LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing students exemplify the core values of our school and the nursing profession. Through their commitment and passion, they are poised to elevate patient care, inspire peers and advance the field of nursing. We proudly celebrate their achievements, their bright futures and the positive impact they are sure to make on the nursing landscape.
Conference at the Capitol: Lobbying for Change
Heather Daigle (BSN ’23) was a dedicated Senior II student on the cusp of completing her last semester when she attended the American Association of Colleges of Nursing national conference in Washington, D.C., on March 26 and 27, 2023. Accompanied by Dean Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, and Billy Rachal, PhD student, Daigle’s experiences at the conference had a massive impact on her future – and, potentially, that of the nursing profession.
“This was my first time attending the conference, and the experience was exceptional,” Daigle says.
Some seminars at the conference focused solely on education and awareness, broaching topics like public health disparities, health care burnout, underrepresentation in U.S. maternal health care, and hunger and nutrition in the U.S. Others, however, focused on preparing attendees to meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. These seminars sparked discussions of higher education acts, like the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 and the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act, both of which deliver vital support for nursing education institutions, educators and students.
On March 27, Daigle and the others attended five separate meetings with members of Congress, passionately lobbying for policies and actions that would directly support the School of Nursing and nursing education as a whole. They called for investments to support students, educators and research at the School of Nursing and beyond, at all levels of learning – a topic that resonated with Daigle personally.
“Continued education at the School of Nursing will allow me to contribute to my community and the nursing profession by being better equipped to provide exceptional patient care and mentor novice nurses,” Daigle says.
This emphasis on continued education isn’t just personal for Daigle; it underscores her broader commitment to uplifting her community and an entire generation of health care professionals.
“Spreading awareness on the lack of education funding can lead to better education opportunities for future health care students,” says Daigle. “It creates better foundational support that encourages individuals to pursue nursing and continued education. This translates to improved health care settings, experiences and outcomes for patients in our region.”
Daigle credits the School of Nursing with providing exceptional education and exposure to real-world experiences and issues, noting that both helped guide her aspirations to stay involved at state and national levels, raising awareness of pertinent issues and advocating tirelessly for her peers and patients.
“Being involved in the community offers me the opportunity to improve health disparities and develop leadership skills that are essential to my mission of advocating at all levels for positive policies,” Daigle says. “I want to do everything I can to ensure the health care needs of my community are met.”
December 2022 Graduates
Congratulations, Class of 2022 December graduates!
PhD in Nursing
Jamie Wiggins
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
Scott Bellanger
William Hill
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Executive Nurse Leader)
Shelly Dolan
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner)
Gelinia Jackson
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)
Shannon Acosta
Gabriele Adams
Alexandra Amedio
Shelby Assavedo
Hannah Avault
Brooke Bagley
Kaitlyn Barber
Ashley Barbier
Haley Barousse
Lauren Battaglia
Kalli Bayer
Taylor Bergeron
Logan Bodet
Tanna Boudreaux
Madelyn Bridges
Brittany Bright
Carson Brooks
Rylie Brown
David Buddell
Reese Businelle
Trinisia Butler
Valencia Cade
Alyssa Cain
Dane Chalin
Cydni Compeaux
Bria Daniels
Allie Deranger
Megan Derbes
Curtis Dick
Hannah Dorner
Hannah Duplechain
Todd Dupre
Destiny Ehmer
Madeleine Erickson
Jaden Folse
Melanie Fradella
Hannah Galloway
Micquelle George
Gloria Giarratano
John Goss
Hillary Hafner
Ally Haley
Kylyn Hebert
Hannah Helmer
Hannah Herrington
Stephen Icaza
Jordan Jackson
Jasmine Jones
Sara Kahao
Paula Kensler
Mallory Kerrigan
Jacob Kirkman
Philip Koenig
Christa Labourdette
Eurydice Lang
Caroline LeBlanc
Linda Ledet
Corey Lee
Robyn Lua
Jenna Mahne
Sophia Manguno
Ryan Manson
Kelly Marks
Macie Matherne
Emily Matthews
Mallory Mcculley
Alexis McCurdy
Bailey Mclachlan
Isabel Miciotto
Breah Mix
Shannon Moore
Madeline Morales
Katherine Mouton
Destiny Munson
Brittney Nezat
Colin Nipper-Stevenson
Morgan Odom
Kenechi Okeke
Landon O’Quinn
Daniela Padilla
Alexandra Pagett
Caylee Palazzalo
Katie Pendergrass
Meagan Perkins
Carley Pigeon
Will Pizzuto
Victoria Porter
Hailey Prendergast
Cortney Pritchett
Danielle Randolph
Ashton Richard
Sherri Rivera
Grant Rodrigue
Hannah Rowley
Tayler Rudisaile
Tierni Savoie
Celeste Scanio
Kyra Scoby-Hamilton
Joshua Secrest
Gabrielle Sehon
Kelsey Shingleton
Madison Smith
Calla Spallino
Anna Stark
Kayla Steele
Anna Stoma
Alexandria Taylor
Hayley Templet
Precious Thibodeaux
Lauren Timphony
Angela Tran
Thuy Tran
Naomi Turley
William Turner
Megan Walters
Kerri Wetzel
Margaret White
Karsen Williams
Jaycee Wood
Gretchen Yeadon
Taylor Yuratich
Honor Awards: Cumulative GPA:
Magna Cum Laude
Jaden Folse, BSN
Melanie Fradella, BSN
Macie Matherne, BSN
Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Barber, BSN
Rylie Brown, BSN
Alyssa Cain, BSN
Hailey Prendergast, BSN
December 2022 Awards
Congratulations to all December 2022 award recipients!
Valedictorian
Macie Matherne, BSN
Salutatorian
Melanie Fradella, BSN
Sigma Theta Tau International – Undergraduate
Kalli Bayer, BSN
Sigma Theta Tau International – Graduate
Jamie Wiggins, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE
Peer Mentor Award
Jaden Folse, BSN
Katie Pendergrass, BSN
Madison Smith, BSN
Student Nurses Association
Jaden Folse, BSN
Student Government Association
Hannah Avault, BSN
LSU School of Nursing Alumni – Undergraduate
Karsen Williams, BSN
LSU School of Nursing Alumni – Graduate
Scott Bellanger, DNP
Student Ambassador
Colin Nipper-Stevenson, BSN
Megan Walters, BSN
Elsevier Faculty Recognition Award – Undergraduate
Jaden Folse, BSN
Dolores Scheerle Award – Undergraduate
Calla Spalino, BSN
JoEllen Smith Memorial Award – Undergraduate
Melanie Fradella, BSN
MUSES
Alexis McCurdy, BSN
Outstanding PhD in Nursing Award
Jamie Wiggins, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE
NODNA Leadership Award – Undergraduate
Colin Nipper-Stevenson, BSN
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award – BSN Student
Colin Nipper-Stevenson, BSN
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award – Faculty
Liv Dinoso, DNP, FNP-C, CNE
Dean’s Award
Alexis McCurdy, BSN
May 2023 Graduates
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 May graduates!
Doctor of Nursing Science
Sherrie Anna Roberson
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Executive Nurse Leader)
Michelle M. Hoskins
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
Simone Kristen Pattani
Carlos Tandron Perry
Christine Marie Ryder-Ip
Kacey Christopher Wuertz
Delia Margurite Young
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner)
Laura Victoria Waguespack
Laney Lewis Weber
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
Jared Anthony Batiste
Kendi Lavergne DiLorenzo
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Primary Family Care Nurse Practitioner)
Maria Guadalupe Colina
Mitchell Mecalis Duhon
Marc Anthony Musso
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
Nicole Gamache
Jessica Macaluso Peltier
Lauryn Ashley Richard
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesia)
Jennifer Ann Abbrecht
Dariane Luz Alvendia
Zachary Latrael Amie
Dayna Kaye Beasley
Amy Randazzo Bienvenu
John Edward Boughton
Olivia Metz Breeland
Annadora Janet Bruce-Keller
Alexa Yanez Busch
Mitchell Thomas Callahan
Raymond Joseph Chapman
Kayla Noelle Clark
Destin Ranae Corley
Christopher Michael Danner
Elizabeth Ngoc Han Dao
Nicholas John Diasselliss
Rachel Dawn Dugas
Cody McSparrin Farnet
Ashley Alexandra Fernandez deCastro
Taylor Piglia Goss
Claire Battle Haydel
Jenna Adrienne Jones
Jessica Jordan
Trace Mason Juneau
Leigh Kathryn LaMoyne
Katherine Jacqueline Labonte
Kelly Gate Lienhop
Alexandra Brooke Musso
Mary Claybrook Newell
Maggie Ngoc Nguyen
Kevin Sean Olson
Trey Branson Perrin
Sarah K. Phillips
Brady Scott Radosti
Trevor Stephen Raney
Rhett James Rogers
Hannah Grace Rupert
Madeline Marie Seals
William Connor Sinclair
Andrew Lewis Skeans
Kimberly Matreace Stevenson
Katherine Taylor Townsend
Kimberly Michelle Whitford
Chasity Ann Willmouth
Monica Lynn Wink
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)
Danielle Christine Bellone
Mallory Renee Benoit
Peyton Elizabeth Blalock
Molly Ann Bourgeois
Julianna Marie Bubrig
Abigail Haley Bush
Breiona Lashant’ae Calender
Lendelle Diante Cannon
Emma Mei Carter
Michelle Leigh Coates
Gabrielle Christine Crutcher
Christopher Holden Crutti
O’Shawnta Marie Dantzler
Danea Marie Exsterstein
Alayna Cherie Flynn
Charnise Rayshinne Gilbert
Ericka Angelika Gilmore
Jaclyn Elizabeth Gonzales
Shyann Rose Griffith
Alexis Renee Guidry
Stephen William Guillory
Kimani Jamal Hamilton-Wray
Roxanne Elaine Heitmeier
Anna Tam-Nhu Hoang
Austin Michael Hotard
Sabrina Aurora Junius
Grace Margaret Kingsbery
Allison Renee Kolb
Lauren Adele Labbe
Maria Katherine Isay Lamb
Gwynneth Layne Le Blanc
Lacey Jordan Lingle
David Marcelo Lopez
Ashley Noel Lusk
Rima Marie Maatouk
Mackenzie Manuel
Dayton Hunter McGovern
Peyton Ashley Miller
Lindsay Kay Moreau
Hannah-Huong Quynh Nguyen
Ngoc Thi Bich Nguyen
Megan Eileen Oliva
Kaitlyn Ashleigh Parker
Het Manishkumar Patel
Jaila Myrnette Piper
Poche, Isabelle Serena
Samantha Rae Prados,
Mckenzie Elizabeth Queen
Teiara Breiona Ray
Taytem Presley Reeves
Kateri Marie Rizzi
Megan Elizabeth Romero
Haley Alexandra Sandino
Jessica Erin Sheppard
Kristemony Sode
Catherine Carter Street
Kyler Ann Thomas
Daphne Kay Thompson
Madison Eve Thompson
Claire Bayle Tonry
Michelle Huiyi Tran
Brianna Gabriale Wallace
Tiana Quanshae Williams
Emma Jane Wynne
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (CARE)
Tynyah Raye Alleyne
Tatiana Nicole Barr
Samantha Elizabeth Barre
Olympia Caitlin Beerens
Tiffany Ashlee Brown
Kaylyn Victoria Burrow
Kent Joseph Cheramie
Ian Michael Conroy
Sibelle Anne Corsino
Lucille Marie Dabadie
Megan Tri Dang
Patrick Sean Danner
Marga Winer Dejong
Nicholas Joseph Doucet
Mia Elizabeth Dubroc
Amanda Leigh Ellis
Liezle Ann Quimson Figueras
Emily Anne Forester
Destiny Noel Ghergich
Ashley Connell Gremillion
Clarissa Karina Jazell Irving
Courtney Symone Jackson
Jacob Roy Joraanstad
Alexis Desiree Kaupp
Angel Kelsey Kennedy
Madison Rene` Kiger
Mary Elizabeth Kroll
Zoe Florence Krulak-Palmer
Salome Anyankwabea Kushindana
Bria Tiffany Lafrance
Krystin Jade LeCompte
Abigail Brenna Lemoine
Daniel Mack Linam
Bram Griffith Love
Thea Martin
Elizabeth Jean Miller
Kathryn Ann Oeland
Kelsey Marie Perret
Jacob Daniel Porch
Jade Dequine Randall
Allyson Leigh Reynolds
Fiona Catherine Ritchey
Mia Renae Rochon
Ashley Lauren Rosenberry
Taylor Maria Sigur
Anne Sparnecht Story
Rohen Ellis Turner
Kourtnee Rico VanDerHorst
Ashlyn Brionne Washington
Keona T’sha Williams
Julia Grace Wood
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Dawanna Monay Monroe
Lisl V. Antee
A’nyjah Shaunte’ Johnson
Honor Awards: Cumulative GPA:
Summa Cum Laude
Claire Tonry, BSN
Magna Cum Laude
Amanda Ellis, BSN
Elizabeth Miller, BSN
Peyton Miller, BSN
Fiona Ritchey, BSN
Cum Laude
Danielle Bellone, BSN
Lucielle Dabadie, BSN
Patrick Danner, BSN
Marga Dejong, BSN
Angel Kennedy, BSN
Salome Kushindana, BSN
Lauren Labbe, BSN
Ngoc Thi Bich Ngueyn, BSN
Jacob Porch, BSN
Samantha Prados, BSN
Kateri Rizzi, BSN
Kourtnee VanDerHorst, BSN
Julia Wood, BSN
Emma Wynne, BSN
May 2023 Awards
Congratulations to all May 2023 award recipients!
The Allen Copping Excellence in Teaching Award
Elizabeth Hopkins, MSN, RN
Valedictorian
Claire Tonry, BSN
Salutatorian
Peyton Miller, BSN
Highest Academic Honors CARE Program
Fiona Ritchey, BSN
Academic Recognition CARE Program
Elizabeth Miller, BSN
The Theresa Bittenbring and John Henry Marque Fund:
CARE Accelerated BSN
Lucille Dabadie, BSN
Amanda Ellis, BSN
Elizabeth Miller, BSN
Fiona Ritchey, BSN
Kourtnee VanDerHorst, BSN
Traditional BSN
Jaden Folse, BSN
Melanie Fradella, BSN
Macie Matherne, BSN
Claire Tonry, BSN
Emma Wynne, BSN
Class Spirit Award, LSU School of Nursing Alumni – Undergraduate
Samantha Prados, BSN
Class Spirit Award, LSU School of Nursing Alumni – Graduate
Monica Wink, DNP
Sigma Theta Tau International – Undergraduate
Angel Kennedy, BSN
Sigma Theta Tau International – Graduate
Kasey Wuertz, DNP
Peer Mentor Award
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
Sibelle Corsino, BSN
Liezle Ann Figueras, BSN
Keona Williams, BSN
Student Ambassador
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
Kent Cheramie, BSN
Megan Oliva, BSN
NODNA Leadership Award – Undergraduate
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-Student Association Outstanding Graduate Award
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
O’Shawnta Dantzler, BSN
Dolores Scheerle Award – Undergraduate
Claire Tonry, BSN
Dolores Scheerle Award – Graduate
Kimberly Stevenson, DNP
Patricia A. Losee Memorial Award
Mallory Benoit, BSN
Student Nurses Association
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
Student Government Association
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
Faculty Recognition Award, Sponsored by Elsevier Services, Inc. – Undergraduate
Taytem Reeves, BSN
Writing Excellence Award, Sponsored by F. A. Davis, Co., Publisher – Graduate
Annadora Bruce-Keller, DNP
JoEllen Smith Memorial Award – Undergraduate
Taytem Reeves, BSN
MUSES
Marga Dejong, BSN
Angel Kennedy, BSN
Outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice Award – DNP Practitioner Graduate
Jared Batiste, DNP
Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetist Outstanding Student Award
Taylor Goss, DNP
Nurse Anesthesia Outstanding Graduate Award
Alexa Busch, DNP
Amy Bienvenu, DNP
Nurse Anesthesia Program Clinical Excellence Award
Elizabeth Dao, DNP
Chasidy Willmouth, DNP
Nicholas Diasselliss, DNP
Alice M. Hicks CRNA, Memorial Award
Olivia Breeland, DNP
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director’s Award
Jessica Jordan, DNP
Stanley Hall MD, PhD
Award Academic Excellence and Clinical Excellence
Trey Perrin, DNP
Reverend Dr. James A. Ertl Executive Nurse Leader Award – ENL Graduate
Michelle Hoskins, DNP
Reverend Dr. James A. Ertl Clinical Excellence Award – PCFNP Graduate
Marc Musso, DNP
Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Award
Kacey Wuertz, DNP
Nurse Practitioner Leadership Award
Jared Batiste, DNP
Nurse Practitioner Academic Excellence Award
Kendi DiLorenzo, DNP
Nurse Practitioner Service Award
Delia Young, DNP
Dr. Latnaja L. Divens Legacy Award
Marc Musso, DNP
Mitchell Duhon, DNP
Maria Colina, DNP
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award-BSN Student
Lendelle Cannon, BSN
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award-Graduate Student
Ashley Fernandez deCastro, DNP
Chancellor’s Award
Kent Cheramie, BSN
