History was made on January 21st, 2026, as Cohort 5 of Plaza College’s Nursing Program celebrated a Pinning Ceremony marking a record-setting milestone: twenty-three graduates had already passed the NCLEX and become licensed RNs. Family, friends, faculty, and peers filled the Inn at New Hyde Park to honor the graduates as they received their pins – a timeless symbol of their entry into professional nursing. Festive “RN” balloons added a celebratory touch, reflecting the bright futures ahead for these dedicated students. This achievement highlights both the graduates’ dedication and the excellence of Plaza College’s nursing program.
As the ceremony began, students walked down the aisle in crisp, white scrubs – a first for a Plaza College cohort, marking a proud and historic moment. This simple yet powerful gesture symbolized the culmination of countless hours of study, clinical practice, and dedication: they had completed their nursing program. Pausing to stand together in unison before taking their seats, the graduates were met with applause and smiles from the audience, a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
Danielle Atkinson, Director of Clinical Coordination, opened the ceremony with a warm and inspiring welcome, celebrating Cohort 5’s exceptional achievements both in the classroom and the community. She highlighted the cohort’s dedication to service, including leading community health fairs, organizing blood drives, and collaborating on pediatric health initiatives, all while excelling academically. Director Atkinson emphasized that these graduates are not only skilled clinicians but also compassionate community leaders, setting the stage for their future impact as nurses. She concluded by recognizing the guidance of faculty and staff who supported the students’ success, inviting the audience to celebrate this milestone alongside the graduates.
Following Danielle Atkinson’s remarks, Professor Ann-Marvely Fleury, a valued member of Plaza College’s nursing faculty, was invited to the stage to deliver the Nursing Invocation. Her words centered on the strength required to care for others, the humility to keep learning, and the deep human connection at the heart of nursing as Cohort 5 prepared to continue the ceremony.
Next to speak was Dean of Nursing, Dr. Charlyn Habeeb, who recognized the students’ long nights, rigorous coursework, and extensive clinical hours that had led to this milestone. Loud applause filled the room, reflecting the deep respect students have for Dean Habeeb, both as a program leader and as an instructor whose medical expertise and guidance have been invaluable throughout their studies.
Provost Chad Callahan then took the stage to offer his congratulations to Cohort 5 and their loved ones. As a leader committed to academic excellence at Plaza College, Provost Callahan acknowledged the perseverance and teamwork it takes to succeed in an intensive program like nursing. With a warm smile, he shared a humorous anecdote about being told this year’s nursing students would wear white scrubs – at first, he didn’t quite “get it.” But upon seeing the room filled with students in white scrubs, he could clearly see the recognition of their hard work and the magnitude of the challenge they had undertaken. His remarks underscored the college’s confidence in these graduates and their readiness to continue toward their professional goals.
The ceremony then welcomed keynote speaker Dr. Keisha Wisdom, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Dr. Wisdom, drawing on her own memories of her pinning day, shared a heartfelt story about revisiting those early moments that morning. Inspired by a wave of nostalgia and pride, she revised her speech to speak directly to Cohort 5. She reminded the graduates that their pins represent more than just badges: they are, in her words, “profound symbols signifying your formal entry into the noblest of professions as nurses.”
Dean Habeeb returned to the stage to present awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of Cohort 5 students. The Florence Nightingale Award was presented to Binyomin Zeitlin, honoring his dedication to compassionate care, while the Clinical Excellence Award went to Damary Chavez for exceptional performance in clinical practice. Barry Lao received the Nursing Leadership Award, and Max Yi was honored with the SNA Transformational Leadership Award for their outstanding leadership contributions. The Spirit of Nursing Award was presented to Sana Iqbal, celebrating her unwavering commitment and positive influence within the cohort.
The final awards highlighted academic and clinical distinction. The Phoenix Award was given to Angela Davidova, recognizing her resilience and perseverance throughout the program, while Camara Chambers received the Clinical Rising Star Award for her exceptional promise in the field. Barry Lao also earned the Academic Excellence Award, a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exemplary performance across all aspects of the program. Each award celebrated not only individual achievement but also the dedication, skill, and compassion that define Plaza College’s future nurses.
Following the awards, Valedictorian Barry Lao addressed the audience with a heartfelt and inspiring speech. He recognized his peers who had supported him through the challenges and long nights of nursing school, highlighting the camaraderie and dedication that defined Cohort 5. Barry expressed the tremendous honor it was to stand before the next generation of nurses and shared his gratitude to the faculty at Plaza College – especially Dean Habeeb – for providing the strong academic and professional foundation that enabled him and his classmates to succeed. His words reflected not only personal achievement but also the collective effort, resilience, and determination of the entire cohort.
Cohort 5 also honored a meaningful tradition started by the previous class, choosing to show their appreciation for the nursing faculty. In a heartfelt gesture, students presented the faculty with large bouquets of flowers, a spontaneous and touching moment that filled the room with smiles and applause. This exchange served as a beautiful reminder of the close relationships and deep admiration shared between students and faculty, highlighting the supportive and nurturing community that defines Plaza College’s Nursing Program.
Then, Cohort 5 sat one final time for a video presentation they had created, capturing the journey of their nursing program. The slideshow featured candid photos the students had taken of one another over the past two years, documenting the highs, the challenges, and the everyday moments that defined their experience. The entire audience – students, faculty, family, and friends – watched as memories flashed on the big screen, from sharing sandwiches between classes, to posing with the mascot at the blood drive, to classroom demonstrations in the simulation labs. Laughter and tears filled the room, a reflection not only of the journey they had completed but also of the bonds they had formed; these peers were more than classmates – they had become a family, supporting one another through every challenge and triumph along the way.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the pinning ceremony. One by one, Dean Habeeb welcomed each student to the stage to receive their pin and a ceremonial candle-lamp from Professors Cindy Dorfman, Professor Tenzin Dakar, and Professor Jessica Makatura. The room was electric with excitement – camera flashes lit up the space, applause rang out from every corner, and cheers and laughter filled the air as each graduate experienced their well-deserved moment of recognition, marking the successful completion of their nursing education at Plaza College and their readiness to take the next step toward licensure.
Following the pinning, the students stood to take the Nursing Oath, a moving and inspiring moment for the audience. With candle-lamps in one hand and their oath sheets in the other, they pledged in unison to uphold compassionate care, ethical practice, and dedication to their future patients. Applause immediately filled the room, celebrating the completion of this defining chapter of their nursing education. Students then filed out, holding their lamps and receiving white roses, bringing the ceremony to a memorable close.
After the ceremony, students and their families made their way upstairs, where they were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff at The Inn at New Hyde Park. Guests enjoyed an assortment of delicious cuisine, danced to lively music, and captured memories with turns on the Camera360, making the evening as joyful as it was meaningful. Laughter, smiles, and shared pride filled the room, creating a warm, celebratory atmosphere that perfectly capped off a night to remember. It was a fitting conclusion to a milestone event, honoring the dedication, perseverance, and achievements of Cohort 5 as they closed this chapter of their nursing journey and looked ahead to the next.
