Midway University honored its Associate Degree in Nursing graduates during a Nursing Pinning Ceremony held on campus last week. The ceremony marked the culmination of the graduates’ academic journey and their transition from student nurses to professional nurses.
Elizabeth Ann Ison, a Nurse Recruiter with the Veterans Health Administration Lexington VA Health Care System was the keynote speaker. Ison, a graduate of the University of Nottingham in England, has more than 25 years of experience in nursing practice, leadership, and recruitment and is actively involved in national healthcare and veterans’ nursing organizations.
As part of the ceremony, graduates were individually pinned by family members and loved ones, a tradition symbolizing both professional responsibility and personal support. Graduates also received apricot roses, the internationally recognized color of the nursing discipline.
Graduates Pinned at the Ceremony
- Nadia Mohammed Al Wahaibi–Lexington, KY
- Keaton Anderson–Lawrenceburg, KY
- Kaylee Baldock–Yosemite, KY
- Brooke Ballew–Harrodsburg, KY
- Puja Bhatt Awasthi–Lexington, KY
- Jonné Briscoe–Lexington, KY
- Kevin Brown–Georgetown, KY
- Robin Michelle Brown–Lexington, KY
- Terrisha McMillian Brown–Lexington, KY
- Caitlyn Clough–Georgetown, KY
- Amanda Combs–Irvine, KY
- Shae Davis–Richmond, KY
- Courtney Drury–Lawrenceburg, KY
- Syd’Nee Fryer–Georgetown, KY
- Alexandra Gangl–Clarksville, TN
- Morgen L’Shae Garner–Versailles, KY
- Lindsay Griffin–Lancaster, KY
- Lindsay Hamilton–Frankfort, KY
- Layla Hanieh–Lexington, KY
- Briana Henderson–Lexington, KY
- Macy Hester–Lancaster, KY
- Amanda Hoover–Berea, KY
- Angela Huang–Lexington, KY
- Heather Nicole Husted–Frankfort, KY
- Tristin Hutchinson–Paris, KY
- Haley Johnson–Morehead, KY
- Jokela Johnson–Lexington, KY
- Kaylen Mullikin–Lexington, KY
- Tanya Marie Nichols–Lexington, KY
- Amanda Zoellers Palmer–Pikeville, KY
- Nasstasja Ortiz-Perez–Lexington, KY
- Pratima Panth Bhusal–Lexington, KY
- Olivia Peake–Lexington, KY
- Jillian Beth Perkins–Frankfort, KY
- Angelica Price–Lexington, KY
- Carla Retana–Lexington, KY
- Danielle Roberts–Mount Sterling, KY
- Lakin Roberts–Lexington, KY
- Courtney Robertson–Lexington, KY
- Alexander Ruler–Lexington, KY
- Elie Sagamba–Lexington, KY
- Katelyn Scales–Nicholasville, KY
- Michael Seagraves–Lexington, KY
- Daryn Seals–Midway, KY
- Mallory Shepperson–Mount Sterling, KY
- Shante Smith–Lexington, KY
- Anthony Spalding–Lexington, KY
- Kellie Stephens–Richmond, KY
- Nicole Strader–Williamstown, KY
- Haley Sutherland–Georgetown, KY
- Lia Testa–Pompano Beach, FL
- Beth Thompson–Paris, KY
- Paige Williams–Paintsville, KY
- Aubreana Wills–Lexington, KY
Student Awards
Several graduates were recognized for outstanding achievement:
- Florence Nightingale Award (Evening Track): Robin Michelle Brown–Lexington, KY
- Florence Nightingale Award (Hybrid Track): Kevin Brown–Georgetown, KY
- Clinical Award (Evening Track): Amanda Zoellers Palmer–Pikeville, KY
- Clinical Award (Hybrid Track): Heather Nicole Husted–Frankfort, KY
- Baptist Health Lexington Leadership Award: Lindsay Griffin–Lancaster, KY
Midway University also ceremonially hooded Dr. Alicia Husted, recognizing the successful defense of her Doctor of Nursing Practice project, “The Impact of Depression Screening on Mental Health Referrals.”
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Nightingale Pledge, led by retired nurse Karen Bergamasco, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to ethical practice, compassion, and service.
Midway University nurses are highly regarded throughout central Kentucky for their quality care and professional preparation, a reputation the University’s nursing faculty and graduates proudly uphold.
Robin Michelle Brown
Kevin Brown
Amanda Zoellers Palmer
Heather Nicole Husted
Lindsay Griffin