BRADENTON, Fla. (June 2, 2026) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) health profession programs awarded pins, white coats, awards and scholarships to graduating students at ceremonies on May 6 and 7 at SCF Bradenton. All graduates earned degrees that prepare them for direct entry into the workforce.

The SCF Nursing Program presented 110 Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) degrees and 35 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Student speakers were Lauren N. Hauck, ASN, and Jose Yvette Eliscard, BSN.

All nursing graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination to become licensed registered nurses (RNs). Ten ASN graduates are continuing in SCF’s ASN-to-BSN fast-track program to begin bachelor ’s-level courses, which can be applied toward SCF’s RN-to-BSN program.

Scholarships were awarded to:

• Christopher Nothdurft, Manatee Memorial Hospital Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
• Tia Jones, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Excellence in Nursing Scholarship
• Kathryn Johnson, Chastain-Blankenship Nursing Scholarship

The SCF Dental Hygiene Program presented 16 Associate in Science (AS) degrees. The student speaker was Mariangelic Gonzalez and the keynote speaker was Kenny Morales, a 2016 SCF dental hygiene graduate.

Awards were presented to:

• Mariangelic Gonzalez, Academic Achievement Award
• Melissa Wagner, Academic Achievement Award
• Melissa Wagner, Hu Friedy Golden Scaler Award 
• Alexa Ott, Crest Oral-B Hygienist Proud Award
• Sylwia Sarantopoulos, Colgate Star Award
• Jared Barker, West Coast Dental Hygienists’ Association Leadership Award

All dental hygiene graduates who took the national and clinical board examinations have passed. 

The SCF Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program graduates presented nine AS degrees. The student speaker was Bruce Boche Loaiza.

Awards were presented to:

• Lexie Peplinski, Outstanding Student Award
• Jenna Dent, Academic Excellence Award
• Amber Colmorgen, Fieldwork Excellence Award 
• Brianna Pratt, Occupational Therapy South Bay Forum Scholarship Award
• Amber Colmorgen, Spring Forward Therapy Scholarship Award

All OTA graduates have been offered jobs upon graduation and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination.

The SCF Physical Therapist Assistant Program presented 18 AS degrees. The student speaker was Shana Martin.

The SCF Radiography Program presented 11 AS degrees. All 2026 radiography graduates have passed the registry examination.

The SCF Health Services Management Program presented five AS degrees.

The SCF Health Services Administration Program presented 14 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees. 

Photo caption: SCF Nursing Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class attends the nurse pinning ceremony at SCF Bradenton.

Photo caption: SCF Dental Hygiene Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: SCF Occupational Therapy Assistant Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: SCF Physical Therapist Assistant Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: SCF Radiography Program’s Spring 2026 graduating class.

Photo caption: SCF Health Services Administration Spring 2026 graduates attend the graduation ceremony at SCF Bradenton.