Featured Nurse Leader
Mila C. Velasquez, MN, RN, CS, APRN, BC
Mila Velasquez is a notable nursing leader in the Filipino community.
She recently (July 2006) stepped down after two years as president of
the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) and just retired after
over 25 years working in leadership positions within the Veterans Affairs
Healthcare services. Mila received her undergraduate and graduate nursing
degrees from the University of the Philippines and Post Master’s
(adult nurse practitioner) from the Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. As a nursing leader, Mila has worked
to transform her professional organizations by promoting professional
excellence and unity. She has been active in multiple professional organizations
for many years especially as an advocate for Filipino nurses. Currently,
Mila is co-chair of the Asian Task Force of the American Heart Association,
Western Region, a Board Member of the National Coalition of Minority Nurses
Association, and Nurse Executive/Education Consultant, Health Care Services
International, Inc., a nonprofit organization run by a professional group
of nurses, whose mission is to provide free health care and education
to underserved populations.. She is the recipient of multiple prestigious
national awards including the 2004 Special Congressional Award for Public
Service from Representative Bob Filner. Her most recent award was the
Meritorious Presidential Leadership Award, from PNAA- July 2, 2006.
As an adult nurse practitioner, smoking cessation is one of her top
priorities. “My awareness of the importance of tobacco control was
in my early years as a nurse when I witnessed the devastating effects
of tobacco use on my father” (who occasionally smoked tobacco to
relax after a stressful day of work and though he quit smoking, eventually
died of emphysema). Since then, Mila promised herself that she would be
a strong advocate for tobacco control.
After participating as one of the 21 members of the national nursing
leadership task force for tobacco control in the historic March 2004 summit,
Mila, in collaboration with TFN and other nursing leaders, worked with
the PNAA Executive Board to prioritize, approve and implement an action
plan to advocate for nursing involvement in tobacco control. Mila, with
Dr. Leda Danao, and Dr. Luz Porter, chair of the PNAA Research Committee,
surveyed Filipino American nurses regarding tobacco control behaviors
and attitudes (adapted from Dr Sarna’s nurses and tobacco control
survey). PNAA implemented the nationwide survey at four PNAA regional
conferences and one national conference. The national data and results
of the study were presented at the July 2005, PNAA Annual Convention and
at the 5th PNAA International Nursing Conference in Honolulu, HI in January
2006.
The survey showed that of the 233 (49% response rate) Filipino American
nurses (FANs) who participated in the survey, 214 (92%) had never smoked
and only 2 (1%) were current smokers. Twenty per cent (n = 39) were living
with a smoker and 38% (n = 71) had a household member with a tobacco-related
illness. Similar to findings with other nursing sub-groups, almost all
FANs believed that educating patients about the risks of smoking was very
important, however only 17% (n = 35) were aware of the AHRQ clinical practice
guideline for treating tobacco use and dependence. Participants (90%,
n = 206) were overwhelmingly positive that nurses need to be involved
in helping their patients quit. The results of this study will be used
as a basis for future educational program offered to PNAA leadership and
members to help PNAA members become tobacco control advocates in the community
where they practice.
With Mila’s outstanding leadership as their guide, the PNAA will
continue to support activities and legislation related to tobacco control
in collaboration with other professional organizations to promote a unified
approach in fighting for this cause.
Mila would like to encourage nurses to become active volunteers in their
professional and social communities and explore all opportunities to be
involved and make a difference as a leader. Mila expressed that, “true
leaders must not only have a vision; but most importantly, must act to
live their vision, to make a difference.” Mila leaves an enduring
legacy of making a positive difference for tobacco control in the Filipino
nursing community.
View Previous Featured Nurse Leaders
- Gregory Howard, LPN
- Mila C. Velasquez, MN, RN, CS, APRN, BC
- Terri Roberts, J.D., R.N.
- Cynthia Hornberger, RN, MBA, PhD
- Josie Howard-Ruben, RN, MS, AOCN, CHPN
- Janie Heath PhD, APRN-BC, ANP, ACNP
- Mary Ellen Wewers, RN, PhD, MPH, FAAN
- Linda Sarna, RN, DNSc, FAAN
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