The 51st graduating class of the North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology recently held a commencement program, which was socially distanced due to COVID-19.
Graduates included Thomas Luc Badon of Loranger, Melissa Mizell Besse of Bush, Kayla Enola Ann Braud St. Amant, Thomas Gerard Cooke of Metairie, Rebecca Rose Davis of Amite, Kelly Rose Fontenot of Ponchatoula, Raymond Louis Holt of Hammond, Mallory Nicole Magliolo of Ponchatoula, Lindsay Carol Ruggles of Luling, and Elizabeth Catherine Schenck of Chalmette.
Commencement was held at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center with social distancing measures in place. North Oaks Health System’s Pastoral Care Director Keith Kincaid delivered the invocation.
The health system’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau presided over the ceremony that concluded two years of study for the students, involving 2,000 clinical hours and more than 1,200 classroom hours and 400 exams and quizzes.
The commencement address was delivered by Melissa Ridgedell, who is radiology supervisor for North Oaks Health System and a 1993 graduate of North Oaks School of Radiologic Technology.
Before the presentation of diplomas by Program Director Heather Koepp, outstanding achievement awards were given. Ben Raney, didactic instructor for the school, presented the Academic Achievement Award to Badon for obtaining the highest overall scholastic average. The Performance and Attitude Award for exceptional performance in the clinical setting was presented to Braud by Heath Bailey, the school’s clinical coordinator.
North Oaks Radiology Support Supervisor Kenneth Travis presented the Dannye Young Taylor Always Remembering Others Award, named in honor of the health system’s patient representative, to Badon in recognition of his outstanding patient care skills.