Fil-Ams named as American Academy of Nursing fellows honored in DC

Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, President of the PNAA gives her virtual toast to all honorees. The Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. co-hosted a virtual celebration entitled, “Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan” (Celebration of Excellence) on Oc. 30, to honor Filipino-American nurses named to the American Academy of Nursing’s 2019 & 2020 Class of Fellows.CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON – A virtual celebration entitled “Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan” (Celebration of Excellence) on  Oct. 30 honored Filipino American nurses named to the American Academy of Nursing’s 2019 & 2020 Class of Fellows. The Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. co-hosted the event.

This year’s honorees are: Alona Angosta, PhD, APRN, FNP, NP-C; Jeffrey Kwong, DNP, MPH, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN; Sigrid Ladores, PhD, RN, PNP, CNE; Christine Pabico, PhD, RN, NE-BC; and Nelson Tuazon, DNP, DBA, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, CPPS, FNAP, FACHE.

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) advances health policy, practice, and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. The Academy and its more than 2,700 members, known as Fellows, create and execute knowledge-driving and policy-related initiatives to drive reform of America’s health system.

“Filipino-American nurses continue to provide important contributions to the healthcare system of the United States. In fact, the recently held White House Commemoration of Filipino-American History Month underscored the sacrifices of Filipino-American front-liners in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting that 4% of nurses in America are Filipinos, and 1/3 of COVID-19 nurse casualties is from the Filipino nursing community. It is indeed a very challenging year for the nursing profession and the healthcare community as a whole, and the role of Filipino-American nurses during this difficult time has never been more significant,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez in his opening remarks.

AAN President Dr. Eileen M. Sullivan-Marx reminded the honorees, “We know that we can do it. Any nurse around the world who’s innovating, we want them to be acknowledged by the academy and any contribution they make will be used as case scenarios by our organization”.

PNAA President Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia led a virtual toast to all honorees. The Filipino-Americans Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) also presented them with the FAAN sablay, a Philippine indigenous loose garment worn traditionally in formal occasions, as a symbol of pride, dignity, and success in their noble profession.

The Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) is a non-profit professional nursing organization representing 55 chapters with over 5,000 members. Its mission is to uphold and foster the positive image and welfare of Filipino-American nurses, promote professional excellence, and contribute to significant outcomes to healthcare and society through education, research, and clinical practice. PNAA is a member of the National Coalition for Ethnic Minority Nurses Association (NCEMNA) and an affiliate member of the American Nurses Association.