It is with great humility as I step forward as president of the Philippine Nurses Association of San Diego, County Inc. I am honored and privileged to be given an opportunity to lead PNASD as it continues to build a strong foundation for the next generation. During the past 33 years, PNASD has had the flexibility and strength to allow younger generations of nurses to emerge as leaders. Those leaders that have served before me with their dedication and mentorship have made the difference we are experiencing today. Your continued encouragement and support in the pursuit of excellence has set a precedent for future leaders.

Tonight, we recognize and celebrate those individuals that have exemplified PNASD's commitment to excellence in the field of nursing. To ensure a continued education for future nurses, scholarship funds will be awarded to deserving students to provide them the opportunity to continue their nursing careers.

During my term in office, I would like to continue the development and implementation of programs for nurses to achieve certification in their chosen specialty. Through diverse nursing expertise of our membership, the organization will harness the talent and experience of ourmembers to attain this goal. Let us uphold ourselves to attain a higher standard.

The commitment to community service PNASD has shown in the past will continue during my term. Through collaboration and cooperation with National Hispanic Nurses Association [NHNA], Black Nurses Association, National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Association [NCEMNA], Council of Pilipino American Organization [COPAO], and Union of Pan Asian Communities [UPAC] during health fairs and forums, we will continue our active involvement. Our ever changing world makes us face myriads of health care issues that our community faces every day. We will face those challenges and reach out to other health care agencies to be part of and give insight to the cultural differences that has hindered the access to health care in the past so we can better our future.

PNASD will align the commitment to passion and involvement with PNAA, to meet the demands of the globalization of health care that comes with rapid innovations and discovery. It is through our common desire to help those in need that we are drawn together and collectively we can make a difference. Tonight, let it be a renewal and new beginning for all the Filipino Nurses in San Diego.

Let me conclude with a quote from a famous pacifist and world leader, Mahatma Gandhi: