(Abilene, Texas – May 12, 2023) Patty Hanks School of Nursing (PHSSN), a consortium including McMurry University and Hardin-Simmons University, held its pinning ceremony Thurs., May 11. McMurry had nine nursing students graduate. The graduates are listed below, including their future place of employment. They will also participate in the Commencement Ceremony Sat. May 13 in Kimbrell Arena.
Kelleigh Brooks is heading to Dallas, Texas, to work at UT Southwestern on the surgical floor and is being pinned by her parents Larry and Margo Brooks.
Jada Cortez will be joining the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff at St. David’s Hospital, North Austin and is being pinned by her siblings Nathan Gomez and Josalin Gomez.
Emerson Feria will be joining the staff at Hendrick Medical Center in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and is being pinned by his wife Diane Feria.
Crystal Leal will be in Dallas, Texas, at UT Southwestern Medical Center in the Acute Critical Care Surgery and is being pinned by her parents Frank and Delia Leal.
Stanley Mathew will be in Austin, Texas, joining the staff of St. David’s Hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and is being pinned by his parents Mathew Scaria and Lizy Mathew.
Maxsimiliano Munoz will be in Houston, Texas, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and is pinned by his mother Carolina Munoz.
Myranda Salcedo will be heading to Houston, Texas, and is considering nursing opportunities in the operating room or emergency department and is being pinned by her mother Rita Salcedo.
Jacob Trevino will be joining the staff of Hendrick Medical Center in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) and is being pinned by his father Richard Trevino.
Alexzandria Ussery will be joining the staff of Hendrick Medical Center, Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (Cardiac PCU) and is being pinned by her daughter Isabella Rose Lagunes.
“The pinning ceremony is a unique and special time for our graduates,” says Dr. Donalyn Alexander, Dean of the Patty Hanks Shelton Nursing School. “On May 11, they will share their success with their families and the nursing school faculty. We look forward to celebrating these graduates who will soon go on and make a difference in the lives of other people as a nurse; they are an important part of our community.”
The pinning ceremony is a unique and memorable ritual for the nursing community and marks the critical transition from student to nurse. Nurses hold the special ceremony in high regard because it symbolizes the nursing students’ hard work and dedication toward their coursework and clinical skills.
“Nursing is a noble profession that requires dedication, compassion, and excellence, and I know our McMurry graduates will go on to show their caring and compassion in their new roles,” said President McMurry University Sandra S. Harper. “They exemplify McMurry’s core values of servant leadership and excellence, and I look forward to seeing how they contribute to their profession.”
The history of the pinning ceremony dates to the 12th century when knights who aided the sick and infirm were given a Maltese cross to wear to note their service. Today’s pinning ceremony is tied to an award given to legendary nurse Florence Nightingale; she is often recognized as the mother of modern nursing. In the 1860s, Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her tireless work during the Crimean War. She shared this honor and presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. The ritual of the pinning ceremony dates back to 1916 in the United States.
For more information on nursing program at McMurry visit https://mcm.edu/department/patty-hanks-shelton-school-of-nursing.
Contact
Nicholas Ocheltree, Director of Integrated Communications
ocheltree.nick@mcm.edu
325-260-3963
Robin Daniels, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
daniels.robin@mcm.edu
325-793-4601