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SOR PAZ WOWS ALUMNI AT UST NURSES REUNION -

Reported by Annabelle Loyola-Cosas

USTNAA (University of Santo Tomas Nurses Association of America), the national organization of UST nurses in the U.S., held its 9th Grand Reunion at The Orleans Hotel/Casino (Tropicana Avenue) in Las Vegas on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 2008.

Entertainment galore, that's Las Vegas. But what really brought the house down during the three days with the Thomasian nurses was Sor Paz Marfori, D.C., dean of the college when we were in UST. Our reaction was more than what any Hollywood or Vegas celebrity could excite us. Sor Paz won our attention and our hearts. For someone who had her "youth stolen from her" -- because of all the many, tough and demanding responsibilities put on her at such a young age as a religious sister (in charge of 36 nuns) and as a nurse (being Directress of Nursing at the hospital and later, Dean of the College of Nursing) -- Sor Paz was having a grand time - at the fellowship night and the gala night - and sharing it well with us as we reciprocated with much joy and enthusiasm. We were surely touched and blessed by her presence. Her wisdom, her motherliness, her leadership still befell on each and every one of us. She's 81 and living and loving it!

   

Early Friday morning, as four of us came from the fitness center, stepping-out of the elevator was Sor Paz and company. We were so thrilled to "bump" into her and quickly introduced ourselves. I personally thanked her for the discipline she gave us - that it's because of that discipline that we pursued and became successful in our profession. "The discipline she gave us" was echoed a few more times by fellow alumni. Yes, she was strict - and she even mentioned "may natastasan pa d'yan [ng hemline]" in her speech at the gala night. 

Sor Paz said "if you are here, you must be good." At UST, we made it among thousands of other nursing students/applicants. For all her strictness in every sense, it formed us - for the better. We became resilient, formidable and stood up for our own beliefs, standards and values. The  Thomasian virtues - we continue to uphold, both professionally and personally. 

Sor Paz asked "are you aware of what your mission in life is?" and advised "of all the affluence of material goods, keep your faith." She also expounded on love. "Without love, you can't go on in nursing… what is the measure of your patient satisfaction?" She quoted St. Augustine, "love and all the rest will follow" and St. Vincent de Paul, "the measure of true love is love without measure." Sor Paz concluded, "love your work for God!"

Las Vegas reunion was quite a success! Thank you to USTNA Nevada for hosting the Grand Reunion of USTNAA. Minda Bagunu-Banaria  and the officers/organizers truly outdid themselves to make the three days such a wonderful and memorable event.

    

The education conference earned us 4.5 contact hours of continuing education. Anita Daus, PhD, RN - Enhancing Culturally/Appropriate Healthcare of Filipino-Americans Approaches to health care among Filipino-Americans - consider gender, age, geographical origin; monitor non-verbal behaviors; consider ethnic diet; understand their strong belief in God; culture is not static; and keep in mind that the client is a culturally unique individual even if s/he is a member of the Filipino-American ethnic group. 

Maria Gonzales, DPA, RN - Technological Competency and Caring in Nursing - "Nursing" is fixing or making a person whole again. "Caring" is a human mode of being. From the professional nurse, "call to know me as a caring person and affirm me." In the 21st century, the human body has come to be viewed as a machine reparable by other machine ("dehumanize"). In caring for the patient, we have to know the person in his wholeness. The patient is telling us "my mind, my soul - as you see me in my eyes, the essence of me."

Elizabeth Fildes, EDD, RN - Spirituality and Health As we care for the patient as a whole, we also learn that nursing is a ministry. We take care of the soul and spirit of the patient; his "energy." If we don't find meaning in suffering, we die. Surrender doesn't mean to be a coward, to be weak. It means strength.

Antonio Jayoma,  RN, MSPHN, MBA, CCRN Advanced Directives, Bioethics and Nursing at End-of-Life Care - End-of-life care is given to a person during the last part of his life when it has become clear that he is in a state of decline. Nurses (hospice especially) deliver palliative care (comfort measures) customized for the individual patient. He is allowed to  make personal decisions related to final moments on advanced directives: do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status and medical power of attorney. With this, he is taking his dignity back as a person and hopefully be at peace with his spiritual being. St. Ignatius Loyola believes that humanism and holiness require each other… that human beings are living in a "universe of grace".  

From our honored guests, Sor Paz added that moaning and groaning are an assuage of pain. Ms. Glenda Vargas stated "if we know more of ourselves, we are more effective to others." She also mentioned "Balik Turo" for any alumni, when they visit UST, to give an educational presentation.

   

After the seminar, the assembly meeting followed. Nancy Nolasco-Hoff, President 2006-2008, presided; Martha Evan-gelista-Cabarios read the minutes of the 2007 meeting and gave the treasurer's report; Vicki Berbano presented the Constitution and By-laws (revised by Vicki and Pete Calixto). 

   

Nomination and election of officers - President-elect is Ferdinand Luyun. From class 1969, elected were Annabelle Loyola-Cosas, Executive Secretary; Bonnie Urban-Delos Santos, Recording Secretary; and Cielly Unite-Pagador, Board Member, Western region. Dean Glenda Vargas inducted the new officers for 2008-2010 at the gala night.

   

One of the goals of Phil Mangahas, President 2008-2010, is to increase membership. Fun, UST memories are all spelled out when you see graduates from different class years. We are one big family. Classmates, spread the word. USTNAA is a big treat! Surprise yourselves!