Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing celebrates 128 graduates
(SACRAMENTO)
TheBetty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davislauded the accomplishments of 124 master’s-degree students and four doctoral candidates at its 2023 commencement on June 15. The event was held at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on the UC Davis campus.
More than 750 friends and family gathered asDean Stephen Cavanaghpresided over the event, which featured remarks and the conferring of degrees from UC DavisProvost Mary Croughan.
Cavanagh honored the memory and legacy of Gordon Moore, the co-founder of the School of Nursing, whopassed awayin March at the age of 94.
“Just as Gordon Moore was driven by an exceptional curiosity, generosity and unassuming commitment to hard work…so are we at the School of Nursing…committed to going beyond in simulation training, recruiting and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and cementing our leadership role in the health care of the Sacramento region and beyond,” Cavanagh said.
We at the School of Nursing…committed to going beyond in simulation training, recruiting and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and cementing our leadership role in the health care of the Sacramento region and beyond.—Dean Stephen Cavanagh
These graduates are from four degree programs. They are future registered nurses, physician assistants, family nurse practitioners, and nursing scientists and researchers.
Doctor of Philosophy candidate Tequila Porter is hooded by her son, Calais, while Associate Professor Jessica Draughon Moret, left. and UC Davis Provost Mary Croughan assist.
Croughan told them to “be very proud that you are earning a degree from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing! You have chosen a school committed to the highest quality of health care and to achieving true equity for the betterment of all members of society.”
Selu Vargas, a 2020 graduate of the school’s Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Degree Program gave the keynote. She shared advice for times when self-doubt might bring about struggle.
“I would ask that you take a moment to remind yourself, foremost, of your tenacity and determination. Then explore introspectively what’s going to keep that flame ignited inside of you,” said Vargas, who provides care for unaccompanied immigrant minors and those seeking asylum in El Paso, Texas. “Take it from me and trust that you will do amazing things.”
Nursing faculty recognized five students withawards of excellencehighlighting the school’s five core attributes:
Excellence in Leadership: Ashlyn Oller, Master’s Entry Program in Nursing
Excellence Collaboration: Victoria Le, family nurse practitioner program
Excellence Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Felix Howard, family nurse practitioner program
Excellence in Community Connection: Aliyah Bell, physician assistant program
Excellence in Innovative Solutions: Monica Godden, Doctor of Philosophy program
Selu Vargas, an alumna of the physician assistant program, told graduates that they "will do amazing things" in her keynote address.
The programs offered under the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Group include master’s degrees in physician assistant studies and entry-level nursing, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy and a new Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner program. They are led by aninterprofessional teamof more than 60 faculty from across UC Davis.View the programfrom the celebration.
