Nursing students who missed Commencement due to health emergency receive diplomas in special ceremony

Three University of Akron graduates who missed the University's Commencement festivities in May due to a medical emergency received their diplomas in a recent special Commencement ceremony that was a celebration of both academic achievement and the power of friendship.

School of Nursing students Brittany Siciliano, Madeleine Baynes and Morgann Smith, along with friends, family, UA President R.J. Nemer and other UA administrators, faculty and staff, participated in the abbreviated ceremony on Tuesday, June 23.

The Commencement was held in the morning under sunny, breezy skies in front of the University's Buchtel Hall - far from the emergency room where Siciliano, who has a history of cardiac issues, was transported after suffering a cardiac event at her home before the Saturday, May 9, Commencement ceremony. At the time, the three graduates were together getting ready for the ceremony.

While Siciliano's mother called 911, Baynes and Smith put their UA nursing training into action. Baynes administered rescue breaths and Smith checked Siciliano's pulse until paramedics arrived and took over. Baynes and Smith decided that rather than go to Commencement, they would follow their friend to the Summa Health Akron Campus emergency department.

Siciliano was intubated for several days and lost her short-term memory until a few days after she was extubated, so she relied on her friends and family to fill in the details of what happened and why she had missed Commencement. Her memory eventually came back and she was released after six days in the hospital.

Smith and Baynes visited Siciliano often at Summa and have continued to check in on her since her release. She is now working at Summa in a non-patient care role while continuing to deal with her cardiac issues, and is studying for the NCLEX-RN, the standardized test that candidates seeking licensure as a registered nurse (RN) must pass. Smith also works at Summa and Baynes is going to work at the Cleveland Clinic's downtown hospital. Both have passed the NCLEX test.

"They were there for me when I was unaware, intubated and continued to show up when I was extubated," Siciliano said. "I kept asking them the same questions over and over but they stayed patient and calm. When I got home, they continued checking in on me."

It was Dr. Tim Meyers, associate dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences and executive director of the School of Nursing, who later suggested that the University hold a rescheduled Commencement ceremony. All three students graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Siciliano and Smith both earned the rank of cum laude.

The Commencement redo was primarily led by Kristi Reese, director of Student Union & Conference and Event Services and Justin Tisevich, senior assistant University registrar. They sought to replicate as many Commencement traditions as possible.

Willy Kollman, vice president of university engagement and executive director of the UA Alumni Association, welcomed family and friends. Dr. Gwen Price, senior vice president and provost, and Dr. Dan Friesner, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, also spoke along with Meyers. Dr. Diane Christianson, associate professor of instruction in the School of Nursing, attended the ceremony.

"You are the epitome of the principles of adaptability, resilience and professional character," Friesner told the graduates.

The University's mace, a ceremonial wooden staff that symbolizes academic leadership and authority, was present. Administrators and faculty members dressed in their regalia. Each attendee received a program at their seats. After the ceremony, the three graduates stood on the Buchtel Hall steps and tossed their caps. UA's mascot, Zippy, was also present.

Nemer added some words from his original Commencement speech, noting that while graduates in some majors can quantify their attainment of success, nursing success is measured differently.

"When you're in health care you measure things in heartbeats, in that human aspect of what you've chosen for your career path," he said. "This is very poignant and a real-life manifestation of measuring things in heartbeats. You were there for your friend. … As a university we are about friendship, camaraderie, support and love."

Siciliano will certainly not forget the friends who helped her the morning of May 9.

"I was so happy that they were recognized," she said of Smith and Baynes. "A nursing degree is so hard to earn, and they chose not to go to Commencement but to sit there by my side in the hospital."

For the final official act of the morning, Nemer raised a glass of sparkling grape juice to the new graduates.

"Congratulations to all of you. Let's make a toast not only to success, but to friendship," he said. "Go Zips!"

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