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PNAM Brief History

Mission Statement

  • PNAM is a professional nursing organization established to foster professional development, professional identity, and mutual support of its members.
  • It is committed to promoting the health of all people through its involvement with other professional and community groups.

    • Compelling Event that Led to its Founding

    The PNAM had its inception on October 14, 1972 when a Nurses Council was formed in response to the plight of working (H-1) visa nurses in Michigan.H-1 visa nurses reported poor working and living conditions, low pay and abuses from employers and owners of boarding houses. In addition, recruiters were charging exorbitant fees from nurses for their job placement in nursing homes.
    pThe move to form the Nurses Council was spearheaded by Maecellano Benemerito, President and Adoring Tuanquin, Coordinator for Health, Science, Technical and Research Department of the Pilipino American Association, Inc. (Pil.-Am, Inc.)
    zAdoring Brillantes Tuanquin became the Council Director and continued her effort as a leader by nurturing and guiding the group. The Nurses Council elected their officers: Florita Ballesteros-Chairperson, Diane de los reyes- Vice chairperson, Juanita Gosioco-Secretary/Treasurer. Advisory Members: Ursula Somera, Marcellano Benemerito, and Adoring Tuanquin.
    zIn December 1973, A. Tuanquin attended the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) convention in Manila. She met with Col. Winnie Luzon, then PNA President. A. Tuanquin requested that the Nurses Council be recognized as a Chapter member of PNA Manila. Col. Luzon suggested that the Nurses Council’s name be changed to Philippine Nurses Association of Michigan and that it should be a separate organization from the Pilipino American Association, Inc.

    Past Presidents
    1972-1974- Adoring Brillantes Tuanquin, Foundress and Nurses Council Director
    1974-1975- Georgianna Rose Tutay
    1975-1976- Cynthia Arcala Pascual
    1976-1977- Anita Bustamante Sodawalla
    1977- 1978- Erlinda Cruz Santos
    1978- 1982- Remedios Alvarez Solarte
    1982-1984- Norma Balde Bada
    1984- 1985- Tessie Campillanos Wilkerson
    1985-1986- Aniceta Abobo Vista
    1986-1988- Leonor Lim Mandap
    1998-1990- Liwayway Rillo Diego
    1990- 1992- Blanca Catapang Odtohan
    1992- 1993- Anita Tavares Dy
    1993-1994- Theresa Alzate Cruz
    1994-1996- Martha Evangelista Cabarios
    1996-1997- Maria Amy Tisado Risvold
    1997- 1998- Sofia Espada Bole
    1998-1999- Gloria Agnes Villaruel Waltz
    1999-2000- Victoria Agbanlog Boado
    2000- 2001- Remedios Villasis Ferguson
    2001-2002- Ellen Bongabong Dioso
    2002-2003- Sofia Espada Bole
    2003- 2004- Angela P. Bedia
    2004-2005- Erlyn Young Diao
    2005-2006- Martha Evangelista Cabarios
    2006-2008- Ellen Bongabong Dioso
    President Elect - Carmen Perez

    © 2009 PNAM