ABAC Nursing Program Honors Top Graduates for 2023 Fall Semester

The nursing program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently honored its top graduates at the 2023 Fall semester pinning ceremony.

“I am extremely proud of the recipients of these awards as well as the other graduates,” said Dr. Jeffrey Ross, Dean for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. ”The long hours of studying, practicing skills, and preceptorship have culminated into this moment for them.”

Allison Gibbs from Lakeland received the South Georgia Medical Center Dedication to Nursing Award, and Kajal Patel from Tifton received the Clinical Excellence Award presented by Tift Regional Medical Center.

Victoria Pierce from Douglas received the Academic Excellence Award, presented by Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

Lizbeth Espinoza from Adel, Rebecca Lemmon from Hahira, and Brooke Tobin from Bainbridge received the Lisa Purvis Allison Spirit of Nursing Award, Lemmon for the A.S.N. traditional track in Tifton, Tobin for the A.S.N. traditional track in Bainbridge, and Espinoza for the B.S.N. degree.

The Dedication to Nursing Award is given in honor of the nurses both past and present for their hard work and dedication to excellence at South Georgia Medical Center. The Clinical Excellence Awards recognize students who demonstrated excellence in evidence-based clinical practice and patient-centered care. The Academic Excellence Award goes to the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average.

The Spirit of Nursing Award honors the memory of Lisa Purvis Allison. Despite being diagnosed with colon cancer during her final year in the nursing program, Allison completed her degree, passed her state board exam, and became a Registered Nurse. She passed away soon after accomplishing her goal. A scholarship fund in her honor was developed to assist students in fulfilling their dreams of becoming nurses.

A total of 50 students received associate degree pins, and 17 students received bachelor’s degree pins at the ceremony. “The nursing faculty, staff, our clinical partners, and ABAC administration are extremely proud of each of them for forging ahead and successfully completing this daunting program,” said Ross. “The determination and flexibility they have consistently demonstrated will serve them well in their careers.”