Lais Parichuk, Jilaine Vitale, Matt Miller, Tonja Smith and Corinne Takach earned special recognition when the WCCC Nursing Class of 2018 held its annual pinning ceremony in mid-May.

For all of the 16 nurse graduates this year the pinning marked the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination.

The nurses received “nursing pins” in recognition of their completion of the nursing program.

This year’s graduating class included Lais Parichuk, Jilaine Vitale, Matt Miller, Tonja Smith, Corinne Takach, Jennifer Belly, Jessica Dermody, Emily Guydish, Stephanie Heller, Dana Jackson, Marissa Lucas, Nicole Lynch, Catherine Marcuccilli, Melanie Matts, Melissa Stryker, and Tristen Werber.

“An outstanding group of nurses,” said Patricia Stypolkowski, MSN-ED, RN, CNE, Executive Director of Nurse Education at WCCC. “The medical field is lucky to have such a terrific group to choose from. They all worked really hard to achieve their goal of completing the nurse education program successfully.”

Parichuk earned the Professional Nursing Award, Smith garnered the Academic Achievement Award, Vitale was recognized with the New Jersey League for Nursing Award; Miller got the Nurse Education Service Award; and the The Faculty Award for the Most Improved Student went to Takach.  

Speakers during the ceremony were Dr. Frank Gilly, WCCC Board of Trustees, and Debra Schrek, MSN, who was the keynote speaker.  Schrek is a Teaching Administrator for Nurse Education. at WCCC.

Over 250 students have graduated from the Associate in Science Degree program since its inception. Many currently work in various health facilities throughout the region. Most have continued pursuing additional degrees and are now enrolled in bachelor, master, and doctoral programs.

For further information about the nursing program, please contact Nursing Director Patricia Stypolkowski at 908-835-2314.

The WCCC Associate in Science Degree program for nursing professionals was established in September 2005. The nursing program is ranked as the second best in the State of New Jersey.

Photo by Cathy Miller