Students weren't just celebrated at Saturday's 2026 Commencement ceremony. Several programs from the Schools of Nursing and Health and Rehabilitation Sciences held ceremonies to recognize the achievements of all graduating students and present awards to those that distinguished themselves while at the MGH Institute. The award winners are listed by program below:

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Doctor of Nursing Practice Awards

The Herzlinger Prize in Memory of Rebecca Colvin
Michael Haefele

Master of Science Awards

Harriet Towle Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award
Fiona J. Tsang

Josephine Mangio Keaveney Memorial Nursing Prize
Dillon Clark Kaliris

The Herzlinger Prize in Memory of Rebecca Colvin
Mikalya Noelle Lange

The Niki Currier and Ann LeBrun Memorial Leadership in Nursing Education Writing Award
Carrie Coy Bryk 
Elissa LeFleur

Bachelor of Science Awards

Faculty and Student Recognition for Outstanding Leadership
Caroline Louise O'Connor

Faculty Recognition for Academic/Clinical Excellence
Kira Allison Maguire

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

Wetherill Award
Edna G. Martinez

The Maureen Ryan Community Health Nursing Scholarship
Lindsey Marie Coby

The Belle Bouy Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Selenia Vanessa Demeira

Preceptor Awards

Judith A. Fong Nursing Faculty Prize
Mertie Potter, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC

Exceptional Advanced Practice Clinician and Mentor Award
Jonathan Ponte, NP

SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Awards

Award of Special Recognition – Clinical Practice
Jasmine S. Liu

Award of Special Recognition - Innovation
Victoria Rose Catipon

Award of Special Recognition – Leadership
Hannah G. Indiviglio

Award of Special Recognition – Excellence in Scholarship and Clinical Practice
Jessica Brynn Schwartz

Award of Special Recognition – Interprofessional Leadership and Community Service
Rebecca H. Butler

Award of Special Recognition - Research
Yobella A. Cook

Julie Atwood Award for Excellence
Haylie Noel Howard Santos

Kenneth N. Stevens Student Research Award
Helen Regina Cohen

Pamela E. Hook Award for Literacy
Kaitlyn A. Turner
Julianna F. Montminy

SLPD Trailblazer Award
Caroline Brindo

Department of Genetic Counseling Awards

Student Excellence in Service Award
Cristina M. Liriano Cepin
Kathryn Sophia Cebula

Student Excellence in Leadership Award
Cristina M. Liriano Cepin

Student Excellence in Mentorship Award
Cristina M. Liriano Cepin Julia Rose Keefe

Department of Healthcare Data Analytics Awards

Student Impact Award
Jonathan Quincy Andrew Henry

Student Excellence Award
Daniel G. Barkyoumb 
Danelle Rose Ribok 
Eric Trageser

Department of Occupational Therapy Awards – Entry Level

Award for Student Excellence
Lauren Rae Kemmer

Award for Student Leadership in Service
Karina F. Absalon

Emerging Scholar Award
Emily Christina Lolli

Award for Student Innovation
Elizabeth A. Lawlor

Student Representative Certificate of Appreciation
Lauren Rae Kemmer

Department of Occupational Therapy Awards – Post-Professional

Emerging Scholar Award
Mariam A. Oschsenbein

Award for Student Innovation
Michelle Kemper