Graduates Celebrate Annual Nursing Traditions at 2026 Pinning and Blessing of the Hands Ceremonies
(May 18, 2026) — The Georgetown University Berkley School of Nursing honored graduating students during two longstanding annual traditions, the Pinning Ceremony and the Blessing of the Hands Ceremony, celebrating students’ transition into the nursing profession and advanced practice careers in women’s health and midwifery.
Held in Lohrfink Auditorium on May 14, the ceremonies recognized graduates across undergraduate and graduate programs while highlighting Georgetown’s enduring values of cura personalis, social justice, compassion and service.
Pinning Ceremony Welcomes New Georgetown Nurses
Father Richard Nichols, SJ, blessed the pins used in this year’s Pinning Ceremony with holy water from Lourdes, France.
During the Pinning Ceremony, 40 graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science Entry to Nursing (MS-EN) programs received the Georgetown University nursing pin, a tradition symbolizing entry into the nursing profession. Georgetown’s silver and gray nursing pin features the university seal and the year 1903, marking the founding of the nursing program.
Katherine Capuano (N’26) was pinned by her mother, Penny Capuano (N’89).
Fenton Eshkevari Perez (N’26) was pinned by his mother, Ladan Eshkevari, PhD, CRNA, LAc, FAAN, Berkley School of Nursing professor emeritus.
Student emcees Melissa Hamada (N’26), Chloe Smith (N’26) and Moriah Bempong (G’26) welcomed graduates, families, faculty and university leaders to the ceremony. In remarks to graduates, Dean Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FAAN, reflected on the responsibility that accompanies becoming a Georgetown nurse and encouraged students to remain grounded in advocacy, compassion, and excellence throughout their careers.
“As you begin your professional practice, you will carry on a long tradition of nursing excellence,” Waite said. “Always keep your patients at the center of your work, and remember to advocate for those who have been underserved or marginalized.”
Melissa Hamada (N’26), Chloe Smith (N’26) and Moriah Bempong (G’26) welcomed graduates, families, faculty and university leaders to the ceremony.
Dean Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FAAN, reflected on the responsibility that accompanies becoming a Georgetown nurse.
Student Speakers Reflect on Growth and Resilience
The ceremony included reflections from student speakers Julianna Ciatto (N’26), representing the BSN class, and Moriah Bempong (G’26), representing the MS-EN cohort.
Ciatto spoke about the profound moments student nurses encountered during clinical training, from witnessing birth and death to advocating for underserved communities. “We learned what it means to hold a hand when there are no more words,” she said. “We showed up for each other with resilience and empathy, and that became part of who we are.”
Julianna Ciatto (N’26)
Moriah Bempong (G’26)
Bempong reflected on the accelerated and demanding nature of the master’s program, emphasizing the support students found in one another throughout the experience. “Somehow, after exams, clinicals, simulations, care plans, tears and group chats that should probably never be published, we made it here,” Bempong said. “The last two years taught us that we are ready.”
Blessing of the Hands Celebrates Women’s Health and Midwifery Graduates
Heather Bradford, PhD, CNM, FACNM, (at right) blessed a student’s hands.
Graduates from the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (NM/WHNP) programs gathered for Georgetown’s annual Blessing of the Hands Ceremony, a cherished tradition in women’s health and midwifery education programs nationwide.
Melicia Escobar, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, FACNM
Melicia Escobar, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, FACNM, program director of the NM/WHNP and WHNP programs, welcomed graduates and guests while highlighting the programs’ longstanding commitment to health equity and social justice. Escobar shared that the 105 graduating students collectively cared for more than 72,000 patients and participated in over 2,200 births during their clinical training across the country.
“Despite entering healthcare at a markedly challenging moment, these graduates maintained excellence in both academic and clinical work while demonstrating kindness, empathy and cura personalis,” Escobar said, reflecting on the shifting healthcare environment impacting primarily women and underserved communities.
Speakers Emphasize Healing and Advocacy
Mari-Carmen Farmer, CNM, WHNP, FACNM
Mari-Carmen Farmer, CNM, WHNP, FACNM, delivered the keynote address. A queer first-generation Afro-Latina midwife, educator and reproductive justice advocate, Farmer spoke about the power of accompaniment, storytelling and equitable care in women’s health.
Student representatives Terhass Yosief (G’26) and Cindy Diaz (G’26) also addressed graduates and guests, reflecting on the resilience, growth and responsibility that come with entering advanced practice nursing. “As our hands are blessed, my prayer is that wherever you go, your hands always create space for people to feel safe, supported and seen,” Diaz said.
Melicia Escobar with Terhass Yosief (G’26)
Cindy Diaz (G’26)
During the ceremony, faculty members blessed graduates’ hands with essential oils while offering words of encouragement and healing, symbolizing the therapeutic and human connection central to nursing and midwifery care.
More Scenes From the Ceremony
End of carousel collection.
A Shared Commitment to Service
Together, the Pinning Ceremony and Blessing of the Hands honored not only academic achievement, but also the compassion and commitment to service that define Georgetown nurses and advanced practice providers as they begin the next chapter of their professional journeys.
Heather Wilpone-Welborn
GUMC Communications
- Tagged
- Commencement 2026