Former cop, 65 others graduate CSI's nursing
program
Staten Island Advance - Wednesday, May 31, 2006
At 6-feet-2, Paul Germano is an imposing specimen,
well suited to his first career of New York City police officer. But
with 20 years on the job, and after the death of his father, Germano
was inspired to serve the public in another way: He traded in his
uniform blues for a sparkling white nurse's suit.
Yesterday, the Rossville resident stood proudly as
the class representative for the graduating nurses of the College of
Staten Island's (CSI) nursing program.
I got to see firsthand the dedication demonstrated
by all of you, Germano, 48, told his classmates. We must continue to
excel not only in nursing, but in life, he added.
Germano was one of a record-number 66 graduating
nurses presented with associate's diplomas in CSI's Center for the
Arts, Willowbrook.
Guest speaker Alberta Brescia, borough director of
the Island chapter of the American Cancer Society, told the
graduates that one of her proudest moments was becoming a nurse 40
years ago.
This is one of those times I can say, in all
honesty, I know how you feel, she said.
This afternoon's celebration marks the end of a
marathon, she added, as she welcomed graduates to a community filled
with tradition, education and integrity.
Referring to the nursing shortage, Anthony Ferreri,
president and CEO of Staten Island University Hospital, told the
graduates, We need you. He stressed that by 2012, another 1 million
nurses will be needed nationwide to care for the elderly.
After receiving their Associate of Applied Science
pins, the graduates held Nightingale Lamps and recited the
International Council of Nurses' Pledge.
Besides Germano, the graduates are:
Agyeibea Apau, Bjorn Baby, Rugiatu Bahr, Kathleen Bakay-Caria,
Shirley Borno, Leisa Bullaro, Karen Callahan, Tatyana Cheberko,
Christine Cirminiello, Laura Colombo, Lynn Cunningham, Brooke
Delaney, Robert Deppe, Joanna Drozdzal, Donna Dysico, Jessica Edwin,
Shanna Farago, JoAnn Marie Ferrara, H. Mariam Foday-Kakpy
Michael K. Gailband, Joseph Gallo, Ursula Gambino,
James Gatdula, Stephanie Harben, Kyle Harrigan, Erica Huttula,
Melanie Hyde-Haros, Sylwia Jacaszek, Olivia Noel, Yuliya Kostina,
Joe Lau, Marian Magel, Anna Marchetta, Laura Meems, Hilda Mejias,
Jennifer Mercurio, Jennifer Morlano, Jacqueline Murray
Jessica Nayfeld, Sara Orchard, Tiffany Ortiz, Helen
Oyewole, Cristina Parasole, Christina Pena, Rosemary Permahos, Anna
Pesikova, Iwona Poltowicz, Mary Preiser, Sarah Radzik, Maria Rapuzzi,
Esther Ronga, Tressa Ryan, Natalia Semenovskaya, Margery Shane,
Samantha Singer, Devi Starace, Donna Stimpson, Christopher Syntilas,
Sonya Syvertsen, Sandra Terzulli, Rosemary Wenig, Yentoneth Whyte,
Jessica Worrell, Gina Wrenn, Jennifer Yepez.
By Kiawana Rich
Reprinted here with permission
from the
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