PNA-NY’s ASPIRE to Empower celebrates nursing excellence, inducts new officers
September 26 marked the 26th Biennial Induction and Excellence Awards of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York, Inc. (PNA-NY), which is also celebrating its 91st founding anniversary.
It is even more profound that the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
This theme of the PNA-NY’s milestone is “ASPIRE…to Empower,” which exemplifies not only the organization’s vision for a promising future but captures the organization’s commitment to promote the nursing practice of Filipino nurses to excellence.
History and achievements
PNA-NY is one of the oldest and founding pillars of Philippine Nurses Association of America. It has made great strides in advancing the nursing profession among Filipinos in New York and developed a credible image through its significant contributions to local, national and global communities. Since its establishment in 1929, the organization and its leaders have established a strong involvement in the passage of the Immigration Nursing Relief Act (INA) and has advocated for Filipino nurses in winning their fight against Sentosa-owned nursing facilities in a human trafficking lawsuit.
At the induction and award ceremonies, past president Dr. Marie Ortaliz highlighted the organization’s efforts to support frontline nurses with mask and PPE distribution during the pandemic.
Presidential and Excellence Awardees
During the ceremonies, the following inspiring nurse leaders were awarded the Excellence Awards for their exemplary contributions to their profession and the community:
-Jacqueline Schuster MS, ANP, CWS, APCOCCN, Advanced Practice Nurse and Wound Care Specialist at Henry Carter Hospital and Jona Caparas MSN, RN, VA-BC, Founder & President, Association for Vascular Access as Excellence Awardees for Clinical Practice;
-Laura Garcia, DNP, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Excellence Awardee for Nursing Education;
-Maria Rosario Sim EdD, RN, PNP-BC, Associate Professor & Director of the RN-BS Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College is the Excellence Awardee in Nursing Research;
-Lorelei Belardo MA, RN, Nurse Administrator at NYP Lawrence Hospital Center is the Excellence Awardee for Nursing Administration;
-Elvy G. Barroso, PhD, MD, MPH, RN, Professional Development Coordinator at the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the Excellence Awardee for Community Service;
-Carmela Lerner BSN, RN Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teal Botanicals in Long Island City is the Excellence Awardee for Nurse Entrepreneurship.
The following Executive Board members were also recognized with Presidential Awards for their exemplary work:
-Priscilla Limbo Sagar, EdD, RN, ACNS-BC, CTN-A, FAAN, Professor Emerita of Nursing Mount Saint Mary College and Davy Diongson, MPA, RN, Director, Quality Stars Program, Fidelis Care were the recipients of the PNA-NY Executive Board of the Year Awards;
-Janet Mary Cuaycong, MS, RN-BC, CRRN, Clinical Nurse Manager In-Patient Rehabilitation and Telemetry Unit at Mount Sinai West Hospital;
-Lorelei Belardo MSN, RN, Nurse Administrator Supervisor at NYP Lawrence Hospital Center and Elizabeth Nacional-Rivera, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager at ED Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Hospital are the recipients of the PNA-NY President’s Service Achievement Awards;
-Romeo A. Ortaliz, Interior Decorator, Antique Collector, Business Entrepreneur was recognized as PNA-NY President’s Service Outstanding Volunteerism Awardee
New officers and board members
The highlight of the event is the induction of the newly elected Officers and Executive Board members for 2020-2022.
President: Warly Remegio, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CCRN-CSC, Program Director, Nursing Professional Development at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Lower Manhattan Hospital;
President-Elect: Janet Mary Cuaycong MS, RN-BC, CRRN, Clinical Nurse Manager, Telemetry and In-Patient Rehabilitation of Mount Sinai West Hospital. Her term as PNA NY President will begin in 2022.
Vice President: Laarni C. Florencio MSN, RN, CNL, Program Director, Continuing Education, New York Presbyterian Hospital;
Recording Secretary: Priscilla L. Sagar, EdD, RN, ACNS-BC, CTN-A, FAAN, Professor Emerita of Nursing, Mount Saint Mary College;
Corresponding Secretary: Liezel T. Vince Cruz, ANP-BC, WCC, Skin Care Coordinator at Kings Harbor Multicare Center;
Treasurer: Jacqueline Juele-Schuster, MS, ANP-BC, CWS, APCOCCN Wound Specialist at New York City Health and Hospitals/Carter;
Treasurer Elect: Joy Bautista RN, BSN, Director of Nursing, Cloves Lakes Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center;
Auditor: Jona Caparas, MSN, RN, VA-BC, CEO/VP of Clinical Operations at EPICC Vascular.
Board Members: Maia Santarina, RN, MSN, Director of Nursing Services, Morningside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Elizabeth Nacional-Rivera, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager, Pediatric Emergency Room, Lincoln Medical Center; Nora Ruth Eusebio, MSN, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing, Bainbridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; Davy G. Diongson, MPA, RN, Director, Quality Stars Services; Femarie C. Bedona, RN, MSN, CCRN, Medical ICU Nurse, New York Veterans Medical Center; Adrian Artista, BSN, RN, Director of Utilization Review and Case Management, Bronx Care Special Care Center; Ellen Joy Arigorat, MS, RN-BC, PCCN, Clinical Informatics Coordinator, New York Presbyterian Hospital; Nenita Alfonso, MS, RN, Director of Nursing, The Hamlet Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Aubrey May B. Agcon, BSN, RN, PCCN-K, Improvement Coordinator, NYCH+H/Elmhurst-Trauma Performance.
Inspiring messages
Dr. Joyce Fitzpatrick, a Living Legend awardee of the American Academy of Nursing, delivered the keynote address about leadership, service and legacy. Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate hailed the Filipino nurses’ pivotal role during the pandemic. Dr. Mary Joy Garcia Dia, the current PNAA President, spoke on volunteerism and community service. In his President’s message, Dr. Remegio shared his vision to achieve synergistic partnerships, innovate and promote resilience and excellence among Filipino nurses.
© The FilAm 2020
