42 local residents graduate from nursing school

DOWNINGTOWN >> Fortytwo residents graduated from the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Practical Nursing Program this week. These graduates came from three different classes located in Downingtown, Phoenixville and West Grove.

Among the graduating classes was the first fulltime cohort class to graduate from the Phoenixville program (P01), the 9th parttime class to graduate from the Downingtown program (PT09) and the seventh class to graduate from the West Grove program (WG07).

The ceremony began with Dr. Kirk Williard, CCIU’s Director of Career, Technical & Customized Education, welcoming and congratulating the graduates on their achievements.

The Practical Nursing Program’s director Nancy Haughton presented the graduates and recognized Mary Zeisler (P01), Susan Hamm (PT09) and Molly Ohar (WG07), who were their respective cohort’s valedictorian. Additionally, Haughton recognized Cara Swartz (P01), Lucille Tedesco (PT09) and Nicole Sassi (WG07) as their respective cohort’s salutatorian.

Next, class P01 president Marissa Riccardi, class PT09 president Heather McComsey and class WG07 president Victoria Foglio led their respective classes in the Practical Nursing Pledge. The guest speaker, Susan Decker, BSN, who currently works as a certified wound, ostomy, continence nurse at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital shared her experiences while offering words of congratulations and encouragement to the class.

Following Decker’s remarks, 25 students were inducted into the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses, Inc. Honor Society. Additionally, 15 students were recognized for their work as Practical Nursing Program Ambassadors.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Students in the CCIU Practical Nursing Program, located in Phoenixville, became the first class to graduate from this program. Row 1 left to right: Kailyn Painter, Cara Swartz (Salutatorian), Marissa Riccardi, Christopher Harper, Adora Foreman, Mary Elaine Zeisler (Valedictorian), D. Lori Brenner, Ann-Marie Remes; Row 2 left to right: Talonda Rogers, Gretchen White, L’Tanya Taylor, Lynn Situ, Ayana Archer, Jacqueline Roy, Nina Barbetta, Maresha Brown, Cheyenne Bell, Michele Carpenter; Row 3 left to right: Michele Tallman, Tedescha Short, Lauren Unruh, Trish Gramlich, Daniel Shultz, Kathy Blaize, Leslie Waltz, Nancy Haughton, Tess Berkman, Terry Boate, Leslie James, and Sharon Hodge.