Conemaugh School of Nursing graduates 33 nurses, welcomes 31 to Conemaugh Health System

Conemaugh School of Nursing and Allied Health Programs is proud to announce the graduation of the Class of 2024 from its highly regarded nursing program.

The Conemaugh School of Nursing graduates its 126 class, the first under the esteemed direction of Kimberly Ferry, MSN, RN, CNE, NPD-BC, Director of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Programs. Ferry joined the School of Nursing staff in the fall of 2023 after profound careers in nursing education at Excela Health and UPMC School of Nursing Shadyside.

Expressing her admiration for the class of 2024, Ferry acknowledged the graduates' profound dedication to their education and to the community.

"It has been a great pleasure to watch you grow not only academically, but personally as you participated in numerous community initiatives leaving a positive impact on the lives of others.

"We are immensely proud of each of you and all the remarkable achievements you have attained through dedication and perseverance. As you embark on the next chapter of your journey, we extend our heartfelt wishes for your continued success and fulfillment in all your future endeavors."

The ceremony was held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6 pm at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown where 33 new nurses crossed the stage to receive their diploma. The keynote address was delivered by Kris O'Shea, Chief Nursing Officer at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, who offered unique career advice surrounding forward momentum to the graduates after celebrating 45 years as a registered nurse herself.

"As you start on your nursing journey, you can create forward momentum by leaning into experiences. This June marks 45 years of being a registered myself and I want to say, it really has been a journey. I encourage you to treat your career like a journey. Find different things and collect experiences to help find your niche and develop your skills and mindset to shape your future.

"I want nothing but forward momentum for you-a nursing career trajectory that is rewarding and fulfilling."

O'Shea continued to address the graduates about the challenging, yet rewarding opportunities that lie ahead for them.

"Nursing is a career like no other. We have the chance to explore many different aspects of healthcare and find ways that make a difference in our patients' lives. Find your balance, practice self-care, and lean into your experiences.

"It is the very best career, and I am humbled to welcome you into the wild world of nursing."

All 33 graduates have received and accepted job offers in the area. Of the 33 nurses, 31 have accepted positions within Conemaugh Health System.

• Ella Angus- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Alyssa Bartley- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kourtney Basinger- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Shane Boyd- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Alicia Bryant- UPMC Altoona, Altoona PA

• Anthony Cornetti- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kristin Cunningham- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Sydney Farabaugh- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Jenna Foreman- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Isabella Garanich- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kristofer Kabo- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kara Knepper- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Jessica Lytton- Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana PA

• Kylie McQuillan- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Jordan Myers- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Grace Miller- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Alyssa Nail- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Hunter Neibauer- Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring, PA

• Mia Pasquerilla- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Paige Porada- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Angelica Ports- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Aaliyah Quinn- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Erika Ritchey- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Theresa Roberts- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kyle Robertson- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Veronica Rozier- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Onalee Rush- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Robert Scott- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Emily Sherry- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• John Skelley- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Rylee Snyder- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Kiersten Szczur- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

• Sloan Vogt- Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown PA

During the ceremony, several students received individual awards commending their outstanding academic success, leadership, and service, for the duration of their education.

The Meyer and Sally Bloom Class Valedictorian Award: Grace Miller

The Elaine E. Behe and William L. Hughes Class Salutatorian Award: Sloan Vogt

Conemaugh School of Nursing Outstanding Student Nurse Award: Sloan Vogt

The Evelyn Frye, RN/Boyd Lingenfelter Humanitarian Award: Kiersten Szczur

The Karen Walker Stringent, RN Communication and Health Teaching Award: Rylee Snyder

Margaret Nestor, RN Student Service Award: Theresa Roberts

The Sally Jordan Nursing Leadership and Management Award: Kylie McQuillan

The Conemaugh School of Nursing Spirit of the Pink Cross Award provided by the Dana Petrunak Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Association Fund: Sloan Vogt

Additionally, several students were awarded honors recognition for their exemplary academic successes.

High Honors:

• Grace Miller

Honors:

• Ella Angus

• Shane Boyd

• Anthony Cornetti

• Isabella Garanich

• Kylie McQuillan

• Theresa Roberts

• Emily Sherry

• Rylee Snyder

• Kiersten Szczur

• Sloan Vogt

At the commencement ceremony, each graduate is pinned with the Conemaugh School of Nursing Pink Cross symbolizing their graduation from the program. Designed by Jessie L. Green, Class of 1898, the pin is a testament to the American Red Cross of which was founded by Clara Barton in 1881. The cross, remaining largely unchanged since its original debut, bears the established year of the Conemaugh School of Nursing and symbolizes the significant accomplishment made by each graduate.

Conemaugh School of Nursing and Allied Health Programs has played a pivotal role in healthcare for our community since its inception in 1896. The need arose just 7 years after Clara Barton established the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, presently known as Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, following the Great Johnstown Flood in 1889. Previously known as the Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, which was just one of only 35 nursing schools in the United States at the time, the Conemaugh School of Nursing has graduated 4,266 nurses over its 128 years of academic excellence. For more information about the Conemaugh School of Nursing, visit Conemaugh.org.

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