Cabarrus College of Health Sciences students graduated May 10 at First Baptist Church. Many family and friends attended and were welcomed by Dianne Snyder, DHA, chancellor of Cabarrus College.
Carol Lovin, MSN, MHSA, president of Carolinas HealthCare System Management Company, provided the keynote address. Lovin reflected on the words of the late Randy Pausch, author of the book, ěThe Last Lecture,î who stated: ěTime is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less of it than you think.î
Lovin described her own struggle with cancer and how through it, she began to look at time through a different lens. She challenged the graduates to recognize that it was their day and their time, and in their new role as healthcare professionals, to think about how they will spend that time.
She encouraged graduates to be inquisitive, resourceful and flexible; to embrace change; to work with your teammates to create the highest possible clinical outcomes in the most efficient manner; and to, above all, work to make care personal for their patients.
Degrees were conferred on the following graduates from the Allied Health Division:
Receiving the diploma in medical assistant were Julie Harmon, Teresita Maione, Kannapolis; Debra Heller, magna cum laude, Harrisburg; Tina LaBean, Charlotte; Carrie Moose, Salisbury; and Venicia Tate, Concord.
Receiving the associate in science in medical assistant degree were Jennifer Goodman, China Grove; Jane Hare, cum laude, Mooresville; Brandy Mullis, cum laude, China Grove; Danielle Pedersen, Concord; Brittany Russ, Mooresville; and Julie Vongphachanh, cum laude, Charlotte.
Receiving the diploma in surgical technology were Stephen Blumenstein, summa cum laude, Charlotte; Tammy Fulton, magna cum laude, Landis; and Cynthia Sebastian, Midland.
Receiving the associate of science degree in surgical technology were Amber Conner, cum laude, Midland; Brittany Freeze, Mooresville; Samara Hairfield, Ashley Pigford, Jeffrey Taylor, Concord; Heather Hodges, cum laude, Davidson; Lauren Huntz, Huntersville; Brianna Moon, China Grove; Chad Moore, magna cum laude, Charlotte; Candace Moss, Harrisburg; Kayla Patterson, cum laude, Mt. Pleasant; Andrew Ritchie, Matthews; Katherine Rockett, summa cum laude, Cornelius; and Reagen Roland, cum laude, Cornelius.
Receiving the associate of science degree in occupational therapy assistant were Kala Beasley, cum laude; Lasheena Cowan, magna cum laude; Keshia Gibson, cum laude; Claudia Mauldin, magna cum laude; all of Salisbury; Paul Bucknum, magna cum laude; Rhonda Hoce, summa cum laude, both of Mooresville; Kathleen Courtney, magna cum laude; Theresa George, summa cum laude; Maria Nunes, Emily Skinner, and Mary Stanley, cum laude, all of Charlotte; Brandon Fox, Hassana Oglesby, cum laude, both of Kannapolis; Jenna Howard, magna cum laude, Lincolnton; Katherine Kern, magna cum laude, Waxhaw; Joshua Marshall, Suzanne Merritt, magna cum laude, Concord; Suzanne McAlexander, summa cum laude, Huntersville; Kristin Moody, Dillon, S.C.; Marty Ragan, summa cum laude, Mt. Pleasant; Jessica Reinheardt, cum laude, Landis.
Receiving the bachelor of science degree in health services leadership and management was Christine DeLargy, Kannapolis.
Degrees were conferred on the following graduates from the Louise Harkey School of Nursing:
Receiving the associate of science degree in nursing were Miranda Adams, Gastonia; Heather Allen, Tyler Clark, Stephanie Gentry, Katheryne Helms, Tracey Kinyo, Mary Pilon, cum laude, Jennifer Troutman, Chelsea Young, Concord; Alexandra Anderson, cum laude; Kate Campbell, magna cum laude; Shana King, Brooks Little, Ming-Wai Ng, all of Kannapolis; Jessica Anderson, Rachel Outen, Indian Trail; Philwyna Banks, Charlotte; Shonna Black, magna cum laude, Waxhaw; Holli Britt, Michelle Thomason, Chelsea Wilson, all of Salisbury; Amber Carlisle, China Grove; McGee Carroll, Greensboro; Elizabeth Childers, Cheryl Piazza, summa cum laude; Maegan Smith, all of Mooresville; Megan Durham, Rockwell; Amanda Eudy, cum laude; Ashley Ezzell, cum laude, Brandy Horton, Mallory Ragan, cum laude, all of Mt. Pleasant; April Foster, Ellen Scherner, cum laude; Carly Thompson, Kathleen McDermott, Kristin Mitchell, all of Charlotte; Gennifer Houchins, Cornelius; Kimberly Littlejohn, Mint Hill; Christy McCarver, Midland.
Receiving the bachelor of science degree in nursing were Courtney Almond, Chelsea Cardona, Tracy Eudy, cum laude; and Raul Gross, all of Concord; Lori Clark, magna cum laude, Monroe; Arlene Ready, magna cum laude, Mooresville; and Ashlee Simmons, China Grove.
Several awards were also presented to graduates in association with spring commencement:
The Cannon Best All Around Nursing Student Award was presented to Cheryl Piazza, as was The George A. Batte Scholastic Achievement Award.
The W.R. Floyd Surgical Nursing Award was given to Kate Campbell.
Alexandra Anderson received the Dr. Linny & Joyce Baker Pediatric Nursing Award.
Chad Moore was the recipient of the Robert L. Wall Leadership Award and the Allied Health Best All Around Award.
Lori Clark received the Elizabeth Mabrey Baccalaureate Award.
Philwyna Banks was given the Edith M. Dennis Service Award.
Marty Ragan was the recipient of the Anita H. Talbot Scholastic Achievement Award.