Celebrating Service, Scholarship, and Unity
UPNAAI celebrated its 47th Annual Convention in Detroit, Michigan, bringing together alumni from around the world for a meaningful gathering centered on service, scholarship, leadership, and fellowship.
The convention opened with a pre-conference community service project at St. Aloysius Church, where volunteers distributed meals and beverages, prepared food and hygiene packs for their pantry and donated $500 to the church. This act of compassion reflected UPNAAI's enduring commitment to public service and the values shared by UP nurses.
Guided by the theme, "Nurses: A Force Amidst Challenging Issues and Emerging Trends in Healthcare," Day 1 featured an outstanding educational program addressing today's most pressing issues in nursing. The conference opened with the 2026 JV Sotejo Medallion of Honor Awardee, Dolora Sanares-Carreon, who emphasized the transformative role of evidence-based nursing practice. Michelle Costa Bochinski introduced participants to nursing informatics and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Journalist Ryan Tejero highlighted the leadership and community impact of nurses as portrayed in the media. Two UPCN Class of 1991 graduates followed: Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa, a member of the Nevada State Board of Nursing and 2026 UpROSE Awardee, discussed culturally sensitive self-care programs for immigrant Filipino nurses to combat burnout, while Geraldine Kidary, a recent DNP graduate and 2026 Excellence in Nursing Practice Awardee, demonstrated how lifestyle medicine, self-care, and culture can promote whole-person nursing care.
The educational sessions were complemented by poster presentations showcasing innovative research, community initiatives, and evidence-based practice, underscoring the continued contributions of UP nursing alumni. The traditional Roll Call of Classes brought enthusiasm and nostalgia as alumni proudly represented their graduating batches, followed by the General Assembly, where members received organizational updates and celebrated collective achievements.
Day One - Conference, Poster Presentations & Film Showing
Day 1 concluded with a screening of the documentary That Strange Summer, which revisits the wrongful prosecution of Filipino nurses Filipina Narciso and Leonora Perez following unexplained patient deaths at a Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1975. Although both nurses were convicted in 1977, a federal judge later overturned the verdict for insufficient evidence, and the government declined to retry the case. The film served as a powerful lesson on implicit bias in healthcare and sparked an engaging discussion with filmmaker Dr. Geri Alumit Zeldes, who joined attendees for a question-and-answer session.
On Day 2, members participated in the Governance Meeting, where leaders and delegates discussed strategic priorities and organizational initiatives to ensure UPNAAI remains responsive to the needs of its growing membership. UPNAAI attendees then embarked on a two-hour cruise aboard the Detroit Princess Cruise as it traveled along the waters of the international border between Detroit, Michigan (USA) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada).
The convention concluded with a festive Dinner and Dance celebrating friendship, music, and Filipino heritage. As alumni renewed old friendships and forged new ones, the 47th Annual Convention reaffirmed UPNAAI's mission to advance the nursing profession through service, education, leadership, and unity.
