Five local Maine College of Health Professions students graduated May 4 from the Portland college. From left are Adela Echavarria of Freeport, Liana Hanrahan of Turner, Aimee Gallant of Standish, Shawna Hatfield of Auburn and Chelsea Allen of Lincolnville. Contributed photo

Maine College of Health Professions on May 4 graduated one Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 44 Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, and 23 Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology students.

The local students included Adela Echavarria of Freeport, Liana Hanrahan of Turner, Aimee Gallant of Standish, Shawna Hatfield of Auburn and Chelsea Allen of Lincolnville. The ceremony was held at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

MCHP President Dr. Monika Bissell noted that “our lack of an external commencement speaker was intentional. Instead, we wanted to hear from the leaders of our graduating class of 2020 and 2021. We wanted to honor their perseverance. They endured incredible challenges and succeeded in completing a very rigorous healthcare education while navigating a pandemic. They deserve our deepest respect and admiration,” according to a news release from the college.

During the ceremony, a special award in honor of college’s recently-retired board chair, Dr. Pam Baker, was given to long-time Dean of the School of Radiology Judy Ripley. In addition, the Rev. James Weathersby offered a call for reflection and benediction.

Providing reflections of the class were Hatfield, Nursing Class of 2021 president; Vanessa Bragdon of Augusta, Radiology Class of 2021 president; and Jay Vachon of Farmingdale, RN, Nursing Class of 2020 president.

The MCHP Board of Trustees Award, which recognizes students who demonstrate leadership qualities, display concern and understanding for others, make decisions, assume responsibility for their actions, and establish trust in their interactions with others was presented to Amanda Morin of Greene and Haylee Duval of Lisbon by Ken Albert, RN.

Bissell presented the MCHP President’s Awards to the senior students attaining the highest grade point averages to Gabrielle Richards of Fayette, Taylor Davis of Augusta and Valerie Doucette of Lisbon.

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