ARACELI T. MENDOZA, MBA, CNN, RN DM (C)
National Excellence Awards on Community Service of the Year 2009

Araceli T. Mendoza, MBA, CNN, RN DM (C) is currently the Associate Director in the Renal Division of The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Prior to moving downtown, she was Administrative Nurse Manager of the three divisions of Montefiore Medical Center (Moses, Weiler, and North Division) in the Bronx. In this capacity, she led the administrative operations of the renal division, conceptualized the Cardiothoracic & Liver Transplant Program of Montefiore, and continuously improved high-quality care and treatments for its renal population. At the St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York, where she had worked for 23 years, she was heavily involved in Trauma and Nephrology Nursing, in conjunction with her management responsibilities.

Cely, as she is known to friends and relatives, is an indefatigable learner. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree in Management & Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona. She started her nursing career after graduating with a BS in Nursing from the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, Philippines in 1976, went for her Master of Science in Nursing in 1983 from the Columbia University, New York, Comparative Health Study in 2003 at the Wroxton College in Oxfordshire, England, and Master in Business Administration (MBA) in 2004 at Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey.

While pursuing all these degrees, Cely did not forget to take certifications to validate her competency in her chosen specialties. Her various professional certifications include: Certification in Nephrology Nursing (CNN), Transplant Surgeon Designee, Certification in Trauma Nursing (TNCC), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) and Medical Professional training on Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT). Her professional expertise was recognized when she was chosen as Nurse Reviewer on Chronic Kidney Disease at John Hopkins University, lecturer on Chronic Kidney Disease & End-Stage Renal Failure, and co-speaker at the Annual Nephrology Nursing Conferences.

Cely is also active in different professional organizations such as: American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) where she was once a national committee member of Special Interest Group-Administration. She currently is the Vice President and Chair of Ways and Means of Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNA-NY), after serving two-term as Board Member .She also is the program committee member of New York Organization of Nurse Executives (NYONE), active member of American Health Care Executives (ACHE), Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) and American Nurses Association (ANA).

Despite her hectic schedule, this dynamic lady still finds time to share her many talents and gifts in service to the Filipino community here and in the Philippines. She is a performer and Executive Officer of Performing Arts Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) since 1997, a credible Filipino group that enriches the lives of many while projecting a beautiful image and positive impressions of our mother country and its people through arts and dances. As a two-time Vice President of the Philippine American Council of Executive Committee (PACEC), she successfully chaired the most prestigious Ms. Philippine-USA beauty contest. She is also Chair and committee member of Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), the organizing council responsible for the annual Independence Day parade at Manhattan, New York and Philippine Day Organizing Council, Inc (PDOC) for New Jersey parade. Being a consummate community volunteer, Cely together with the Philippine Consulate, NYC Co-Chaired President Macapagal-Arroyo visit to the United Nations Summit Conference, year 2007.

Cely continues her untiring work as an active member of American Red Cross Disaster Services, a KATRINA volunteer for dialysis patients, participant in medical missions to the Philippines and supporter of free health screenings for uninsured minorities. She is also the program coordinator for Children's Chances- a private corporation that helps unfortunate children world-wide to be “given a chance “to live a normal life. The latest recipient is a 15 year-old girl from Apayao, Philippines with club feet, Jingle Luis who was operated at Montefiore Medical Center and who for the first time was able to walk normally on her own two feet after walking on her ankles for fifteen years! During the holidays, Cely also finds time to “feed the hungry and the homeless’ through Salvation Army Feed the Hungry Program. She actively participates in local politics as campaign manager for Filipino-American candidates.

Cely’s compassion, dedication, hard work and commitment to her kababayans did not remain unnoticed. In March 2009, she was honored with the “Filipino American Women Achievers on Nursing Profession Award” by The Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc (PACCAL) for her numerous contributions to the nursing profession and as a dedicated Filipino American community leader.

Cely draws inspiration from her 2 sons -- Apollo, a Manager at Gamestop who is pursuing Nursing as a second career, and Richard, pursuing a college degree at the Ashworth University in, Nacross, Georgia.

• Philippine Presidential Visit, United Nations Summit Conference, NYC
Chair, Sept. 2007, Philippine Consulate in NYC