HJBR Mar-Apr 2019

62 MAR / APR 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge   Hospital Rounds by LSU graduates. The first ceremony was held on Martin Luther King Day at BRG’s Mid City campus in the chapel, and the second service was held at the Bluebon- net campus. Music was provided by Curtis White and Matthew Gardner of the LSU School of Music. “As we continue to dream and implement a collective vision for our city of Baton Rouge, Dr. King’s values—service, leadership, and equality— should guide all of us,” said Edgardo Tenreiro, BRG’s president and CEO. “This annual service is a reminder for us to take that next step in moving all of Baton Rouge forward.” Baton Rouge General School of Nursing Graduates 34 NewNurses Thirty-four new nurses recently graduated from Baton Rouge General’s School of Nursing, joining the more than 1,000 nurses who have completed BRG’s program since 1984. During the ceremony at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, the graduates received their diplomas after two years of general education, detailed nursing courses, and hands-on experi- ence with seasoned practitioners. After receiv- ing their diplomas, graduates take the registered nurse license exam (NCLEX-RN) to be licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN). “With the continued need for nurses in our state and community, these graduates play a critical role in the healthcare workforce,” said SON Director Linda Markey, PhD, MSN, RN. “They are prepared to provide excellent patient care in a variety of set- tings, and we are proud to welcome them to the nursing community.” During the ceremony, a number of honors were presented to students. They include: • Garnie Belvin Eggars Award (oncology): Jenny Ashley • Award for Scholastic Achievement: Aida Toure • Award for Excellence: Desh Maurice • Maternal Child Nursing Award: Mackenzie Mitchell • -Mental Health Nursing Award: Heidi Broussard • -Medical Surgical Nursing I Award: Kristen Ashford • Medical Surgical Nursing II Award: Brittany Kensey • High Acuity Nursing Award: Mary Kate McGrew Most of BRG’s new graduates begin their careers at Baton Rouge General in telemetry, oncology, and on medical and surgical units. After entering nursing, many graduates have gone on to earn bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees, and many work in management or leadership posi- tions, or as nurse practitioners and educators. Frequently recognized by the LSBN for its 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, the BRG School of Nursing has maintained an overall pass rate above 95 percent throughout its 34-year history. North OaksRehabilitation Hospital Physicians Appoint 2019 Medical Executive Committee Three area physicians have been selected by their peers to serve on the North Oaks Rehabili- tation Hospital Medical executive committee for 2019. These officers will serve as liaisons between the medical staff and the North Oaks Rehabilita- tion Hospital board of managers. Serving as chief of staff is Physiatrist Cynthia Willingham, MD, PLLC. She earned a medical degree through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. During a resi- dency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, she served as chief resident. Certi- fied by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Willingham joined the North Oaks medical staff in 2018. Members-at-large include family medicine phy- sician H.A. “Rowdy” Valdes, MD, and internal medicine physician Susan Zacharia, MD. Valdes is a graduate of Louisiana State Univer- sity School of Medicine in New Orleans. He car- ried out an internship and residency through the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He is certi- fied by the American Board of Family Medicine and joined the North Oaks medical staff in 1999. Zacharia earned a medical degree from the Uni- versidad Tecnologica de Santiago in Santo Domingo. She completed an internship and res- idency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She is certified by the American • Graduates from the BRG School of Nursing Class of 2018 include, left to right, first row, Jennifer Masanz, Desh Maurice, Brittny Averette, Jean Marie Hill, Heidi Broussard, Callie Mizell, and Jenny Ashley; second row, Sydney Mitchell, Hanna Simpson, Demi Henderson, Sydney Jo O’Banion, Becky Walker, Mackenzie Mitchell, Kristen Ashford, and Yuna Choi; third row, Shana Hamilton, Brittany Kensey, Chelsey Deweese, Jamie Odum, Holli Delapasse, Madison Gullatt, Ashley Gautreau, Mary Kate McGrew, Lacey Jones, and Kristen Thornhill; and fourth row, Jenna Ard, Rebecca McCoy, Madison Free, Aida Toure, Cora Duehring, Stephanie Garcia, Erin Whitstine, Katy Griffin, Lauren Hotstream, and Penny Van Pelt, nursing program coordinator.

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