The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing honored its Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice students during the school’s MSN/DNP Winter Awards Ceremony Friday, December 14. Hundreds of families, friends, and alumni were present to celebrate the accomplishments of the school’s graduate students. The graduating class included 13 DNP students. In addition, the school recognized 122 MSN students, and 11 post-graduate certificate students. Graduates include those from the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Ghana, Russia and Paraguay.
The MSN/DNP Winter Awards Ceremony was held at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium. The event featured two class speakers and an awards presentation honoring students who demonstrated excellence in leadership, service, collaboration, innovation, and personal character. The student award winners are as follows:
Award of Excellence – Kimberley Spence-Jensen
Excellence in Collaboration – Tomi Ojeniyi
Excellence in Social Responsibility – John Stanton
Excellence in Innovation – Danielle Bulinski
Excellence in Leadership – Kara Slavoski
In collaboration with the Emory Nurses’ Alumni Association, the School of Nursing also paid tribute to outstanding students with the distribution of the Silver Bowl Award, the highest student honor. Tara Noorani received this year’s MSN Silver Bowl Award and Sharon Vanairsdale recieved this year's DNP Silver Bowl Award.
Student-nominated awards were also given to faculty members on behalf of the Emory Student Nurses Association. These awards, known as the “Heart of the Students” awards, are given each year to faculty members who go above and beyond in their teaching and mentoring. This year’s “Heart of the Students” award was presented to Assistant Clinical Professor Phyllis Wright.
DNP student speaker, James McLeod, noted that he was proud to be among such talented nurses at the MSN/DNP Winter Awards.
“Tonight is a celebration of hard work, new friendships, and marks a milestone for us at various stages of our careers,” said McLeod.
Student speaker, Rachel Branton, urged students to remain courageous and confident in their abilities to serve others.
“We have just graduated from the number three nursing graduate program in the nation. The sky is the limit,” said Branton.