Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Pinning and Recognition Program

May 1, 2026

PROCESSIONAL

INTRODUCTION AND INVOCATION

Dr. Holly Vali, RN
Masters Recognition
Facilitator

Dr. Abbie Wegert, RN
Accelerated and Ascend Pinning
Facilitator

Keith Roussil, RN
Traditional and CHOICE Pinning
Facilitator

OPENING REMARKS

Dr. Jake Bucher
Provost

WELCOME

Dr. Linda Osterlund
Academic Dean, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Allison Fostveit, RN
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Alexandra Hastings, RN
Master of Science
Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Julia Bownes, RN
Master of Science
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Yanoudji Diarra, RN
Master of Science
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

Lydia Helms
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Traditional Nursing Program

Alexa Quaine
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Nursing Program

Abigail Webb
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
CHOICE Nursing Program

Marc Fairs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Ascend Nursing Program

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Beth Smith, RN
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Excellence Award

Holly Schommer, RN
Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Practice
Master of Science
Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Sarah Gadzuk, RN
Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Practice
Master of Science
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Grace Archer, RN
Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Practice
Master of Science
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD

Carissa Roentz
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Traditional Nursing Program

Grace Hollenbeck
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Nursing Program

Angie Hernandez Jacome
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
CHOICE Nursing Program

Francess Kargbo
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Ascend Nursing Program

OUTSTANDING AFFILIATE FACULTY AWARD

Curtis Stringer, RN

DAISY FOUNDATION
FACULTY AND STUDENT AWARDS

Presented by
Dr. Catherine Witt, RN
Kelly Bastian, RN
Loretto Heights School of Nursing

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty
Lauren Freimuth, RN

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Student
Rhea Mae Peralta

UNDERGRADUATE EVIDENCE-BASED POSTER AWARD

Claire Begler
Sami Lee
Harlee Aggson
Adelaide Hoeschen
Lauren Kline
Phindile Nnuro
Blessing Abraham

GRADUATE RECOGNITION

Dr. Patricia Cullen, RN
Assistant Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Graduate Programs

PRESENTATION OF THE PINS

Dr. Lisa Zenoni, RN
Assistant Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Undergraduate Programs

CLOSING REMARKS

Dr. Catherine Witt, RN
Dean, Loretto Heights School of Nursing

CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY - Pinning ceremonies only

NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE - Pinning ceremonies only

BLESSING

Dr. Shawn Anderson, RN
Loretto Heights School of Nursing
Director Experiential Learning

GRADUATES

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Valerie CdeBaca
Joseph Coz
Laura Evans
Allison Fostveit
Sarah Gardiner
Rebecca Hearst
Kelsie Kline
Panagiotis (Peter) Maniatis
Shannon Sarver
Beth Smith
Angela Whiteacre

Master of Science
Department of Graduate Nursing Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner

Hiwot Bekele
Lauren Borghi-Ellen
Victoria Bricker
Jacqueline Cao
Kathleen Cox
Michelle Do
Dawa Dolma
Madison Duffy
Alejandro Esparza
Isaac Espinoza Lopez
Hannah Everson
Samantha Fitch
Ariana FormyDuval
Andrea Fujimoto
Darrick Garcia
Lauryn Ginouves
Hannah Gould
Denali Graham
Jessica Graham
Joelle Grzenda-Lauermann
Alexandra Hastings
Kaitlin Knochenmus
Charum Kolong
Benjamin Lambrecht
Sage LaRochelle
Valeria Licon
Nancy Lopez
Jenna Lyons
Ashley Makelky
Candace Myers
Kate Pope
Richard Reinard
Kassandra Rojas Castaneda
Paula Russo
Holly Schommer
Shannon Shaeffer
Amanda Templeton
Kathleen Toldi
Nicole Totah
Jordan Zwart

Family Nurse Practitioner

Terra Hiller

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Crystal Ballard
Keri Beck
Ashley Beisler
Julia Bownes
Marissa Brown
Mikaela Cave
Amy Funk
Sarah Gadzuk
Kelsay Hannam
Alexis Stallings
Jana Swartz

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate

Jansheal Jenkins

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Grace Archer
Alyssa Cole
Yamoudji Diarra
Alysha Ezell
Avia Feldman
Jessica Peiker
Megan Petrova
Blake Pound
Gabrielle Racines
Samantha Schell

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate

Zainab Soyebo

Leadership in Health Care Systems

Jessica Chang
Megan Miller
Sibia Spain

WHEN THE BODY OF WORK IS TENDING TO BODIES

When the body of our work is tending to bodies
Minds become adept at piecing together all the moving parts of treatment,
adept at bridging science and care
Eyes become observant
Ears, attuned to subtle sounds
Hands well-versed in working tools performing procedures
These hands,
Hands that pump hearts that no longer beat
Hands that feel for veins to administer lifesaving medication
Hands around shoulders when death comes
When the body of our work is tending to bodies
Our bodies become vessels of Listening and Healing
They become simultaneously tender as they strengthen from this labor of tending to bodies
Nursing is labor.
Labor that demands not just our minds, but our bodies, and our hearts,
and when we hear talk of heart, or care we cringe and call it fluff because in a culture
and in a system that devalues
Care
We strip away the language of heart work but the heart, mind, and spine of
the $800B dollar healthcare industry body is nursing & without nursing, the industry
declines from within
For the body cannot function without the mind and heart
We know in our bones that at the core of this profession is heart work
So when the time comes when your own heart becomes heavy from the trials & tribulations
of this labor
Bring those eyes that assess inward
Tune those ears that listen to your own internal rhythm
Place those hands that heal others on your own beating heart and remember that you form
the body of nursing which is the mind, spine, and heart of healthcare

Rosa Le
January Accelerated 2022

GRADUATES

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Accelerated Nursing

Blessing Abraham Eniola
Sarah Ainley
Samantha Centeno
Kayla Drew Chaffey
Maya P. Chavkin
Catherine Chianese
Lindsey Craft
Amanda Elizabeth Dombek
Mary Grace Hollenbeck
Candace T. Horgan
Taylor Humphries Fejka
Dhiona Jaramillo
Jason Johnson
Tasha Lynn Johnson-Dye
Meagan Elizabeth Kane
Rachel Alexandra Kaufman
Ana Josephine Kizhnerman
Lauren Kline
Isabella Kolodziej
Meghan Kozole
Brittany Ann Larsen
Tara L. Leisegang
Moriah Mascari
Kaylin McCauley
Arden McReynolds
Phindile Nnuro
Althea Elizabeth Ort
Ella Paine
Rhea Mae Peralta
Marissa Petralia
Alexa Quaine
Serena Quinn
Daisy Sanchez
Fartun Hussein Sherif
Avery Simon
Olivia T. Thramann
Jaclyn Claire Valentine
Hannah Warner
Sarah Wilson
Wanpeng Zhang

CHOICE Nursing

Alonso Alarcon
Deris Nicole Alderete
Isabelle Aubin
Emily Banks
Melinda Bond
Thomas Coates
Crystal Ann-Marie Duran
Cindy Garcia Montes
Kiana Hall
Angie Jacome (Hernandez)
Martha Kibozi
Juanita Koppinger
McKenzie Lewis
Katherine Ministeri
Dallana Moctezuma
Madison Morse
Madeline Perri
Kaylyn Rickert
Kristin Sturm
Rylei Valdez-Reyes
Sarah Vieweg
Adrianna Vigil
Sara Vosburg
Abigail Webb

Ascend Nursing

Jennifer Aguirre
Nicole Alexander
Susan Alexander
Harmony Alley
Erika Aragon Garcia
Jewell Brown
Jordan Dorsey
Elizabeth Duffy
Marc Fairs
Diana Garcia Acosta
Sarah Guzman
Lindsey Houck
Liliana Jimenez
Francess Kargbo
Allyson Leonnig
Elizabeth Loera Ortega
Ashley Nowalk
Ty (Matthew) Parrent
Sarahi (Guadalupe) Rodriguez
Savanna Romero
Lauren Thompson
Sofia Valbuena
Jasleen Villasenor
Leah Walker

Traditional Nursing

Kayla Arucan
Harlee Aggson
Kayla Aguirre
Geraldine Albornoz
Kyli Averill
Claire Begler
Bryon Bohlender
Emily Bradshaw
Tomas Butanda
James Carron
Hannah Corbin
Mary Crossland
Josef Dawson
Julia Davis
Madison DeLima
Aubrey Fultz
Devin Gilbreath
Stacy Gorzelanski
Avrie Gunderson
Lydia Helms
Ariane Herrera Cardenas
Kathy Ho
Adelaide Hoeschen
Olivia Jardon
Kambria Judd
Averie King
Lily Klement
Samantha Lee
Colleen Loitz
Hannah Lopez
Samantha Marzolf
Maddie McGowen
Gavin McManus
Emily Mendoza Bui
Brooke Michael
Lauryn Nacey
Crisaliss Nunez
Samantha Nunez
Isabella Porter
Emma Roach
Carissa Roentz
Lesly Salinas
Merlinda Salinas
Lourd Ian Clyde Salvatierra
Ashton Saunderson
Marguerite Schipfer
Isabelle Stumpe
Jayelynne Tornato Sotelo
Annisa Tunnell
Adrianna Ventura-Hill
Isabella Williams
Alli Evelyn Zier

CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY - Pinning ceremonies only

LIGHT AS A SYMBOL

The symbol of light can mean many things. To the soldiers she cared for, Florence Nightingale was known as the Lady with the Lamp. Light is a symbol for wisdom.

We ask that this light open your hearts to the opportunity of each new day and challenge you to use your learning and skills in thoughtful patient care.

May light illuminate the faces of all we serve helping us to face the darkness of suffering and enabling us to work with care and compassion.

With this light, help us in our search for wisdom so that all of our dealings with others may be guided by honesty.

May the warmth of this light give us the courage to confront difficult or unjust situations and the strength to advocate for ethical patient care.

Let the brilliance of this light lead us to a love of learning in all stages of our lives.

NIGHTINGALE PLEDGE - Pinning ceremonies only

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession.

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

As a missioner of health, I will dedicate myself to devoted service for human welfare.

BLESSING FOR NURSING GRADUATES

Presider: May the God of gentleness be with you, calming the fears of your patients and bringing them hope.

ALL: May the blessing of gentleness go with you.

Presider: May the God of compassion be with you, holding you close when you are weary, fearful and alone.

ALL: May the blessing of compassion go with you.

Presider: May the God of joy be with you. May God thrill and surprise you with nearness and newness, filling your heart with gratitude for your own talents and gifts.

ALL: May the blessing of joy go with you.

Presider: May the God of love be with you, brightening your eyes and helping you to share God’s healing power with your patients, your family and your friends.

ALL: May the blessing of love go with you.

Presider: May the God of strength be with you, preserving your ideals and keeping you well-balanced.

ALL: May the blessing of strength go with you.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Loretto Heights School of Nursing Faculty and Administration

Dr. Shawn Anderson
Kelly Bastian
Christine Beck
Dr. Cecilia Benns
Dr. Mary Castang
Dr. Lora Claywell
Dr. Stephanie Cradick
Dr. Patsy Cullen
Dr. Susan Dalbey
Dr. Courtney Duggan
Dr. Kandice Eakes
Rebecca Freeman
Lauren Freimuth
Dr. Candon Garbo
Dr. Kari Goerke
Alexandra Gordon
Dr. Phyllis Graham-Dickerson
Emily Hamblin
Sierra Hinchman
Dr. Andria Hinds
Dr. Jules Javernick
Dr. Kelsie Kline
Dr. Sarah Kurash
Dr. Vincent LaBarca
Amanda Linegar
Sarah Luk
Dee Martinez
Sarah Masten
Melissa Mooney
Dr. Michelle Redfearn
Keith Roussil
Dr. Krista Scorsone
Dr. Beth Smith
Dr. Holly Vali
Amy Wallace
Dr. Carol Wallman
Dr. Abbie Wegert
Dr. Kathleen Whalen
Dr. Angela Whiteacre
Susan Wilcinski
Dr. Catherine Witt
Dr. Lisa Zenoni

Loretto Heights School of Nursing Staff

Sherry Birney
Tennille Hamler
Jaynee Hilfer
Tori Hinds
Daniela Lotito
Ellen Martinelli
Liz Mason
Jenn Massler
Cassandra Mondrow
Cristian Soto

REGIS HISTORY

The seeds for Regis University were planted in 1877 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, when a group of exiled Italian Jesuits founded a small school called Las Vegas College. In 1884, the school relocated to Morrison, Colorado, and was renamed College of the Sacred Heart. Thanks to a generous donation of land from John Brisben Walker, the college settled in its current Denver location in 1887. College of the Sacred Heart was renamed Regis College in 1921 in honor of the Jesuit saint, John Francis Regis. Loretto Heights College was founded in 1891 by the Sisters of Loretto. After beginning as a Catholic school for girls, college curriculum was introduced in 1918. In 1988, the school closed and moved its academic programs to Regis College, laying the foundation for the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions and ultimately allowing Regis College to become Regis University in 1991.

Special Thanks

To all the speakers, the Loretto Heights School of Nursing staff, and most of all, to all the family, friends and faculty for their support and encouragement.