Halifax Community College held its annual School of Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday. 

HCC's Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Hygiene, and Nursing programs graduates were honored and recognized at this event.

The HCC School of Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony is a significant milestone, symbolizing the culmination of rigorous training for graduates poised to enter the healthcare workforce. 

This ceremony underscores Halifax Community College's steadfast dedication to increasing the flow of skilled healthcare professionals.

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The Associate Degree Nursing program graduates have completed an intensive curriculum that blends classroom instruction with hands-on training, enhanced by virtual reality simulations and state-of-the-art technology. 

This innovative approach fosters the development of strong clinical judgment and critical thinking skills, preparing students to transition confidently into the nursing workforce. 

These students have shown resilience, adaptability, and dedication to high-quality patient care throughout their education.

Of the 37 graduates in this cohort, 35 have already accepted positions in hospitals across North Carolina, 23 of whom are in the ECU Health System. ECU Health reaches more than 1.4 million people across 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, according to the system’s website. 

This is a powerful testament to the HCC ADN program’s role in strengthening our state’s nursing pipeline and addressing the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

“Our graduates are entering the field with the competence, compassion, and confidence needed to make an immediate impact,” said Sarah Harris, director of the ADN Program. “We’re proud to see their success and the contributions they are already making to healthcare in our communities.”

During the ADN segment of the ceremony, Ms. Harris paid tribute to members of the Halifax Community College Nursing family who have recently passed away, including Ms. Sheryl Watson, RN, a clinical instructor at HCC; Ms. Myra Robertson, RN, who served as the director of nursing from 1974 to 2002; and Ms. Amanda Ponton, an HCC nursing student and member of this year’s graduating cohort. 

Ms. Ponton’s mother, Valerie Henley, received her pin.

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technology and Dental Hygiene programs have the power to make a significant difference in the healthcare field as well. 

With a strong foundation in scientific principles and hands-on training, HCC’s MLT graduates are prepared to perform intricate laboratory tests crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment. 

“As one of only 16 Medical Laboratory Technology programs in North Carolina, we are proud to graduate a class whose dedication and skill will directly impact the health and well-being of communities across eastern North Carolina and Southside Virginia,” said Lonnie Barker, MLT and Phlebotomy Program director. “I am extremely proud of these students who have worked hard to complete all their classwork and clinical rotations. These graduates are not only trained professionals — they are the backbone of diagnostic healthcare in our region.” 

HCC is one of 13 community colleges in the state that offers a dental hygiene program, and it continues to produce skilled graduates for the healthcare workforce. 

Given the shortage of dental hygiene professionals, our recent graduates will fulfill the demand for essential care. 

"We are very proud of our graduates' accomplishments. They will provide high-quality professional dental care to many patients within North Carolina and Virginia," stated Dental Hygiene Program Administrator Lisa Santiago.

As they step into their professional roles, each of these healthcare graduates brings dedication, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services in the Roanoke Valley.