Newburgh Free Academy Celebrates Annual Certified Nursing Assistant Pinning Ceremony
The NFA Nurse Assistant Training Program/Health Science Pathway Pinning Ceremony is a prestigious and heartfelt tradition that signifies the culmination of the rigorous nurse assistant training program. This ceremony formally recognizes the hard work, dedication, and commitment that students have demonstrated throughout the pathway. This ceremony is a time-honored tradition that began in 1820 with Florence Nightingale and is celebrated by healthcare programs throughout the world. The NFA Nurse Assistant Ceremony follows the tradition of the procession with the lamps lit, an inspirational song, led by the faculty, keynote speaker, and Alumni who join in the ceremony.
The NFA Nurse Assistant Program began with 12 students in 2007 and has over 200 students in a full pathway. Each year, 20-25 students have left the program earning the NYS Nurse Assistant Certification. Students report that 93% of graduates will continue their education in a college setting locally and out of state, earning their RN. Several students will attend BOCES for LPN, while the remainder pursue careers in healthcare - Home Health Aide, Medical Assisting, Speech Therapy, Surgical Tech, Pharmacy Tech, and Physical Therapy. Each year, at the end of the course students are recruited and offered positions in healthcare facilities within our community. This year students obtained jobs through Taconic Rehabilitation and Epic.
Congratulations to all of our newly pinned Certified Nursing Assistants! We know you will carry on the Goldback standard and represent our impressive legacy of graduates who serve their community.
PHOTOS | NFA CNA Pinning Ceremony 2024
A look back to our legacy of graduates:
PHOTOS | NFA CNA Pinning Ceremony 2023
PHOTOS | NFA CNA Pinning Ceremony 2022
PHOTOS | NFA CNA Pinning Ceremony 2019
Details about the ceremony can be found below:
Alumni Present included:
Deanna Telesford and Emily Jones - Class of 2018 Both alumnae are Bachelors prepared nurses working toward Nurse Practitioner and serving the community in their roles as RN BSN at Hospitals in our community
Nichole Brown - Class of 2019 - She is working in the community as CNA, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy.
Kylie Cruz - Class of 2020 - She is working in our community as part of the business side of healthcare
Shesly Zambrano - Class of 2021. She is currently working as a Medical Assistant and is pursuing a career in Medicine. She has already volunteered to come to the pin ceremony next year, her brother is enrolled in the pathway and will be graduating next year.
Welcome address by Mr. Matteo Doddo Principal who shared highlights of the program from its beginning at NFA North.
Community Partner/Guest Speaker: Faith Levesque inspired the students about the caring and compassion required for the healthcare profession and described the role of the nursing assistant and it's importance to the residents within the long-term care setting
Community Partner - Mr. William Kaplan and Max Cuacuas were in attendance, Mrs. Romano had all of the students who volunteer in her Saturday Armory Program-Scholars in Scrubs stand. Volunteers from 10th, 11th, and 12th grades stood, 30 students volunteered on a rotating basis. The Scholars in Scrubs program serves as an integral part of the Health Science Pathway.
Keynote Speaker - Our keynote speaker, Kristen Brown, class of 2007, was born and raised in Newburgh, NY. She graduated from the Newburgh Free Academy Class of 2007.
She was one of the first 12 students in the NFA Nurse Assisting Program. That class began Mrs. Romano's teaching career and that class's success laid the foundation for the Health Science path you are all in today. Using her newly obtained certification, she worked as a Certified nursing assistant for 4 years, attended and graduated from SUNY Orange with her Associate's degree in applied science, and completed the NCLEX earning her Registered Nurse license in 2011. Continuing education while working as an RN, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Currently, she is continuing her education toward her Nurse Practitioner Degree specializing in Psychiatric/mental health nursing. She is currently employed as a RN, BSN Nurse Manager.
HOSA - Future Healthcare Professionals - Today we introduced the HOSA Future Healthcare Professionals Leadership Council. HOSA is a national student organization that promotes career opportunities in the healthcare industry and enhances the delivery of quality healthcare to all people. It provides students with opportunities for knowledge, skill development, and leadership through a variety of activities and events. Each member of the HOSA Leadership dressed in their formal dress HOSA uniform complete with NYS Badge, took the stage, taking turns sharing their name, role, and an inspirational quote aligned to their role and a congratulatory message to the senior class. The HOSA Leadership consists of 11th graders- Adler Bera, President, Angie Ludena, Vice President, Melissa Schulze, Historian, Sophia Trinh, Secretary, Madison Lopez, Reporter, Anthony Valivik, Treasurer, and Shelby Agyeman, Parliamentarian. HOSA Advisors are: Linda Romano, BSN, RN, NBCT, and Dr. Stacy Shewprashad, DPM
Scholarship Presentations- Joanna Scaduto from NY Blood Center provided information about the mission of NY Blood Center, the importance of donating blood, and statistics of NFA North's blood drives throughout the year. She also provided inspiring message for the students, and acknowledged the hard work of the Blood Drive Advisors Linda Romano and Stacy Shewprashad, and most importantly our Blood Drive Captain and Co-Captain- Ariana Shiles and Samaa Alybey. Joanna Scaduto presented the students each with a scholarship. She also participated in the ceremony by awarding each student with the RED honor cord, symbolizing their contributions to the blood drive this year.
Address to Students- Linda Romano, BSN, RN, NBCT- Nurse Assistant Program Coordinator shared the tradition and meaning of the pins, cap, and ceremony. She shared how this ceremony represents the graduate's readiness to serve in the healthcare field embodying the values of compassion, care, and commitment. She inspired a quote from Mother Teresa and shared her pride for each student. She leads the students in their pledge which signifies the formal induction into the profession. The pledge underscores the ethical responsibilities that come with their role. She also encouraged students to continue their education beyond the academy field and to come back to mentor and share their stories with the undergraduates.
Pinning - The students were presented with a CNA pin placed on their uniform, they were awarded with a BLUE honor cord symbolizing the Health Science Pathway, RED Honor Cord symbolizing their Blood Drive Contributions, a ROSE-symbolizing hope and beauty of the healthcare field, and a keepsake box for their pin.
Special Alumni Note- The Brown Family- Kristen Brown Class of 2007 began the family legacy in the Nurse Assistant Program. Mrs. Romano has had the pleasure and honor to teach each member of this wonderful family beginning with Kristen in 2007. Kristen Brown 2007, Nichole Brown 2019, Kylie Cruz-2020, and current- Madalyn Brown 2024. " This family has left a mark on my heart. I am grateful for each student and so honored to have had the pleasure to teach each member of this family providing them with education in a profession I love so much, healthcare and nursing!" A special thank you to the Brown family legacy!
Our students come back and serve in Substitute Teacher positions at NFA, and volunteer their time at the Scholars in Scrubs program at the Newburgh Armory.
Our graduates continue to contact Mrs. Romano to arrange time to support the NFA Nurse Assistant Program and the students. Students feel a love for this program, "we are a family, forever."
Story provided by Mrs. Linda Romano, BSN, RN, CNE, FCN (NBCT-National Board Certified Teacher-Early Adolescent/Young Adult)
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
