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46 ELAC Students Earn Nursing Degrees
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Lurelean B. Gaines, chair of the East Los Angeles College Nursing
Department, second from left, along with nursing graduates Fabiola Ruiz,
Rebecca Gonzalez, Jessica Jimenez, Lalynia Calderon and Tony Hernandez.
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MONTEREY PARK – Forty six East Los Angeles College nursing students received their associate degrees and were honored at the Nursing Department’s Spring 2007 Pinning Ceremony that was held May 20 in ELAC’s Weingart Stadium.
Renee D. Martinez, ELAC vice president of workforce education and economic development, welcomed the audience and nursing students recited greetings in eight different languages. Nursing instructor Elizabeth J. Wider gave the keynote address and graduating class member Stuart Wong served as master of ceremonies. An inspirational reading was given by Virginia Lopez, also a member of the graduating class.
The graduating students were pinned by Lurelean B. Gaines, the Nursing Department chair, as family and friends applauded and cheered, and recited the International Pledge of Nursing.
Many opportunities await the graduates, especially in California, Gaines
says,
noting that it’s estimated that the state will continue to feel the lack of
educationally-prepared nurses through the year 2045.
“The opportunities that exist for nurses are insurmountable, because it’s the best of times and yet the worse of times in health care delivery,” Gaines said. “California, in particular, will not have enough nurses to provide for clients needing nursing care.”
“Bottom line, health care cannot and will not survive without nurses,” Gaines added.
East Los Angeles College is now in its 62nd year of serving the cities and communities of Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Boyle Heights, Commerce, Cudahy, East Los Angeles, El Sereno, Highland Park, Huntington Park, Lincoln Heights, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, South Gate and South San Gabriel.