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PRESS RELEASE
WDC-59-2026

16 October 2026

Embassy Press and Information Section

info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA) co-hosted the 2026 Pagdiriwang ng Kahusayan (Celebration of Excellence) at the Philippine Embassy on 09 October 2026, honoring 11 Filipino and Filipino-American nurses who were inducted as fellows into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN).

The 11 honorees are Dr. Nelson Aquino, Dr. Raquel Bertiz, Dr. Benjamin Joel Breboneria, Brigitte Cypress, Dr. Federico Mendoza Doliente III, Dr. Pablito Roberto Gahol, Dr. Maria Reila Molina, Dr. Rayne Soriano, Mila Sprouse, Dr. Jandryle Trondillo, and Dr. Patria Villacorta Manalaysay. They join more than 3,600 distinguished Fellows of the Academy, whose members represent accomplished leaders in nursing policy, research, administration, clinical practice, and academia. This was also the first time a Filipino nurse based in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia was inducted into the AAN.

The event was attended by distinguished leaders and representatives of nursing organizations, including Dr. Kenneth White, Past President of the American Academy of Nursing; Dr. Beverly Malone of the National League for Nursing; Dr. Angie Millan of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations; Dr. Ena Williams of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership; Dr. Bradley Goettl-Ng of the American Nurses Enterprise; and and Dr. Katherine Finn-Davis of the University of Hawaii At Manoa.

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez welcomed the incoming Fellows, their families, PNAA National Chapter President and 2026 Fellow Dr. Pablito Roberto Gahol, PNAA officials and members, and representatives of various nursing and healthcare organizations. 

In his remarks, the Ambassador congratulated the honorees on their achievements and recognized the longstanding contributions of Filipino nurses to the healthcare profession and to the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the United States. “Your induction is not simply a recognition of individual achievement, but a celebration of the knowledge, compassion, leadership, and service that Filipino nurses bring to their profession,” the Ambassador said.

The celebration also coincided with Filipino American History Month and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Philippines-United States diplomatic relations, highlighting the important contributions of Filipino nurses to the American healthcare system, and the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.

At the same time, Dr. Kenneth White closed the ceremony with an inspiring message and gave a toast in honor of the new Fellows. Encouraging the inductees to embrace their roles and contribute actively to the profession worldwide, he affirmed, “It is not a mistake that you are here. You belong here and you were meant to be here… We need what you know, we need how you serve, so get involved.”

The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) advances health policy, practice, and science through nursing leadership and organizational excellence. Its Fellowship recognizes nursing professionals whose significant contributions have helped advance the profession and improve health outcomes. The PNAA, a nonprofit professional organization with 55 chapters and more than 5,000 members across the United States, promotes the welfare, professional development, and excellence of Filipino-American nurses through education, research, leadership, and clinical practice.

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