Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College), central Pennsylvania’s preeminent educational institution for the health care field, will hold its graduation ceremony for 522 students on Friday, May 20 from 7-9 p.m. at the Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. The ceremony will also be available via livestream.
The Commencement celebrates the 116th year in the life of Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. This is the College’s first formal graduation ceremony since 2019, and it will feature the first formal hooding ceremony for doctoral graduates.
PA College president Dr. Mary Grace Simcox will preside over the Commencement exercises and Alison Stauffer, class of 2022 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will also speak. The Commencement keynote speaker is Andy Carter, president and chief executive officer of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). He represents nearly 240 hospitals and health systems across the state, providing care for 12.8 million Pennsylvanians. Before coming to HAP, Carter served as the president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), the national voice for nonprofit, community-based home health and hospice agencies. Before the VNAA, he led the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, where he created new public funding streams for Ohio’s six regional children’s hospitals and established the nation’s first statewide pediatric quality improvement initiative. Prior to entering the association field, Carter served for 20 years in a variety of leadership positions in community relations, state government, and business in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
“We are thrilled to be able to honor our students with a formal graduation ceremony this year and to welcome them into the ranks of the many great alumni who have gone before them,” said Dr. Simcox. “It’s always a privilege to come together with families and friends of our graduates to recognize their hard work and dedication to their academics and the health care profession.”
Three doctorate degrees will be presented in Nursing Practice, and three post-master’s certificates will be presented: one Post Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and two Post Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan.
26 master’s degrees will be presented: 11 Masters of Healthcare Administration; two Masters of Science in Nursing Administration; two Masters of Science in Nursing Education; five Masters of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; five Masters of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan; and one Master of Science in Nursing Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
144 bachelor’s degrees will be presented: one Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences; 19 Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences; eight Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Administration; 32 Bachelors of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure Track); and 84 Bachelors of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN Track).
297 associate degrees will be presented: 13 Associates in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography; two Associates in Applied Science in Cardiovascular Technology; one Associate in Applied Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology; 21 Associates in Applied Science in Radiography; 10 Associates in Applied Science in Respiratory Care; eight Associates in Applied Science in Surgical Technology; four Associates in Applied Science in Vascular Sonography; 41 Associates in Science in Nursing Three-Year Track; and 197 Associate in Science in Nursing Two-Year Track.
20 academic certificates will be presented: four Academic Certificates in Cardiovascular Technology; two Academic Certificates in Diagnostic Medical Sonography; five Academic Certificates in Medical Laboratory Science; five Academic Certificates in Nuclear Medicine Technology; one Academic Certificate in Surgical Technology; and three Academic Certificates in Vascular Sonography.
Additionally, 10 Professional Certificates in Healthcare Administration will be presented. 19 Technical Certificates will be given: four in Medical Assistant, and 15 in Paramedic Training.
The rain date for the graduation ceremony is Monday, May 23 from 7-9 p.m.
