We were pleased to host an event in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) to honor 10 outstanding Filipino-American nurses who were inducted as fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing.
Only those who have made significant contributions to nursing and healthcare — be it in education, research, advocacy or clinical practice — qualify as Academy fellows, who include hospital executives, government administrators, college deans, consultants, scientific researchers and entrepreneurs. The Academy has approximately 2,400 fellows who contribute their time, energy and expertise in helping transform America’s health system for the better in so many ways, from driving policy initiatives to advocacy.
All of the honorees have impressive credentials and are doing an exceptional job not only in their field of interest but also in reaffirming the critical role of Filipino and Filipino-American nurses in the US healthcare systems. Nine of them — Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, Maria Danet Lapiz Bluhm, Jesus Casida, Anecita Fadol, Elizabeth Fildes, Wilhelmina Manzano, Priscilla Limbo Sagar, Rhigel Tan and Joyce Trompeta — belong to Class 2019 of fellows while Emerson Ea was inducted into the Academy in 2018. Being accepted into the American Academy of Nursing will present even more opportunities for these honorees to contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.
I have always felt at home being with health professionals, having grown up in a family of doctors. My father, Dr. Alberto Zialcita Romualdez Sr., served as the Secretary General of the World Medical Association based in New York for eight years until 1973; my mother, Dr. Covadonga del Gallego Romualdez, was head of the UST pathology department; and my brother, Dr. Alberto “Quasi” Romualdez Jr., became Secretary of the Department of Health.
Many US hospitals prefer Filipino nurses because they are dedicated and highly competent, and are also known for providing genuine care for patients. So it’s not really surprising why the Philippines has been a major source of foreign-trained nurses in the US for decades. In fact, it gives me an immense source of pride whenever I meet US legislators and officials who tell me good things about their Fil-Am constituents, many of whom are nurses and health professionals.
However, the positive image of Filipino nurses was not developed overnight but a product of many years of hard work and dedication, during which time strong relationships within the healthcare community as well as patients have been developed. It’s also worth noting that it’s not only in the US where our nurses have a good reputation but the whole world over as well.
My congratulations go to the Philippine Nurses Association of America, led by its president Madelyn Yu, for continuing to uphold the positive image and safeguarding the welfare of Filipino nurses, promoting professional excellence, and contributing to significant outcomes to healthcare and society. My thanks also to the Philippine Nurses Association in Metro DC led by its president Lourdes Careaga for helping in the arrangements for the program.*