Womack holds Unified Professional Education Commencement

By U.S. ArmyAugust 5, 2015

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Womack Army Medical Center and Fort Bragg Dental Activity held their Unified Professional Education Commencement ceremony at the Fort Bragg Conference and Catering Center, June 12. Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus sang a few... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Womack Army Medical Center and Fort Bragg Dental Activity held their Unified Professional Education Commencement ceremony at the Fort Bragg Conference and Catering Center, June 12.

A total of 40 graduates completed professional and medical health education programs, based on their specialty in advance education in general dentistry, endodontic residency, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pharmacy practice, social work internship, clinical optometry, anesthesia nursing, clinical nurse transition program and veterinary education.

Each medical and health education program varies in time and seminar requirements.

Maj. Gen. Jefforey Smith, deputy commanding general of the XVII Airborne Corps, served as keynote speaker for the event.

"It is surely an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of this commencement ceremony. It is important to realize that today's commencement is not the end but the beginning of the graduates' professional life," said Smith.

A few musical selections were sung by the 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus throughout the ceremony.

A graduate of the Brig. Gen. Anna Mae Hays Clinical Nurse Transition Program, 2nd Lt. Hannah Pearson said she was excited about graduating.

"We put in a lot of hard work; it has been a good experience," said Pearson. "We had a lot of opportunities to learn new things and experience new things in the hospital and we are excited to be on our own. I am now a part of the regular nursing staff and feel confident after my training."

The Clinical Nurse Transition program is designed to bridge baccalaureate education and professional nursing practice by supporting the new graduate Army nurse from novice nurse to a competent, professional nurse. In order to successfully complete the program, each nurse must complete a total of 984 hours, comprised of 936 hours of direct patient care and 48 hours of seminar. All nurses must also formally present a case study to their peers and complete an evidence-based practice project.

Smith concluded his address with a few quotes from John Wooden, an American basketball player and coach.

"Never try to be better than someone else, instead we should learn from others," said Smith. "Always do the best that you can do, that is true success. Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is who you really are, while your reputation is merely who others think you are."