MAC practical nursing students graduate
PARK HILLS – Mineral Area College graduates of the community college’s 54th class of the Practical Nursing Program participated in ceremonies on July 25 at the Centene Center in Farmington.
Graduating students included:
Courtney Ball, Park Hills; Wesley Bell, Farmington; Chelsea Bland, Bunker; Elizabeth Brockland, Farmington; Hali Carver, Bonne Terre; Heather Cates, Collinsville, Ill.; Melanie Dotson, Farmington; Alexander Finley, Bonne Terre; Katie Harris, Farmington; Kimberly Katzenberger, Potosi; Lindsey Kollar, Fredericktown; Nicole McKenzie, Potosi; Olivia Meek, Marquand; Maleana Miner, Leesville, La.; Jennifer Ponder, Perryville; Brooke Starkey, Farmington; Laurie Tidwell, Farmington; Brittany Wanner, Fredericktown; Cassondra Whittier, De Soto; Kirsten Williams, Fredericktown; Dustin Wyatt, Farmington.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Rita Brumfield, chief nursing officer at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital in Ste. Genevieve, where she has worked since 2001.
With 46 years of experience, Rita had previously worked in a variety of roles including: emergency room nurse manager at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center; vice-president of nursing at Perry County Memorial Hospital; director of nurses at Riverview Manor Nursing Home and staff nurse at Perry County Memorial and Jefferson Regional Medical Center (now Mercy Hospital Jefferson). She also worked part-time for Jefferson College as a clinical instructor. Rita began her pursuit of a nursing degree in 1966, graduating with her Associate Degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University. She advanced her degree, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and graduating with honors, from Webster University in 1992. Rita graduated again with honors from Webster University in 1996, when she earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing. She was the recipient of the prestigious Alumni Merit Award presented by Southeast Missouri State University in 1997. Through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Rita is a Certified Nurse Administrator. She also holds certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.
Class officers for the Practical Nursing Program’s 54th graduating class included: Melanie Dotson, president; Alexander Finley, vice president; Kimberly Katzenberger, secretary; Elizabeth Brockland, treasurer; Dustin Wyatt, assistant treasurer.
Mineral Area College President Steve Kurtz welcomed the graduates, their families and friends, while MAC Vice President Gil Kennon recognized guests and conferred graduation certificates. PN faculty Pam Junge, RN, BSN; Jayne Mahnken, RN, BSN; Paula Thompson, RN, BSN; and Dr. Gamble presented pins to the graduates.
For more information regarding the Practical Nursing Program at Mineral Area College, call (573) 518-2172.
