The DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy Certified Nursing Assistants Fall Pinning Ceremony was held Wednesday at the Hotel Pattee, honoring 19 students for completing the CNA Program.
Attendees supporting the students included family members, DMACC staff and area high school counselors. Also present were Kyle Collins, DMACC associate vice president of academic affairs, and Jeanie McCarville-Kerber, DMACC dean of health and public services.
DMACC Site Director Eddie Diaz welcomed students and attendees and outlined the origins of the pinning ceremony, which has deep roots, he said.
“The pinning ceremony has roots from the 12th century when knights who aided the sick and infirmed were given a Maltese cross to wear,” Diaz said. “This pinning ceremony is tied to the Red Cross of St. George Award, presented in the 1800s to Florence Nightingale for her service during the Crimean War. Our hope is that today’s pinning is the first of several milestones on the students’ career paths in the healthcare profession.”
The pinning ceremony’s keynote speaker was Angela Mortoza, CEO of the Dallas County Hospital and Family Clinics, who congratulated the students and encouraged them to explore career pathways available within the nursing profession.
“Throughout my nursing career, I have considered myself a difference maker,” Mortoza said. “I would like each one of you to think of yourself as the same: A difference maker is an ordinary person who accomplishes extraordinary things by creating positive change in his or her community and the lives of others. I know each of you will make a difference and do great things and we will be here cheering you along the way, grateful you have chosen to be our next generation of nurses.”
Dallas County Hospital Education Coordinator Sally Swenson was also honored for her service to DCH and the DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy. Swenson has served at the Dallas County Hospital since 2005, and in 2016 she was named to the list of 100 Great Iowa Nurses.
The graduates — 19 VanKirk Career Academy students, representing seven area high schools, and five adult students — were introduced by VanKirk Career Academy Site Director Eddie Diaz, congratulated by LCAN Advisor Connie Saenz, awarded certificates by McCarville-Kerber and pinned by CNA Academy Instructor Katie Tuel.
This is the largest number of CNA students to participate in the VanKirk Career Academy Pinning Ceremony to date. CNA graduates are eligible to work at long-term care facilities in Iowa. Upon their completion of state testing, they obtain their advanced CNA certification, allowing them to work in hospital settings.
Students awarded their CNA pins Wednesday were:
● Derika Andrus (DCG)
● Avery Bahrenfuss (Panorama)
● Jocelyn Bowlsby (WG)
● Parker Creighton (OHS)
● Amy Diaz (Perry)
● Ashley Downing (ADM)
● Jami Fogleson (Adult)
● Aliyah Fortner (Panorama)
● Keilayla Gregory (WG)
● Lydia James (Panorama)
● Macey Jermier (DCG)
● Josie Lampe (DCG)
● Dsheka Maggett (Adult)
● Elizabeth Meurer (Adult)
● Diana Okubay (Perry)
● Jillian Olmstead (Madrid)
● April Pou (Adult)
● Sayler Ribich (DCG)
● Lauren Rodgers (WG)
● Madison Rodgers (WG)
● Leslie Ruacho (Adult)
● Paisley Sutton (ADM)
● Minasey Twelde (Perry)
● Gretta Yingst (WG)
Instructors were Katie Tuel, Danielle Navarro and Megan Nikolish.
“Our students have dedicated themselves this semester to early morning classes, late night clinicals, and weekends of studying to get to this point,” said CNA Academy Instructor Katie Tuel. “They are now able to celebrate an achievement for those countless hours. These students are a wonderful group that will be a great asset to our healthcare system. I wish them all the best moving forward in their healthcare careers.”
Tom Lipovac, Career Advantage Advisor Tom Lipovac also congratulated the students on their hard work.
“Our students devoted hours of study in the classroom gaining knowledge and practicing essential healthcare skills,” Lipovac said. “In addition, sixty hours of clinical experience are a key component of Basic CNA and Advanced CNA coursework. These students are beginning a pathway of dedicated service while pursuing their life’s calling. In caring for life, in one of the most noble of professions, their future is bright, promising and impactful.”
Thousands of high school students take advantage of Des Moines Area Community College’s Career Advantage offerings each year, giving them a jump start on their academic and career goals while taking tuition-free college courses. With this early start on college, students gain hands-on experience that can lead directly to a degree, diploma, certification, apprenticeship or a job — all while saving time and money.
Spring semester registration is now open. For more information, talk to your high school counselor or contact the DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy at 1011 Second St. in Perry, 515-428-8100.
