UA Cossatot’s medical department held an RN Pinning Ceremony on December 7, 2019, at the UA Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium. The ceremony began at noon where twenty-seven UA Cossatot RN students received their registered nursing pins.

Everyone in attendance was welcomed by UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole. The students were congratulated for their achievement in completing the RN program. At the ceremony, UA Cossatot Nursing Instructor Kay Trotta said the student’s hard work could now be officially celebrated.

The 2019 RN graduates include Debbie Teague, Cloris Hopkins, Lori Gathright, Stephanie Johnson, Katelyn Carver, Jade Akins, Edith Luna, Michelle Whisenhunt, Kristina Garcia, Tahnee Johnson, Brittany Fallecker, Marcy Preuss, Nicole Pollard, Lacey Hankins, Tiffany Dossett, Keely Butler, Shelly Forrest, Patricia Stevens, DeAnna French, Sonya Kelly, Tiffany Dukes, Jesse Rubio, Kristen Buck, Nicole Finely, Tasha King, Brenda Hernandez, and Katrina Billingsley.

Front row from left to right:  Debbie Teague, Cloris Hopkins, Lori Gathright, Stephanie Johnson, Katelyn Carver, Jade Akins, Edith Luna, Michelle Whisenhunt. Second row from left to right: Kristina Garcia, Tahnee Johnson, Brittany Fallecker, Marcy Preuss. Third row from left to right: Nicole Pollard, Lacey Hankins, Tiffany Dossett, Keely Butler. Top row from left to right: Shelly Forrest, Patricia Stevens, DeAnna French, Sonya Kelly, Tiffany Dukes, Jesse Rubio, Kristen Buck, Nicole Finely, Tasha King, Brenda Hernandez, Katrina Billingsley.

Three awards were also given at the pinning ceremony. Katelyn Carver received the Outstanding Theory Award for having the highest average for the length of the program. Katrina Billingsley and Katelyn Carver both received the Outstanding Clinical Award for their bedside manner and outstanding care they displayed in the clinical setting portion of the program. The third award went to Sonya Kelly. She received the Nightingale Award for nursing excellence.

The RN program at UA Cossatot is a one year program that begins each year in January. The deadline to apply for the RN program for 2021 is August 31, 2020.