Derek Olford enrolled in Pensacola State College’s nursing program in 2023 as “something to do” while he recovered from a workplace injury.
On Aug. 1, Olford was among the 86 Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate in Science in Nursing graduates recognized at the Summer Pinning Ceremony at First Pentecostal Church in Pensacola.
“My time here at PSC really grew into something special and became a second chance for me,” said Olford, who also was crowned the College’s 2023 Homecoming King.
Olford said being a nursing student also helped him understand his workplace injury.
“It was great for me to able to comprehend what physically happened to my body,” he said, adding he was hurt while employed as an Escambia County correctional officer.
Stephanie W. Jones, chief nursing officer at Santa Rosa Medical Center, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
Jones, who joined Santa Rosa Medical Center in 2023, encouraged the graduates to appreciate the benefactors and mentors they will meet during their careers.
“Share those secrets that your mentor gives you. Don’t be afraid to pass that information on to the next generation,” she said. “Also, as you advance in your career, become a benefactor to others.”
Before joining SRMC, Jones served as the chief nursing officer at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Georgia. Her journey in the nursing profession began as a licensed practical nurse.
The daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran and stay-at-home mother, Jones told the graduates to set a path for their careers.
“Don’t let your PSC degree be the end. …Imagine yourself in the role you want,” said Jones, who received her Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nursing Administration degree from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. She also earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.
Earning Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees were Samantha Arbogast, Katelynne Busby, Mallory Carpenter, April Chacon, Ezriel Choi, Jessica Dubec, Sheena Groves, Dillon Hawkins, Colin Kelley, Kyler Kortgaard, Nga Nguyen, Amy Perry, Brittnay Schmidt, Teresa Shrecengost and Katlyn Smith.
Earning Associate in Science in Nursing degrees were Chaney Adams, Cathy Alleyne, Erica Alvarez, Kaylen Andrews, Amber Anthony, Meseret Baldwin, Mandy Barrera Campos-Reyes, Alena Bonadio, Ryan Britt, Madison Brooks, Jon-Michael Brown, Whitney Brown, Madison Camp, Sara Carroll, Chandal Chauvette, Ebony Coren-Goldsmith, Megan Crain, Mekenzie Ellis, Emma Etzold, Gracelyn Fletcher, Shania Gardner, Hannah Gibson, Lizandra Gonzalez, Brittany Harris, Antwanette Harris, Mykasha Harrison, Nicole Haynes, Brandy Hernandez, Trinity Hicks, Lauren Higdon, Hannah Hughson, Shantavia Hunt, Cynthia Izzo, Kenzie Jackson, John Jimenez, Bayleigh Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Natalie Keggler, Breanna Kretzer, Haley Langston, Alexis Lazzaretto, Mexiana Levy, Tori Marsh-Bergosh, Malia Miller, Jackson Moore, Lauren Moore, Alaken Moxley, Hailey Nicole, Derek Olford, Hailey Otten, Samantha Pappas, Emily Perry, Tymber Quick, Olivia Rubino, Sophie Schaad, Watice Shoemaker, Jaqlyn Sisson, Nicholas Skewes, Mary Speaks, Germany Thomas, Haley Thompson, Oanh Tran, Patricia Virden, Angela Walton, Leeann Weiss, Jacqueline Williams, Kayla Woodall, Jacob Wynn, Laci Yonker, Donavan York and Briana Zacarias.