Winter Edition | Volume 2 | Issue# 2 February 2013

Nurse Menchu makes U.S. Pinoys proud

As the person in charge of transporting the 60 plus pa-tients of the whole pediatric wing, Menchu knew it was crunch time: in a few hours, the ventilators keeping the fragile newborns alive would stop working. “We knew we had to move as fast as possible and evacuate those sweet tiny babies to other area hospitals,” said Sanchez, who has worked at NYU medical center for 18 years. “With the elevators out, we had no other choice but to use the stairs.” First to be evacuated were four babies hooked up to venti-lators. Menchu grabbed an infant who had recently under-gone surgery and weighed less than a pound. She cradled the newborn in her left arm, while 10 others carried a portable life support machine, monitors and IV bags. As

they made their way down the nine flights of stairs, step-by-careful-step, one of them was saying, “step, step, step,” to make sure their movements are synchronized. And as a precaution, one nurse walked backward to prevent anyone from falling forward with the infant. As soon as the group reached the ground floor, Menchu sat carefully at the waiting stretcher, delicately holding the baby in her arms and squeezing some of the tubes between her legs to keep

them from falling. She rode with three other babies to other hospitals. Several groups of nurses, doctors and therapists repeated the trip over and over again, until each of the babies had been transported to other area hospitals like Mt. Sinai, St. Luke’s, Cornell and others. 4-hour evacuation It took about four hours — from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. — to finish evacuating all the babies. Menchu man-aged to make a quick call to check how her family was doing as footages of widespread flooding and destruction were beamed on television almost nonstop. Her husband said that everyone was safe, but the entire ground level of their house went under three feet of water. After it was over, hospital officials lauded Continued to page 2

NEW YORK CITY: Filipino American nurse Menchu Sanchez has become the toast of the four million-strong ethnic Fili-pino community in the United States, after she was publicly commended by President Barack Obama for devising a plan to evacuate high-risk ba-bies at the height of Hurricane Sandy.

Sanchez, a registered nurse and transport coordina-tor for the New York University Langone Medical Center’s pediatrics unit, was cited by Obama for being a model for service and helping others “usually without fanfare.” “We should follow the example of a New York City nurse named Menchu Sanchez,” Obama said during his February 12 State of the State of the Union address. “When Hurricane Sandy plunged her hospital into darkness, her thoughts were not with how her own home was faring — they were with the 20 precious newborns in her care and the rescue plan she devised that kept them all safe.” As the television cam-eras zoomed in, Menchu broke into a big smile. First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who flanked the Pinay nurse, were clapping and cheering. “That was for me a profound and moving experience,” Menchu told the Manila Times in an interview. “I am really humbled and deeply honored. It’s hard to put into words how I felt that time.” On that fateful October 29, Sanchez, 56, was working her usual 10-hour night shift when Sandy knocked out power in most of the city. The power outage triggered the hospital’s backup generators to kick in at 6 p.m. But after about two hours, surging floodwater from the East River submerged the generators, plunging the medical center into darkness.

By: Jun Medina, Manila Times & Fil-Am Star

H E A D L I N E N E W S | February 2013 Page 2

heart swelled with pride for Sanchez’ “heroic” work at the height of Sandy. Model nurse “What Menchu Sanchez did to get those infants to safety is simply amazing and heart warming,” said Acosta, a University of Santo Tomas-trained nurse and a former long-time clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric mental health. “She was a model nurse, truly true to the nurse’s credo of putting the interest of the patients ahead of her own, and I’m, really, really proud of her.” Acosta’s husband, Leo, also a veteran registered nurse, currently connected with the Inova Fair-

fax Hospital, observed that nurses are well trained to deal with emer-gency situations, like what happened at the NYU Medical Center. “It’s nice to know that a fellow Filipino like Menchu stepped up to the challenge and she richly deserves credit for it. To be called out by President Obama for a job well done during his speech — that’s pretty cool,” said Acosta, an immigrant from Dinalupihan, Bataan province. Bediens Villarivera,

a Filipino American retired nurse originally from Majayjay, Laguna province, said that the accolade and attention bestowed on Sanchez is a tribute to the health care and nursing profession which, she said, demands so much sacri-fice and dedication from these professionals. “Being a nurse, especially in a hospital environment, is no easy task. Nurses work hard and often for long hours,” Villarivera, a resident of Chantilly, Virginia, said in Filipino. Grace Valera, a former diplomat-turned-migrant advo-cate, said that Menchu’s feat “highlighted the caring, nurturing nature deeply embedded in the Filipino culture.” “That’s why we take pride in the fact that Filipinos are the most sought-after ethnic group in the nursing and health care professions,” said Valera, a co-executive director of the Arlington, Virginia-based Migrant Heritage Commis-sion. “Our nurses not only do their work diligently /well; they are willing to walk the extra mile for their patients.” To this day, Filipinos comprise the biggest number of foreign-trained nurses, who have found their way in thousands hospitals across America, according to a study by Edward Schumacher. Citing data from 1995 to 2008, Schumacher said that 33.5 percent of all nurses hired from abroad were Filipinos, with Canadians a distant sec-ond at 12.6 percent, followed by Indians at 6.3 percent, Jamaicans at 4.1 percent and English at 3.1 percent. The same study showed that Filipino and other foreign-educated nurses could be found in states with bigger populations: California, New York, Florida, Texas and Illinois. Because of the economic slowdown and growing supply of home-grown health professionals, the United States has temporarily stopped hiring Filipino nurses, who remains preferred by American hospitals. The positive publicity generated by Sanchez and others like her assures that Pinoy nurses will always be in great demand in America and in other countries as well.

NURSE MENCHU | From Page 1 Menchu for finding a way to get all the babies to safety. Kimberly Glassman, senior vice president for patient care services, told a nursing publication that it was the Pinay nurse who thought of taking the babies down in a warming pad, cradled in the arms of a single nurse to keep them warm and secure. Recalling those crucial moments of that long night of October 29, Menchu said that she prayed hard that everything would work out well, that all the babies would be safe and sound. “I thank God everything went surprisingly well. I also thank the doctors, therapists, nurses and other hospital workers for their unselfish efforts,” Menchu said. “The teamwork was unbelievable, and I know almost all us worked 24 hours, or more straight that night.” Born and raised in the remote coastal town of Catanauan, Quezon province, Menchu is the middle child and the only girl of a hardwork-ing couple. Her father, Macario de Luna, a schoolteacher, died when Menchu was barely three years old. Her mother, Simona Rea, was left to raise her three children and sent them to college from her income as a dressmaker, which she augmented with the harvest from a small coconut farm she inherited from her parents. Nanay Simona, 83, as the de Luna matriarch is fondly called, now lives with Menchu’s family in Secaucus, New Jersey. She is, of course, justifiably proud that her unica hija has become the face of the tens of thousand hard-working Filipino nurses in America and around the world. Menchu, who as a girl dreamed of studying and working abroad to give material comfort to her mom and siblings, went to grade and high school at the Southern Luzon Academy. She then moved to the big city, taking up pre-nursing at the University of the East. She took her internship at the Mary Chiles Hospital in Sampaloc, Manila and finished her Bachelor of Nursing degree at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Memorial School — named after the late mother of former first lady Imelda Marquez — at the prestigious Makati Medical Center. Soon after finishing her nursing degree, Menchu ap-plied and got a well-paying job as nurse in Saudi Arabia, where she worked nearly 10 years. She met and married her husband, Judith Sevilla Sanchez, a fellow overseas Fili-pino worker from Malabon City, who worked as a medical technologist there. “Don’t ask me how he got his name,” she joked, “All we know is that he was named after the biblical heroine because his father wanted to name all his children after saints and biblical heroes.” The Sanchez couple has two children, both pre-med students: Jude McAnne, 20, a junior biochemistry student at the Seton Hall University in New Jersey; and Michelle Jude, 19, who is enrolled in a biology course of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn-sylvania. Dr. Seggy Acosta, who owns and runs the Stress Center, a stress and pain management clinic with branches in Fredericksburg and Manassas, Virginia, said that her

N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013 Page 3

You'd think Prince Philip would go easy on the politically incorrect jokes when opening a new cardiac centre. After all, it was just over a year ago that the 91-year-old Royal had heart surgery after suffering chest pains. But the outspoken Prince proved he’s incorrigible at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, telling a Filipino nurse: ‘The Philippines must be half-empty – you’re all here running the NHS.’ The Prince made his remark as he opened a £5.5million facility on Tuesday. The nurse seemed to take his joke in good humour and laughed. The 91-year-old royal, who calls himself 'the world's most experienced curtain puller', asked when the hospital would get a helipad to save him a journey by car. He had apparently been keen to visit after undergoing heart surgery himself just over a year ago.

'Your country must be half empty, you're all here running the NHS!' What Prince Philip jokingly told Filipino nurse

By: Rebecca English and Sara Malm A reprint from: UK Mail Online

• Philip was visiting Luton and Dunstable

• University Hospital, Bedfordshire

• He made hospital worker from the Philippines laugh with his comment

• Hospital says: 'Staff greatly enjoyed the oppor-tunity to meet the Duke.'

As he visited the new cardiac centre, the Duke was presented with a gold plated coronary arterial stent - similar to the one used during his own surgery. ‘Ah - a spare, just in case!, ’ the smiling Duke quipped, before attempting to perform the procedure himself using the equipment on the new wing. Buckingham Palace said last night that it would not comment on a

'private conversation'. Royal sources insisted, however, that the prince would never intend to cause offence and liked to make the odd joke 'to put people at ease'. ”It was a very jovial visit, with lots of laugh-ing all round. The Duke was on very good form,' they said. The hospital spokesperson added: 'Staff greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet the Duke of Edinburgh. We regard all conversations he had with our staff and guests as private and therefore would not comment on them. Viewed by some as 'refreshingly open' but by others as somewhat politically incorrect, Prince Philip has always possessed a propensity to shock. The latest figures suggest that 16,184 of the 670,000 nurses in the UK are from the Philippines – which has a population of 94.8 million.

Royal quip: The Duke of Edinburgh told this Filipino nurse at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital her country must be 'half empty', because so many of her compatriots have come to the UK to work for the NHS. (Mail Online News Photo)

Are there any of you left? The 91-year-old joked with the Filipino nurse and her colleagues during a visit to Luton and Dunstable Hospital to open a new cardiac centre earlier this month. (Mail Online News Photo)

those things. We have nice things, too many things, in America, but we take on an incredible debt to get them, and the debt is lifelong. America’s economy is based on debt. Very rarely is a house, car, nice piece of clothing, electronic appliance, and often even food, paid for. We get them with credit, and this debt will take all of our lifetime to pay. That burden is true for anyone in America — the OFWs, those who are married to Americans, and the Americans them-selves. Most of us allow the American Dream to become the American Trap. Some of you who go there make it back home, but you give up most of your lives before you do. Some of you who go there learn the very bad American habits of wanting too many things in your hands, and the result is that you live only to work, instead of working only to live. The things we own actually own us. That is the great mistake we Americans make in our lives. We live only to work, and we work only to buy more things that we don’t need. We lose our lives in the process. I have sometimes tried to explain it like this: In America, our hands are full, but our hearts are empty. You have many problems here, I understand that. Americans worry about having new cars, Filipinos worry about having enough food to eat. That’s an enormous difference. But do not envy us, because we should learn something from you. What I see is that even when your hands are empty, your hearts remain full. I have many privileges in the countries where I work, because I am an expat. I do not deserve these things, but I have them. However, in every country I visit, I see that you

are there also, taking care of your families, friends, bosses, and co-workers first, and yourselves last. And you have always taken care of me, in this country and in every other place where I have been. These are places where I have been very alone, very tired, very hungry, and very worried, but there have always been Filipinos in my offices, in the shops, in the restaurants, in the hospitals, everywhere, who smile at and take

good care of me. I always try to let you know that I have lived and traveled in the Philippines and how much I like your country. I know that behind those smiles of yours, here and abroad, are many worries and problems. Please know that at least one of us expats has seen what you do for others and understands that you have a story behind your smiles. Know that at least one of us admires you, respects you, and thanks you for your sacrifices. Salamat po. Ingat lagi. Mahal ko kayong lahat.

David H. Harwell, PhD, is a former professor and assistant dean in the United States who now travels and works abroad designing language training programs. He is a published author and a son of a retired news editor.

Page 4 N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013

Love Letter to Filipinos

I am writing to thank Filipinos for the way you have treated me here, and to pass on a lesson I learned from observing the differences between your culture and mine over the years. I am an expatriate worker. I refer to myself as an OAW, an overseas American worker, as a bad joke. The work I do involves a lot of traveling and changing locations, and I do it alone, without family. I have been in 21 countries now, not including my own. It was fun at first. Now, many years later, I am getting tired. The Philippines remains my favorite country of all, though, and I’d like to tell you why before I have to go away again. I have lived for short periods here, traveled here, and have family and friends here. My own family of origin in the United States is like that of many Americans—not much of a family. Americans do not stay very close to their families, geographi-cally or emotionally, and that is a major mistake. I have long been looking for a home and a family, and the Philippines is the only place I have lived where people honestly seem to under-stand how important their families are. I am American and hard-headed. I am a teacher, but it takes me a long time to learn some things. But I’ve been trying, and your culture has been patient in trying to teach me. In the countries where I’ve lived and worked, all over the Middle East and Asia, it is Filipinos who do all the work and make everything happen. When I am working in a new company abroad, I seek out the Filipino staff when I need help getting something done, and done right. Your international reputa-tion as employees is that you work hard, don’t complain, and are very capable. If all the Filipi-nos were to go home from the Middle East, the world would stop. Oil is the lifeblood of the world, but without Filipinos, the oil will not come from the ground, it will not be loaded onto the ships, and the ships will not sail. The offices that make the deals and collect the payments will not even open in the morning. The schools will not have teachers, and, of course, the hospitals will have no staff. What I have seen, that many of you have not seen, is how your family members, the ones who are overseas Filipino work-ers, do not tell you much about how hard their lives actually are. OFWs are very often mistreated in other countries, at work and in their personal lives. You probably have not heard much about how they do all the work but are severely underpaid, because they know that the money they are earning must be sent home to you, who depend on them. The OFWs are very strong people, perhaps the strongest I have ever seen. They have their pictures taken in front of nice shops and locations to post on Facebook so that you won’t worry about them. But every Pinoy I have ever met abroad misses his/her family very, very much. I often pity those of you who go to America. You see pictures of their houses and cars, but not what it took to get

By: David H. Harwell A reprint from the Philippine Daily Inquirer

A Reuters Photo: www.pinoy.com

TALLAHASSEE (Florida) – The state’s largest organization representing registered nurses today condemned legislation that forces nurses with doctorate degrees to explain to patients and the public that they are "not medical doctors" or face felony charges. SB 612 would require nurses who have at-tained their doctoral degrees and use the title of "Doctor" to state, in advertising or rendering care, that they are not medical doctors or osteopathic physicians. "Offenders" could face criminal charges of a third-degree felony, which is the same punishment for certain burglaries, neglect of an elderly or dis-abled adult, and animal cruelty resulting in death. "At best, this bill is sophomoric and serves to distract legislators from important discussions about the future of Florida’s health care,’’ said Dr. Mavra Kear, Ph.D., ARNP, President of the Florida Nurses Association, who is neither a medical doctor nor an osteopathic physician. The legislation comes as lawmakers wrestle with

N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013 Page 5

"Doctor" Title Bill Opposed by State’s Largest "Nursing Organization Legislation is "sophomoric," distracts from key health care decisions at Capitol

Tallahassee State Capitol A Flickr Photo

statewide implementation of the Patient Protection and Afford-able Care Act, the expansion of Medicaid to more Floridians and the development of online insurance marketplaces – all of which will drive up the demand for primary care services. "There is a demonstrated physician shortage in Florida, and nurse practitioners have the education and experience to step in and help their physician partners provide basic health care services,’’ said FNA Executive Director, Willa Fuller, RN, who is seeking her doctorate but is neither a medical doctor nor an osteopathic physician. "Instead, certain physicians choose to focus their energy on a problem that simply doesn’t exist." State law already makes it a crime for individuals who lead the public to believe that one is a medical doctor or engaged in the licensed practice of medicine without holding a valid, active license. The penalty for this offense, however, is only a first-degree misdemeanor. All health care practitioners face disciplinary hearings from their professional board at the Department of Health if they fail to identify themselves to the patient -- orally or in writing, such as a name badge -- by the type of license the practitioner has. SB 612 is sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). The House version is expected to be filed by Rep. Heather Fitzenha-gen (R-Fort Myers).

For more information, contact Jeanie Demshar 407-896-3261 jdemshar@floridanurse.org

Inside PNAA Legislative Corner Submitted by: PNAA Legislative Committee 2012-2014 on February 20, 2013 CHAIR: Dr Germina E. Risos-Rio, PNA Northeast Florida, South Central Region MEMBERS: Dr. Marife C. Aczon-Armstrong PNA Hawaii, Western Region Linda Gonzales PNA Ohio, North Central Region Nelson Tuazon, PNA San Antonio, Texas, South Central Region Marissa Usman, PNA MDC,

Inside PNAA Staff

Madelyn Yu Editor in Chief

Ferdinand Luyun Associate Editor

Ruby Godier Contributing Editor

Mel Carillo Contributing Editor

Greetings . . . . From all of us at

Inside PNAA Online Magazine

By: Dr. Edmund Pajarillo, JNPARR Editor The first issue of the PNAA Journal of Nursing Practice Applications & Reviews of Research (JNPARR) has been typeset and will be going through its final proofreading prior to printing and circulation. The target date for members to receive their copies by mail will be on or about March 15, 2013. Thank you so much to all who shared in one way or another (soliciting or submitting manuscripts, peer-reviewing, editing or proofing, or participat-ing in the Close-up section). Every little or major contribution was important to get this issue off the press. Again, thank you so much to you for making this possible. We are now working towards the second issue, the theme being “Nursing & Healthcare Strategies for Self-Care Management & Empowerment.” Attached is the Call for Manuscripts with the sub-mission deadline of March 1, 2013. There is also a Call for Participation in the Close-up section that is at-tached, asking nurses to write in their comments to the question, “what self-care management strategies and interventions do you encourage your patients to be involved in, and what is their general response to these?” Please note that the email address for inquiries and submissions has changed to jnparr2013@gmail.com. As a reminder to all, I am including below the following mechanism to help us obtain quality, relevant and timely manuscripts for every issue of the JNPARR. (1) each Regional Vice-President will help solicit at least two (2) articles per issue from their respective regions and chapters; (2) members of the JPNAA Advisory Council will be requested to solicit one (1) article per issue; (3) the PNAA Executive Board will also be asked to assist in seeking out one (1) article per issue.

(4) the PNAA Research Committee will help with one (1) article per issue; (5) the PNAA Advanced Practice Committee will assist with obtaining one (1) manuscript per issue; (6) appointed members of the Editorial Board will assist with three (3) articles per issue; and, (7) members of the Editorial Staff will assist with obtaining one (1) article per issue.

Also, you can help by distributing the “call” flyers or email these to anyone you know who might potentially be able to submit a manuscript or two. Encourage those you know who might need to publish, such as the following: (1) those considering pursuing a DNP or PhD degree (publications are required by most schools as part of their application package to demonstrate their scholarship or writing abilities);

(2) those building their professional careers (publications provide an glimpse into one’s professional ca-pability); and, (3) those who need to publish their professional work (faculty, those required as part of their grantsmanship, administrators, and managers as part of their career ladder program or performance evaluation, etc.). Please speak to prospective authors individually to encourage them to submit manuscripts. Your PERSONAL approach to them speaks a lot of our intent to help them with their publication goals. Follow-up is also critical. If you need help with answering some of their concerns, please have them email us directly at jnparr2013@gmail.com. Thank you very much for all your support and help in this process. We look forward to the completion of the first issue, your assistance in soliciting manuscripts, and the preparation of the second issue. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us.

N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013 Page 6

Call for Manuscripts and Participation to 2nd Issue of JNPARR

Ghie Alagano Contributing Editor

N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013

Empowering the Oncology Nurse

Page 7

at the Pan Pacific Hotel in the Malate district of Manila, was to provide nurses with clinical and related information that will position them as necessary and integral contribu-tors in providing competent and humane care to oncology patients. The two-day session allowed nurses to update and network with one another to discuss, share and ex-pand their resources as they navigate through the many challenges facing them in their daily practice. Mary Magee Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN®, FAAN, President of the Oncology Nursing Society (USA) and Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia was the Keynote Speaker for the event, which also marked the 20th year anniversary of the PONA. Course faculty included Ayda Nambayan, DSN, RN 2012 recipient of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Pearl Moore Interna-tional Award for Contributions to Cancer Care and currently a Consultant for Advanced Education and Professional Training and Director of Nursing Education and Research at The Cancer Center, Makati Medical Center and Marlon Garzo Saria, MSN, RN, AOCNS. Also in attendance were Antonio H. Villalon, MD, FPCP, FPSMO,

FACP, known as the Father of Medical Oncology in the Philippines and one of the founders of PONA; Gracieux Fernando, MD, MHPEd; Renato De Villa, PhD; and Car-mencita Abaquin, RN, MN, PhD, founding President of PONA and current Chair of the Board of Nursing in the Philippines. Continued to next page >

“The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.” ~William Osler, MD (1849-1919). In a span of just 2 weeks, three major educational programs designed for oncology nurses were held around the capital city of Manila in the Philippines. All the three conferences brought together not only oncology nurses from different institutions, functional areas or specializa-tions (outpatient/inpatient, clinical/academic, medical oncology/radiation oncology, administrative/education/direct patient care) but included physician champions and healthcare administrators as well. Participants to these events have witnessed first-hand what is now increasingly reported in the healthcare literature- that health care delivered by nurses, physicians, and other health professionals working together in teams not only improves quality, but also leads to better patient outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, improved efficiency, and increased job satisfaction on the part of the health professionals (The Macy Report, 2010). Collaborative and Evidence-Based Nursing Approach Towards Comprehensive Cancer Care: Philippine Oncology Nursing Association, Inc. (PONA) 20th Annual Convention

Advances in the science of oncology brought about many challenges not only to the health care providers caring for the patients, but to the patients and their families as well. Being the pivotal professional, the nurse is in a critical position to orchestrate a multidisciplinary care to opti-mally meet the needs of the patients and their families. The aim of the convention, held on January 17-18, 2013

By: Marlon Saria

The annual convention of the PSNO was held from January 25-27, 2013 at the historic Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. The participants were mostly neurologists and neurosurgeons as neuro-oncology is a relatively new subspecialty in the Philippines. Speakers included Caterina Giannini, MD, PhD from Mayo Clinic; Stuart Grossman, MD from Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center; David Reardon, MD from Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Sith Saturnsumethee, MD

N A T I O N A L N E W S | February 2013 Page 8

Quality of Life in Neuro-Oncology: Philippine Society for Neuro-Oncology (PSNO) Annual Convention

from Bangkok Hospital. Local speakers included Dr. Julette Marie Batara, Dr. Manuel Mariano, and Dr. Roy Torcuator. Marlon Garzo Saria was the only non-physician speaker who was invited to facilitate a Quality of Life workshop that was attended by the nursing staff from the Cancer In-stitute (CI) of the Philippine General Hospital. With the support of the CI Director, Dr. Jose M. Ignacio who was in attendance, CI nurses will start developing evidence-based

St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) will be the first medical institution in the Philippines to be staffed by ONS Chemo-therapy and Biotherapy providers after 30 nurses attended the 2-day course on January 27-28, 2013. This course pro-vides nurses with a comprehensive overview of chemotherapy and biotherapy and includes information on newly ap-proved drugs (available at the time of publication) to keep nurses apprised of the latest developments in drug therapy. Participants received 13.5 contact hours of continuing nursing education upon completion of the course which would qual-ify them for initial oncology nursing certification through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. Charity Viado-Gorospe, MD, Director of the Cancer Institute at SLMC Global City welcomed the participants to the course and encour-aged the nursing staff to take a leadership role in improving the care and management of cancer patients through evi-dence-based nursing practice and to pursue research and evidence-based projects in oncology nursing.

Oncology Nursing Society’s 2-Day Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course

DATELINE BACOLOD:

PNAAF (FOUNDATION) | February 2013

PNAAF: Promoting Health Care Quality Through Leadership and Global Linkages By: Annie A. Vista, RN, MS, PhD PNAAF Executive Director

The 2nd Inter-national Collabo-rative Conference sponsored by the Philippine Nurses Association of America Founda-tion (PNAAF) and the Central Philip-pine Adventist College (CPAC) School of Nursing was held on Febru-ary 6-8, 2013 at L’Fisher Hotel, Ba-colod City, Philip-pines. The theme was “Promoting Health Care Quality through Leadership and Global Link-ages.” The success-ful conference at-tracted over four hundred (400) registrants. The PNAAF delegation was led by President Ernie Rosas, BSN, RN, PNAAF Conference Chair Araceli D. An-tonio, MS, RN, Immediate Past President and Advisor, Pete-Reuben Calixto, BSN, CNN, RN, PNAAF Education Chair, and PNAAF Board of Trustee Ted Ray Llasos, Conference Co-Chair, who collaborated diligently with the Philippine team. The Philippine Collaborative Conference team chaired by Joebenie L. De Villa, RN, MSN, PhD, Dean, CPAC School of Nursing included Dean Helen Correa of West Negros University, Dean Jocelyn May Flor Cadena of University of St. La Salle, Dean Maria Corazon Famil-laran of Riverside College, and Dr. Chris Sorongon of RGO. The educational conference was initiated by Lily Ann Baldago, Director of PRC, Region VI and Dr. Leda Danao, PNAAF Trustee. The first day started with an early ABS-CBN studio interview of PNAAF President Ernie Rosas regarding the 3-day International Conference. The event had a grand and awe-inspiring entrance of colors by the UNO-R ROTC followed by a profound Doxology and a special rendition of the Philippine National Anthem by the CPAC Chorale. An inspiring welcome address was delivered by Noel C. Cadete, RN, MAN, National President of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA). PNAAF President Ernie Rosas,

Page 9

Araceli D. Antonio, and Pete Ruben Calixto warmly welcomed the at-tendees. Governor Alfredo G. Ma-ranon delivered his warmest greetings to everyone and congratulated the organizers for a successful confer-ence. He was proud to inform us of the inauguration of the first Blood Bank Center in Negros. Mayor Ev-elio R. Leonardia of Bacolod City welcomed all par-ticipants and visi-tors to the “City of

Smiles” and wished everyone to emerge enriched and en-ergized from the conference. Dr. Joebenie De Villa capped the welcome addresses with emphasis on the theme as a global call for improvement of health care quality through leadership and professional development in building our capacity to do researches as evidence- based nursing practice. The keynote speaker on “Health Issues In Bacolod and Visayas” was Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, MD, MPH, CESO II, repre-senting Dr. Enrique T. Ona, Secretary of the Department of Health. She focused on “the Universal Health Care: the Phil-ippine Dream.” “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP)” has per-formance targets that began in 2012 and will achieve their goals by 2016. Projected outcomes are to improve overall health of Filipinos, reduce out of pocket expenses, and im-prove client satisfaction and responsiveness of the health system. Rosario Estrada, DNP, RN, BC, CPN presented a “Case Study of the Implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) in the Pre-Admission Testing and Same Day Surgery Units in Central New Jersey. She concluded that overall, nurses preferred the EHR to paper record. The next speaker was Evelyn Andamo, BS, OT, MPA, who presented “Adult Day Healthcare Center- Community Based Services.” She discussed the different activities and services offered by the community To next page

Page 10 2nd Internat ional Col laborat ive Conference | February 2013

2nd Collaborative Conference (Continued)

Neem tree, papaya, guava, and other Philippine foods. She amazed everyone with the healing ef-

fects of Neem to wound and skin problems. On the second day, the session was opened with a “Recap of the first day sessions” by Dr. Chris C. Sorongon, RN, MAN. The first speaker was Dr. Eufemia F. Octaviano, RN, MAN, Past Chairman, Board of Nursing, Professional Regulation Commission. She discussed openly and honestly the complex issues affecting the nurses in the Philippines. She stated that more than eighty (80) schools of nursing closed as of 2012 due to decrease in nursing enrollment. Other problems include massive unemployment, low salaries, the oversupply but understaffed health institutions, the non-paid volunteers who pay the facilities instead of getting paid, and other numerous challenges. The next speaker was Sarla Duller, MN, NP, RN who spoke on “Hypertension Education Program: A Success Story.” She shared a study of a limited sample, of which the outcomes were very encouraging. The evidence showed that the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure read-ings after educational interventions, using the paired t-tests

based centers for adults. Our PNAAF speaker, Merlita Velasquez, BSN, RN de-livered a very interesting and thought provoking topic “What Color Best Suits You? Communicating through your Color and Personality Styles.” She presented a lively discussion of the significance of the colors: Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Our PNAAF Con-ference Chair Araceli D. Antonio, MS, RN presented “Continuing Care Retirement Com-munity- A Housing Al-ternative for Older Adults.” In-depth infor-mation on Continuing Care Retirement Community services, levels of care, care providers, costs, and clientele were discussed. Our Education Chair Pete Calixto, BSN, CNN, RN lec-tured on “Leaders Build Winning Teams.” He offered an

interact tive way of how to build winning leaders by asking the participants the qualities of a good leader. The next speaker was Ted Ray Llasos, MAN, RN on “Creative Leadership in Nursing: Professional Develop-ment From Novice to Expert.” He gave examples of the leadership skills required to develop a new professional nurse into an expert. The last speaker of the first day was Luzviminda T. Llasos, PhD, MSN, RN. She presented a very informative topic highlighting the vegetables, fruits, and trees com-monly found in the Philippines. The title was “Pharmacy in Nature: Alternative Treatment in the Promotion of Health.” She discussed the pharmacologic effects of kangkong, kamote, malunggay, saluyot, mango, avocado, ampalaya,

With beautiful Maskara Entertainers.

Color Guard from a local military academy.

With representatives of the Philippine Dept. of Health (DOH).

With Bacolod City’s Mayor

Cherina Tinio, MSN, CNS, RN discussed “Behavioral Management of Patient with Alzheimers’ Dementia.” She provided information on the different stages of Dementia, triggers, and management through evidence-based lit-erature. She shared real stories and actual experience in dealing with the progressive disease. She discussed non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for the disease. Pete Calixto presented another interesting topic,

“Simultaneous Kidney and

Pancreas Transplantation: An-swer to Diabetic Nephropa-thy?” He mentioned the long waiting list for transplanta-tion in the United States. Joseph Mojares, BSN, RN lectured on “Therapeutic Communication.” He emphasized the importance of the basic princi-ples of communication and the essential conditions for a therapeutic relationship. Martha Cabarios, BSN, RN discussed the Capacity Building Project that PNA of Michigan participated in and concluded with the out-comes learned. I was the last presenter of the day and my topic was “Management of Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Evidence-Based Practice.” The power point slides were prepared by Remedios Solarte, past President of PNAA. I defined evidence-based practice, discussed its similarities with the nursing process, its ad-vantages, team approach, initial and follow-up care of DM, screening and evaluation, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists guidelines compared with Ameri-can Diabetic Association guidelines, lowering LDL-C, rais-ing HDL-C, lowering triglycerides, relationship between

Page 11 2nd Internat ional Col laborat ive Conference | February 2013

2nd Collaborative Conference (Continued)

Hemoglobin A1C and blood sugar, nutri-tion, pharmacologic management, physi-cal activity, and the Research-Practice

Connection. The closing keynote speaker was Dr. Melvin Ibanez, Member, Prov-ince of Negros Occi-dental, and Chairman, Committee on Health who gave an inspiring and powerful message about the collaborative conference. An open forum was held at the end of the day with participants asking questions to speakers: “What advice can PNAAF give to help the unemployed RNs in the Philippines?”; and “How can PNAAF help

the students keep up with EHR when they lack the tools to translate technology theory to practice?” Several questions were directed to Dr. Octaviano regarding multiple com-plex nursing issues. To next page

With Conference participants. Maskara Parade starting

The Governor Speaking

This mansion used to belong to a wealthy sugar magnate.

With Conference Speakers

Gala Entertainers

The closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Ledado A. Ang, MBA, President, CPAC and Araceli D. Antonio. An un-forgettable closing prayer song was performed by the CPAC Chorale followed by the Exit of Colors by UNO-R ROTC. The Master of Ceremony, Cyrus L. Alcala, RN, MAN kept the conference lively, interesting, interactive, and en-tertaining with his skillful, colorful, professional, and unique qualities. The highlight of the second day was an evening to re-member: Community and Nurses Night. CPAC School of Nursing was well represented. We were treated to a Fes-tival of Dances with their exotic, bright, and colorful out-fits. Plaques for deserving individuals were awarded by Araceli Antonio and a message of gratitude was deliv-ered by Dr. Joebenie De Villa. The third day was devoted to Educational Field Trips to: Riverside Medical Center, where we learned that most of the services offered in the United States are also of-fered in this facility; CPAC and the different courses it of-fers and the marked decline in nursing enrollment; Mam-bucal Resort featuring the “Sulfur Spring” believed to have therapeutic effect; and “The Ruins” with an interest-ing history and its beautifully landscaped gardens. The comments made by the participants included: “It is a professionally informative collaborative conference.”; “I learned a lot!”; “It was well-worth it.”; “I enjoyed the in-teractive sessions.”; “You kept us alert and informed with your lively presentation and the gifts of money!”; “Thank you for a wonderful and educational conference.”; “It was

Page 12 2nd Internat ional Col laborat ive Conference | February 2013

2nd Collaborative Conference (Continued)

overwhelming with many topics but you kept it motivating and highly organized.”; and “We want you to continue with this high quality conference.” There were many more uplift-ing, encouraging, and remarkable comments and invitations to host future conferences.

PNAAF Pres. Ernie Rosas with Speakers. Gala Entertainers

PNAAF Exec. Dir. Annie Vista with Gala Entertainers

A grand view of the Session Hall

With Emcee Cyrus Alcala Welcome Address PNAAF Speaker Octaviano

2nd Collaborative Conference Photos

Page 13 2nd Internat ional Col laborat ive Conference | February 2013

Tour of Riverside Hospital ICU Tour of Riverside Outpatient Services Unit

Early Registrants Singing the National Anthem

PNAAF Pres. Ernie Rosas with students PNAAF Pres. Ernie Rosas with Speakers

CentrL Philippine Adventist Choir Awarding Plaques to the Speakers

Page 14 Western Region | Southern Cal i fornia | February 2013

EDITORIAL STAFF COMMENT To all our Colleagues in PNAA: Please be informed that we, the Editorial Staff, publish articles in our Inside PNAA newsletter accordingly as we receive them from chapters of the different PNAA Regions. If you want articles about your region/chapter activities published, we would be able to accommodate them only if you send them on time. Inside PNAA news is published bi-monthly on the 15th and 30th of every month, Submission deadline is 3 days prior to publication. Please send your articles to: Madelyn Yu (Chair) @ pnaapublicrelations@gmail.com Ferdinand Luyun @ ferdinand.luyun@ ya-hoo.com Ruby Godier at weldra71@msn.com Mel Carillo at mel.carillo@gmail.com Ghie Alagano valagano@yahoo.com THANK YOU

PNASC’s Time To Shine at ACNL By: Mindy C. Ofiana, MSN, RN

It's always exciting when the Who's Who of Nursing Leaders converge at the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Annual Conference, this year held in beautiful San Diego, CA Feb 11-13, 2013. The confer-ence theme was Courage to Lead: Igniting Our Passion. Mindy C. Ofiana, PNASC President and Glenda Totten, PNASC Assistant Treasurer contributed their passion for excellence in clinical care by showcasing two poster pres-entations. The purpose of Pain Reassessment poster was to de-sign and monitor a more rigorous process for tracking pain reassessment Nursing Documentation at Kaiser Per-manente - Los Angeles Medical Center. To devise a sys-tem for centralizing the Pain Reassessment process. The second poster was titled, Are Prealbumin Screening and Nutrition Consult on Admission the Answer to HAPU Pre-vention?

One of the high points of the conference was the Rec-ognition Luncheon where individuals and professional or-ganizations such as PNASC were recognized by the foun-ders of Bare Root/Flowers 4 the Float campaign as they re-ceived their recognition by ACNL. "The heart of the matter" was that the Flowers 4 the Float campaign united nurses from all over the state of California to allow us to showcase before an international audience all that nurses are and do for the well being of the patient, family and community. The participants in the ballroom were moved to tears with pride for the profession of nursing. The President of the Rose Pa-rade, Sally Bixby, stated that of all the standing ovations she's received, this one meant the most. . . to be honored by nurses was the most meaningful of all. It was a proud mo-ment for all.

Page 15 E A S T E R N R E G I O N | PNA-NJ | February 2013

PNANJ Academicians at 2013 NJNS Convention Three of PNANJ’s prominent academicians were present-ers at the NJNS Annual Convention held on February 14 & 15 at the Atlantic City’s Bally’s Grand Casino. This year’s theme: The Kings & Queens of Heart: Ace Your Career in Nursing. New Jersey Nursing Students, Inc. (NJNS) is a pre-professional organization representing the nursing students of New Jersey whose goal is to help mold the future professionals of nurs-ing by aiding in the transition from student nurse to profes-sional nurse. Their annual convention is one of the largest state conventions where students have the opportunity to network with other nursing students, hospital recruiters, current nurses and the like. Presently, NJNS has close to 1,000 student mem-bers who are already taking advantage of the many pro-grams, services, product discounts, and leadership opportuni-ties that the organization has to offer. Presently, two Filipino American nursing students are active and outstanding leaders in this organization. Mark Polon serves as the 2012-2013 NJNS Treasurer while Ilese Kelly Serrano is the Public Relations Director and Pulsebeat Editor. Both are seniors from Caldwell College, NJ. In a few months, they will be RNs and have expressed their intent to be active PNANJ members and future nurse leaders.

Another Filipino American nursing student will take Kelly’s role in 2013-2014. Aldreen Venson, a senior nursing student from Essex County College (ECC), Newark, NJ was recently elected during this convention as the new Public Relations Di-rector and Pulsebeat Editor. 2 other ECC students were also elected to the office of secretary-Mary Rhodes (center) and Fundraising Director-Yulieth Hernandez (left). PNANJ Presi-dent Majuvy Sulse MSN, RN, CCRN, a Faculty and Nursing Stu-dent Advisor of ECC has been instrumental in students’ partici-pation at NJNS conventions for the past two years in a row. Leo Felix Jurado, PhDc, RN, NE-BC, APN, CNE is a faculty of The Department of Nursing, William Paterson University. He talked on Prostate & Testicular Cancer Prevention. Reported as the most common type of cancer in men, it generally is not talked about by the affected population unlike breast cancer in women. The educational program aimed to increase aware-ness of these two types of cancer. Highlights of this presenta-tion included discussion of risk factors, treatments and pro-vided practical strategies in the prevention of the disease. Rosario P. Estrada, DNP, RN, BC, CPN, is Track Coordina-tor of Nursing Informatics MSN Program of UMDNJ. She pre-sented “Kings and Queens of Hearts: Ace your Career in Nurs-ing Informatics”. Her presentation provided an overview of concepts in nursing informatics and its implications in nursing

practice, education and research. Furthermore, it briefly explored how this specialty supports con-sumers, patients, nurses and healthcare providers in their deci-sion making skills in all roles and setting as well as challenges of in-formation technology in the 21st century. ECC students with Dr. Estrada PIC Barbara Chamberlain PhD, APN, MBA, CCRN, WCC, a PNANJ Honorary member, is the

Parliamentarian of the NJNS organization. She was also a presenter at this convention with her topic on “ Caring for the LGBT Q Population”.

The educational program explored the history of the LGBT movement, discussed barriers in the care of Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexuals , Transgendered & queer popualations. Dr. Chamberlain (left) looks on as Dr. Eileen Zungolo, Ed.D, RN, FAAN, CNE ANEF delivers the keynote addrress on Curriculum Changes to meet Community Involvement need.

Students from William Patterson University

ECC students with Dr. Estrada

E A S T E R N R E G I O N | PNA-NJ | February 2013

PNANJ Ocean County Subchapter Valentine's Party and Recognition By: Arbie Ramos After a state calamity with Hurricane Sandy hitting Jersey Shore and most recently Blizzard “Nemo”, PNANJ Inc. Ocean County Subchapter rose against all odds. On Feb 9, 2013, PNANJ Inc. Ocean County Subchapter Executive Board led by Maribeth Tecson RN, BSN, celebrated a Valentine's party with the theme: “A Night of Hope, Love and Sharing” held at Clarion Hotel, Toms River, NJ. There were over 130 guests from different local health organizations which represent the strong camaraderie in the community all coming to-gether. An inspirational talk from Karen Ahearn RN, MPA, NEA-BC, Vice President/ Chief Nursing Officer of Community Medical Center opened the event and most certainly captured the hearts and minds of many giving hope, and courage to stand strong amidst adversities. The highlight of the event was recognizing 7 out-standing PNANJ Inc. Ocean County Subchapter members for their distinguished accomplishments and service in the community. These are: Beth Campos, RN, MSN, Item writer for the Na-tional Council of State Board of Nursing and Pearson View Susan Castor, RN, MSN, CCRN,CRRN, NE-BC, North-east Co- Regional CNO, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital Arnold Deluna, RN, MSN, BC, Director of Patient Care, Orthopedics Department, Community Medical Center Alecia Fereno, RN, MSN, CDON, Director of Nursing, Rose Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Board of Education Member, NJADONA Cecile Gayanilo, RN, MSN, RNC, Director of Patient Care, Neurology Department, Community Medical Cen-ter Maria Lapid, MEd, RN, LNH, President and CEO, Pine-lands School of Nursing and Allied Services, Inc. Owner and CEO of Green Acres Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Berkeley Meadows Care Center; Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living Marley Nicolas RN, MSN, Administrative Director of Medical/Surgical, Outpatient Infusion, Hemodialysis Services, and Organ Donation Liaison, Community Medical Center These outstanding people are truly an inspiration and role models of the community. We salute you! PNANJ, Inc. was represented by Majuvy Sulse, MSN, RN CCRN, President, and Fe Eguaras,BSN, RN, Board of

Page 16

Director. The night was filled with lots of fun, laughter, pic-tures, and dance but most impor-

tantly it was full of hope, love, and sharing.

Page 17 Execut ive Board | February 2013

Executive Board 2012-2014

March 19-20, 2013 — The 10th Annual National Conference Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association Theme: “Global Health: Nursing in the Future- Research, Education, and Practice” Venue will be: Hale Koa Hotel, 2055 Kalia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 Deadline for abstract submission: November 1st (Thursday) 2012, 5 p.m. (EST) More info, contact: Merle R. Kataoka-Yahiro, Dr.P.H., MS, APRN, Associate Professor, AACN Leader-ship for Academic Nursing Program Fellow, Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Secretary (2010-2012) University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, 2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster 409, Honolulu, HI 96822 Ph: 808 956-5329 | Fax: 808 956-3257 Cell: 808 349-8309 | Email: merle@hawaii.edu

U P D A T E S | February 2013 Page 18

Announcements / Updates

Please save the date: March 2, 2013. We’ll be delighted if you can grace our event with your presence.

By: Leo Felix-Jurado, PNAA Parliamentarian. Would you like to be more efficient in conducting your local chapter meetings? Or would you just like to learn the Robert’s Rules of Order so you can participate more effec-tively during your meetings? This mentorship is offered to any chapter officer or any PNAA officer. This mentorship will be done virtually or telephonically on agreed times and frequency based on the need of the mentee. It will start on March15th until July 31st, 2013 and another session will commence on August 1st to December 31st, 2013. Future mentorship may be planned in 2014 de-pending on the demand. Interested officers must email the PNAA Parliamentarian at pnaapresleojurado@yahoo.com by February 25, 2013. The Parliamentarian will inform the applicants of seat availability by February 28, 2013.

Would you like to be more efficient in conducting your local chapter meetings?

Our mission is to advocate for our seniors' healthcare interests and their retirement opportunities in homeland. We are sending a delegation headed by our chair Ms. Daisy Tucay RN (Ret.), treasurer Emma Dela Rosa RN (Ret.), adviser Dr. Bambi Lorica, businessman Luis Florendo, D.C. area leaders and me to partici-pate in the February 25-27 2nd Global Filipino Summit hosted by the PH Presidential Commission on Overseas and partners in Makati PH. See http://www.cfo.gov.ph/ During the summit, we will be promoting and expanding our partnerships with PH Dep. of Health, Dept.of Tourism, PH Retirement Authority, The Medical City, St. Lukes, Makati Medical, Cebu's Chong Hua, Global Health Network, Retirement & Healthcare Coalition and key stakeholders there with our U.S.-based leaders. At the conference at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati, several cabinet members are scheduled to speak before us: DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario, Tourism Sec. Jimenez, Heath Sec. Enrique Ona and US Ambassador Harry Thomas. Our leaders from the United States from the PH Nurses Assn. of America, US Pinoys for Good Governance, PH Assn. of Retirement Counselors, United Physicians International and others will be visible. We will present a progress report on Medicare Portability campaign during a workshop attended by stakeholders. Stay tuned! Salamat po for your kind support! Eric Lachica, Organizer | 202-246-1998 http://www.usmedicareph.org/

Update: USMedicarePH

Sept. 2011 Global Filipino Conference with Dr. Alran Bengzon, CEO of the Medical City hospital.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S | February 2013 Page 19

A N N O U N C E M E N T S | February 2013 Page 20

Objectives At the completion of the four hour presentation, the partici-pants will be able to: 1. Discuss major factors that contribute to patient and ventilator dyssynchrony (PVD). 2. Describe potential outcomes of ventilator dyssyn-chrony. 3. Discuss processes that will optimize transition from hospital to home. 4. Identify barriers and facilitators to implementing care transition for older adults, families, and care givers. 5. Explain the manifestations, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). 6. Describe the potential health risks of polypharmacy in elderly people in the nursing homes. Registration Fees Member $40.00 Non-Member $50.00 Student Nurse $25.00 Coler-Goldwater Nurses Free (Work ID Required upon registration). RSVP by: March 8, 2013 Send completed registration form with check payable to PNA-NY, Inc. and mail to: PNA-NY, Inc. PO BOX 727 Madison Square Station New York 10159-0727 For questions please contact: Vernie Bacolot (201) 681-8987 vbacolot@optonline.net Marie Ortaliz (212) 247-2401 mortaliz@optonline.net Warly Remegio (201)-242-6433 warlyremegio@yahoo.com

The program will provide content relevant to the improve-ment of nursing practice in the care of patients needing transfer from assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals. Best practices in eliminating barriers to effective delivery of information and treatment management will be addressed. Multidisciplinary approach to care encompassing pain management, patient and family support of chronic illness and end-of-life care will be discussed. Im-provement in patient care will be achieved through a thor-ough understanding of ventilator dyssynchrony, safe-guarding patients from the adverse effects of polyphar-macy, and recognition of heparin-induced thrombocyto-penia.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S | February 2013 Page 21

Dear Kababayans and Friend:

If you know anyone in-terested in reaching out and gaining experi-ence teaching in the Philippines in 2013, kindly share with them this innovative new pro-gram launched by Young Filipino-American leaders in the United States. Spearheaded in the East Coast by Mr. Michael Vea and Ms. Angela Lagdameo, both of whom were

chosen among the first batch of 10 Filipino American Youth Leadership Program delegates by the Philip-pine Embassy in Washington D.C. The program aims to bring 10 Filipino-American teachers to the Philippines to teach in resource-challenged schools. Thank you for your time and cooperation. Philippine Consulate General, New York

Community Events

By: Elena de Jesus, Chairperson

On a rainy cold Saturday of January 23, 2013, en-thusiastic leaders of various Filipino-American organiza-tions in the Tri- state area and Pennsylvania gathered for the first one of a kind Leadership & Management Seminar sponsored by the office of Consular Services headed by Consul General Mario de Leon. His welcome address pointed out two critical developments, thus the need for such a seminar: increased number Filipino Americans overseas and resurgence of Philippine econ-omy. The consulate stands ready to provide a platform for any organization through continued learning from projects and seminars to keep its communities informed and stand vibrant. The first Asian American in the history of Jersey City to serve on the municipal Council, Councilman Rolando Lavarro, graced the group by his presence and his

keynote message simply short: follow a fair judicial process in the appointing and election of offices always. The series of topics and speakers were carefully selected from Perspectives on Leadership and

change management, Finance, Legal aspects of an organization, Best practices in planning an event to importance and relevance of Formal Protocol. Top Filipino American experts in the area were invited: Special Trade Representative Michelle Fatima Sanchez, Senior Managing Director for Consulting Dr. Jean Lobell, Mr. Efren Bacani, Atty. Ferdinand Suba Esq., Senior Events Manager of New York’s Waldorf Astoria, Ms. Imelda Jones, Protocol Officer Joselito Mecua, and Panelists Atty. Robert Rivas, Fe Martinez, Steven Raga, Rachelle Ocampo, Harold Clavite and Anthony Yabut who shared their personal journey on community engagement. There was so much to take a way for the day. Ac-cording to Deputy Consul General and Manager Theresa Dizon-de Vega, who was herself a speaker on Protocol Matters, this was just a beginning and we were the guinea pigs of the this project. Thank you and Kudos to the organizers for such a brilliant and remark-able seminar. In attendance from PNANJ/PNANY were: Majuvy Sulse, Vernie Bacolot, Cynthia Margalit & Cora Sy.

A N N O U N C E M E N T S | February 2013 Page 22

A N N O U N C E M E N T S | February 2013 Page 23

Nominations for 2013 Nursing Excellence Awards By: Leila Busch Nominate your nurse colleague, peer, friend, mentor and/or leader for the 2013 PNAA Nurs-ing Excellence awards. Award recognition will be during the Gala night at our: 34th Annual PNAA Convention July 24–28, 2013 Renaissance Hotel Cleveland, Ohio Nominations will be accepted for the following categories: 1. Clinical Nurse 2. Nurse Administrator 3. Research Nurse 4. Nurse Educator 5. Community Service 6. Nurse Entrepreneur 7. Advanced Practice Nurse 8. Nurse Informatics Nomination forms are available through our PNAA website or ask any COP, regional leaders, Vice Presidents, and the Awards com-mittee members. Deadline for all nominations: APRIL 26, 2013 For any questions, please contact any of the Awards Committee members: Leila Busch, Chair, Awards Committee (NCR) lexilzb@aol.com Marley Nicolas, Vice-Chairman (ER) mnicolas@barnabashealth.org, mnicolas904@yahoo.com Marilyn Mallari, Vice-Chairman (NCR) mgm_rn@yahoo.com Maria Luisa Ramira, Vice-Chairman (Western) lindol@cox.net, mramira@sandiego.edu Pamela Peterman, Vice-Chairman (SCR)) Peterman@bellsouth.net

Dateline: Cleveland, Ohio

U P D A T E S | February 2013 Page Page 24

Congratulations!

Maintaining the Momentum: PNANJ Middlesex Subchap-ter: Awardees for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award 2012.

PNANJ Middlesex Subchapter ended 2012 with accomplish-ments above and beyond their expectations and they continue to maintain that momentum for year 2013. On January 31, 2013, 5 members of their subchapter were recognized as finalists for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award. Out of the 9 nurses who were nominated from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The finalists were 1. Teresa Damito - Perinatal 2. Malou Torralba - Ambulatory 3. Eva Villar -Trinidad - Critical Care 4. Jessa Manalastas - Neonatal 5. Myrna Young - Education Middlesex Subchapter garnered one of the prestigious awards. They are proud and happy to share that Jessa Manalas-tas won the clinical category in neonatal nursing. Over 200 nurses from various New Jersey hospitals participated in this event. The awards night was held at Sheraton Hotel in Eatontown, NJ. This is just one of the many things that they already accom-plished. More to come on the next issue of our newsletter.

Ms Eufemia Whitzell, RN, BSN | PNA-DVI Ms Florence Nightingale 2013-2014 Coronation Event: May 18, 2013 | Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill, NJ Mrs Eufemia Whitzell, RN, BSN, was chosen as the Ms Florence Nightingale of PNA-DVI’s event this year because of her charm and dedication and compassion as a person and as a nurse. She is married to Steve Whitzell, a Respiratory Therapist whom she met at work. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She came to this country in 1969 as an “Exchange Visitor Nurse” at Albert Einstein Daroff Division Medical Center where she met her husband. Through her nursing career, she has worked as a Nursing Supervisor in different hospitals and nursing homes, with nursing Agencies. Has extensive background in ICU, PACU, Te-lemetry, OR, Recovery Room, Med-Surg, GYN/OB, School Nurse and Public Health Nurse. She carries Li-censure in 3 States-PA, NJ and WAshington, DC.

She hails from Cebu and comes from a big family of 9 children. He father was in the logging & shipping business, her mother stayed home to take care of the children.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND

Philippine Nurses Association of Pennsylvania

Mardi Gras Party

Saturday, March 16 | 6:30 PM

The Radisson Hotel Trevose, PA

Donation: $55 pp <> Kids (8-14) : $25

RSVP By March 8 CONTACT:

LYN JAVIER [] TEL. 267-210-5573