PH EMBASSY, PNAA HONORS FILIPINO AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSING FELLOWS, CLASS OF 2023

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (center) together with the four Filipino inductees as part of the esteemed 2023 cohort Fellowship of the American Academy of Nurses (from left to right: Mr. Irvin Ong, Ms. Sofia Aragon, Ms. Jennifer Kawi, and Mr. Danilo Lovinaria).
 

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA), co-hosted the “Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan” (Celebration of Excellence) at the Embassy’s Romulo Hall on 04 October 2023, to honor of the Filipino inductees set to join the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) as Fellows, Class of 2023. 

The four Filipino inductees are Sofia Aragon, JD, BSN, RN; Danilo Lovinaria, DNP, MBA, CRNA, CHSE, FNAP, FAANA; Jennifer Kawi, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE; and Irvin Ong, EdD, MHPEd, RN, LPT, FPSQua. They will join the ranks of more than 2,900 AAN fellows who are distinguished nursing leaders in education, management, practice, and research. The new fellows proudly showcased their Filipino heritage by wearing a specially designed sablay provided by the PNAA for Filipino fellows. 

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, in his welcoming remarks,  highlighted the vital role played by the healthcare professionals, stating that “the impact of Filipino healthcare workers extends far beyond patient bedsides. Nursing, once seen as an extension of traditional gender roles, has evolved into a diverse field with specialized skills, comparable to other professions. Today’s nursing industry includes leaders, advocates, researchers, educators, and of course, dedicated practitioners who inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. They extend their commitment to the broader community, often participating in volunteer work and initiatives that address healthcare disparities and promote wellness.” 

Dr. Rebecca Graystone, Senior Vice President of Accreditation and Organizational Credentialing of the American Nurses Credentialing Center expressed her congratulations to the Filipino Fellows, emphasizing that “at AAN, we stand beside PNAA and the Filipino community in our collective voices for equal access to care for all communities that we are so privileged to serve. To the new Academy Fellows this evening that we are honoring, those who have come before them, and to those who will follow, these are the very people leading change and driving the solutions.”  

The program concluded with a toast to honor the fellows, led by PNAA Executive Director Dr. Leo-Felix Jurado and remarks by Dr. Christine Pabico, President of the Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan DC (PNAMDC).  

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN)  serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy, practice, and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. The Academy and its Fellows create and execute knowledge-driving and policy-related initiatives to drive reform of America’s health system.

PNAA is a non-profit professional nursing organization representing 55 chapters with over 4,500++ members in the United States. Their 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.

Ambassador Romualdez welcomes guests to the 2023 Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan (Celebration of Excellence).

Ambassador Romualdez together with the members of the Philippine Nurses Association of America.

Dr. Rebecca Graystone congratulates the new Filipino Fellows to the American Academy of Nursing.