Three pinning ceremonies in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas
– Fort Smith have been scheduled for May in recognition of graduates from the surgical
technology, nursing and dental hygiene programs.
Each ceremony will pin graduates from the programs, commemorating their graduation and symbolizing the ascension from student to professional.
Surgical Technology Pinning Ceremony
The surgical technology pinning ceremony will occur at 6:30 p.m. May 12 in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, featuring Dr. Michael Gwartney as guest speaker.
Gwartney is an ear, nose and throat specialist at Cooper Clinic and has practiced medicine in the Fort Smith area since 1987. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Missouri.
Additionally, the program will give out awards for Academic Student of the Year and Clinical Student of the Year.
The event requires an invitation from surgical technology students. For more information, contact Sydney Fulbright at 479-788-7855 or Sydney.fulbright@uafs.edu.
Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony
The College of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will hold a pinning ceremony for graduates of its dental hygiene program at 6 p.m. May 13, with class president Aletha Lensing of Greenwood serving as the keynote speaker.
The ceremony will take place in the Weidman Center in the Pendergraft Health Sciences Center and will recognize 11 graduates graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
Awards will also be given out to students, including the AR State Dental Hygienists’ Association Career Award, J.P. Chancey Award for Scholastic Achievement, Dr. R.L. Smith Award for Clinical Achievement, and the Dr. James A. Burgess Jr. Award for Outstanding Table Clinic.
The event requires a ticket for admission, which are available from dental hygiene students. For more information, contact Pam Davidson at 479-788-7272 or pam.davidson@uafs.edu.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
The ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will occur at 7 p.m. May 13 in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, with Dawn Watts, chief executive officer of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Of Fort Smith, serving as guest speaker.
Watts was named chief executive officer of HealthSouth in 2014. From April 2008 to July 2014, she served in a number of senior management positions in the healthcare field, including director for case and resource management, cardiopulmonary services and various medical and surgical units. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
The ceremony will also award the valedictorian, salutatorian, Outstanding Clinician in Nursing Award, and Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing Spirit Award.
The event requires a ticket for admission, which are available from nursing students. For more information, contact Sherrie Luker at 479-788-7835 or Jenny Hubbell at 479-788-7861.