Heritage Valley School of Nursing Graduates of 2009

Moon Twp., PA (June 23, 2009) – Twenty-nine students from the Heritage Valley Sewickley School of Nursing’s Class of 2009 graduated in commencement ceremonies held at the Edgeworth Club on Sunday, June 14. The graduating students are: Shaynna Akins, Aliquippa; Kelly Alaksin, Beaver Falls; Michael Barnhart, Midland; Christine Baum, Cranberry Township; Kristen Beltz, Pittsburgh; Stella Bembnowski, Beaver Falls; Amanda Boyle, Rochester; Beth Campbell, Bethel Park; Lisa Cifrulak, Sewickley; Missy Colteryahn, Clinton; Jayne Dalessio, Moon Township; Amy Entwistle, Baden; Stephanie Fedorka , Beaver; Crystal Hogue, Beaver Falls; Christine Hoover, Beaver Falls; Brad Hosack, Ambridge; Kara Jeffries, Harmony; Jenny Kopp, Butler; Amanda Langhel, Ellwood City; Melissa Long, Georgetown; Maria Mikolajczyk, Pittsburgh; Christy Peabody, Rochester; Jennifer Aydin Piccini, Oakdale; Carla Probert, Cranberry Township; Nicole Puckett, Baden; Andrea Schrimpf , Moon Township; Nathan Smith, Carnegie; and Ashley Yost, Cranberry Township.

Diane Holder, President and CEO of UPMC Health Plan, was the keynote speaker for the graduation. Laura Vassamillet, Chairperson of the Heritage Valley Health System Board of Directors and Heritage Valley Health System President and CEO Norman Mitry awarded the diplomas. Marilu Piotrowski, Director, School of Nursing, presided and awarded the students their nursing pins and Rosemary Nolan, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer presented the class of 2009. Dr. Allen Wolfert, President of the Heritage Valley Sewickley Medical Staff offered congratulatory remarks and Marion Rudek, faculty member, presented the traditional graduation rose.

Special awards or recognition were given to Melissa Colteryahn, Carla Probert and Amanada Boyle. Melissa Colteryahn received the Faculty Award for the highest academic achievement with a 4.0 QPA. Carla Probert received the Ruth V. Myers Alumni Award for the greatest progress in the program. Amanda Boyle received the Flora Guthrie Applegate Award for outstanding nursing care.

The graduates are now eligible to take the national licensing examination for registered nurses. For the past ten years, over 90 percent of Heritage Valley Sewickley School of Nursing graduates passed the national licensing examination. Heritage Valley Sewickley School of Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. The program combines course credits from La Roche College with a wide range of clinical nursing courses, including experiences in medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, critical care, surgery and recovery room, psychiatric, cardiology, oncology, mental health and rehabilitation nursing. Nursing courses begin in the first term of the full-time program. Credits are transferable to a BSN program providing students with educational mobility.