My name is Kayleigh Dugan and I'm a representative for the ABSN Class of 2021. In May of 2020, we started our Accelerated Nursing journey at Massachusetts General Hospital. I, along with many others at MGH IHP, completed our undergraduate degrees in May 2020 and were unable to have a graduation ceremony after 4 years of continuous hard work. 

At the start of this program, it was determined that our August 2021 graduation ceremony was going to be held virtually, given we were amid a global pandemic. This decision was understandable, to say the least considering the circumstances at the time. However, in the past few months, Massachusetts regulations regarding in-person ceremonies have been lifted and since May, Massachusetts has officially reopened. With the state's current guidelines, we believe that the decision to have our graduation ceremony virtual should be revisited. 

We can assume that all individuals are aware of the strain that COVID has put on our lives and despite that, the MGH ABSN Cohort of 2021 has successfully pushed through it. Sooner rather than later we will be dedicated to making healthcare just as resilient as we were during this program. 

We, along with every other program at the Institute, want to be able to safely celebrate our accomplishments for the first time as a cohort and the only way that this is possible is to have graduation in person. All we ask is that you stand with us, with signing this petition and hopefully, during our in-person graduation. 

The class of 2021 thanks you!