The ABSN Fall 2019 Cohort was celebrated with a virtual luncheon on Monday at noon.

More than 100 people were signed onto the Zoom event.

Michelle Hartman, assistant dean for the ABSN Program, opened the event with a welcome and introductions of special guests.

Dean Marion E. Broome was the first guest to come on to recognize everyone, including faculty, staff, clinical instructors, preceptors, and the students, for their work this year.

“Everyone has over exceeded,” she said. “Every single one of you students has earned your seat at Duke, and every single one of you has earned this graduation. I know our colleagues in practice, all over the country, are so ready to welcome you into the profession, and there is no greater profession, in my opinion.”

Valerie M. Howard, vice dean of Academic Affairs, echoed Broome’s sentiments.

“I know that the future of nursing is in the best of hands with all of you,” Howard said. “So thank you to our students for staying with us and for focusing on your goal, and thanks to all of those that have helped you along your way. Graduates, we appreciate you, and I wish you the best and a peaceful break before you start your new careers.”

As they were introduced, students and faculty took turns to come on camera in order to recognize those who fell under these categories: Faculty Embodiment of Duke’s Guiding Principles, Faculty Excellence in Teaching, Outstanding Clinical Instructor, Outstanding Staff Member, Cohort Coordinator, HEA Scholars, Student Organization Officers, Peer Tutors and Note Takers, Peer Mentors and CALD Mentors, Class Representatives, and Student Embodiment of Duke’s Guiding Principles. As the names in each category were called, comments of well wishes, congratulations and excitement flooded the chat window.

ABSN student Shelly Le delivered the student remarks that she would have delivered at graduation under normal circumstances.

“I know this day has not been what we envisioned when we first began 15 months ago, but if there's anything I know about us as a community, it's that the journey behind us has been hard and that the journey before us maybe even more difficult, but we are smart. We're adaptable, and we're resilient,” she said.

I remember during my first semester Dr. (Beth C.) Phillips, (associate professor) said, ‘We're in this together,’ and those words ring true now more than ever. It's a testament to our dedication to each other as a cohort that we've finished and cross the finish line together this week. I am proud and thankful to have been a part of this cohort and feel incredibly lucky to have met and known so many of you. You're all a part of who I have become as a nurse, and your patients are so lucky to have you.”

Hartman played a recording of The Nightingales singing the Duke Alma Mater “Dear Old Duke,” inviting everyone to sing along on their own.

The event follows the cohort’s pinning ceremony on November 18, which was held virtually and in person in celebration of these 74 graduates.

Pictures from the virtual luncheon can be found on DUSON's Flickr account. 

Recognitions

Faculty Embodiment of Duke University’s Guiding Principles
Presenters: Katie French and Chelsea Hearne, students
Winners: Amie Koch, assistant professor, and Lacrecia Bell, clinical nurse educator

Faculty Excellence in Teaching
Presenter: Dani Osgood, student
Winner: Jennifer Mando

Outstanding Clinical Instructor
Presenter: Terra Atwood, student
Winner: Lacrecia Bell

Outstanding Staff Member
Presenter: Breanna Gambrell, student
Winner: Katie Harrison, clinical nurse educator

Recognition of Cohort Coordinator
Presenters: Katie French and Chelsea Hearne
Cohort Coordinator: Deirdre K. Thornlow, associate professor

Recognition of HEA Scholars
Presenter: Brigit M. Carter, associate dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
HEA Scholars: Kiara Dandrige, Illiyah Edwards, Breanna Gambrell, Taisir Idries and Unique Whitehurst

Recognition of Student Organization Officers
Presenter: Irene Felsman, assistant professor
Officers: Madison Aguilera, Terra Atwood, Corrie Camalier, Megan Cardwell, Sarah Chin, Sydney Collette, Kiara Dandrige, Marcus Downs, Illiyah Edwards, Isabella Fabrizio, Caitlin Field, Dana Geiger, Emily Grinstead, Margaret Harkin, Chelsea Hearne, Margaret Jala, Taisir Idries, Shelly Le, Eunice Lee, Aqdas Lilani, Katie McLaughlin, Samantha Minnick, Elizabeth Mizell, Heather O’Donohue, Josephine Orlandella, Dani Osgood, Lianna Reis, Kathryn Rimel, Lily Saephan, Angela Salerio, Nik Silva and Unique Whitehurst

Recognition of Peer Tutors and Note Takers
Presenter: Beth Phillips, associate professor
Peer Tutors: Sarah Chin, Marcus Downs, Dana Geiger, Aqdas Lilani, Shelly Le, Samantha Minnick, Jieun Julia Na, Kathryn Rimel, Lily Saephan, Nikolas Silva and Kennedy Sullivan
Note Takers: Margaret Harkin, Shelly Le, Samantha Minnick and Chelsea Skoff

Recognition of Peer Mentors and CALD Mentors
Presenter: Lisa Lewis, assistant professor
Peer Mentors: Rebecca Allison, Terra Atwood, Corrie Camalier, Megan Cardwell, Ashlyn Carey, Sydney Collette, Kiara Dandridge, Marcus Downs, Illiyah Edwards, Isabella Fabrizio, Katherine French, Breanna Gambrell, Hayley Gerringer, Kallyn Glasser, Sara Hall, Margaret Harkin, Margaret Jala, Sarah Jennings, Vicky Kantmyr, Sarah Kent, Katelynn May, Katie McLaughlin, Erin McNeill, Jieun Julia Na, Josi Orlandella, Kellen Peter, Kaley Price, Maddy Rose, Angela Salerio, Libby Summers and Ashleigh Warner
CALD Mentors: Anisat Musaeva, Caroline Munoz, Aqdas Lilani, Jieun Julia Na and Shelly Le

Recognition of Class Representatives
Presenter: Deirdre Thornlow
Representatives: Chelsea Hearne, Katie French

Student Embodiment of Duke University’s Guiding Principles
Presenter: Michelle Hartman, ABSN Program assistant dean
Winner: Chelsea Hearne

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