Hopfer

Sound Shore Health System’s Dorothea Hopfer School of Nursing (Hopfer) continues its century-long tradition of preparing the next generation of nurses with its spring graduation ceremony held on June 17.

The keynote speaker, Marilyn I. Parker, EdD, SCM, RN, Associate Dean, Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing was joined by more than 200 enthusiastic supporters gathered at the Sommer Center of Concordia College. They joined the Dean of the School of Nursing, Joanna Scalabrini, MA, MS, RN; Pam Dupuis, Sound Shore Health System Senior Vice President for Patient Services, and teaching staff in celebrating the academic successes of the 27 members of the spring Class of 2010.

The Hopfer graduation features a unique and poignant lamp lighting ceremony that honors Florence Nightingale’s contributions as the founder of modern nursing. Since this year is the International Year of the Nurse in honor of the 100th anniversary of the death of Florence Nightingale, Hopfer’s traditional was all the more meaningful. The lamp lighter for the spring graduates was Jaclyn Cullen who was Vice President of the winter 2010 class. Immediately following this symbolic event, for which graduates were in traditional white attire, they donned mortarboards and gowns for the presentation of their Associate in Science (Nursing) degrees.

This year’s Valedictorian, Michelle Purville – a resident of the City of Mount Vernon, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.70 GPA. Ms. Purville was also the winner of the annual Stanley A. Kaplan, MD Award, which was established by the Kaplan Family to honor the memory of this dedicated MVH physician. In her address, she congratulated her class, and thanked faculty as well as friends and family for their support. Laura Thorpe received this year’s Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary’s Award for her commitment to Hopfer and her extensive volunteer activities.

This spring graduation marked the presentation of a newly established, private donor scholarship. And the first winner of the Jose & Carmen Suarez Memorial Scholarship for Clinical Excellence was Claudette Cunningham. Among the newest graduates of the Hopfer School of Nursing are two current Sound Shore Health System employees: Janet Duncan from Mount Vernon Hospital and Sunitha Mohanan a second generation Sound Shore Medical Center employee. In addition, Richelle Powell, the daughter of MVH Nurse Manager and 1993 graduate of Hopfer, Maxine Powell, RN, was among the newest graduates. Part of the traditional Hopfer ceremony includes receiving the School’s pin and having it pinned to one’s nursing uniform by a registered nurse. It was a poignant moment when Richelle received her Hopfer pin from her mom.

As a result of the generosity of the Class of 2010, the Hopfer School of Nursing future students will benefit from two DVD players. This Class gift will help enhance the learning experience for years to come. With strong academic preparation and hands-on learning in a hospital setting, as well as small classes and personal attention, Hopfer continues its century-long tradition of preparing tomorrow’s nurses today. For more information about Hopfer School of Nursing, to register for the next Open House, scheduled for July 8 or to discuss your place in the next class, please call 914.361.6472 or visit www.hopfer.org. For more information on Mount Vernon Hospital, visit www.mtvernonhospital.org or for physician referrals, please call 914.361.6050. #####