The Philippine Nurses Association of Michigan (PNAM) for the second time hosted the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) North Central Regional Conference. In conjunction, PNAM also celebrated its 35th Anniversary as a professional nursing organization. This was held from April 27 - 29, 2007 at the elegant Atheneum Suite Hotel and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan. Overall Chairperson of the event was Amy T. Risvold; Carmen Perez, Chairperson Hospitality Night, Tita Salvani and Lucy Mamuyac, Co-Chairpersons of the Educational Program; and Corazon Gabarda, Gala Night Chairperson. Sofia Bole, PNAA North Central Regional Liaison Officer coordinated the participation of the different chapter members. There were 34 attendees from out of state covering the chapters of PNA Indiana, Illinois, Greater Kansas City, Greater St. Louis, Ohio and Michigan. The PNAA leaders present included the following: President Rosario May Mayor, Vice President Ernesto Rosas, Board Member Irma Labre-Wright, Executive Director Remedios Solarte, and Board Member/PNAA Newsletter Editor Sofia Bole. PNA Wisconsin is in the making and hopefully soon will be the 7th chapter of the North Central Region.
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It began with the welcome and arrival of conventioneers and guests on April 27th. The Hospitality Night was a unique experience for all, both local and out of state guests who were treated to a three-hour Detroit River Boat Tour. PNAM President Ellen Dioso and PNAA Rosario May Mayor welcomed all delegates and guests. The Philippine American Community Center of Michigan (PACCM) dancers mostly members of PNAM entertained the group with their graceful rendition of Hawaiian dances. The cruise was filled with music and joyful faces of participants from all six states of the North Central Region. The highlight of the evening was a Talent Show participated by all chapters. The top two winners of the talent show: Ohio and Greater Kansas City will represent the North Central Region at the national convention in Anaheim, California in July. Judges of the Talent show were: Digna Kosokowsky, Artist; Kathy Folson, Global Home Care Executive Director; and Claudia Valdez, President of the Hispanic Nurses Association. This was an excellent time for networking with colleagues. As part of the PNAM 35th Anniversary celebration, the second PNAM book Living the Promise was launched. It is sequel to the first book published in 2000, The Filipino Nurse: The Dream and the Promise.
On April 28th, the day started with an educational activity with a theme “Nursing ---- Building a Stronger Foundation Today for the Next Generation.” The Keynote Speaker was Beth Ann Taylor, MBA, BSN, RN, Associate Director of VA John D. Dingell VAMC. She talked about “How Firm a Foundation.”
It was followed by “Successful Aging: The Nursing Perspective” given by Doree Ann Espiritu, MD, Physician-In-Charge, Behavioral Health Service, Henry Ford Hospital Health Systems. The next speaker Caroline Medcoff, MSN, RN, CNN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Beaumont Hospital talked about “Pain Management.” Jennifer Russell, Human Resource Analyst and specialist of Oakland County Human Resources Department talked about “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring.” Successful attendees were awarded 4.0 contact hours approved by the Michigan Nurses Association.
Lunch immediately followed the lectures. The North Central Regional Meeting was presided by Sofia Bole. It started with PNAA President May Mayor’s update on PNAA Agenda for 2006-2008, followed by Remedios Solarte’s report on a Healthy PNAA. The PNAA Foundation report was delivered by Dr. Annie Vista, Member Board of Trustees, assisted by Martha Cabarios, PNAAF Treasurer.
All North Central Chapter Presidents gave their Chapter Reports using power point presentations. They focused on the accomplishments and challenges of their organizations. The following states and respective presidents are: Ohio- Bessie Schiroky, Greater Kansas City- Beth Rosas, Illinois- Cris Unabia-Arnan, Indiana- Redd Knotts, Greater St. Louis - Emy Tabayoyong, Michigan- Ellen Dioso. The meeting was followed by different services available like massage, make-up, hairstyling. Some preferred a lucky venture at nearby casinos.
In the evening the breathtaking elegance of the ballroom gave ambience to formally dressed guests. It was filled to capacity. Emcees were Remylin S. Bruder and Danny Amores, both PNAM members. We were graced by the presence of Jeannette Klemczak - Chief Nurse Executive of Michigan; Linda Taft - Chairperson, Michigan Board of Nursing; some PNAM Past Presidents, community leaders, and representatives from other organizations. A table of attendees from the Black Nurses Association was headed by their President Nettie Riddick and Past President Jonie Hamilton. PNAA President May Mayor delivered a brief message on the accomplishments and direction of the PNAA.
PNAM honored highly qualified leaders with Nursing Leadership Awards to Linda Taft, RN, Chairperson of the Michigan Board of Nursing; Pamela Gray, MSN, RN, FNP, Coordinator of Minstrelli Women’s Heart Center; Sr. Virginia Skurski, Ph.D, RN, retired Professor of Nursing from Eastern Michigan University and Margie Rivera, MS, CRNA, very active in community service. The PNAM Honorees included Juanita Brillantes Gosioco, RN (Posthumous Award) and Prudence Burns Burell, RN, a retired nurse who was assigned in the Philippines during WWII. The out of state Chapter Leadership Awardees were: Ernie Rosas, BSN, RN from Greater Kansas City, MO; Erlinda Dacanay Schuetz, BSN, RN from Ohio; Elena Catalan De Jesus, BSN, RN and Emma Andal Tolentino, BSN, RN, both from Indiana; and Sania Mangoba, RN from Illinois. Each Chapter President presented the awards to the recipients from their chapters.
Dancing with the Stars entertainment was chaired by Nina McCaulley and her troupe. The graceful PNA Ohio group presented their dance with a Latin beat. The rest of the evening was for dance lovers. The evening was filled with fun and excitement. On April 29th, golf lovers started early at the Copper Hills Golf and Country Club in Oxford, MI. This was a PNAA Foundation fundraising event. Attendees were treated to a lavish lunch at the Vista Residence.
Thank you all for your support. See you at the 9th PNAA North Central convention to be hosted by PNA Greater Kansas City in 2008!
© 2009 PNAM