Decker College launches inaugural Student Excellence Awards

“Today marks a significant milestone for Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences,” Dean Mario Ortiz announced with pride on May 14. “For the first time, we are holding a college-wide awards event, an occasion we hope will become a cherished tradition,” he told the audience of students, guests, faculty, and staff gathered to recognize the hard work, dedication, and success of graduating students.

The Decker College Student Excellence Awards were held at Binghamton University’s Health Sciences Building in Johnson City, New York. 

Ortiz also noted that the Class of 2026 includes graduates of the inaugural cohorts of Decker's Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology programs.

Program directors from across the college then presented the student excellence awards:  

• Michael Buck, associate professor and founding director of the Division of Physical Therapy
• Dawna Duff, associate professor and interim director of the Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Cristina Dumitrescu, assistant professor and interim director of the Division of Occupational Therapy
• Ann Fronczek, MS ’99, associate professor and director of undergraduate and PhD programs in the Division of Nursing
• Yvonne Johnston ’93, MS ’97, associate professor and founding director of the Division of Public Health
• Nicole Rouhana, MS ’95, PhD ’11, associate professor and director of graduate programs in the Division of Nursing

Awards were presented in five categories. The following lists each award and its recipient(s):

Academic Excellence Awards

• Decker Foundation Award for Academic Excellence in the Baccalaureate Accelerated Track Program: Michael Gunning ’24 and Ciara Pine
• Decker School of Nursing Academic Excellence Award: Zoe Casement, Isabella Dhaliwal, Elana Ginsberg, Tova Kam, Caitlinanne Mahoney, and Anna Russo
• Excellence in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Award: Alexandra Gutman
• Occupational Therapy Emerging Contributor and Scholar Award: Tobin James ’23 and Makenzie Stiles
• Outstanding Speech and Language Pathology Graduate Researcher: Ju Hee “Rachel” Kim ’23
• Outstanding Speech and Language Pathology Graduate Student: Kylie Browning ’24, Hannah Johnson ’24, Marissa Patlin ’24, Lindsey Reece, and Paige Voight
• Physical Therapy Master Adaptive Learner Curiosity Award: Sophia Howard ’21
• Physical Therapy Master Adaptive Learner Growth Mindset Award: Luis Silvestre
• Physical Therapy Master Adaptive Learner Motivation Award: Emily Ramsay
• Physical Therapy Master Adaptive Learner Resilience Award: Samantha Mason ’19
• Public Health Spirit Award: Osama Mohamed

Clinical Practice Awards

• Decker Foundation Award for Clinical Excellence in the Baccalaureate Accelerated Track Program: Ariel Lynch ’23
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice Award in Adult Gerontological Nursing: Lillith Lamuraglia
• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice Award in Family Nursing: Jordyn Cronin

• Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice Award in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Shakeira Reese
• Registered Professional Nurse Baccalaureate Award: Melissa DiMartino
• UHS Professional Nursing Practice Award: Taylor Allen ’25
• Occupational Therapy Outstanding Fieldwork Award for Exemplary Practice: Andrey Bacal and Gianna Scarantino ’23
• Outstanding Speech and Language Pathology Graduate Clinician: Alessandra Antonacci ’23

Community Engagement Award

• Public Health Excellence in Community Engagement Award: Nicole Keibel

Leadership Awards

• ANA-New York Future Nurse Leader Award: Cara Nolan
• Emerging Leader in Physical Therapy Award: Iris Costner and Abigail Terrill ’23
• Physical Therapy Values Award (Altruism, Leadership, Excellence): Jaret Beyer
• Occupational Therapy Innovative Leadership and Service Award: Abraham Ramirez and Luke Shotts
• Public Health Leadership Award: Eileen Gallardo ’20 and Sheena Malla ’24

Memorial Awards

• Martha Harnick Bress ’69 Nursing Award: April Harper
• Mary Pillepich Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice: Anna Peret

“We are immensely proud of every graduate, and confident that they are entering the world as exceptionally capable and well-prepared healthcare professionals,” Ortiz added.

Gifts from members of the Nursing Student Association and the Mary E. Mahoney Nursing Support Group were announced at the event; both groups donated funds to purchase nursing assessment kits, which are required for all nursing students before the start of simulation and clinical activities.

Following the ceremony, students and their guests enjoyed refreshments and captured memories with photos against a Binghamton backdrop.

Information about each award and highlights from the students' nominations are available on the Decker College Student Excellence Awards webpage.