MGH Institute Honors Students at Spring Commencement

Submitted by MGH Institute of Health Professions

Several area residents received awards during MGH Institute of Health Professions’ spring commencement ceremony held May 9.

The Charlestown school graduated 492 students, the largest in its 36-year history, during the event at the John Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

Excellence in Clinical Supervision

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Clinical Specialist Lynette Holmes, MS, CCC-SLP, received the Award for Excellence in Clinical Supervision. The award is presented annually to a distinguished clinical supervisor in the school’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders who continuously excels in expertise, techniques and methodology, who communicates theoretical and philosophical views clearly, who allows student clinicians to develop independent style and technique, who is an appropriate role model, is easily approachable and supportive of student clinicians, and who uses constructive criticism effectively to support the growth and development of the clinician.

Kenneth N. Stevens Student Research Award

Boston resident Elizabeth S. Heller received the Kenneth N. Stevens Student Research Award. Heller, who graduated with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the Boston health sciences graduate school, was honored for having demonstrated superior performance in conducting research that produces new knowledge about normal or disordered human communication.

Faculty Recognition for Academic/Clinical Excellence Award

Lawrence native Afusat Taiwo Oshodi-Abikan was honored with the Faculty Recognition for Academic/Clinical Excellence Award. Oshodi-Abikan, who graduated from the Boston’s health sciences graduate school with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, was recognized for her outstanding grade point average and her overall academic and clinical achievement during her 14 months attending the school. 

A 2000 graduate of Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen, Oshodi-Abikan received a Bachelor of Science in 2004 from Tufts University, and a Master of Public Health in 2005 from Tufts.

Josephine Mangio Keaveney Memorial Nursing Prize

Linda Sugarbaker was awarded the Josephine Mangio Keaveney Memorial Nursing Prize. Sugarbaker, who graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing, was chosen as the member of RN post-professional program who best exemplifies the caring, spirit, and professionalism of Mrs. Josephine E. Keaveney, a 1940 graduate of the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing.

Mrs. Keaveney’s daughter Madeline established the award to honor her mother who worked as a nurse at MGH for several years and later taught LPNs at Pondville State Hospital in Walpole.

Adams Fellow Post-Professional Award

Jamaica Plain resident Mitali Vyas was awarded the Adams Fellow Post-Professional Award. Vyas, who graduated from the Boston health sciences graduate school with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, received the award for showing evidence of leadership abilities, service to the profession, and the potential to make a significant contribution as a clinical scholar.

Longtime MGH Institute supporter the late Barbara Adams established the fund in 1986 to offer financial support a graduating physical therapy student.

Mary Mankin Prize

Boston resident Renu Narayanan was awarded the Mary Mankin Prize. Narayanan, who graduated from the Boston health sciences graduate school with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, received the award for submitting the most outstanding master's thesis in her class. The Mary Mankin Prize was established in 1992 by MGH Institute Honorary Trustee Henry J. Mankin, MD, and his wife Carole, in memory of Dr. Mankin's mother.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the MGH Institute’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is ranked first in New England, and seventh in the country.

Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize

Sylvia M. Durette, MS, APRN-BC, was awarded the Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize. Durette, who as a preceptor instructs MGH Institute nursing students, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Merrimac Valley Counseling Association in New Hampshire. She received the award for demonstrating distinction in the role of mentor to students at the Boston health sciences graduate school.

The Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize was established through the generosity of MGH Institute Trustee and 1968 graduate of the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing Judith A. Fong and Richard Bressler to recognize and reward extraordinary clinical excellence by a School of Nursing preceptor.

Faculty and Student Recognition for Class Leadership

Boston resident Kemper Thompson was honored with the Faculty and Student Recognition for Class Leadership. Thompson graduated from the Boston’s health sciences graduate school with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The award is given to a student graduating from the accelerated baccalaureate nursing program who has been identified by peers and faculty as demonstrating outstanding class leadership.

Miriam "Mim" J. Huggard, SON '31 Nursing Scholarship

Zoe Owers was awarded the Miriam "Mim" J. Huggard, SON '31 Nursing Scholarship. Owers graduated from the Boston health sciences graduate school with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Association, this scholarship award, made in memory and in honor of Ms. Huggard's work and dedication to both Massachusetts General Hospital and the Alumnae Association, is given annually to a student in the MGH Institute’s Accelerated BSN program who demonstrates exemplary clinical skills, had worked at the hospital prior to becoming a student at the MGH Institute, and who embodies the core values that made “Mim” an exceptional nurse, leader, and mentor.