Mount Saint Mary Hosts ‘White Coat’ Ceremony

NEWBURGH – About 35 students of the Mount Saint Mary College nurse practitioner program were honored at a White Coat Ceremony on Friday, May 12.

The ceremony reflected the transition of the novice nurse practitioner to the professional nurse practitioner role. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide high quality healthcare services. They can diagnose, treat, and prescribe across a wide range of health problems.

According to Christine Berté, assistant professor, director of graduate nursing program, and co-chair of the college’s School of Nursing, Mount nurse practitioner graduates began their journey as registered nurses and can now enter primary care practices, including family health and internal medicine. They may also practice in acute care settings, such as hospital positions and urgent care/fast track health access points.

Dr. David Kennett, president of Mount Saint Mary College, congratulated the white coat recipients on a job well done.

“We are proud of these students because they are some of the very best this college has to offer,” he said. “They should take great pride in their achievement.”

Anne-Marie Uebbing, associate professor of nursing, emphasized the importance of the nurse practitioner profession.

“You’ll be participating in a critically important role, providing care to thousands of patients a year,” she explained. “We, nurse practitioners, are the frontline in healthcare. Do not forget that your professional training…was just the beginning.”

Uebbing added, “Class of 2017, you are undoubtedly some of the most perky, persistent, witty, smart, and determined students I’ve ever known. We the faculty are truly proud of your accomplishments.”

Closing out the ceremony, student Michelle Newell-Whitney offered her reflections on the college’s rigorous program, and Smitha John of Carmel, N.Y. received the 2017 Sigma Award.

The graduating nurse practitioner students are: Aleena Ashok Malayil of Poughquag, N.Y.; Doreen Bischof of Poughquag, N.Y.; Tameka Bland of Montgomery, N.Y.; Salome Brown-Burrell of Newburgh, N.Y.; Brenda Calfé of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Nancy Checchi of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; Edita Cubatiuk of Danbury, Conn.; Taisha Davis of Monroe, N.Y.; Cassandre Desirade of Spring Valley, N.Y.; Dorothy Gioia of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Caitlin Goff of Middletown, N.Y.; Skye Guerra of Walden, N.Y.; Erika Hernandez of Newburgh, N.Y.; Vanna Hoang of Alexander, Ark.; Devon Jameson of Lomontville, N.Y.; Kathleen King of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Tara Longo of Marlboro, N.Y.; Adrianna Lovric of Wurtsboro, N.Y.; Andrea Machado of Woodbridge, N.Y.; Jacqueline Mahabir of Kingston, N.Y.; Julio Martinez of Warwick, N.Y.; Kimberly Moore of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Michelle Newell-Whitney of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Katie Ngbodi of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Kira Saltz of Washingtonville, N.Y.; Katherine Santiago of Florida, N.Y.; Izzy Sator of Peekskill, N.Y.; Lauren Stephenson of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; Rachel Terry of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; Sandra Tetler of New Windsor, N.Y.; Leena Thomas of Queens, N.Y.; Marissa Wallace of Newburgh, N.Y.; Mandi Zaccagnino of Montgomery, N.Y.; and Corinne Zambetti of New Windsor, N.Y.

Mount Saint Mary College celebrated its 54th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 20, graduating about 620 seniors.