Friday, June 7, 2019

LVHN's Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing Graduates its 122nd Class

With “Pomp and Circumstance”, the Class of 2019 of the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at Lehigh Valley Health Network became graduates.
The students, their instructors, leaders from LVH–Schuylkill and the health network joined with representatives from Penn State Schuylkill to celebrate the 122nd graduation ceremony held in the Morgan Auditorium at Penn State’s campus in Schuylkill Haven on Thursday, June 6.

Twenty-four graduates from Schuylkill and neighboring counties celebrated this phase of their educational journey.

“Health care is a team sport,” says Keynote Speaker Lawrence M. Riddles, LVHN Regional Chief Medical Officer. “Health care is far too complex for any one care provider to be able to accomplish all that must be done to care for even one patient.” Instead, Dr. Riddles encouraged teamwork and respectful communication to maintain safe and efficient care. Riddles also encouraged the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge, to serve to their highest capacities and to remain focused in the care of their patients.

Riddles, is a 30 year board certified general surgeon and retired (2012) US Air Force Colonel with extensive experience in real-world contingency and disaster medical operations, planning, training and global response.

Also addressing the graduates were Thomas Whalen, MD, MMM, CPE, FACS, FAAP, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for LVHN, Patrick M. Jones, PhD., Chancellor, Penn State University Schuylkill, Jeanne Boyer Porter, Vice-Chair Board of Directors LVH–Schuylkill, William Reppy, President LVH–Schuylkill, Gabrielle Lorady, President Student

Nurses’Association, Desiree McHugh, President of the Student Association and Erik Taylor, President of the Class of 2019.

Attendees were greeted with a video which played prior to ceremonies. The presentation, which highlighted the Class’s educational journey and those who helped them along the way, was created by graduate Marissa Klinger.

“Our graduates have made an impact throughout the state, the nation, and the world – practicing in every nursing setting imaginable, including service to our country in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the global war on terrorism,” says Lynne Hausman, MSN, RN, CNE, Director of the School. “These graduates have an impressive tradition to follow and uphold.”

Since it was established in 1895, the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at LVHN has graduated nearly 2500 nurses. The school continues to be the main supplier of Registered Nurses for Schuylkill County.

Graduates of the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing, Class of 2019, included:

Alyssa Marie Abrachinsky-Shenandoah

Kimberly Ann Baransky-Pottsville

Shawna Nicole Bernotas-Frackville

Stephen Peter Bolusky-Mount Carmel

Leah Brianne Bucher-Mount Carmel

Mikayla Elizabeth Dietrich-Hegins

Callie Marie Edwards-Schuylkill Haven

Danielle Favinger-Stonington

Lauren Ashley Gross-Tremont

Michelle Hoke-Freeburg

Alexis Lee Huntzinger-Branchdale

Marissa Sue Klinger-Taylorsville

Gabrielle Lennette Lorady-Barnesville

Autumn Rose Maroldt-Hegins

Desiree Marie McHugh-Middleport

Sarah Elizabeth Palerino-Schuylkill Haven

Angelique S. Pennypacker-Kulpmont

Corey Anne Pronio-Lost Creek

Jennifer Sanchez-Torres-Freeland

Janine Marie Schaffer-Shenandoah Heights

Seth Andrew Studlack-Forestville

Erik Robert Taylor-Shamokin

Mary Elizabeth Toolen-Mount Carmel

Tucker James Yost-Coal Township

Numerous awards were also presented.

1. RAE ANN LUBOLD Memorial Award to the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Jennifer Sanchez Torres

2. LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL–SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL STAFF AWARD to the Valedictorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Jennifer Sanchez-Torres

3. DR. GABRIEL M. LIZAK MEMORIAL AWARD to the Salutatorian of the Class of 2019, presented to Corey Pronio

4. DR. A. WESLEY HILDRETH MEMORIAL AWARD for superior knowledge and skill in obstetrics, presented to Leah Bucher

5. LOUISE WARNE HILDRETH MEMORIAL AWARD to the student who has shown sensitivity and caring in geriatric nursing, presented to Kimberly Baransky

6. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE AWARD to the graduate who is a resident of Schuylkill County, possesses leadership skills and a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others, presented to Desiree McHugh

7. JOHN AND ANNA BREITIGAN MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who possesses leadership skills and has maintained academic and clinical excellence, presented to Seth Studlack

8. JOSEPH F. McCLOSKEY SCHOOL OF NURSING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD for superior skill in clinical nursing, presented to 2 recipients: Alyssa Abrachinsky and Angelique Pennypacker

9. LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL – SCHUYLKILL – SOUTH JACKSON – OPEIU AWARD for involvement in community activities, presented to Gabrielle Lorady

10. CONTANCE D’ALLESANDRO MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who has consistently demonstrated academic progress achievement, presented to Shawna Bernotas

11. ROBERT DECOLLI III AWARD presented by Dr. and Mrs. Robert DeColli to the graduate who excelled in critical care nursing, presented to Angelique Pennypacker

12. ELLEN BRENNAN, RN, MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate who has demonstrated excellence in critical care nursing, presented to Autumn Maroldt

13. SCHUYLKILL EMS AWARD for the student who demonstrated the most interest in the nursing of the pre-hospital patient, presented to Stephen Bolusky

14. ETHEL M. JONES ERMERT, RN, MEMORIAL AWARD for obstetric nursing, presented to Mikayla Dietrich

15. BARBARA ZELLNER MEMORIAL AWARD to the graduate nurse who clinically excelled in labor and delivery or nursery nursing, presented to Mary Toolen

16. LEHIGH VALLEY HOME CARE – SCHUYLKILL AWARD to the student who excelled in home health nursing, presented to Mikayla Dietrich

16. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SOCIETY FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN AWARD to the student who excelled in orthopedic nursing, presented to Leah Bucher

17. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SOCIETY FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN AWARD to the student who excelled in rehabilitation nursing, presented to Seth Studlack

18. RETIRED NURSES’ AWARD to the graduate who demonstrated excellence in medical-surgical nursing, presented to Alexis Huntzinger

19. JOSEPH F. McCLOSKEY SCHOOL OF NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY AWARD to the student who excelled in patient teaching, presented to Lauren Gross

20. Certificate of recognition for proficiency and excellence in emergency nursing, presented to Mary Toolen

21. Certificate of recognition for proficiency in relating to psychiatric patients of all age groups, presented to – Callie Edwards

23. Certification of Recognition to the student with notable aptitude, interest and skill in nursing of children, presented to Jennifer Sanchez-Torres

24. Award for highest average during the first-year courses at Penn State Schuylkill to three students – Shawna Bernotas, Marissa Klinger, Seth Studlack

25. Underclass Scholarships

· The REGINA ZWERLING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP to the student who achieved the highest average at the end of the first year of the program. This year, there is a tie. The two recipients are:

Antonio Madera and Jaynie Mora