PNA-NY Presidential Excellence Awards

Presidential Award: Executive Board of the Year


Clemencia Wong, EdM, RN, BC

The Executive Board of the Year Award recognizes and honors a board of director who has demonstrated outstanding service to PNA-NY, Inc on a local, regional or national level, without regard to personal profit or gain. The recipient of this award demonstrates his/her expertise, gives tirelessly her/his time, and exemplify the ideal of PNA-NY's vision - Compassion, Courage, Creativity, and Commitment - the living legacy of the Filipino-American Nurse. He/She has served PNA-NY, Inc with great distinction and the President gratefully acknowledges the contributions of this valuable volunteer.
It is with great honor to present this award to Clemencia Wong, Board of Director 2006-2008. Clem has been a member of PNA-NY since 1/11/2003. When she assumed the Board of Director position in 2004, Clem demonstrated her expertise as the Editor of the PNA-NY Newsletter. Together with the Newsletter Committee, Clem consistently delivered quality articles touching on relevant nursing practice issues - clinical, legislative, community. Most importantly, the newsletter promoted PNA-NY's visibility enabling readers to learn about the association's leadership initiatives, educational and community activities, and upcoming events. In addition, Clem was also the chair of the Membership Committee from 2004-2006.

In 2006, Clem assumed the chair for the Human Rights Committee. Her past experience as NYSNA representative and involvement with labor unions and negotiations was put into practice when PNA-NY supported the Sentosa 27++ nurses on their fight against unfair labor practice. Through Clem's editorial knowledge, she drafted the position statement that was published on the Filipino Reporter Newspaper. The same position statement was later adapted by PNAA last July 16, 2007 at the PNAA National Convention in Anaheim, California. Despite her personal struggle with health issues, Clem continued to support PNA-NY's activities and took the lead in the distribution of the letter of appeal addressed to the Governor of New York to dismiss the criminal case filed against the Avalon 10 nurses and their attorney. In December, 2007, Clem coordinated an interview of these nurses with Joseph Berger, New York Times Staff Writer. This led to the publication of the nurses' side of the story last July 27, 2008.

With her busy schedule as Pediatric Clinical Instructor at Montefiore Medical Center, Clem still finds the time to attend almost all of the local, regional, and national conferences. Through Clem's affiliation, we were able to invite Dr. Leda Danao, Senior Research Scientist from UCLA as one of the speakers for PNA-NY's major educational collaboration. Clem graciously hosted Leda's stay in New York. Her generosity, bold spirit, humble heart, and volunteerism are qualities that make Clem stand out as an outstanding leader of the organization. Aside from PNA-NY, Clem is also the President of her prayer group in Westchester.

Presidential Service Achievement Award


Veneranda Bacolot, MS, RNC

The Presidential Service Achievement Award goes to individuals who have contributed to the growth of PNA-NY Inc in a variety of capacities through sustained commitment to active participation and inspires others to make volunteering a central part of their lives. This award is for extended services to the organization at large over a number of years.

As a member of PNA-NY, Inc since 2/17/2002, Vernie has demonstrated longevity and service. Her involvement and support with the association's activities throughout the years have been consistent. Vernie is always volunteers her skill as choreographer extraordinaire in almost all of the regional & national presentations. Her strong dancing skills, acting talent, and ability to cope with the latest line dancing steps have placed PNA-NY as the winner during these activity night events.

Vernie's attention to details, and good writing skills made her very effective as Recording Secretary. She diligently keeps track of PNA-NY Board meeting minutes with good turn-around in its distribution. We are grateful for this timely documentation specially that the meeting minutes become part of PNA-NY's archives.

As a Nurse Educator at St. Barnabas Hospital, Vernie has the experience, skills, and knowledge to chair the Education Committee of our association. Last July, 2007, Vernie successfully renewed PNA-NY's status as CE provider through NYSNA, accredited as an approver of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. With her leadership, the Education Committee was able to provide a total of 37.5 contact hours. In addition, Vernie shared her skills as part of the Eastern Regional Education Planning Committee during the 10th Regional Conference and is currently a member of the PNAA Education Committee for 2008-2010.

Despite her busy schedule juggling work, school, and personal priorities, Vernie can always be counted upon and readily volunteers her time to represent PNA-NY and have attended majority of our association's activities consistently throughout the years - annual PIDC Parade, Health Fair Screenings, Educational Programs, and Philippine Consulate Events. Last May 2008, Vernie completed her Masters in Nursing Education. Congratulations in achieving your professional goal.

President's Award: Liaison Coordinator of the Year


Carmen Meliton, BSN, RN, CEN, CFS

In Dec. 4, 2007, PNA-NY launched its Liaison Coordinator Program as part of the association's membership recruitment and retention strategy. The volunteer is responsible in recruitment and retention, as well as communication of PNA-NY activities to his/her organization. One of the incentives of this initiative is to recognize a member who fulfilled the role and responsibility of being a liaison coordinator and exceeded expectations in promoting the mission and vision of PNA-NY, incorporated.

Carmen Meliton heard about PNA-NY through her sister who happens to be the President-elect of PNA-Indiana Chapter. She searched for PNA-NY through the Internet and found our contact information via the website www.pnanewyork.org. She sent an inquiry on how to become a member and graciously accepted my invitation to attend one of our PNA-NY Monthly Board meetings at St. Vincent's Medical Center. From then on, Carmen has been a constant and consistent participant in almost all of the PNA-NY activities - local, regional, and national.

Carmen accepted the role of the liaison coordinator and had vigorously campaigned in recruiting new members in long term care facilities. As State Inspector for the New York State Department of Health - Long Term Care Division, Carmen has been an advocate for nurses who worked in nursing homes, long term and rehabilitation health care centers. She emphasizes the hard work of these nurses' and their contribution to the healthcare industry.

With her outreach, Carmen coordinated educational programs with the Education Committee specifically for long-term care nurses. At the same time, she helped raised funds for the association through these educational sessions. After one of the board of directors' seat was vacated, Carmen voluntarily accepted the role despite her hectic schedule.To date, Carmen had recruited over 200 new members. With Carmen's continued support and recruitment skills, PNA-NY will hopefully expand its membership growth and reach its goal to have over 500 members by December 2008.

Besides PNA-NY, Carmen is also active in the community. Her strong demeanor, good communication and presentation skills, and lively personality certainly help in attracting new members to join our association. PNA-NY is extremely lucky to have Carmen on-board and it is with great pride and honor to recognize Carmen Meliton, as the recipient of the President's Liaison Coordinator of the Year Award.