Honoring Outstanding Contributions

The UPNAAI Excellence Awards (UEA) provides recognition to UPNAAI Life Members who have made outstanding contributions to nursing and the community through excellence and achievements in research, education, community, clinical practice and administration.

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2026 Awardees

Celebrating Four Exemplary UP Nurses Whose Leadership, Service, and Impact Elevate the Profession

UPNAAI proudly honors four outstanding UP Nursing alumni whose achievements reflect excellence in clinical practice, humanitarian service, organizational leadership, and professional advancement. This year’s UPNAAI Excellence Awards (UEA) and UPNAAI Recognition of Service Excellence (UP-RoSE) Awards recognize Geraldine Kidary, Norma A. Yabut, Elizabeth De Leon‑Gamboa, and Wilhelmina “Willy” Ungco—distinguished nurses whose contributions embody the UP spirit of competence, compassion, and service to humanity.

Clinical Nurse of the Year Award

Geraldine “Gigi” Kidary, MS, APRN, FNP‑BC, GS‑C

Geraldine “Gigi” Kidary is a highly accomplished nurse practitioner and healthcare leader with more than 25 years of experience across primary care, population health, and long‑term care. She currently serves in a senior leadership role at UnitedHealth Group, where she provides strategic clinical direction, oversees quality and compliance initiatives, and leads cross‑functional efforts that support Medicare Advantage growth and performance.

As founder and owner of Narra Primary Care, PLLC, she delivers autonomous primary care services and integrates evidence‑based lifestyle medicine into patient care and virtual coaching programs—advancing prevention, chronic disease management, and whole‑person wellness.

Her career reflects deep expertise in clinical operations, medical expense management, and healthcare analytics, contributing to large‑scale initiatives such as Medicaid Managed Care implementation and system‑wide process improvements. A committed educator and mentor, she precepts nurse practitioner students and guides graduate nursing trainees.

Her excellence has been recognized through multiple honors, including a Nursing Excellence Award, a PNAA Scholarship Award, and leadership recognitions within her organization. As President of the UPNAA Florida Chapter, a sought‑after speaker on lifestyle medicine and brain health, and a community advocate who has raised over $22,000 for health‑related causes, she exemplifies the highest standards of clinical leadership and service.

Humanitarian Service of the Year Award

Norma A. Yabut, GN ’68, BSN ’69, RN

Norma A. Yabut is a devoted nurse, humanitarian, and global servant leader whose decades‑long career spans critical care, neurosurgical nursing leadership, and PACU practice. Beyond her clinical excellence, she has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to humanitarian service through sustained volunteerism, international outreach, and community development.

A long‑time volunteer with UPMASA, she has participated in annual and biannual medical, surgical, and dental missions in underserved regions of the Philippines—bringing essential care to communities with limited access to healthcare. Her global impact extends to Africa, where she has supported educational initiatives in Uganda and Rwanda, funded schools, and provided academic support to students.

Through Pearl S. Buck International, she has sponsored children from elementary through college, personally visiting them to ensure continued support. Her work with Catholic Relief Services includes organizing meal‑packing events that produced more than 32,000 meals for orphanages in Africa and supporting ethical trade initiatives benefiting farmers and artisans.

Locally, she has served in multiple leadership roles within her church and Filipino‑American community. Her lifelong dedication to service, compassion, and social responsibility has uplifted countless individuals and communities across the globe.

UPNAAI Recognition of Service Excellence (UP‑RoSE) Award

Elizabeth De Leon‑Gamboa, MSN Ed., BSN ’91, RN, CPHQ, CCM, CMCN

Elizabeth De Leon‑Gamboa is a steadfast UPNAAI leader whose contributions have strengthened the organization’s governance, compliance, and educational mission. As Director and Corresponding Secretary (2019–2021), and as Chair of the Constitution & Bylaws and Policies & Procedures Committee, she played a pivotal role in modernizing UPNAAI’s organizational framework.

She led the amendment process for the 2016 Constitution and oversaw the ratification of the 2021 Constitution, ensuring regulatory compliance and safeguarding UPNAAI’s 501(c)(3) status. Her work included drafting new policies on gift‑giving, meetings, and documentation—reinforcing transparency, accountability, and operational integrity.

Her commitment to education is reflected in the De Leon‑Gamboa Seeds of Hope Nursing Scholarship, which supports UPCN students and contributes to the Balik Turo initiative. She has also served as a committee member, poster presenter, and recruiter of new and lifetime members, demonstrating sustained dedication to UPNAAI’s growth and mission.

UPNAAI Recognition of Service Excellence (UP‑RoSE) Award

Wilhelmina “Willy” Ungco, BSN ’79, CCRN

Wilhelmina “Willy” Ungco is a transformative UPNAAI leader whose nearly decade‑long service has shaped the organization’s growth, adaptability, and continuity. She has held multiple leadership roles—including President, Vice President, and committee chair positions—consistently advancing UPNAAI’s mission through innovation, collaboration, and mentorship.

Willy spearheaded the organization’s transition to virtual platforms, leading UPNAAI’s first virtual convention during the pandemic and introducing Zoom as a standard tool for meetings and organizational operations. Her leadership strengthened internal structures by improving policies and procedures, enhancing committee functions, and supporting revenue growth through yearbook initiatives.

Known for her deep institutional knowledge and mentorship‑driven leadership, she has guided emerging leaders, supported multiple committees, and contributed to key projects such as Balik Turo. Her commitment to service, organizational excellence, and community building has left a lasting imprint on UPNAAI.