Celebrating the Class of 2025
Friends, family, and faculty filled The Armory for Columbia Nursing’s graduation ceremony on May 20, 2025.
In her welcoming remarks, Dean Lorraine Frazier, PhD, said: “Your perseverance and hard work, and it has been hard, have paid off, and you are now on the road to making a difference in the lives of others — by serving patients, families, and communities with a perspective particular to Columbia Nursing. That perspective will allow you to see inequalities in health care that need to be addressed if we are to have a healthy nation and a healthy world.”
Mary Wooley, MA, LHD, president and CEO of Research!America, accepted the Second Century Award for Excellence in Health Care, presented since 1991 for excellence in advancing the health and well-being of all citizens. “The science of care, in healing and leading, is in fact your superpower. I envy you that superpower and urge you to never relinquish it,” she said. “And to all of you who are present who have nurtured and encouraged and taught and supported these graduates, these leaders of our challenging times, I extend my most profound gratitude. Their superpower is grounded in your own.”
Ian West, DNP ’24, an assistant professor of clinical nursing, offered greetings on behalf of the Alumni Association. Cecilia Lopez, DNP ’25, was the Student Speaker.
“Never underestimate the impact a nurse can make. In a single shift, we can change a life. What may seem routine to us — starting an IV, adjusting a medication, holding a hand — can mean everything to the person we are caring for,” Lopez said. “A kind word can bring peace. A listening ear can restore dignity. A simple presence can bring comfort to the grieving. These seemingly small moments define the true power of nursing.”
Student Awards
Brittany Taylor, PhD ’24, received the Dissertation Excellence Award, presented by the faculty for distinguished doctoral student research.
Anastasia Liotopoulos, DNP ’25, received the Anna C. Maxwell Award, presented to a graduate of the adult-gerontology, family, or pediatric primary care nurse practitioner program who exhibits compassion, competence, and commitment to the provision of the highest quality primary care.
Britt McNamara, DNP ’25, and Cecilia Lopez, DNP ’25, received the Anne Penland Award, presented to an outstanding graduate of the nurse anesthesia or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program who best demonstrates the qualities of academic excellence, clinical proficiency, and empathy for patients.
Danya Kelly, DNP ’25, received the Mary Dickey Lindsay ’45 Award, given to a nurse midwifery graduate who best exemplifies leadership qualities that will promote midwifery diversity and access to midwifery care for all women.
Kamila Nuritova, DNP ’25, received the Mary Bleecker Simmons ’60 Award, presented to the graduate who demonstrates compassion and devotion to the mental health needs of patients.
Isadora Kagan, DNP ’25, received the Faculty Award for Professional Excellence in a Subspecialty, given to a student who best exemplifies professional competence, capacity for leadership, and compassion for patients.
Benedda Sabino, MS ’25, received the Mary Masterson Germain ’64 Award, presented to a graduate of the advanced clinical management and leadership program who demonstrates academic excellence, capacity for leadership, and dedication to the highest possible care for patients and families.
Tamar MacCallan-Finkelman, MS ’25, and Rachel McCullough, MS ’25, received the Margaret Eliot Award, presented to a graduating nursing student who best demonstrates professional competence, capacity for leadership, and wholehearted compassion for patients.
Amanda Paixao, MS ’25, was honored by The Alpha Zeta Chapter of Sigma, the international honor society for nursing, as the graduating student who best exemplifies the principles of Sigma: leadership, scholarship, and community service.
Shermin Koh, DNP ’25, received the Campbell Award, presented by the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) to a graduating student at each School who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by Bill Campbell, ’62CC, ’64TC, Chair Emeritus, University Trustees, and CAA co-founder.
