The School of Nursing and Health Studies honored 298 Centennial Canes—students graduating in the University of Miami’s 100th year—during its Spring 2025 Awards and Pinning Ceremony. Dean Hudson P. Santos Jr. welcomed over 800 attendees to the big event, held in the Shalala Student Center on Friday, May 9.
“Graduates, you shine as beacons of hope,” said Dean Santos. “You are the power of health care.” This year, Dean Santos instituted a new tradition at the school, encouraging graduates to wear white coats to the ceremony as a reflection of their chosen professions. Nursing, health science, and public health, he said, are callings that demand “the highest ideals of integrity, respect, and service” and call on practitioners “to facilitate human flourishing and ease human suffering.”
Distinguished guest speaker Dr. Suzanne Miyamoto, chief executive officer of the American Academy of Nursing since 2018 and an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University School of Nursing, gave the event’s keynote. Following Dr. Miyamoto’s uplifting address, school and community leaders presented 14 individual awards.
Dr. Nichole Crenshaw, associate dean for Undergraduate Nursing Programs, presented the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Academic Excellence Award to Norjia Steward, B.S.N. ’25 (traditional program), and Kaitlyn Chang, B.S.N. ’25 (accelerated program). She presented the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Excellence in Leadership Award to Sarina Bhattacharya, B.S.N. ’25 (traditional program), and Maya Fayad, B.S.N. ’25 (accelerated program). Dr. Crenshaw named Nathaniel Frazier, B.S.N. ’25 (traditional program), and Erika De La Cruz, B.S.N. ’25 (accelerated program) as recipients of the Compassionate Heart Award.
Julio Garcia, an executive director of nursing with University of Miami Health System, presented the UHealth – University of Miami Health System Spirit of Nursing Award to Lily Braun, B.S.N. ’25 (traditional program), and Karen Ghelman, B.S.N. ’25 (accelerated program).
Dr. Bridgette Johnson, director of the Jackson Health System Center for Nursing Excellence, presented the Jackson Health System Clinical Performance and Service Excellence Award to Braulio Villegas, B.S.N. ’25 (traditional program), and Joechelle Gemino, B.S.N. ’25 (accelerated program).
Dr. Arsham Alamian, associate dean for Health Studies, presented the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Academic Excellence Performance Award to Jenna Tatavitto, B.S.H.S. ’25, and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Academic Excellence Performance Award to Nicole Camilliere, B.S.P.H. ’25.
Finally, Dean Santos announced the school’s two annual faculty awards, selected by students. The Faculty Clinical Excellence Award went to clinical instructor Marlene Rosell, while Dr. Christopher Weidlich was voted Teacher of the Year. Cheers rang out in the ballroom as all graduates in attendance were called to the stage to receive their school pin—a symbol of their entry into the health professions and their lifetime connection with the school.
“It was a privilege to attend college at the University of Miami, and it has set me up for success after graduation,” said Excellence in Leadership Award recipient Bhattacharya, a former gymnast. In addition to being a member of the University’s prestigious Foote Fellows Honors Program and president of the school’s Nursing Student Association, Bhattacharya graduated magna cum laude and is ready to embark on a pediatric nurse residency in her native Texas. “The biggest thing I will take away from nursing school here is learning how to work hard for something you want,” she said. “Nursing school was not easy, but I made some amazing friends, and we did it together!”
