Nursing Grads Presented with Awards at Pinning Ceremony
Six East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 13 for their hard work in the classroom and during clinicals.
Two students, Jozlyn Bolte, ECC-Rolla; and Kelsey Blackwell, 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.
Jozlyn Bolte
Jozlyn Bolte is this year’s East Central College Rolla Outstanding Nursing Student. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Bolte, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Kelsey Blackwell
Nursing student Kelsey Blackwell is the recipient of the Union East Central College Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Blackwell, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.
Spirit of Excellence Awards
Four nursing students — Avery Akers, Nathaniel Wissman, Kelsea Smith and Kyleigh Payne — 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.
Akers received the Phelps Health award, Wissman received the Mercy award, and Smith and Payne each received a Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan.
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.
Avery Akers
East Central College nursing Avery Akers received the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award this year. She is pictured with, from left, Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Kait Roy, Phelps Health nurse recruiter; Akers, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Kelsea Smith
The Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Rolla nursing student Kelsea Smith. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator; Smith, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Nathaniel Wissman
Nathaniel Wissman received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Wissman, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.
Kyleigh Payne
East Central College Union nursing student Kyleigh Payne is the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Payne, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant; and Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator.