BRG School of Nursing Graduates Largest Fall Class
BATON ROUGE, La. – Forty-seven new nurses graduated from Baton Rouge General’s School of Nursing during its fall commencement, joining the legion of talented nurses who have completed BRG’s program since 1984.
During the October 26 ceremony at Independence Park Theatre, the graduates received their diplomas after completing all required nursing courses and hands-on experience with seasoned practitioners during clinical rotations. Upon graduation from the diploma nursing program, graduates are prepared to take the registered nurse license exam (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).
The graduation ceremony featured the presentation of awards, given to students who showed aptitude in particular areas of patient care or who achieved exemplary academic marks. Generous donors and physicians who practice at Baton Rouge General made gifts to sponsor the awards.
• Excellence in Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing – Johniqua Bazile
• Excellence in Maternal-Child Nursing – Brooke Carter
• Excellence in Management/Leadership – Greg Fain
• Excellence in Mental Health Nursing – Marissa Aguillard
• Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing – Demetria Mason
• Faculty Award for Scholastic Achievement – Mason Lagattuta and Philip Eckert
• Faculty Award for Student Excellence – Philip Eckert
• Garnie Belvin Eggers Award – Kenyata Wagner
• Grace Hough Award – Sambrisha Sheppard
• Kari Lefort Award – Heather Short
• Nightingale Award – Ashely Downing
Most of BRG’s new graduates begin their careers at Baton Rouge General in the telemetry, oncology, and on medical and surgical units. After entering nursing, many graduates have gone on to earn bachelors, master’s, and doctorate degrees, and many work in management or leadership positions, or as nurse practitioners and educators.
The BRG School of Nursing Class of Fall 2026:
Lauren Ashley Ackerman
Marissa Joyce Aguillard
Taylor Amessia Alfred
Chloe Elizabeth Anderson
Ethan Mathis Anderson
Jalissa Augustus
Johniqua Kenyana Bazile
Kanitra Lee Bellazin
David Joseph Blevins
Brooke Michelle Carter
Stefen Cassard
Staci Leigh Deaton
Ashley Arbour Downing
Philip Matthew Eckert
Greg Fain
Victoria Grace Garig
Jeniesua Annette Greene
Mary Elizabeth Hughes
Courtney Lashae Johnson
Silas Johnson
Mason Antonio Lagattuta
Torri Alexander Legier Gautier
Lauren Lessard
Alanna Milan Lynch
Demetria Eliza Mason
Ryan Donavon Ostenson
Ravelyn Cynque’l Ownens
Alexa Kiera Phillips
Brittany Picard
Armau’ni Kayshia Reese
Gabrielle Alexis Sardenga
Sambrisha Shante Sheppard
Heather Rider Short
Karly Paige Sweat
Rashaun Omarion Taylor
Heather Rose Turner
Mindy Ann Viator
Sierra Victoria Vice
Kenyata L. Wagner
Mackenzie Grace Walker
Daija Ashuntea Ware
Irma Shondell Williams
Tre Michael Williams
Caitlin Alexis Williamson
Tonya Christina Woodruff
Kiera Lashae Young
BRG’s School of Nursing recently earned re-accreditation for the next eight-year period. It is frequently recognized by the LSBN for its 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, and the BRG School of Nursing has maintained an overall pass rate above 95% throughout its 40-plus-year history. The school has also seen growth in its licensed practical nurse (LPN) advancement program, which fast-tracks the process for LPNs to become RNs.
For information, click here or call (225) 387-7623.
About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program and Internal Medicine Residency Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.
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