July 13, 2023

Following Reverend Brian Musser’s invocation, President John Fry welcomed graduates, families, friends and honored guests to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts for the graduation of CNHP’s doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students. In his remarks, Fry reminded us that this day was joyful despite the adversities where health care and wellness are concerned. “Way too many health indicators are heading in the wrong direction. For example, two alarming reports came out three months ago,” he said. “America had suffered one of the worst rates of maternal mortality on record and Americans across every demographic group and life stage were dying at younger ages than their counterparts in other affluent countries,” he continued.

But as he looked out to those wearing caps and gowns, Fry became hopeful because he saw “an inspiring cadre of newly credentialed nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse scientists, nutritionists, culinary and hospitality professionals, physical therapists, creative arts therapists, rehabilitation scientists, physician assistants, counselors, and health administrators” with exceptional talent, compassion, skill and determination. All of whom are quite ready for anything the world throws at them.

Like Fry, so many people, from professors, clinical and co-op supervisors, clients and patients, know that when a CNHP graduate is delivering health, clinical or culinary care, it will be done with equity as the priority. Interim Dean Ann Branchini remarked how CNHP students are united in promoting and advocating for the well-being of all people regardless of what they studied. “You have strengthened your inclination to serve and amplify those voices that are not always heard or do not receive equitable access to care,” Branchini communicated. As a nurse herself, she learned what our graduates now know, “as you heal, feed, and support people, acknowledge and understand their lived experiences – what trauma or discrimination has touched them, what access to health care, education, food and technology they've had. Don’t presume to know them. See them. Hear them. Ask them. Be the partner they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Before Branchini introduced Madelaine Akinyemi, the president of the Drexel University chapter of Drexel African Students Association and student speaker, she left graduates with a quote from author Nesta Jojoe Erskine from Unforgettable: Living a Life That Matters, with excellent advice. "We might not be the ones to change the world. We might not belong to the few that "put a ding in the universe." We might not be something the whole world would celebrate. But...In the little corners that we live; in the lives that we've played a part in, we should be nothing but unforgettable."

Akinyemi, who moved with her family from Nigeria at age 16, shared that Drexel afforded her opportunities, like world-class academics, co-op and seasoned faculty, that no other place could. “I knew Drexel was the right choice. And over the last four years Drexel and CNHP have helped to refine my purpose and establish my place in society,” she said. As a younger person, she hadn’t thought about postgraduation and working in antepartum nursing helping to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. one mom at a time. Now Akinyemi is looking ahead at completing master’s and doctorate programs so she can continue saving lives. She said, “these dreams might look a little different but whether you’re graduating with your bachelor’s in health science, your master’s in art therapy or a doctorate in physical therapy, we can all agree that these realizations did not come about overnight. It took professors who are passionate about what they teach, who instilled in each of us the need to care for others and do right by every demographic.” Akinyemi urged fellow graduated to allow their purposes to outweigh fear from whatever challenges one faces to “achieve the fullest of your abilities.”

In her keynote speech, Reverend Dr. Lorinna Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, emphasized that Philadelphia is the birthplace of American medicine and a leader in education since the 1700s. Looking at the myriad of programs the College offers, she commented how we have come so far, especially in diversity. “I see before me not only a student body spanning the health care field — from nursing to nutrition to health administration and beyond —but a diverse group of students across race, gender and age,” Marshall-Blake said. “It’s vital that our health care workforce reflects the community it’s rooted in. It improves access and patient outcomes. It builds stronger relationships. It creates trust,” she continued.

To Marshall-Blake thinking, graduates will wear many hats throughout their careers. She cautioned that while they may feel excited and sometimes like they are flying as they move into their next chapter, as with all the other speakers noted, there will be challenges. And as she put it, “you’ll feel like you just got out of the ring with Muhammad Ali.” Acknowledging that on one day you’ll be a caregiver, mentor or researcher, the next you may be a companion, messenger or administrator. Being pulled in many different directions will test their resilience. “When that day hits, because it will, I want you to ground yourself in your why, your purpose,” advised Marshall-Blake.

CNHP’s core values include social justice and health equity. Faculty, professional staff as well as students spend time creating impact, especially in the communities they serve. Marshall-Blake articulated that some graduates’ motivations could be to drive health, wellness and happiness for all. Others’ purposes may be “to serve as an inspiration for those who will come after you, care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable and encourage them.” While others, “to engender trust, witness their breakthroughs…mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually or to transform health care as we know it.” No matter which, she reminded everyone about self-care – “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

It's ok not to be ok. That’s when Marshall-Blake said to check in with support networks and practice self-compassion with a special message to administrators and supervisors who play critical roles in setting people up for success. “Burnout is not a single individual’s burden, but rather a larger issue that calls for change from a system and organizational perspective. You have the influence and wherewithal to catalyze sustainable action,” she argued.

Marshall-Blake concluded with a quote from Toni Morrison: “When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”

Awards were handed out at graduation and throughout the week at special ceremonies. Below is a list (not comprehensive) of people who were recognized for academics, community and clinical service, social justice and more.

Laura Baehr, PhD: Dean’s Social Justice Award
Yuval Oliver, DPT: Dean’s Clinical Service Award
Camryn Amen, BSN: Dean’s Award
Nalini Prakash, PhD: Outstanding Dissertation Awards
Nicholas Eltman, BS in health sciences: Cooperative Education Award

Rubert Scholars
Sharon Samson, BSN
Ashly Alexander, BSN
Danielle Larkin, BSN

Nicole Cleary. MSN: Teck-Kah Lim Graduate Student Excellence Award

Karin Choquette, DNP: Outstanding student of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Award
Lani Orellana, MSN: AG-ACNP Outstanding Student
Heather Case, MSN: Outstanding Student Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program
Shaterra Plummer, MSN: Outstanding Student of the Family Nurse Practitioner program
Jennifer Cannon, MSN: Outstanding Acute Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Award
Megan Mansfield, MSN: Primary Care NP program Award
Stephanie Ryan, MSN: Outstanding Dual Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Award
Jack Franze, MSN: Outstanding Graduate Award
Kristen Anucha, MSN: Outstanding Graduate Women’s Health and Gender Related Nurse Practitioner program
Emily Steffenino, MSN: Outstanding Graduate for the QSRM program
Samantha Schad, MSN: CNL Track Award
Wendy Uhing, MSN: CIH Outstanding Graduate Award
Christine Schleider, MSN: MSN Graduate of the Leadership in Health Systems Management in Advanced Nursing Practice
Rina Verma, MSN: Outstanding Graduate Award for the MSN in Nursing Education Track
Emily Kruger, MSN: Outstanding Graduate Student in the Public Health Nursing Track
Alanna Miller, MSN: Hahnemann Hospital Nurse Alumnae Association Award
Deanna Hill, MSN: Kathleen Jennings-Dozier Memorial Award
Robert Wayne Myers, MSN: Helen Berg Memorial Award
Zahra Moussavian, BSN: Dr. Cindy Hambach Memorial Award for Excellence in Online RN-BSN Education
Darriea Keisha Pigott, MSN: Online Student Recognition Award
Melissa Ann Posipanko, MSN: Joyce Lazzaro Lifelong Achievement Award
Sharon Goliash, MSN: Outstanding Achievement Award

Written by: Roberta S. Perry

Photo Gallery

Click to Enlarge