The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies sent its 315 graduates off in style, hosting two Spring 2026 awards and pinning ceremonies on May 6, the day before their commencement. The school’s afternoon of reflection, recognition, and rejoicing started with large viewing screens featuring photos of the graduates and a video reel projecting upbeat messages like, “This is more than a new beginning. It’s a new era for the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. And we are just getting started.”
The school’s two awards and pinning events took place at the Biltmore Hotel, which has its own historic connection to health care and the University of Miami. During World War II, the luxurious lodgings were transformed into a military hospital. Later, the Biltmore served as a Veterans Administration hospital and an early site of the University’s medical school.
At the first of two afternoon ceremonies, School of Nursing and Health Studies Dean Hudson Santos opened his remarks by acknowledging May 6 as the annual start of National Nurses Week. “It’s the perfect day to celebrate your entry into this noble, trusted profession,” he told the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) graduates. “Every year, nursing is voted as the most trusted profession. As RNs, you will have a vital voice in transforming health care. The future is yours to shape. You are in the right field at the right time.”
During the second ceremony, Dean Santos addressed Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.S.P.H.) and Bachelor of Science in Health Science (B.S.H.S.) graduates. “For many of you, this journey began long ago, with childhood dreams of becoming health professionals dedicated to healing the sick and others in need,” he said. “Thank you for giving us so much hope for the future of health care excellence… You will have real opportunities and responsibilities to address complex health challenges in a fast-changing world.”
Awards announced
During the ceremonies, a total of 17 individual awards were presented. John Brown, B.S.H.S. ’26, received the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Academic Excellence Award. He plans to return to his hometown in Ohio and apply to physician’s assistant programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health Academic Excellence Award went to Gabrielle Harris, B.S.P.H. ’26, past president of the student organization Project Public Health and incoming Master of Public Health candidate at Emory University.
The Health Studies Research Award went to Isabella Gudin, B.S.H.S. ’26, while Francesco Bojorquez, B.S.P.H. ’26, received the Health Studies Civic Engagement Award.
Students voted classmate Riley Murphy, B.S.P.H. ’26, B.S.H.S. ’26, winner of the Best Public Health Poster Award. Murphy was accepted into the University’s Master of Health Administration program.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Academic Excellence Awards went to Talie Membrino, B.S.N. ’26, and Victoria Logan, B.S.N. ’26, traditional and accelerated programs, respectively.
Morgan Berenson, B.S.N. ’26, and Priscilla Bezerra, B.S.N. ’26, received the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Excellence in Leadership Awards for the traditional and accelerated programs, respectively. Berenson has been invited to join The George Washington University Hospital’s new graduate RN program.
The school’s Compassionate Heart Award went to Jayvaun Hill, B.S.N. ’26, and Treyvon Easterling, B.S.N. ’26, for the traditional and accelerated programs, respectively. Hill will be working in health care while prepping for his pivot to medical school.
Kimar Estes, an executive director of nursing at UHealth — University of Miami Health System, presented the UHealth Spirit of Nursing Awards to Dylan Buchanan, B.S.N. ’26, and Maria Capetillo, B.S.N. ’26, graduates of the traditional and accelerated programs, respectively.
Chiquita French, a director of the Jackson Health System Center for Nursing Excellence, presented Jackson Health System’s Clinical Performance and Service Excellence Awards to Maura Strickland, B.S.N. ’26, and Daniel Franklin, B.S.N. ’26, who are traditional and accelerated B.S.N. graduates, respectively.
The final two nursing awards went to Christine Almonte and Lilyana Liberatore, B.S.N. ’26. They won the School of Nursing and Health Studies 2026 DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurse Educator and Extraordinary Nursing Student, respectively. “DAISY Awards are like the Oscars of nursing,” explained Dean Santos. “Recipients are nominated by their patients, peers, students, and faculty, and the final selection is made by the nonprofit DAISY Foundation.”
Speakers inspired
Two students were selected to speak at each ceremony. Buchanan was the first to speak, reflecting on the lessons he learned about humility and humanity during his four years in the nursing program. Originally from Boston, Buchanan has a position lined up in a cardiovascular intensive care unit in Connecticut.
Bezerra spoke on behalf of her fellow accelerated B.S.N. graduates. As a cancer survivor, she said, she came to the clinical setting with “extreme empathy.” After her year in the program, she is confident her entire class has what it takes to provide the kind of compassionate care they would want for themselves and their loved ones.
Sanjana Ramjattansingh, B.S.H.S. ’26, a premed student, got a bit choked up as she told the audience she was surprising her parents by reprising her role as student speaker a decade after being chosen as her elementary school graduation speaker. She spoke of the passion she shares with her classmates “the passion to help others and our communities,” she said.
Representing his public health cohort, Bojorquez said, “While a babyface may follow some of us into our careers, rest assured that the skills the School of Nursing and Health Studies instilled in us will make sure no one underestimates us. Let us step forward not just as graduates but as future leaders in health care, remembering where we started, who helped us get here, and the responsibilities we have to carry it forward.”
Next steps
After the awards and speeches, Dean Santos, along with Associate Deans Nichole Crenshaw (Nursing) and Arsham Alamian (Health Studies), presented each student with a gold school pin representing their lifelong bond with the school and official welcome into the health professions.
Dean Santos thanked the many family and faculty members present for their support. In addition, he credited the members of the Class of 2026 for working hard, contributing to their community, and caring for their peers. He praised them for broadening their horizons, literally by pursuing global health experiences and figuratively by stepping into challenging research, fieldwork, clinical care, and leadership opportunities.
With the University’s undergraduate commencement the next day, Dean Santos also shared advice for making the most of the milestone moment. He urged the graduates before him to revel in the achievement of accepting their diploma, take time to look for and wave to family members, shake President Joe Echeverria’s hand decisively, be calm while crossing the stage. “And even if your shoe comes off,” he joked, “just keep walking!”
At commencement, Adriana Mastrangelo, B.S.H.S. ’26, proudly represented her school by giving the Class of 2026 undergraduate student address.
For photos and videos, visit:
- NURSING Ceremony
- HEALTH STUDIES Ceremony
