The Vets2BSN Project celebrated its first annual Veteran’s Day Celebration at the La Jolla Marriott, November 11, 2016, to celebrate the accomplishments of the Vets2BSN Project’s Vets2LVN pilot project, Military Student Nurse Mentoring Organization (MSNMO) and the Competency Based Education Coaching. Key Note Speaker, Dr. William L. Tontz, SR., MD addressed the audience about his time as a U.S. Navy Medical Service Officer at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and Naval Medical Center, San Diego in an engaging and touching talk about remembering the service and sacrifice our corpsman and medics make for our country. He also spoke to staying true to yourself as a nurse and always remembering that we have the privilege each day to be a part of our patient’s lives.
Several awards were also presented as well. Mr. Kyle Cigainero was presented the Outstanding Vets2LVN Mentee and Ms. Amanda Masarskiy was presented the Outstanding Vets2LVN Academic Coach. Ms. Tammy Rambo and Ms. Lilibeth Hunton were presented the Military Student Nurse Mentoring Organization (MSNMO) Mentee of the Year Awards and LTJG Anthony Waite and LT Jason Balazs received the Military Student Nurse Mentoring Organization (MSNMO) Mentor of the Year Awards. Dr. Peggy Howarth and Professor Mary Prendergast were recognized for their dedication to our Competency Based Education coaching with awards as well. Ms. Zem Lee and Ms. Philip Oels were honored with the prestigious Dean’s Excellence Awards to recognize their dedication and support for the Vets2BSN Project.
The evening wrapped up with touching testimonials from newly commissioned Navy officer, Ensign Mayra Carles, and recently licensed Ms. Candyce Wyche about their time in the nursing program and Vets2BSN Project.
A special thanks goes out to all those in attendance, especially our Vets2BSN Project student corpsman and medics, as well as all of our academic coaches, mentors and support staff.
-Submission by Dr. Paul Tontz, Department of Nursing