The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies Fall 2024 Awards and Pinning Ceremony celebrated 239 newly minted graduates from eight academic programs on December 11. Dean Hudson Santos served as host and welcomed Dr. Bridgette M. Rice, from Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing in Pennsylvania, as keynote speaker for the event.
“Nursing, public health, and health science programs are among the hardest courses of study,” said Dr. Rice. “So many people start this journey and for multiple reasons don't make it to the end. But you made it! The coursework, exams, field work, clinicals, stats courses, sleepless nights, and dreaded group projects all paid off. And it has prepared you for this pivotal moment we find ourselves in as a globally connected society.”
Rice is the associate dean for research and innovation and the Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations. “The future of population health is here and now, and it starts with each of you in this room,” she told her audience. Among the over 200 graduates Rice addressed was Sunitha Abraham, M.S.L. / D.N.P. ’24, the school’s first-ever Master of Science in Leadership and D.N.P. joint degree graduate. A senior director at Jackson Health System, Dr. Abraham implemented a surgical smoke evacuation plan there for her final scholarly project.
Another graduate, Shanelle Hodge, B.S.N. ’20, Ph.D. ’24, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, “Barriers and Facilitators to Disclosure and Treatment of Sexual Violence among Black Women,” back in October. “It’s rare to find a doctoral program of this caliber that’s so accessible and nurturing,” she said. There were also graduates from the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia, Master of Science in Nursing Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Certificate, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Health Science, and Bachelor of Science in Public Health programs.
Dean Santos commended all of the graduates for their remarkable leadership and compassion, rigorous preparation, research on pressing health issues, and delivery of dozens of practice improvement projects within Miami health systems. “I know of at least two of you who helped save a life,” he added. “As you can tell, I’m a very proud Dean. I expect you all to keep making us proud.”
Individual Awards
Dr. Mary Mckay, D.N.P. program director, presented the Doctor of Nursing Practice Academic Excellence and Clinical Performance Award to Kailyn “Kal” Elliott, D.N.P. ’24. Dr. Greta Mitzova-Vladinov, Nurse Anesthesia Program director, presented the B.S.N.-to-D.N.P. Nurse Anesthesia Program Academic Excellence and Clinical Performance Agatha Hodgins Award to Kirsten Toft-Nielsen, D.N.P. ’24.
Dr. Nichole Crenshaw, associate dean for undergraduate nursing programs, presented the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Academic Excellence Award to Taylor L. Bither, B.S.N. ’24; the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Excellence in Leadership Award to Laura Suarez, B.S.N. ’24; and the Independence Home Health Bachelor of Science in Nursing Compassionate Heart Award to Shammai Ilis, B.S.N. ’24.
UHealth – University of Miami Health System Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Elizabeth Vieito Smith, an associate dean of academic health centers integration for the school, presented the UHealth – University of Miami Health System Bachelor of Science in Nursing Spirit of Nursing Award to Alec G. Sieben, B.S.N. ’24.
Dr. Bridgette Johnson, director of the Center for Nursing Excellence at Jackson Health, presented the Jackson Health System Bachelor of Science in Nursing Clinical Performance and Service Excellence Award to Skylar Roach, B.S.N. ’24.
Finally, Dr. Arsham Alamian, associate dean for Health Studies, presented the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Academic Excellence Performance Award to Brady H. Wallace, B.S.N. ’24.
‘Beauty of the Barrel’
Rice, a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, has focused her research on health inequities, such as HIV, cardiovascular disease risk among young Black men, and gun violence. “Health and health care are constantly evolving,” she said. “People change, systems change, even illnesses change, so we must change too.” She urged graduates to be open to life’s different paths, to “take the limits off,” to plan for battles while advocating for others, and to “ride the waves of change.”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a perfect example of a wave of change we need to be prepared for,” she said. “It's here. But there are people staring at it, paralyzed, as the wave prepares to crash down on them. Others are watching from the shore, trying to avoid engagement. But then, there are others experiencing the beauty of the barrel as they've figured out how to make it work in favor of population health. Grab your boards and get ready. Health and health care are rapidly evolving right before our eyes. Let’s be on top of it instead of being tossed to and fro….”
Knowing the field’s risk of professional burnout, Rice, who paired her Ph.D. with a Master of Divinity, closed with three questions to help the grads maintain bright futures: What are your body’s signals to take better care of yourself, how will you handle it when things get rough, and what was your “why” for choosing this degree? “Knowing these answers can keep and sustain you, no matter what comes your way,” she said. “I also encourage you to stay connected to your school, peers, faculty, and leadership. These relationships will help nourish you in the years to come.”
