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Blane Croomer
Pensacola firefighter Blane Coomer has already delivered a baby this year after responding to a call. That’s even before he received his nursing pin.
On Aug. 4, Coomer made it official. He was one of 65 Pensacola State College Associate of Science in Nursing students who received their nursing pins during a Pinning Ceremony at First Pentecostal Church in Pensacola.
“I’m glad it’s finally here,’’ Coomer said. “It gives me more medical knowledge. I’m going to stay with (Pensacola Fire Department), and I’ll be contesting the board for medic so that I’ll be advanced life support.”
In the crowd, his wife, son and other family members who were among the hundreds who attended the emotional event where nurses recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge affirming their commitment to the noble profession.
PSC President Ed Meadows asked the nurses to find their family members in the crowd and applaud them for all the support they provided through the tough academic journey.
Angela McDaniel was one of the many grandparents in the near-packed church. She was there to support her granddaughter, Jaenisch Walters. Walters’ sister, Sheldra Johnson, was also there to celebrate the new nurses.
Angela McDaniel and Sheldra Johnson
“I am so proud of her,’’ McDaniel said. “I helped raise her when she was a little girl and I know how hard she worked to get where she is. And I’m happy to be here to see it.”
Meadows said the nurses will be making immediate impacts in our community.
“It’s a very special career that you’re embarking on,’’ he said. “You are going to carry on the tradition of the great PSC nurses working in our clinics and our hospitals.”
Guest speaker Gabe Bullaro, CEO of HCA Florida West Hospital, told the nurses that their entrance into the profession “is a triumph for you and the community.”
He urged the new nurses to consider working at the hospital he leads, but said that wherever they go, they should always keep gaining knowledge in the profession.
“The way to keep ahead is to keep that learning,’’ he said. “You need to keep that spirit alive.”
Associate in Science Degree in Nursing graduates recognized at the pinning ceremony are Shelby Ballard, Fatimah Balogun-Agbaje, Amber Beltran, Caitlin Bethell, Joshua Boudreaux, Tracy Bunn, Amanda Burdette, Kristal Carter, Nancy Carter, Hannah Collier, Tonya Compton, Blane Coomer, Kaitlin Cox, Alaysha Croom, Tamia Dennis, Edward Echeverry, Zachary Findlay, Rebecca Goza, Sheena Groves, Tiana Hanna, Elisabeth Harris, Lakeeta Heiston, Shameka Hill, Tyler Hines, Andrew Hoffman, Frederick Holt, Rebecca Hood, Danielle Horne, Esdras Jacques, April Jones, Hannah Killam, Kia Kline, Tyleah Knight, Taylor Kremer, Savannah Laboy, Evgeniya Logvin, Rachel Mack, Ashley Maddox, Aiden Markwick, Chasity Mathis, Sara Mauney, Brianna McCrary, Claire McGraw, Tasharra McWilliams, Latisha Neal, Kristen Orso, Brittany Parker, Taylor Reynolds, Jaimie Robles, Amy Rutledge, Karla Salazar, Savannah Schaff, Ashley Schroeder, Alyssa Similuk, Travis Smith, Jessica Spencer, Alisha Stainback, Presleigh Stokes, Alec Thompson, Catherine Tibbs, Cassandra Trujillo, Jaenisch Walters, Sheakita Willis, Angela Wilson and Sarah Wooden.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing graduates recognized at the pinning ceremony are Dianne Arnold, Lindsey Hagler, Mattie Jones, Amanda Kos, Sandra Odum, Christi Waters, Grace Williams and Donald Yeo.
Watch the ceremony on Facebook.
