UH Hilo School of Nursing honors its 2025 doctoral and bachelor’s graduates

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Staff

The School of Nursing celebrated its 2025 graduates with a White Coat Ceremony for those who received doctoral degrees, and a Pinning Ceremony for those with bachelor’s.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo School of Nursing held two ceremonies this month in celebration of graduates from its doctoral and bachelor programs.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Ten graduates and their faculty gather for photo. All wear lei. Graduates wear their ceremonial white coats — The 2025 doctor of nursing cohort gathers for photo with their professors and instructors at White Coat Ceremony held on May 15. (Front row from left) graduates Esther Kaleo, Ashley Coelho, Jovelia Repullo, Aundrea Vidal, Jencey Melemai-Watson, Germaine Kaululaau-Young, Kristle Akau, and Chermaine Kaululaau-Pakele. (Back row, from left) graduate Nicholas Vandenraadt, Assistant Professor Catherine Marin, Instructor Lehuanani Akau, Instructor Bobbie Elisala, Associate Professor Luzviminda Miguel, Professor Kay Daub, Associate Professor Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, Associate Professor Patricia Hensley, graduate Kenneth Niheu, and Assistant Professor Tracy Thornett. (Photo: SON/UH Hilo)

The School of Nursing celebrated 10 graduates from its doctor of nursing practice program with a White Coat Ceremony on May 15, 2025. The DNP is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice.

Kristle Akau Giraudy (see feature story on Dr. Giraudy’s journey to her doctoral degree)
Ashley Coelho
Esther Kaleo
Chermaine Kaululaau-Pakele
Germaine Kaululaau-Young
Jencey Melemai-Watson
Kenneth Niheu
Jovelia Repullo
Nicholas Vandenraadt
Aundrea Vidal

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Cohort on stage before receiving their white stoles. — The 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort at the start of the Pinning Ceremony on May16. (Photo: Aonika Russell )

Graduates on stage after receiving their white BSN stoles. — The 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort after receiving their pins and white stoles. (Photo: Aonika Russell )

Three women in black with white stoles and gold cords. — Three nursing graduates at the UH Hilo 2025 Pinning Ceremony. (Photo: Aonika Russell )

The annual Pinning Ceremony for 37 graduates who have earned their bachelor of science in nursing degree was held May 16. The Nursing Class of 2025 includes UH Hilo students and a cohort of students from Waiʻanae, Oʻahu. There is a longstanding affiliation of the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health and the UH Hilo School of Nursing.

At the annual Pinning Ceremony, which is a traditional ceremony of induction into the profession of nursing, a pin and white stole is presented to the graduate by their significant other, family member or friend, and the director of the program.

The Nightingale Pledge, named in honor of Florence Nightingale, is recited by graduates while they hold ceremonial “candles” during the Pinning Ceremony:

“I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”