Geisinger College of Health Sciences celebrates 2026 School of Nursing graduates, expanding access to care across rural communities

LEWISTOWN, Pa. — Geisinger College of Health Sciences today celebrated the graduation of its Associate Degree in Nursing Class of 2026 at the Geisinger School of Nursing (SON) commencement ceremony in Lewistown. The ceremony marks another step forward in Geisinger’s commitment to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage facing rural communities across Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania’s nurse workforce shortage is among the most severe in the nation,” said Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, president of Geisinger College of Health Sciences, who addressed the graduates and their families. “When you think about the problem, you can see how and why Geisinger School of Nursing is so important — not just here in Lewistown, but across the entire Commonwealth. Our students are the heart of healthcare.”

The nursing shortage in Pennsylvania is driven by multiple converging factors, including an aging and retiring healthcare workforce, too few educators and clinical training opportunities, and a rising volume of patients requiring acute care. For the rural counties of central Pennsylvania, locally trained nurses represent a critical and lasting resource.

Dr. Byerley underscored the significance of each graduate’s career, noting that nursing provides not just employment, but deep and daily purpose. 

“A team-based care model like Geisinger’s cannot function without qualified and caring nurses carrying out their mission,” she said. “Remember that healthcare gives us good days and bad days — but it never gives us a day without value or without meaning.”

Lauren Weaver, MSN, RN, director of the Geisinger School of Nursing, called on graduates to recognize that their greatest impact will often be found not in dramatic clinical emergencies, but in the quieter moments of human connection that define excellent nursing care.

Weaver challenged the Class of 2026 to carry compassion and curiosity into every aspect of their practice.
“You do not need to change the world all at once to make a difference. You change it one interaction at a time,” she said. “Go forward with confidence. Go forward with humility. And go forward knowing that even the smallest interactions, done with purpose and heart, can create a truly great impact.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from class president Chelsea Stitt and keynote speaker Tammy Anderer, RN, MSN, CRNP, PhD, chief administrative officer for Geisinger's north-central and west regions. Anderer encouraged graduates to "Be the Best" throughout their careers as learners, patient advocates and community leaders.

Following the conferral of degrees by Dr. Byerley, graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and nursing pins before joining faculty and fellow nurses in reciting the Nightingale Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to the profession's ethical standards and values.

About Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Educating. Inspiring. Leading. At Geisinger College of Health Sciences, we bring innovation and purpose together to educate the next generation of healthcare leaders. As the academic and research arm of the Geisinger family, our college was founded to enhance and improve community health, with a focus on discovery, hands-on learning and applied practice across our system. Today, we offer a research institute, graduate medical education, schools of medicine, graduate education and nursing, and faculty and professional development programs. Visit geisinger.edu/gchs.

The College is committed to nondiscrimination in all employment and educational programs or activities. Concerns or questions may be directed to the Title IX coordinator whose contact information is available at geisinger.edu/titleix.