4 Filipino nurses inducted into American Academy of Nursing

WASHINGTON — Four Filipino nurses in the United States have been selected to join the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) as fellows for its Class of 2023.

The four — Sofia Aragon, Danilo Lovinaria, Jennifer Kawi, and Irvin Ong — are set to become part of a distinguished group of over 2,900 AAN fellows who are renowned as nursing leaders in education, management, practice, and research.

In an event in early October, the Philippine Embassy here honored the four for their accomplishments.

In his welcoming remarks, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez underscored the indispensable role played by healthcare professionals, particularly Filipino nurses.

He also emphasized how the impact of Filipino healthcare workers extends far beyond patient bedsides, evolving into a diverse field with specialized skills that are comparable to other professions.

Dr. Rebecca Graystone, Senior Vice President of Accreditation and Organizational Credentialing at the American Nurses Credentialing Center, congratulated the Filipino Fellows and affirmed AAN's commitment to supporting the Filipino community's voices advocating for equal access to care.

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

The event, dubbed "Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan," was held at the Embassy's Romulo Hall on October 4.

A non-profit professional nursing organization, PNAA represents 55 chapters with over 4,500 members across the United States. —Dave Llavanes Jr/KBK, GMA Integrated News