Forty-six Yavapai College students aim to fill the ranks of healthcare heroes locally and across the globe after earning their associate of Applied Science in Nursing degrees during fall semester.

The fall graduating class comprises future nurses who completed their coursework at both the YC Prescott and Verde Valley campuses. The graduates of YC’s acclaimed nursing program were honored at a traditional nurse pinning ceremony Dec. 8 in the Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center on the Prescott campus.

Among those applauding the graduates and offering sincere career and personal advice on the YCPAC stage were Yavapai College leaders Dr. Marylou Mercado, Associate Vice president of Health Sciences; Dr. Barbara Durham, Director of Nursing; and Dr. Janet Nix, Chief Human Resources Officer.

Nix extolled the future nurses to prioritize their own health and wellbeing so they can take care of others and avoid burnout. “After today’s celebration I want you to write down what you’re going to do for yourself every day to keep your soul fed,” she said. “Find the thing that fills your soul, something that is yours and not anyone else’s… if you do this I know that your careers will be filled with fulfillment, focus and endless opportunities to make a difference.”

Mercado and Durham expressed profound pride in the graduates for their sacrifices, hard work and dedication. “You have the gift of education that you have given yourselves with the support of your families and it doesn’t get much better than that,” Mercado said.

Durham fought back tears describing the sleepless nights, stress, anxiety and likely tears the graduates’ experienced in nursing school before telling their loved ones in the audience, “you can have them back now.”

Nursing Professor Rosemarie Thieme underscored the importance of listening to and advocating for patients in her keynote address, recounting a poignant story of apologizing to a patient for causing him pain while starting an IV. The patient shared a story of unimaginable loss and horror during the Holocaust to assert that Thieme had caused him “little” pain.

“As your patient is telling their story to you, it helps them to heal and provides you an understanding of where they are,” Thieme said. “You are the one who spends the most time at the bedside, listening to the patient’s hopes, dreams and achievements. Do not be afraid to speak for them.”

Following are the fall 2023 Yavapai College Nursing Program graduates:

Brittney Battise, Elisabeth Beaumont, Megan Begay, Thomas Blatz, Audra Braudrick, Chasity Bryant, Kendra Butcher, Lianne Carr, Lesly Castillo, Nyasha Chikwekwete, Laura Coester, Hailey Cromer, Chelsey Curtis, Tiffany Dalton, Rebecca Daltroff, Cycy Dang, Billie Denike, Savannah Dey, Liz Estrada Nava, Ashley Henderson, Kelly Hurlbut, Anna Kamenski-Mata, Alexandra Leara, Cheyenne Macek-Jasper, Nichole Mack, Theresa Maldonado, Clarineth Miller, Breeanna Murphy, Laura Myers, Hannah Pierce, Brian Provost, Xavier Reyes-Cavazos, John Riley, Sierra Schwartz, Wayne Seacrist, Layla Sheldon, Brianna Smith, Amber Smithers, Sean Sprague, Lucas Teran, Clint Thompson, Stephanie Thrine, Anthony Tinghitella, Jessica Torres and Kelly West.

Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, a baccalaureate degree, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.

To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu