A tribute to a great University of the Philippines nurse, the Julita V. Sotejo Medallion of Honor was established by UPNAAI in 1993 as its highest and most coveted award to recognize nursing alumni who embody ideals espoused by Julita V. Sotejo, principal, UP-PGHSN, founder and first dean, U.P. College of Nursing.
Medallium Honoris Servitium Pro Patriae et Humanitate
(For Service to Country and Humanity)
J.V. SOTEJO MEDALLION OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
2023
Jenneth Beloy Doria, BSN'79, DNP, MS, RN
Transformational nurse leader
Excellent clinical nurse, public health nurse, nursing professor, field researcher, eloquent speaker at local, national and international settings
Head of a sustainable and very much needed philantrophy, ihhelpp.org (Improving Health, Housing, Education & Livelihood for the Poor of the Philippines) - since 2006, has given suport to school children, youth & families by providing water supply & building toilets in far flung public schools, outfitting school libraries with books, providing prenatal & maternal child care
Extensive contribution in bedside nursing, scholarly endeavors in education, research & humanitarian services that have significantly impacted the health outcomes & overall well-being of the people served
2022
Phoebe Cabotaje Andes, BSN'56, MA, PhD, RN
Consummate nurse leader
Instrumental in developing procedures to educate expectant mothers in the birthing process and advocating for fathers to have a flexible visitation schedule to maximize quality time with the mother and newborn baby
Founder and Founding President of UPN-EC
Founder and Founding President of PNA-NJ that eventually gave rise to the Philippine Nurses Association of America
Co-founded and 2nd President of the PNAA
First Filipino nurse appointed as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, paving the way for Filipinos to be appointed in many key government offices
Awarded The Most Distinguished Alumni Awardee for Leadership by the UPNAAI (June 23, 2013)
First nurse to be awarded the Banaag Award conferred by Philippine President Joseph Estrada (December 16, 2000)
DIVA Award given b the Institute of Nursing Foundation of New Jersey State Nurses Association (December 6, 2000)
First nurse to be awarded the Lifetime Distinguished Alumna Awardee by University of the Philippines Alumni Association (2021)
2021
Violeta Lopez, GN'71, MNA, MPET, PhD, RN, FACN
Fellow at the Royal College of Nursing in Australia
Continues to share her "intellectual properties" gained from teaching and mentoring many Asean graduate and post-graduate students who made professional nursing contributions in their respective specialties
Keynote and plenary session speaker: South Korean Asia Federation of Critical Area Nurses, Mexican Association of Critical Nurses, World Nursing Conference (Singapore), Philippine Embassy Nurses Forum (Australia)
2016 Lifetime Achievement Awardee from US President Barack Obama for grateful cognition of her lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service
Commissioned by the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels by the Governor of Kentucky for her good deeds, noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding community service in under-developed and developing countries
2020
Area of Expertise: Cancer Caregiving, Quality of LIfe, Oncology Nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Scientist, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA
Director, Center for Quality and Outcomes Research, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA
Assistant Professor of Translational Neurosciences & Neurotherapeutics, John Wayne Cancer Institute - Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA
Nurse Corps, US Air Force Reserve, March ARB, Riverside CA
Lecturer, University of the Philippines Open University, UP Diliman, QC, Philippines
"... One does not have to be in the Philippines to serve the people."
2019
Professor Emerita, UP College Of Nursing
Consecrated Lay Woman, Member of Notre Dame De Vie
Educational consultant for various universities
Author of published textbooks used by various schools of nursing in the Philippines
Mentor to Graduate Students
Speaker for local and national conferences
National Awardee, Outstanding College Teacher
National Awardee, Outstanding Professional in Nursing
Former Member, Board of Registered Nursing
For her dedication to be the consummate educator, nurse, researcher, nun, counselor, author, mentor and “mother” to many UPCN alumni and nurses from other schools and hospitals whom she considers her big family of “adopted children.”
Professor, UP College Of Nursing
Former Chairperson, Professional Regulations Commission
President, Secular Carmelite Order St. Teresa of Jesus
President, UP-PGHSNAA - Legacy Book Project
For her courage and compassion in restoring the dignity and integrity of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) - Board of Nursing
Former Dean and Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Far Eastern University, Institute of Nursing
For her dedication in elevating the nursing education and working to organize the nursing professionals into Ang Nars, a socio-political organization that aims to alleviate, if not solve, problems that perennially beleaguer nursing in the Philippines.
Projects Director
Health Futures Foundation,Inc
For her commitment to championing a community-based nurse living and working with the people using a holistic perspective and approach. She distinguished herself as a pioneer in the practice of traditional Filipino medicine and other forms of complementary health strategies.
2015
Edmund JY Pajarillo, BSN’79, MPA’90, MSN, PhD, RN-BC, CPHQ, NEA-BC
Associate Professor of Graduate Nursing Studies
Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health - Garden City, NY
For his leadership in Nurses' House, a national charitable institution providing short-term financial assistance to nurses in need as a result of illness, injury or disability; and his extensive academic work in Nursing Informatics.
2014
Dula Fara-on Pacquiao, BSN'68, MN'77, EdD'92
Professor and Director, Stanley S. Burgen Center for Multicultural Education Research & Practice
Rutgers University School of Nursing - Newark, NJ
For her leadership and advocacy of transcultural nursing and her work on health care programs to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention.
2013
Marlene Cataylo Chance, GN'75, BSN, MSN, PhD, EJD, RN, FNP-BC
Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Primary Care Physicians of Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Florida
For her unrelenting effort in advocating the role of Nurse Practitioners in the many facets of the medical profession.
2012
Minerva Salinas Guttman, BSN'68, MA, M.Ed., Ed.D., RN, APN
Chief Academic and Administrative Officer
Henry P. Becton School of Nursing and Allied Health
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Teaneck, NJ
For her dedication in enhancing competency in nursing practice through integration of nursing education and other skills.
2011
Marilyn Machon Patillo, BSN'69, MSN, PhD, RN, GNP -BC, CNS-BC
Associate Professor, University of Texas, Austin
For her work on bioterrorism preparedness, contemporary disaster response and recovery skills for nurses and continuing service with the Homeland Security.
2010
Lorraine S. Evangelista, BSN'85, MN, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA, FAAN
Associate Professor, University of California in Los Angeles
For her work on understanding the nature, causes, and prevention of cardiovascular infirmities, including self -care and symptom management.
2009
Fely Marilyn Elegado-Lorenzo, BSN'73, MPH'81, DrPH
Professor, University of the Philippines - College of Public Health
For her service as a community nurse and her work on the burdens of malaria and dengue diseases in the Philippines.
2008
Josefina Angeles Tuazon, BSN'77, MN, DrPH
Professor and Former Dean, University of the Philippines - College of Nursing
For her advocacy of physical well being through education, training and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
2007
Carolina Pestano De Guzman, GN'54, BSN'59, MSN, CCRN, CPAN
Retired Post Anesthesia Care Nurse Samuel Merrit Hospital
For her work, research and development and publication of the policy manual for post anesthesia care entitled: Comprehensive Guidelines for Post Anesthesia Care Nursing Practice
2006
Mely C.M. De Leon, BSN'61, MS
Critical Care Nurse, Pediatric ICU
Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
Is almost synonymous with three words/categories: alumni, professional nursing association, and patient care. She truly epitomizes the ideals espoused by Dean Sotejo in the areas of patient care, leadership, academics, involvement in professional associations and scholarly activities.
2005
Luz Buenavista-Tungpalan, BSN'63, MA'76
Dean and Associate Professor, University of the Philippines - College of Nursing
Best known as the author of the biography of the UPCN Founder and first Dean for 22 years, Dr. Julita V. Sotejo, entitled: Action Oriented Leadership and LV. Sotejo: A Biography (2001).
"dedicated to all UPCN alumni who have been privileged to partake of the fruits of Dean Julita V. Sotejo's vision and leadership - that they may in turn light each other's path with the glow of their ideals."
2004
Marilou Aniceto-Wasseluk, BSN'67, MPA'72, PhD
Professor and Director, Oakton Community College
Associate Degree in Nursing Program, Des Plaines, Illinois
For her contribution to the solutions of the current problem of disparities among minority students in the health care professions (nursing).
2003
Rozzano C. Locsin, PhD'88
Professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
For his commitment to promote "caring" as the essence of nursing in his teaching, publications, scholarly and consulting activities nationwide and globally.
2002
Cecilia Marcaida Laurente, BSN'67, MN'73, PhD
Dean, University of the Philippines - College of Nursing
For bringing the attention of the world to the plight of the Filipino nurses, and her militant activism in the service of her profession, her country and fellowmen.
2001
Soledad Salvador-Grino, GN'51, BSN, MPH
Program Director, Philippine Leprosy Mission
For her lifelong service, mission, and care for the unfortunate victims of the dreaded leprosy.
2000
Leticia Sta Maria-Lantican, BSN'62, MA'79, PhD'80 (Psych)
Director, College of Nursing, University of Texas
Expert Consultant, National Institute of Mental Health - Bethesda MD
For her work on mental health care integration, stress coping, social support, community health, worker's training and health services research.
1999
Phoebe Dauz-Williams, BSN'62, MN69, MN, PhD, FAAN
Professor, University of Kansas School of Nursing
The first Filipino to be recognized as Fellow of the American Academy of Nurses (FAAN)
For her work on children, their development and reaction to illness and hospitalization.
1997
Aurora Santos-Yapchiongco, GN'50, BSN, MA'64, DrPH
Former Assistant Principal, Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing
Former Dean, University of the Philippines - College of Nursing
For the implementation of the competency-based community -oriented BSN curriculum which became one of the bases for the designation of the UPCN as WHO Collaborating Center for Nursing Development in Primary Health Care
1996
Erlinda Agustin-Simunek, BSN'62, EdD, JD
Founding Dean and Professor, Florida International University School of Nursing
With blended roles as nurse researcher, clinician and attorney connected with a law firm specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, etc; Involved in promoting International Nursing.
1995
Erlinda Ortin, BSN'69, MN'71, MPH'85
Technical Adviser in Nursing, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Involved in working for just compensation for nurses in the Philippines which gained the attention of the International Labor Organization in Geneva.
1994
Mollyn Villareal-Bohnen, BSN'62, MS, MD
Professor, California State University in Sacramento
Prolific researcher and lecturer who has been traveling around the world to share her expertise with others; Involved in providing opportunities for minority students and foreign nurses.
1993
Feicitas de la Cruz -Millman, GN'59, BSN'65, MA'70, DNSc
Professor, Azusa Pacific University and California State University
Known for her relentless work and research in Home Health Care and her pioneering spirit in implementing the High Risk Home Health Nursing Clinical Specialty Program.