The nursing program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently honored its top graduates at the 2021 pinning ceremony.

Jason Boyette from Hahira received the South Georgia Medical Center Dedication to Nursing Award, and Sara Faulk from Cochran received the Clinical Excellence Award presented by Tift Regional Medical Center.  Jeremy Spencer from Alapaha received the Academic Excellence Award, presented by Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

Maria Smith from Douglas and Amy Miller from Ty Ty received the Lisa Purvis Allison Spirit of Nursing Award, Smith for the bridge track and Miller for the traditional track.

The Dedication to Nursing Award is given in honor of the nurses both past and present for their hard work and dedication to excellence at South Georgia Medical Center.  The Clinical Excellence Award recognizes a student who demonstrated excellence in evidence-based clinical practice and patient-centered care.  The Academic Excellence Award goes to the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average.

The Spirit of Nursing Award honors the memory of Lisa Purvis Allison who began the nursing program at ABAC as a single parent of two children following the accidental death of her husband. 

Despite being diagnosed with colon cancer during her final year in the nursing program, Allison completed her degree, passed her state board exam, and became a Registered Nurse.  She passed away soon after accomplishing her goal.  A scholarship fund in her honor was developed to assist students in fulfilling their dreams of becoming nurses. 

A total of 80 students received associate degree pins, and 15 students received bachelor’s degree pins at the ceremony.  The fall semester begins at ABAC on Aug. 10.