Nursing students during a pinning and candle lighting ceremony at the Allison Fine Arts Building Wagner and Brown Auditorium.

“All of these students will make a positive impact on healthcare and the lives of their patients in our community,” Dr. Carmen Edwards, MC Dean of Health Sciences, said. “Each graduate will advocate for patients to receive the best quality of care every day. Nurses are greatly needed right now, and these students are stepping up to the plate.”

MC Spring 2021 Associate Degree Nursing graduates are: Valeria Acosta, Ifeoluwa Adeosun, Ashley Bradley, Melynda Cardona, Cindi Casas, Madison Currie, Rylee Gatewood, Tiffany Jones, Carly Kidwell, Angelina Lee, Emilee Lee, Hilda A. Olivera Gomez, Deanna Reyes, Ginny M. Schechter, Kaitlyn Stroope, Ricardo Vega and Cassandra Villarreal.

“Nurses really are heroes as we continue to battle this pandemic,” Dian White, Associate Degree Nursing program chair, said. “These graduates have prepared while healthcare needs are surging, we are so proud of them and congratulate them on reaching this milestone.”

The students can now take the National Council Licensure Exam to become registered nurses and provide healthcare to citizens throughout West Texas and beyond.

During Tuesday evening’s ceremony, MC Associate Degree Nursing faculty presented Kaitlyn Stroope with a certificate for maintaining the highest GPAs in the class.