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President's Message
2008
2008
is a very exciting year for America's political
history. It is election time. The Presidential
primary race is ongoing for both Republican and
Democratic parties. Every concerned citizen in
America is tuning in to hear the debate on TV,
listen to the candidates' platform and goals for
the country, and weigh in the responses and reactions
to arguments presented by both sides. Each candidate
is advocating for change, financial recovery,
health and education reforms.
Coincidentally,
it is also election time for PNA-NY. Our Immediate-Past
President is coordinating the election process
and you should be receiving the nomination forms
in the mail. This is an opportunity for you to
run for office and be elected. Unlike the presidential
race, we have seen a low turn-out of nominees
in the past. However, I am positive that this
year, we will receive a huge turn-out of qualified
candidates. The reason why I am very optimistic
is because we have launched the PNA-NY Liaison
Coordinator Program last Dec. 4, 2007 at New York
Presbyterian Cornell Medical Center. The goal
of this program is to disseminate PNA-NY events
and activities to members timely and efficiently,
improve communication as well as hear recommendations
for improvement from our members through our liaison
coordinators. We provided an orientation program
to our PNA-NY Liaisons last January 12, 2008 at
Bellevue Medical Center that covered the following
topics:
PNA-NY
By-laws/Policy and Procedure
PNAA Leadership Message
Strategies to Recruit and Retain Members
Calendar of Activities for 2008
I
admire the volunteerism and commitment of our
PNA-NY Liaisons. Truly, your participation today
will prepare PNA-NY to greater strength in numbers
and organizational leadership.
Malcolm
X stated that "The future belongs to those
who prepare for it today." I believe
in this statement. PNA-NY would not have reached
its 78 years of existence if not for the perseverance
and commitment of our previous leaders. Our nursing
profession is faced not only with nursing shortage
but also issues on immigration and ethical recruitment,
unfair labor practice, and leadership transition.
Now is the time to act and address these issues
so we can effect legislations that protect our
rights as healthcare workers, advocate for our
patients, and improve the workforce environment
for our future nurses.
PNA-NY
is in the forefront addressing these nursing issues.
We participate with legislative updates in Albany
annually and lobby for change together with NYSNA.
We collaborated with other PNA Regional Chapters
last October 12, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Cherry Hill, New Jersey to educate the public
on immigration and recruitment of foreign-trained
nurses in light of the Sentosa Case.
The
criminal case of patient abandonment filed against
the Avalon 10 nurses (part of the Sentosa 27++
nurses) and their Attorney is an example of an
unjust retaliatory system against immigrants.
The courage of these wrongly accused nurses and
the support of NAFCON, NYSNA, PNAA, PNA-NY, and
other community-based organizations, friends and
colleagues are really touching.
These
issues on unfair labor practice and use of political
power against immigrants can not be fought alone
- we, as a Filipino community need to be united
and garner strength and support from each other.
I am hopeful that our own kababayans, our dear
fellow nurses, will increase their political awareness
and realize the importance of participation specially
as the outcome of the trial will shape and define
future legislations on immigrant health care workers'
rights and ethical recruitment policies not only
here but also in the Philippines. PNA-NY, as an
organization is your voice in governance and we
can not do it alone without your full participation
and commitment.
If
you are still reading this message, I hope that
I have sparked your interest to run for office.
Like the presidential race, the candidate who
gets elected will define the local and global
future of nurses. We have so many talented and
potential candidates who are highly qualified
to assume leadership roles in our association
that can reshape and redefine the future of PNA-NY.
I am confident that you have the commitment and
the drive to infuse innovative changes, increase
membership benefits, and drive the organization
to greater visibility nationally and globally.
Aside
from election year, another important event for
2008 is the Biennial Induction and Gala Awards
that will be held on September 27, 2008 at the
New York Hilton Hotel. Every day, we work with
individuals who provide excellent nursing care
or inspire us to strive to do better. This is
the time to recognize these individuals and show
our appreciation to the enormous contributions
that they have afforded in nursing administration,
clinical setting, education, research, and community
service. Nominate your peers to the Nurse Excellence
Award!
As
parting words, please reflect on this quote from
Herbert Rappaport - "I hope that while so
many people are out smelling the flowers, someone
is taking the time to plant some." Now
is the time to act.
I
wish you and your family a healthy, prosperous
New Year and I look forward to your renewed participation
and commitment for 2008!
All
the best,
Mary Joy Garcia-Dia, MA, RN
President, PNA-NY, Inc.
2006-2008
Read
Previous President's Message:
4th
Quarter 2006
1st
Quarter 2007
3rd
Quarter 2007
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