ECC Nursing Graduates Presented with Awards
Five East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 14 prior to the college’s commencement ceremony.
Two students, Tela Connors, ECC-Rolla; and Charlena Borges, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.
To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.
For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.
Tela Connors
East Central College-Rolla Nursing program graduate Tela Connors was named an Outstanding Nursing Student for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Julie Chirban and Jonathan Elias; Connors and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely. The award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.
Charlena Borges
East Central College Union Nursing program graduate Charlena Borges is the recipient of an Outstanding Nursing Student award for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Borges, and nursing instructor and Union program coordinator Judy Bieker and nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer. Borges’ award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.
Spirit of Excellence Awards
Three nursing students — Kayce Boeding, Lyndsey Graczyk and James Johnson — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.
Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.
Boeding received the Phelps Health award, Graczyk received the Mercy award and Johnson received the Missouri Baptist Sullivan award.
The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.
To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.
Lyndsey Graczyk
The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Union nursing graduate Lyndsey Graczyk. From left, are ECC Union nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Graczyk, nursing instructor and Union Nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker; nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer; and Bethany Westlake, chief nurse officer at Mercy Washington.
Kayce Boeding
East Central College Rolla Nursing program graduate Kayce Boeding was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left, are ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Julie Chirban; Boeding; ECC Rolla nursing faculty member Jonathan Elias and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely.
James Johnson
A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was given to East Central College Union Nursing program graduate James Johnson. From left are ECC Union nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer and nursing adjunct Heather Sluis, Johnson, Union nursing instructors Brittany Yoakum and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; and nursing instructor and Union nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker.