On November 7 and 8, 2014 the17th Eastern Regional Conference was held at Bally’s Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ .The 2 day event was hosted by PNANew Jersey. Participants were unanimous in their perception that the conference achieved the goals it aimed for. In line with President Hermosa’s Lead, Empower and Transform, this year’s theme was PNAA and the Future of Nursing: Leading Change and Advancing Health.

On day one, the leadership workshop sponsored by the Leadership Institute was conducted using the Liberating Structure®methods by McCandless and Lipmanowicz. The innovative approach captivated the audience as soon as the speaker, President Leticia Hermosa, was introduced by lead education plannerMs. Amelia Guzman in a TV show fashion in a setting that mimicked a studio set. The applause was appropriately acknowledged by Dr.Hermosa in a celebrity like gesture that instantly energized the group. In the interview by Dr.Rey Rivera and Ms. Amelia Guzman, she shared her educational background, her goalsand her vision of where she intends to see PNAA in her 2 year term. Dr. Hermosa successfully integrated her presentation expounding on the topics of leadership, empowerment and transformation with the inclusion of the participants in an interactive and lively discussion that covered membership, education, financial stability, community outreach andinvolvement in state and national quality projects.  Highlighting best practices in engaging members to the organization the 112 delegates from 19 state chapters and 10 PNANJ subchapters were challenged by Dr. Hermosa by rallying all to her “Let’s do it” mantra.

The festive air of the morning was carried through to the next event which was the networking night. The informal affair treated the participants to a sumptuous Italian-Chinese inspired cocktail spread, wine and drinks. It was a night of camaraderie, meeting new friends, and cultivating productive relationships perhaps applying the learned techniques from the morning session into good use. It was also a night were stars were born. PNAA ERC Idol a friendly singing competition hosted by PNANJ Pres. Belle Villafuerte was a showof talents among the chapters. While Hazel Bambalan won the top idol prize with her professional like rendition of her song, the show stopper was courtesy of the PNAA presidents past and present. Dr.Hermosa with her Paper Roses rendition, Drs. Leo Jurado and Rey Rivera’s duet and Vicky Navarro’s grand entrance for her performance lying in the arms of 3 men in her New York, New York number were a source of great entertainment. Music filled the air as everybody became a part of impromptu sing alongs. Then there were the dances! It was a mesmerizing show of artistry and talent when the Atlantic Dance group performed an ethnic number that wowed the audience. Similarly the fun number from the silver clad gals from Virginia was a sight to behold and so were the upbeat moves of the dancing girls from Morris subchapter, NJ. The one man band of Drew Villafuerte, son of Belle Villafuerte entertained all with lively music and nonstop dancing that lasted up to the last second of the contracted time.

The Education Program with the theme: PNAA and the Future of Nursing: Leading Change and Advancing Health, on day two, was the highlight of the conference and were attended by 221 members. The keynote speakerVictoria Rich, PhD RN FAAN, inspired the crowd with her talk and challenged the organization to be active partners in the professional changes. Mary Wachter spoke about Action Coalition and PNAA role in leading change. Dr. Rita Adeniran discussed imperatives for diversity, inclusion and cultural competency. Dr. Leo Jurado’s presentation on his dissertation on the social construction of the Filipino nurses in the Philippines and as foreign educated nurses in the USA touched many hearts and rekindled memories as he talked about the many factors that constituted the journey.On a much lighter note Lorraine Micheletti, RN, MA, MSN perked up the crowd with her aptly titled presentation “So You Think You Can Nurse in the 22nd Century?”The daunting task of nursing in the 22ndcentury with all the challenges and innovations was no match to the humor, fun and wit of Ms. Mischeletti‘s delivery of her piece that brought the house down.  It was a perfect ending to a hectic day.

Evoking the history of Atlantic City as home to the Miss America pageant the gala night took on the glamour and the pageantry of the event. The program hosted by Ms.Arlin Fidellaga and Mr.Ian Saludares opened the night with the national anthem followed by an invocation by Ms .LolitCompas. In between the sumptuous dinner the guests were treated to numerous surprises the highlight of which was the Miss America beauty pageant by the host chapter PNANJ. As the 12 contestants, all looking radiant and lovely in their best reproduction of the Miss America look, started parading in, the night was transformed into the elegance of the era. The girls serenaded byMr. Anthony Bautista introduced themselves and the state they represented with such pizazz but the priceless moment of the whole charade was the “crowning” of a very surprised Dr. Letty Hermosa as Miss America. The look and the wave as she did her victory walk were as authentic as the scepter and the crown that she won. The dancing stars of Richmond Virginia’s rendition of a country style modern dance had everybody tapping their toes to the rhythm of the music.The NY chapter jazzy performance was greeted with wild applause. Awards were then handed to valuable PNAA membersor chaptersthat demonstrated exceptional commitment to the organization during the past year.

Leadership:  PNA New York  -for hosting the 16th ER Conference and a lot of great projects the past  2  years,  led by Immediate Past President Vernie Bacolot .Empowerment: Cora Marasigan, President, Richmond, Virginia for taking the challenge to carry on the vacated chapter Presidency  and bringing the regional conference to Richmond  Virginia in 2015 Transformational:  PNA Metropolitan DC for achieving autonomy from PNA Maryland and numerous successful projects in the past 2 years; medical missions,3K Fundraising and the task of hosting the 2016 National Convention

PNAA Eastern Region Rookie of the Year- Belinda Reyes, President, Delaware Valley, Inc. for assuming the role of the President left prematurely by the previously  elected officer. PNAA Eastern Region MVP of the Year:  Majuvy Sulse, President of PNANJ 2012-2014; COPRR for ER; Played a significant role in the collected $30K in the 5 K Fundraising events.

PNANJ also handed its scholarship award to Jonathan Gapilango and the CARE AWARD for nursing administration to Eileen Espiritu while Ruth Alea garnered both a scholarship award as well as the CARE award for clinical excellence.
The event with about 208 attendees wrapped up with the turn-over of the symbolic lamp/light to the 2015 ERC host, Virginia Chapter by the PNANJ and a closing remark from Ms. Rebecca Graboso (President elect PNANJ). As the curtain slowly closed the pattering feet of the untiring dancing queens and kings of PNAA continued to savor the rhythm of the music up to the last note.

The final event of the 17th ERC conference was on the 3rd day with a thanksgiving mass attended by about 150 members Sunday morning. Officiated by Rev.Fr. PJ Alindogan the mass was a fitting culmination to a successful 17th Eastern Regional Conference.