A host of activities was accomplished by the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California this year but the most important of all was the holding of the 32nd PNAA National Convention (click here to view and/or download pictures). Held at the Hyatt Hotel in San Francisco last July, we can proudly say that the event was very successful. Thanks to all the members especially the Executive Board and the Board Members who worked so hard to make the event a tremendous success.

In August, PNANC participated in the Pistahan in San Francisco. They had a First Aid booth where free clinic like Blood Pressure checks and Health Teaching was provided by some of the members. Our Nurses were greatly appreciated by the Filipino community who came to the Pistahan.

In November, PNANC had an Educational Conference to help nurses obtain Continuing Education and also educate them about the current trends in nursing.

In early December, PNANC sponsored its 5th annual Christmas celebration in San Francisco called Pasko Ng Mga Bayani (click here to view and/or download pictures). Every year, our Filipino War Veterans look forward to this festive Christmas celebration where they are honored for all the heroism they showed decades ago. Also in December, PNANC participated in a Free Clinic campaign at St Andrew’s Catholic Church where some of our members volunteered to give flu shots.

We ended the year by celebrating the graduation of about 13 Certified Nursing Assistant students (click here to view and/or download pictures). PNANC, in collaboration with American College of Nursing and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, helped these 13 students graduate in the CNA program. Truly a wonderful gift!  Thanks again to the American College of Nursing, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya for all the financial support and the PNANC volunteers who donated hours and hours of their time to teach these students.

We look forward to 2012, and we aspire to make it even more productive than 2011.

By Lydee Hershey