Excitement and pride are main emotions on a day filled with joy

The day’s rain and clouds did little to dampen the mood inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, where more than 600 graduates of the MGH Institute of Health Professions came to accept their diplomas and awards for a wide variety of degrees and accomplishments. 

“It's exciting,” said Courtney Swanson, who graduated from the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy program. “I'm happy to be done, but I’m also proud.  We've come a very long way, and classes were tough, papers were long, but it just feels proud to have made it to this moment.”

Pride was certainly a theme, and for good reason. 

“I'm really proud of all of us,” said Jaclyn Okun, who earned an Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. “I think it's such a milestone and an incredible opportunity that we've all had and I'm really grateful.”

Christine Kane, who completed the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, plans on working at an outpatient practice in Natick and Wellesley. 

“This experience has been fantastic and very surreal,” said Kane. “To really revel in all of the accomplishments we've put towards the last three years is something special[LM1] .”

For some, the moment was a few years in the making. 

“I don't know how time passed by so quickly,” marveled Jiali Huang of the Direct-Entry Nursing Program. “Three years went by in an instant.”

“It was good to be with everyone who worked really hard to be here and be supportive with the friends and family,” said Alyssa Garza, who earned a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. “It was a nice ceremony.”

“I think having such small program and being close to the professors and faculty made a difference,” said Julia Bonnvie, who graduated from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

Casey Hynes, who earned her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, will continue working in acute care at Beth Israel Hospital and plans on launching her own small private practice starting next week.

“I'm really excited,” said Hynes. “I can't believe that we finished this next chapter to go our new separate ways and our new careers.” 

For most, it was an emotional day, one to say goodbye and reflect on all that has been accomplished. 

“It's been really exciting, lots of emotions,” noted Emily Roque who graduated from the Nurse Practitioner program. “I'm just so happy to be here with my friends and my family and I'm happy to be done and graduated.”

Hannah Crane, who earned an ABSN degree, said the clinical rotations were the most memorable for her.

“They gave me great experiences in patient care,” she noted, “and really reinforced the idea that nursing was the path for me.”

On this day, the path was fortified through grit, then grins. For all, a job well done. 

“I give so much kudos to all of my professors and lab instructors as well as my classmates who made the experience what it was,” said Kane. “The IHP really shaped me into a better human and ready to take on tomorrow.”

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