Three graduating University of New Mexico College of Nursing students were recognized with awards for their achievements at the Fall 2024 convocation, held on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The students were selected for their demonstrated leadership, dedication and innovation in nursing education and scholarship, said dean of the College of Nursing Rosario Medina, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ACNP, CNS, FAANP, FAAN.
“At the College of Nursing we don’t just prepare students to pass regulatory licensure exams – we equip them to shape the future of health care by meeting the needs of their communities.”
Ronnie Pace received the Pre-Licensure Academic Achievement Award in recognition of her achievements as a pre-licensure student. The award recognizes leadership, commitment to inclusion, innovation and integrity in their studies, interactions with peers and care for patients.
“My time at the College of Nursing, especially within the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, has been challenging yet rewarding in many aspects,” Pace said.
“It has profoundly shaped my approach to patient care by promoting empathy and clinical excellence. The College has equipped me to thrive in diverse health care settings and has ignited my excitement for a meaningful future in the field of nursing.”
Sara Nugent received the Estelle Rosenblum Dissertation Award, which recognizes the best dissertation or thesis in the College of Nursing in a given academic year, as judged by the graduate faculty. Nugent was nominated for her dissertation, “Comparing Costs and Predictors of Low-Value Healthcare Service Use Among Primary Care Nurse Practitioners in the Southwest United States.”
“I am incredibly thankful to all of my professors and classmates at the College of Nursing who have advised and supported me through my time at UNM,” Nugent said. “I hope to continue my research on improving health care delivery throughout the duration of my career.”
Alisa Bachilova received the RN to BSN Academic Achievement Award. Recipients are recognized for their achievements and growth during their time as an RN to BSN student. Students may stand out for their leadership, commitment to inclusion, innovation and integrity in their studies, interactions with peers and care for patients.
“My journey at the College of Nursing has been truly transformative,” Bachilova said. “The challenges and opportunities I’ve encountered have greatly contributed to my growth as a nurse and a person. I am thankful for the chance to learn from distinguished faculty members who have shown me that anything is achievable with the right guidance, no matter how busy life may be.”
