SCF Graduates 218 Health Profession Students in Bradenton

State College of Florida graduated 218 students from health profession programs May 6-7 at its Bradenton campus.

The nursing program awarded 110 Associate in Science degrees and 35 Bachelor of Science degrees. Lauren N. Hauck and Jose Yvette Eliscard spoke for ASN and BSN graduates respectively. Ten ASN graduates enrolled in SCF's fast-track ASN-to-BSN program. Christopher Nothdurft received the Manatee Memorial Hospital Excellence in Nursing Scholarship; Tia Jones earned the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Excellence in Nursing Scholarship; and Kathryn Johnson received the Chastain-Blankenship Nursing Scholarship.

The dental hygiene program graduated 16 students, all of whom passed national and clinical board examinations. Mariangelic Gonzalez and Melissa Wagner won the Academic Achievement Award. Wagner also received the Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award; Alexa Ott won the Crest Oral-B Hygienist Proud Award; Sylwia Sarantopoulos received the Colgate Star Award; and Jared Barker earned the West Coast Dental Hygienists' Association Leadership Award.

The occupational therapy assistant program graduated nine students, all receiving job offers upon graduation and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination. Lexie Peplinski earned the Outstanding Student Award; Jenna Dent received the Academic Excellence Award; and Amber Colmorgen won the Fieldwork Excellence Award. Brianna Pratt received the Occupational Therapy South Bay Forum Scholarship Award, and Colmorgen also earned the Spring Forward Therapy Scholarship Award.

The physical therapist assistant program graduated 18 students. The radiography program awarded 11 degrees, with all graduates passing the registry examination. The health services management program awarded five associate degrees, and the health services administration program awarded 14 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.