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BRADENTON, Fla. (June 2, 2026) — ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Manatee-Sarasota’s (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) health profession programs awarded pins, white coats, awards and scholarships to graduating students at ceremonies on May 6 and 7 at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton. All graduates earned degrees that prepare them for direct entry into the workforce.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Nursing Program presented 110 Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) degrees and 35 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Student speakers were Lauren N. Hauck, ASN, and Jose Yvette Eliscard, BSN.

All nursing graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed registered nurses (RNs). Ten ASN graduates are continuing in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s ASN-to-BSN fast-track program to begin bachelor ’s-level courses, which can be applied toward ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s RN-to-BSN program.

Scholarships were awarded to:

• Christopher Nothdurft, Manatee Memorial Hospital Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
• Tia Jones, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
• Kathryn Johnson, Chastain-Blankenship Nursing Scholarship

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Dental Hygiene Program presented 16 Associate in Science (AS) degrees. The student speaker was Mariangelic Gonzalez and the keynote speaker was Kenny Morales, a 2016 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø dental hygiene graduate.

Awards were presented to:

• Mariangelic Gonzalez, Academic Achievement Award
• Melissa Wagner, Academic Achievement Award
• Melissa Wagner, Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award 
• Alexa Ott, Crest Oral-B Hygienist Proud Award
• Sylwia Sarantopoulos, Colgate Star Award
• Jared Barker, West Coast Dental Hygienists’ Association Leadership Award

All dental hygiene graduates who took the national and clinical board examinations have passed. 

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program graduates presented nine AS degrees. The student speaker was Bruce Boche Loaiza.

Awards were presented to:

• Lexie Peplinski, Outstanding Student Award
• Jenna Dent, Academic Excellence Award
• Amber Colmorgen, Fieldwork Excellence Award 
• Brianna Pratt, Occupational Therapy South Bay Forum Scholarship Award
• Amber Colmorgen, Spring Forward Therapy Scholarship Award

All OTA graduates have been offered jobs upon graduation and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Physical Therapist Assistant Program presented 18 AS degrees. The student speaker was Shana Martin.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Radiography Program presented 11 AS degrees. All 2026 radiography graduates have passed the registry examination.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Services Management Program presented five AS degrees.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Services Administration Program presented 14 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees. 

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Nursing Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class attends the nurse pinning ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton.

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Dental Hygiene Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Occupational Therapy Assistant Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Physical Therapist Assistant Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Radiography Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Services Administration Spring 2026 graduates attend the graduation ceremony at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Bradenton.