Returning to Where the Journey Began

Keynote Speaker

Wilkes Community College

Nursing Pinning Ceremony

May 14, 2026

In May 2026, Dr. Jolene Carlton, dual board certified pediatric nurse practitioner, returned to Wilkes Community College —where her own nursing journey began— to deliver the keynote address at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

Speaking to the 2026 graduating nursing class, she shared a message of courage, purpose, perseverance, and the lasting power of compassionate care. The occasion represented far more than a speaking engagement; it was a meaningful full-circle moment and a celebration of the next generation of nurses entering the nursing profession.