Caribou woman honored with citizenship award
FORT KENT — Forty-four current University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing students were inducted into the Nursing Honor Society and 42 nursing students were honored at the Nurse Pinning Ceremony held on Friday, May 13, in Fox Auditorium.
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Contributed photo Jessica Walker, right, 23, of Fort Kent smiles with her mom, Lisa Jandreau, just before the May 13 nurses pinning ceremony at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Walker received a bachelor in nursing and biomedical science diploma during graduation the following day and was also inducted into the Nursing Honor Society. She completed two degrees in five years and plans to complete 240 preceptor hours at Cary Medical Center in Caribou, which has also offered her a job. She said she was “relieved to have made it” and is excited for future opportunities. |
“This ceremony celebrated two important occasions for nursing students, the 32nd annual pinning ceremony for the graduating students who have successfully completed the requirements for the bachelor of science in nursing, and the 18th annual induction ceremony into the NHS for a group of nursing students who have met or exceeded the rigorous challenges of academic and practice standards, and have made significant contributions to nursing and their communities,” said Sandy Pelletier, instructor of nursing and the mistress of ceremonies.
UMFK President John N. Short gave his congratulatory remarks to the inductees and degree graduates. Dr. Erin Soucy, director of Nursing and Allied Health, provided inspirational words.
The featured keynote address was by Elizabeth McClellan, RN, MS, MPH, president and founder of Partners in World Health and a nursing administrator at Maine Medical Center in Portland. McClellan implemented a recycling and recovery program that utilizes volunteers to prepare packages of supplies to be distributed all over the world to facilities where they are desperately needed.
During the ceremony, Kathryn Sharp of Caribou was honored with the Student Nurse Citizenship Award. The award honors the diligence, manners, responsibility, conscientiousness and thoughtful involvement, characteristics of an exemplary citizen.
“The contributions by Kathryn helped make UMFK a better place while she was here,” Pelletier said. Sharp served as Student Nurses Organization president this year, planning and organizing many service activities in which she engaged the community and nursing students.
Sharp addressed her fellow students. “Don’t be fooled, the hard work isn’t over yet,” she said. “You will work hard for the rest of your lives, all for the same reason you started this journey: you and me, we care for others. So continue to set goals. Make some of them realistic and some of them outrageous. Then work hard to achieve them.
“Above all else, though, take care of yourself. Take time to do the things you enjoy outside of your new career and keep yourself healthy and well in all ways possible,” she concluded.
Students inducted into the honor society, which began at UMFK in 1998, have excelled in the four-year BSN program and are active in campus activities. Each was presented an honor cord to wear at graduation and a membership certificate.
Inducted from the local area were Kimberly A. O’Bar of Limestone and Brandi M. Rossignol of Connor Twp.
The presentation of nursing pins followed. The pins signify the completion of the BSN and the honor and responsibility held as a professional nurse.
Receiving pins were the following from the local area: Casey M. Nichols and Kathryn G. Sharp, Caribou; and Danielle E. Tracy, Fort Fairfield. In absentia: Chelsea L. Butler, Heather L. Montgomery and Jessica L. St. Peter of Caribou and Trina L. Coffin of Stockholm.
Because the UMFK Nursing Division relies so heavily on the hospitals in the region, all were recognized for their contributions. Locally, Northern Maine Medical Center, Cary and The Aroostook Medical Center were each presented a plaque to display at their institutions.
The Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award was presented to Nicole Theriault of Fort Kent, who has served locally at NMMC and Cary and now teaches at UMFK.
The 2016 Community Service Award was presented to Donald Raymond, former UMFK registrar.
