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Message from the 2020-2021 UPINHF President
Gloria Amayun Smitka, RN, GN, BSN, MAN
Greetings to the UPINHF Family, Colleagues, and Friends!
I am honored to lead UPINHF in the 2020 -2021 term. The year 2020 has been marked by the advent of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. As a consequence, the UPINHF Board cancelled this year’s International Forum and Grand Reunion, due to travel restrictions and to our members being essential workers on the frontlines. While we celebrate Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, the year 2020 also brought to light the value of nurses in healthcare, which the World Health Organization has recognized as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. As nurses we should be honored and should take pride in who we are and what we can offer to the communities of which we are members. The setback in our planned events did not dampen the enthusiasm and focus of the officers and members of the Board of Directors. It is amazing how we all have stepped up to fulfill our roles in UPINHF.
- Coordinated by Iren Bobis Roldan, we on the Board quickly set about raising funds for PPE’s and N95 masks for the Philippine General Hospital, and we are hoping to help with the purchase of an adult mechanical ventilator through fundraising under the leadership of Zayda Aberin, a board member.
- We initiated publishing periodic UPINHF News Briefs. This allows our membership to know what’s going on in UPINHF. Merle Borrero, our corresponding secretary, is sending this out via mass emails. We also held our first Zoom Kamustahan, including Dean Bonito who gave us updates on the Philippines, the online classroom and use of simulation in the nursing lab and how UPCN is partnering with other health agencies and the Philippine government. Another Kamustahan was held to welcome home Nelson Borrero, who returned from the Philippines after a few extra months stay due to the lockdown there. This time former UPCN Deans Peng Tuazon and Cecile Laurente joined us from the Philippines. About 15-20 took part in these gatherings, which we plan to repeat from time to time. Watch for announcements via email and on this website.
- The Education Committee, chaired by Emy Goodrich, sponsored a very well attended summer webinar from all over the world. World class speakers Dr. Dula Fara-on Pacquiao presented the “Consequences of Inequities in the Covid-19 Pandemic,” and Commissioner Raymond Enriquez Liboro presented “Reimagining Privacy in the time Covid.” Along with finding speakers and developing the capability to do a Zoom webinar, participants had an option to receive 1.5 CEUs. A lively kamustahan and recognition of jubilarians followed. Click on the 2020 Webinar tab above for details on the speakers and their presentations.
- The IFNAH Journal published Volume 4 (series 2020), with nine academic papers. It is now available online through this UPINHF website through the leadership of Josie Villanueva, as Editorial Chairman, Minerva Guttman, as Editor-In-Chief, and Maggie Ongkiko, as the website liaison, with help from the others on the Editorial Board. Along with the nine papers, the Journal also features an article, “Voices from the Frontline,” describing the recent experiences of UPCN alumni working at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), a COVID Referral Center. These frontliners have been called the “People giving Hope” in the face of the pandemic. This issue includes two papers about COVID, two about diabetes, and papers on meditation, fall prevention, the Quality of Life Scale, and urban community initiatives. Members need to use their password to access it.
- The Committee on Awards, Citations and Scholarships, after a review of the nominees’ credentials, presented their recommendation, which the UPINHF Board unanimously approved. The 2020 International Nurse Award recipient is Dr. Sheila Bonito, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing for her work on epidemiology and her role in promoting online learning, which looks prescient given the current need to social distance. The formal awarding was at the August 21, 2020 Summer Webinar.
- The Constitution and By Laws Committee, under the leadership of Merle Borrero, is reviewing our governing documents to make the amendments necessary to align the CBL with UPINHF organizational operations. Merle, who is also our communications secretary, has been busy sending news and greetings to the UPINHF members.
- Meanwhile the Finance Committee, previously headed by Iren Roldan and now chaired by Tony Abad, has handled donations and disbursements.
- The Caring Committee established the Prayer Warrior Brigade for those who were affected by the Pandemic. Members of this committee are also in close contact with Mrs. Floresinda Castelo, “Mama Flor”, founding member of UPINHF and a strong supporter of this organization. She is now in her mid-90’s.
UPINHF as an organization participated in the search process for the next Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing. We wrote a letter in support of the candidacy of Dean Sheila Bonito, and members have participated in the various consultations that are part of the process.
As alumni we continue to support UPCN, PGH, and UP in general. As a charitable organization our focus is on the Philippines and the US, but we can undertake projects elsewhere around the world, with the approval of the Board.
We do not have formal links with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, but individual UPINHF members are active in PNAA as well as other local and national professional associations.
As President of UPINHF, I encourage you to become a life member if you are a UP nursing or allied health alumnus. Life members can also sponsor friends and family to be associate members particularly if they can be involved in strengthening UPINHF.
In conclusion, I reiterate that I am honored to lead UPINHF for this term. Despite Covid-19, we remain dynamic, resilient, and vibrant aiming always to exemplify U.P. Excellence.
Best Regards to All!
Gloria Smitka, President