Washington, D.C. - The Philippine Nurses Association of America is proud to announce the induction of its members into the American Academy of Nursing who have made significant contributions to nursing, health care and society bringing the total to 21 FAAN:

Leo-Felix M. Jurado, PhD, RN, APN, NE-BC, CNE. William Patterson University, New Jersey and 15th PNAA President
Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, University of Washington-Bothell, Washington
Joseph D. Tariman, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, DePaul University, Illinois
Wilfrida Chavez, DNP, MHSc, RN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Every year, over 150 Fellows are inducted into the American Academy of Nursing. After the induction, the Fellows leverage their expertise to provide the critical knowledge, and analysis, summary, and integration for transforming health policy and practice. The Academy advances evidence based innovations in health care delivery to address the health needs of populations, including diverse, at-risk, and disenfranchised populations.

There are 3.6 millions nurses in the US according to the American Nurses Association. Of these 3.6 million nurses, the Academy has inducted more than 2,400 Fellows or members who are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education management, practice and research since its inception in 1973. AAN Fellows have been appointed as association executives; university presidents, chancellors, and deans; state and federal political appointees; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; researchers; and entrepreneurs across the United States.

Fellowship to the American Academy of Nursing is by invitation only and acceptance is through an annual rigorous, highly selective formal process. Candidates for the fellowship to the Academy are initially recognized or vetted for their extraordinary contribution and impact to nursing practice, research or education by at least two AAN members who served as their sponsors. Once accepted into the Academy, Academy fellows have a responsibility to contribute their time and energies to the Academy and to engage with other health leaders outside the Academy in transforming America's health system. The Philippine Embassy Reception was attended by nurse leaders and professional colleagues representatives from American Nurses Association (ANA), National League for Nursing (NLN), Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, International (CGFNS), State Boards of Nursing, Universities, Professional Organizations, Health Care Facilities. Federal Institutions (Civilian and Military), Philippine Nurses Association of America, Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation.

In his welcome remarks, Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Chargé d’ Affaires, ad interim of the Philippine Embassy, expressed his best wishes to the inductees.

“We also offer our warmest congratulations to the incoming Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing. May you continue to be outstanding leaders of the nursing profession as well as a source of inspiration for our Filipino nurses,” Minister Chuasoto said.

“It is our fervent hope that the AAN and the PNAA will continue to ensure that the light of lamp of knowledge will be seen far and wide by members of the nursing profession and that the backbone of the US health care system remains sturdy and resilient,” he added.

PNAA President, Dino Doliente III, gave the ceremonial toast,“ I am truly blessed that my first official toast as President of the Philippine Nurses Association of America is for 4 well accomplished members who have been accepted to this prestigious fellowship and bring pride to PNAA and our country.”

Each inductee thanked their family members, mentors and sponsors for this exemplary recognition and committed their ongoing active support to promote PNAA’s mission: to uphold the positive image and welfare of its constituent members; promote professional excellence and contribute to significant outcomes to healthcare and society.