Greetings!

Now on its 77th year of existence, PNA-NY continues its mission of advocating for Filipino-American nurse. The Association is strong because of your support. Like any other professional group, leadership and membership participation are vital forces that create a dynamic organization. To be inducted as the President for 2006-2008 is a great honor and involves enormous responsibility to keep the organization visible, vital, and viable for the coming years. Together with the assistance of the board and your participation, these can be achieved.

This year’s induction theme - Rising to the Challenge: Compassion, Courage, Creativity, and Commitment - recognizes the qualities that embody the nursing profession. Compassion enables nurses to deliver care with respect and dignity. Courage allows nurses to be advocates especially for the young and the elderly. Creativity encourages thinking out-of-the box in addressing relevant issues that affect the nursing profession. Commitment produces leaders who serve as mentors in nurturing future nurses. Similar to the qualities of a precious diamond gem, I envision these 4C’s to be the criteria that will allow Filipino-American Nurses to leave a lasting legacy to the nursing profession and to the Filipino people.

Tonight, I challenge each and every Filipino nurse to live up to the 4C’s – personally and professionally. Let us all rise to the challenge by embracing these qualities within ourselves and within the organization. Allow me to count the ways . . .

• Through PNA-NY’s future community projects, I encourage you to volunteer your skills in helping the underprivileged not only locally but also by joining the medical missions in the Philippines. Our Kababayans need our care and compassion. Let us spread the “Bayanihan” spirit!
• The continuous collaboration of PNA-NY with mainstream organization such as NYSNA empowers our nursing leaders and members to utilize the legislative process in advocating for ourselves, for our patients, and for the nursing profession. Be courageous and exercise your rights in protecting and keeping our patients safe.
• Lastly, being a member of PNA-NY is not enough.  I encourage you to participate actively and work with the new board in planning educational programs and other strategic projects. I am confident that with your leadership skills, clinical expertise, and innovative ideas, PNA-NY can grow exponentially, and become a vibrant organization that each and every Filipino-American Nurse would be proud of.

As we celebrate PNA-NY’s 77th year, let us together commit to its future!

Mary Joy Garcia, MA, RN
President, PNA-NY, Inc.
2006-2008