On Wednesday, July 29th, Family members, friends, faculty, preceptors, and clinical mentors gathered to recognize graduates from the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), and Post-Master's Certificate programs during the School of Nursing and Health Studies' Summer 2026 Awards and Pinning Ceremony.
Opening the ceremony, Dean Hudson P. Santos Jr. welcomed attendees congratulated the graduates on reaching an academic milestone.
"Graduates, this is your big day. And it’s a very important one," Santos told the graduates. "I am so proud of your hard work, passion, and intellect!"
Dean Santos described the graduating class as earning their advanced degrees during a watershed moment for the nursing profession. Noting his recent participation alongside nurse leaders, educators, and innovators at the Nursing Consortium of Florida Inc. Summer Conference, he emphasized the converging opportunities for advanced practice nurses, pointing out that nurse practitioners continue to be recognized as some of the most trusted and impactful professionals in health care, recently earning the distinction of being ranked the No. 1 job in America for the third consecutive year. He challenged graduates to carry forward the confidence, humility, and compassion they learned and earned at the University.
"Don’t be afraid of change. Lead it," Santos told the graduates. "You pushed your passion for nursing and your clinical skills to the next level. Now, as you stand at the crossroads of new careers, opportunities, and endless possibilities, it's time for your next leap of faith—and I urge you to make it a bold one."
The ceremony also featured remarks from student speaker Pauline Olmeta, an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care M.S.N. graduate whose nursing career began at just 21 years old in a busy Broward County emergency department after moving from France to the United States with her family in 2008. Inspired by her experiences in both emergency medicine and functional medicine, Olmeta enters her career as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Before presenting individual awards, Associate Dean of Graduate Clinical Programs Nichole Crenshaw reflected on the significance of the graduates' white lab coats. Graduates were invited to wear their white coats in recognition of the values they represent—professionalism, clinical excellence, compassionate care, and the trust placed in advanced practice nurses by patients, families, and communities.
Graduates then stood together to recite the IBIS Nursing Pledge, affirming their commitment to uphold the highest standards of advanced nursing practice with compassion, integrity, and excellence.
Recognizing Excellence
Faculty leaders presented several academic and professional awards recognizing exceptional achievement.
The Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Excellence in Academic and Clinical Performance Award was presented to Katherine Arrastia.
The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Excellence in Academic and Clinical Performance Award was presented to Alain Daniel Duenas Torrado.
The Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Excellence in Academic and Clinical Performance Award was presented to Sheleyn Betancourt.
The School also honored Nelly Diaz-Mendez, B.S.N., M.P.H., C.N.M., with the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Preceptor Award, recognizing the critical role clinical preceptors play in mentoring the next generation of advanced practice nurses.
Dean Santos also announced the School's Summer 2026 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Student, presented to Katherine Arrastia. The internationally recognized DAISY Awards celebrate extraordinary compassion and excellence in nursing and are presented through a partnership with the DAISY Foundation.
A Proud Cane Nursing Tradition
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the School's nursing pins to each graduate, symbolizing their entry into a distinguished community of University of Miami advanced practice nurses.
"These pins distinguish you as Advanced Practice Cane Nurses with a long and proud legacy," Santos said. "Wear these pins with pride on your white coats. You represent us as Cane Nurses."
Following the pinning ceremony, graduates joined faculty on stage for the traditional class photograph, celebrating the completion of years of rigorous academic preparation and clinical training.
As he closed the ceremony, Santos reminded graduates that although they were leaving the classroom, they would always remain part of the University's nursing family.
"You are Cane Nurses for Life!"
2026 SUMMER AWARDS CEREMONY
