Participating in Thursday’s CNA Pinning Ceremonies in Perry were, front row from left, Alyvia Primmer, Isabella McDivitt, Claire Knudsen, Filmawit Okubay and Emily Hernandez; second row from left, Kaitlyn Leber, Laisha Hurtado, Georgia Simmons, McKenna Carroll, Tess Boorn, Kaidyn Dencklau and Alyana Gronseth; back row from left Riley Lerdal, Audrey Simmons, Kaylee Wuebker, Gavyn Heuton, Alyana Dunlavey, Kiley Brandsfield and DMACC CNA Instructor Katie Tuel. Photo courtesy DMACC
Pinning ceremonies were held Thursday, Oct. 20 for 18 students who have successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program at the DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy.
The morning ceremonies took place in the Towncraft Gallery, which was filled with supporters, family members and area high school counselors of the honored CNAs. DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy Site Director Eddie Diaz welcomed students and attendees.
“Many families have traditions that they pass on from generation to generation,” Diaz said. “These traditions help unite families. Our country has traditions that go back to our founding fathers that help bond us to one another. Similarly, the health profession has pinning ceremonies as part of their tradition. These traditions create closeness and a sense of identity, belonging and connection to those who came before them. We expect that this will be the first of many pinning ceremonies that these CNA graduates will experience.”
Attending from six area high schools, the 18 newly certified CNAs in the VanKirk Career Academy program make the largest number of CNA graduates to participate in pinning ceremonies to date. They are now eligible to work at long-term care facilities in Iowa and may proceed to obtain their advanced CNA certification, which allows them to work in hospital settings.
The CNA honorees were introduced at Thursday’s ceremonies by Career Advantage Advisor Tom Lipovac, pinned by DMACC CNA Instructor Katie Tuel and presented with award certificates by Diaz. CNAs honored at the pinning ceremonies were:
● Tess Boorn (ADM)
● Claire Knudsen (Madrid)
● Alyana Gronseth (Ogden)
● Riley Lerdal (Ogden)
● Alyvia Primmer (Ogden)
● Kaidyn Dencklau (Panorama)
● Emily Hernández (Perry)
● Laisha Hurtado (Perry)
● Kaitlyn Liver (Perry)
● Filmawit Okubay (Perry)
● Kaylee Wuebker (Perry)
● Kiley Brandsfield (Woodward Granger)
● McKenna Carroll (Woodward Granger)
● Alyana Dunlavey (Woodward Granger)
● Gavyn Heuton (Woodward Granger)
● Isabella McDivitt (Woodward Granger)
● Audrey Simmons (Woodward Granger)
● Georgia Simmons (Woodward Granger)
The keynote speaker at the pinning event was DMACC at Carroll Nursing Professor Amber Mahrt, who described the many career options and opportunities opening to the graduating CNAs and shared her encouragement and admiration for their pursuing careers in the medical profession.
Mahrt outlined the benefits of nursing education programs and gave her perspective on the future positive impact the students will have serving in the field of medicine. In addition to serving as a DMACC nursing instructor, Marht is one of seven people currently serving on the State of Iowa Board of Nursing.
Tuel provided the history of the nursing pinning ceremony. The nursing pin is traditionally presented to newly graduated nurses or CNAs by the faculty in a pinning ceremony that marks a symbolic welcome into the healthcare profession. The first pinning ceremony occurred in the 1860s, when England’s Queen Victoria awarded to Florence Nightingale the Red Cross of St. George in recognition of her service as a military nurse during the Crimean War.
Known for her tireless commitment to developing the fields of nursing and nurse education, Nightingale in turn awarded medals of excellence to her brightest nursing students. Tuel concluded her remarks by encouraging the new CNAs to a similar commitment.
“Moving forward in your healthcare journey, I encourage you to be like Florence Nightingale,” Tuel said. “Show compassion to all and provide excellent care that exceeds the expectations of your patients. When you do this, you receive the rewards of working in healthcare. The joy of seeing your patients improve, the appreciation of the patient’s family and friends for a job well done and a passion to continue to provide excellence in the healthcare industry.”
Tuel commended the DMACC students for the commitment they have already demonstrated.
“This is a great class of compassionate, respectful and outstanding students,” she said. “At a recent training session, Dallas County Hospital officials remarked that this group of students is among the best that they have trained. I look forward to their entry into the healthcare profession and their personal and professional impact on patients and their families. I am confident that they will be successful.”
Lipovac similarly praised the CNAs’ efforts and encouraged their further growth.
“These students are entering one of the most noble professions in pursuing their life’s calling,” Lipovac said. “In caring for life, nurses are present at the most joyous occasions for families and also often the most challenging times. Our CNA students have demonstrated passion and positivity as they interact and serve others in a personal,
professional manner. Their futures are bright and promising.”
The DMACC Career Advantage program provides students with high school and tuition-free DMACC academic credit simultaneously and prepares them for future entry into the workforce or post-secondary programs. Registration is open for the spring semester. For more information, students should visit with their high school counselors or contact the DMACC at Perry VanKirk Career Academy.
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