This year has been exciting and transformative for the School of Nursing, as we continue to honor our students’ progress and dedication. From White Coat Ceremonies marking the transition into clinical practice to celebrating academic achievements, our nursing students are stepping confidently into the future of health care.
White Coat Ceremonies: Welcoming Future Nurses Into Clinical Practice
In May 2024, students were celebrated during a White Coat Ceremony at the LSU Health Shreveport campus. Presided over by Linda Ledet, DNS, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, Program Director for the Shreveport Campus, and highlighted by a keynote from Todd Tartavoulle, DNS, APRN, CNS-BC, Assistant Dean for Student Services, this ceremony marked the students’ transition into the clinical phase of their education. Notable participants included Jade Talazac, the class president, who led her peers in the White Coat Pledge. This ceremony emphasized the importance of compassion and ethical standards as students enter patient care.
In August 2024, a second White Coat Ceremony took place at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie, recognizing the Sophomore II students. Presided over by Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, Dean of the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing, and featuring a keynote from Courtney Jerome (C.J.) Marbley, RN, Vice President of Nursing Operations at University Medical Center New Orleans and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at New Orleans East Hospital, the ceremony welcomed students into clinical practice.
Recognizing Academic Excellence: May 2024 Award Recipients and Graduates
Many students were also recognized for their academic achievements in May 2024. Jade Talazac, already a leader in the White Coat Ceremony, was honored with the Excellence in Leadership Award, while Destiny Leo received the Clinical Excellence Award for her outstanding performance during clinical rotations.
Summer 2024 graduates Emily Adams, Vanessa Johnson and Kentrel Johnson were honored for academic and clinical excellence.
As our students continue to achieve great things in both their academic and clinical experiences, we look forward to seeing them thrive as they enter the nursing profession. The School of Nursing remains committed to fostering an environment of excellence, compassion and innovation as we prepare the next generation of nurses.
May 2024 Awards
Congratulations to all May 2024 award recipients!
Valedictorian
Lauren Hava
Salutatorian
Morgan Lindsey
Highest Academic Honors CARE Program
Jake Hermo
Academic Recognition CARE Program
Madison LeBlanc
Dolores Scheerle Award – Undergraduate
Dacia Coleman
Dolores Scheerle Award – Graduate
Audrey Tallis
Patricia A. Losee Memorial Award
Terinika Miles
Sigma Theta Tau International – Undergraduate
Colin Niselman
Sigma Theta Tau International – Graduate
Colette Baudoin
Class Spirit Award, LSU School of Nursing Alumni, Undergraduate
Kentrel Johnson
Class Spirit Award, LSU School of Nursing Alumni, Graduate
Angele Hoppe
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Student Association Outstanding Graduate Award
Christiana Porter
Student Government Association Outstanding Graduate Award
Kai Relf
Student Nurses Association Outstanding Graduate Award
Colin Niselman
Student Veterans of America Organization Outstanding Graduate Award
Lilian Andry
Faculty Recognition Award, Sponsored by Elsevier Services, Inc. – Undergraduate
Kai Relf
NODNA Leadership Award – Undergraduate
Tina Mesquita
Student Ambassador
Dacia Coleman
Meagan Morgel
Christiana Porter
Rebekah Serrett
Hannah Wilkinson
JoEllen Smith Memorial Award – Undergraduate
Jessica Gholston
MUSES
Sarah Cohen
Colin Niselman
Writing Excellence Award, Sponsored by F. A. Davis, Co., Publisher – Graduate
Oghenemaro Ugbeme
Outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice Award – DNP Graduate
Christopher Savoie
Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetist Outstanding Student Award
Alexandra Landry
Nurse Anesthesia Outstanding Graduate Award
Cynthia Hodnett Whealdon & Audrey Britsch
Alice M. Hicks CRNA, Memorial Award
Emily Wells
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director’s Award
Taylor Bensel & Charles “Tyler” Creamer
Stanley Hall MD, PhD Award Academic Excellence and Clinical Excellence
Amanda Keller
Reverend Dr. James A. Ertl Clinical Excellence Award – PCFNP Graduate
Kelly Walker
Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Award
Courtney Herbst
Nurse Practitioner Leadership Award
Lauren Flettrich
Nurse Practitioner Academic Excellence Award
Audrey Tallis
Dr. Latnaja L. Divens Legacy Award
Kelly Walker
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award – BSN Student
Colin Niselman
Outstanding Nursing Caring Award – Graduate Student
Christopher Savoie and Kelly Walker
Chancellors Award
Colin Niselman
Summa Cum Laude
Jake Hermo, BSN
Magna Cum Laude
Lauren Hava, BSN
Morgan Lindsey, BSN
Cum Laude
Mariah Amugo, BSN
Camille Doran, BSN
Gretchen Falgoust, BSN
Madison LeBlanc, BSN
Percie Melerine, BSN
Christiana Porter, BSN
Spring 2024 Graduates
Congratulations to all Spring 2024 graduates!
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (CARE)
Alexandra Elizabeth Abide
Lilian Christina Andry
Neha Jayant Angal
Rachel D Applebaum
Virginia Baker
Ian Ross Bancroft
Allison Sherri Blanchard
Emily Brennan Blau
Yugenia Nikcollette Briley
Mackenzie Lee Buller
Dominique Casey Ann Carr
Cameron Michelle Cizik
Mary Cloud
Sarah Elayne Cohen
Kara Deutch
Camille Elaine Doran
Maximillian Joseph Egan
Gretchen Clair Falgoust
Julien Scott Farges
Justin Lee James Fontenot
Randall Keith Grafe
Kelsey Alaine Griffin
Kelsi Ann Guerra
Saidy Xiao Na Andrea Hebert
Samantha Maria-May Henderson
Kayla Dominique Henry
Jake Hermo
Macy Raynne Hornosky
Madison Elizabeth Ivy
Kentrel Smith Johnson
Anna Kathryn Jones
Kandice Cowles Kirby
Tommy Phong Le
Madison Hope Leblanc
Sara Ann Lonigro
Sophie Luketich
John Kenton Moore
Stephanie Most
Colin Hayes Niselman
Angela Luzano Ojastro
Kristina Caitlyn Olguin
Uchechi Damaris Owunna
Bailey Morgan Perkins
Madeleine Elise Marie Perkins
Alexah Brehonna-Marie Pierce
Aaron Grey Pomerantz
Quynh Nhu Quach
Blake Wayne Roberts
Amanda Leigh Rogers
Lydia Jane Ross
Mariel Eva Rossi-Devries
Triska Raeisia Thomas
Aubrey Isabella Vidal
Margaret Grace Vinyard
Nghi Dinh Dong Vu
Olivia Anne Weinstein
Jennifer Katherine Williams
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Mary Elizabeth Harden
Madaline Audra Maestri
Sarah Emily Melerine
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)
Mariah Nkechi Amugo
Taylor Archie
Hailey Alexis Babin
Fatimah Babu
Breionn Jonitria Banks
Sydney Begnaud
Layla Bonano
Bethany Nicole Bradshaw
Adam Joseph Brown
Caitlin Richelle Brumfield
Gina Marie Bryan
Nicholas Gene Buchert
Dung Thi Kim Bui
Mitchell Aaron Burks
Ahja Denise Charles
David Adam Clause
Madeline Dianna Cloud
Abigail Clara Cohen
Dacia Michael Coleman
Chelsea Nicole Collins
Andrea Madelaine Convit
Caroline Autumn Cooke
Marco Antonio Cortez
Cameron Layne Curtis
Emily Elizabeth Derbes
Erin Marie Dudenhefer
David Simon Duplechain
Gabrielle Elizabeth Dupuy
Abigail Ruth Edwards
Katie Elizabeth Elam
Ericka Alexis Foster
Jessica Leigh Gholston
Madison Elizabeth Graefenstein
Lauren Elizabeth Hava
Gabrielle Marie Herman
Brittney Rena Jackson
Madison Mary Jones
Ellie Victoria Lavie
Remi Leblanc
Morgan Mary Lindsey
Megan Lo
Meredith Llaine Long
Taylar Ann Maurice
Ross Charles Mayer
Kathryne Elizabeth McNeil
Percie Joyce Melerine
Mallory Elizabeth Messina
Elizabeth Mary Messonnier
Tina Marie Mezquita
Terinika Shanta Miles
Margaret Elizabeth Mire
Madelyn Jane Morel
Meagan Aniessa Marie Morgel
Blake Allen Mulligan
Andy Nguyen
Lily Nguyen
Miguel Angel Ortiz Castro
Rachel Elizabeth Peavy
Katie Nicole Pokrywka
Christiana Marie Porter
Kai Monet Relf
Kayla Jennae Rice
Madylin Mara Rivera
Miranda Naomi Salcido
Jordan Angelle Sanders
Giulia Sanmartin
Brooke Nicole Sarro
Zoe Claire Sayler
Tiffany Jo Schroeder
Rebekah Camille Serrett
Jensen Nicole Smith
Shelby Smith
Leigha Noelle Story
Chamari Monique Thompson
Quynh Thi Mong Tran
Rebecca Van De Brook
Jacob Ryan Vekic
Thuy Nga Vu
Garrett Daniel Weeks
Hannah Wilkinson
Reagan Claire Woulfe
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Executive Nurse Leader)
Connie Sanders Brider
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesia)
Sean Adcock
Kyle Anthony Arocha
Callan Stricker Babco
Rajan Banjara
Keesha Marie Bellamy
Taylor Victoria Bensel
Hunter Boyd
Audrey Joan Britsch
Taylor Marie Burdick
Laura Carlson
Madisan Caugh Cloud
Ken ‘Ja Monique Copper
Sarah Elizabeth Corless
Charles Tyler Creamer
Jardin Domino
Blake Joseph Freeman
Raquel Renee Gautreaux
Carley N Guillot
Lillian Mae Guttuso
Cynthia Renee’ Hodnett
Angele Therese Hoppe
Emily Louise Jaunet
Morgan Brooke Johnson
Alexandria Stuckey Jones
Amanda Grace Keller
Julienne Koehler
Alexandra Taylor Landry
Jake Bradley Lipps
Gabrielle Martin
Malayne Elizabeth Mascaro
Haley Matlock
Natalie Mclaughlin
Hayley Nicole Messonnier
Allyson Miller
Colt James Neyrey
Thien Phuong Ashley Nguyen
Brittani Sanchez Pfister
Sarah Elise Pick
Hunter Patrick Porter
Victoria Powell
Jessica Danaé Prest
Adrianne Marie Reeks
Lyric Elizabeth Roberts
Christopher Savoie
Brielle Josephine Saylor
Christian Denae Sherrod
Jeffrey Ryan Soyez
Kelsi Stephens
Gabriel Michael Sullivan
Alexandria Christine Toepfer
Chelsea Melerine Tramel
Janelle Anne Urbano
Emily Rebecca Wells
Zachery Young
David Michael Zaffuto Jr.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
Jennifer Rebecca Collins
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult Gerontology Acute Care & Primary Family Care Nurse Practitioner)
Kelly Marie Walker
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Danielle Elizabeth Theriot
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Primary Family Care Nurse Practitioner)
Lakeisha Mack Long
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
Oghenemaro Cecilia Ugbeme
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner)
Courtney Lee Herbst
Morgan Radosta
Lili Salas
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
Terika Smith
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
Lauren Alexis Flettrich
Kristen Curtis Ramsey
Audrey Louise Tallis
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Colette Daigle Baudoin
Summer 2024 Graduates
Congratulations to all Summer 2024 graduates!
Doctor of Philosophy
Paula Ann Kensler
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Primary Family Care Nurse Practitioner)
Brandie Marie Bocage
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Vanicia Alexandra Blanchere
Laura L. Breedlove
Justin Kenneth Gesler
Brielle Elizabeth Serpas
Fall 2024 White Coat Ceremony Participants
Emily Adams
Molli Adams
Isabelle Applebaum
Madeline Arnold
Orion Barrientes
Baileigh Becnel
Eva Blackmon
Quinn Boutchard
Lance Brooks
Meredith Brothers
Natalie Burton
Kayleigh Buvens
Londyn Cambre
Jenny Cao
Sophia Cao
Mikaela Chapman
Emily Chopin
Lexie Coglaiti
Jahmira Coston
Arin Coughlin
Emma Coulon
Tyler Coursey
Jaiya Davis
Ashley Dawson
Darren Dison
Ainsley Embley
Kelly Farrelly
Gavin Fernandes
Alyssa Fontanille
Taelor Foret
Lauryn Gambino
Claire Garitty
Isabel Gaubert
Leah Gill
Hope Gispert
Aranza Godinez
Divante Gray
Katie Harlow
Katherine Haydel
Anna Hingle
Hannah Hoang
Anastasia Horton
Nneoma Ihieri-Chukwu
Victoria Johnston
Gabrielle Kleinschmidt
Roxanne Klumpp
Grace Laperouse
Megan Leblanc
Madison Lee
Bella Mailhos
Drayton Marshall
Christopher Massey
Bre’chea Mcguire
Spencer Myers
Elizabeth Newell
Shana Ordogne
Siya Patel
Mikaella Pereira de Oliveira
Julian Pertuit
Mia Porteous
Sarah Quirk
Cohen Ramirez
Mya Richard
Jeriyan Richardson
Lindsay Robichaux
Kaylee Roche
Hailie Ronquille
Lauren Rosado
De’ziah Rucker
Lily Rusteberg
Annie Savant
Amelie Scariano
Noah Smith
Jaelyn Thompson
Lucy Toruno
Lindsey Tran
Lauren Trepagnier
Isabella Treuting
Brianne Triche
Vashti Turner
Daysi Urbina
Brianna Vernal
Carly Vu
Quynh Vu
Kristen Wegener
Kayla Wickham
Mallorie Williams
