The University of South Carolina College of Nursing recognized three outstanding alumni during its annual Party on the Patio event. These alumni not only exemplify the values of USC Nursing, but they have dedicated their time to ensure the highest standards of care.
“Our alumni are the living legacy of the college. We proudly recognize three outstanding individuals whose careers exemplify the values of the college and the highest standards of the nursing profession,” says Dean Jeannette Andrews.
Outstanding Young Nurse Alumna Award: Alexis Hardin, BSN
Alexis Hardin earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina in 2021, where she served as Assistant Vice President of the Student Nurses Association and on the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council.
Hardin began her career at Prisma Health Baptist, caring for mothers and newborns in labor and delivery, and received a Daisy Award in 2022 for her compassionate care.
Now at Prisma Health Richland’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hardin provides critical care to preterm infants and serves as the Patient and Family Educator, teaching families essential skills like infant CPR and home care for medically complex children. She also contributes to the NICU Unit Council, advancing the quality of care and clinical excellence.
Outstanding Nurse Alum Award: L. “Nate” Aranas, NC USN-BSN
Lieutenant Commander Nate Aranas earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina in 2009 and was commissioned through the Navy ROTC Gamecock Battalion.
Aranas began his career as a Med-Surg nurse at Walter Reed, deploying to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, later returning as an ER trauma nurse. His emergency medicine career took him to U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay and Naples, Italy, where he led a high-fidelity Code Blue program.
Aranas later led the nation’s only joint DoD–VA emergency department at the Federal Health Care Center, where he established its first ED Fast Track and helped launch Corpsmen Trauma Training nationwide.
Now with 14 years of active-duty service, Aranas serves as Director for Medical Services at Naval Medical Center San Diego, overseeing more than 700 staff, 14 departments, seven training programs, and multiple national accreditations.
Outstanding Legacy Nurse Alumna: Jeanne Cavanaugh, MN, RN, NEA-BC
Jeanne Cavanaugh recently retired after an accomplished career with the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, where she served as Director of Clinical Partnerships, Director of the Center for Nursing Leadership, and the Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellowship for eight years.
A proud two-time USC alumna, Cavanaugh earned both her BSN in 1977 and MN in 1984 before spending 37 years with Palmetto Health, including 30 years as Director of Nursing, overseeing Oncology and Emergency Services.
An active leader in the profession, Cavanaugh has served as President of several organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Xi Chapter, the South Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders, and the USC Nursing Partnership Board. She currently serves on the Prisma Health Midlands Board of Directors.
Cavanaugh remains dedicated to advancing quality, compassionate, patient-centered care through leadership, education, and research.