I am extremely honored and excited to serve as the first male president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Virginia (PNAVA). after its four decades of existence. My goal is to use positive energy to create balance, harmony, joy, and peace in our personal and professional lives. In doing so, we would be effective advocates for all people we serve. I am encouraging everyone to be optimistic in the face of adversity, value friendship, and work together to promote positive change in our organization and contribution to Virginia’s community.

My mission is “Let’s Make a Difference in Advocacy: Empowerment of Membership and Promotion of Leadership towards Practice and Organization Excellence.” As nurses, advocacy remains to be fundamental to our practice. Nurses are in the frontline of the healthcare team. We are in the position to protect support, and speak up for the rights and interests of others, especially the patients we care for every day. It is imperative to communicate, share our vision, and strategies in making a difference in someone’s life through advocacy.

Let us affirm our values by doing what is right, respect others and perform with excellence. Let us advocate the importance of community education regarding the intensity of mental health and substance abuse.

Let us build a community that encourages professional growth through empowerment, mentorship, education, and leadership. As leaders, we should advocate for our organization by encouraging other nurses in the PNAVA because there is strength in power in numbers: the louder our voice, the better we will be heard.

Although I cannot match the excellent success of our outgoing president, Ms. Hilo Laxa, I have no doubt in my mind that she will continue to support and accompany my journey to success.

I thank our founders and past leaders for shaping this organization to where it is today. I would like to thank all of you for helping and supporting this organization.

Mabuhay ang mga nurses at ang PNA Virginia

Sincerely,

Angel Deguzman,
President