Four Filipino nurses inducted into prestigious U.S. nursing academy

Rhoda Redulla (left), Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, and Larissa Ann Africa during their induction into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Class of 2021. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Filipino nurses who were inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Class of 2021 were honored by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Nurses Association of American (PNAA) on  Oct. 9, 2021.

The four new fellows are Larissa Ann Africa, MBA, BSN, RN; Erlinda Palaganas, PhD, RN; Daisy Palompon, PhD, DSN, MAN, RN; and Rhoda Redulla, DNP, RN, NPD-BC.

They are now part of the Academy’s 2,700 fellows who are nursing leaders in education, management, practice, and research. The new fellows also showcased their Filipino heritage by wearing a sablay specially made by the PNAA for Filipino fellows.

Fellows can only be invited into the Academy. Current fellows include association executives; university presidents, chancellors, deans; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; researchers; and entrepreneurs.

This year’s celebration at the Quezon Hall of the Philippine Chancery Annex especially noted that Palaganas and Palompon are the first inductees based in the Philippines.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez thanked the nursing community for its crucial role in helping people withstand the Covid pandemic..

The program also featured inspirational remarks from Dr. Eileen Sullivan-Marx (PhD), President of the American Academy of Nursing, who recognized the good work that nurses have been doing in the past two years. PNAA President Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia (PhD) likewise led a toast to the honorees and the Filipino nursing community’s accomplishments as a whole.

Some attendees of the celebration and induction of Filipino nurses into the AAN Class of 2021. CONTRIBUTED

The fellows also expressed their commitment to uphold the positive image of Filipino nurses in the world, and promote professional excellence in their fields.

Arrangements for the program and reception were coordinated by the Philippine Nurses Association of Metro DC (PNAMDC) led by its President Carol Robles. Dr. Marlon Saria (PhD), who is a 2014 fellow, served as the master of ceremonies.