LEWISTON — Nursing graduates, friends and family gathered with nursing faculty from the Maine College of Health Professions to celebrate 42 nursing graduates recently in a pinning ceremony at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston.

Faculty member Betty Davis provided words of welcome to the guests. The nursing faculty read the poem “I am a Nurse.” Susan Baltrus, past president of the MCHP and a member of the Maine State Board of Nursing, led the graduates and all registered nurses in the nurse’s pledge.

In recognition of qualities of caring and excellence in nursing, a number of nursing graduates received individual awards during the ceremony.

Raj Woolever, M.D., program director of the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, presented the CMMC Medical Staff Awards for Excellence in Nursing. The awards were presented to the following graduates: Danielle Unruh, medical nursing; Catherine Rolfe, surgical nursing; Natalie Ellis, obstetrical nursing; Donald Zamborsky, mental health nursing; and Katilynn Strong, pediatric nursing.

Bonnie White was the recipient of the Central Maine General Hospital-CMMC College of Nursing Alumni Association Award. The winner of the award is chosen by members of the graduating class as the person they would most like to care for themselves or their family.

Jennifer Tardiff was presented with the Fay E. Ingersoll Memorial Award. This award was established in 2015 in tribute to Ingersoll’s 42-year association with the school of nursing, including 23 years as director. The recipient of this award demonstrates the qualities of integrity, a commitment to life-long learning, professional communication skills and “provides comprehensive, skillful nursing care based on scientific and psychosocial principles.”

Michael Denbow was presented with the Elsie Murchison Lauten, R.N., Memorial award. The recipient of this award displays a unique gift of compassion in caring for the geriatric patient and “attends to the fine points of nursing care while encouraging the return to independence, all in a warm, caring manner.”

Sara Grant was presented the Peggy S. Young Memorial Award, given to a student who is a compassionate caregiver and managed to pursue her nursing education while raising children.

Lacey Richards was presented with the Charles E. Fortier Jr. Memorial Award, given to the student whose “behavior as a whole is indicative of a people-oriented person,” who directs “his or her expression in action rather than denying its existence,” and whose “sense of humor permeates all of his or her activities.”

Bonnie White was given the Samuel L. Singer and Ruth Small Award. This award is presented to a student who will become a credit to herself and her profession, who shows pride as a representative of the MCHP and maintains good academic standing.

Following the awards and pinning, the nursing graduates participated in the lighting of the lamps of knowledge while receiving words of affirmation from Dr. Dana Law-Ham, MCHP faculty member.

FMI: 207-795-2840, www.mchp.edu.