By Carmen Calisin
I recall a time when we lost power while i was working in one of the most wired hospitals in the country..Everyone was almost in a state of emergency mode when the incident happened. One of the nurses was so worried about the entries she placed on the computer, she almost forgot to give a medicine to her patient..(She recovered in a timely manner)..In our instant gratification society, some of us experience a "meltdown" when we don't see results stat, or is thoroughly "bummed out" for simple inconveniences, when they are really not problems...( i bet some nursing students have never heard of a Wangensteen set-up and the time it took to assemble the equipment for this procedure!)
My Aquinian colleagues, have we reflected on the blessings that came our way since we left our Alma Mater several decades ago? Some of us reminisced on the endless list of changes in our practice, and the current innovations in Nursing. We all agree that to be effective caregivers, we need to use our "heads, hearts, hands," and now, it's high tech, high touch..We remember the instructors who made a difference in our "cerebral journey"; we think fondly of our mentors who were not as smart as Ms. X, but we loved nonetheless because they understood a beginner's angst when faced with unfamiliar situations. So many masters and legends guided us in our professional journey; we've got so little time to thank them for their gifts..(or do we?)
Since its inception 17 years ago, The AUL College of Nursing alumni's response to 'giving back' to our community and Alma Mater has been fragmented and sporadic.We do need to be more engaged and have an ongoing commitment to achieve the goals of our association. Owen B. Escalada, (Class 1977) , after she was elected president last 2005 was so full of enthusiasm , had a vision and achievable goals to make a dynamic alumni association. We need to support the officers we elect to lead us. Sure, we may not agree on all things, but we should learn how to agree to disagree.
Here are some excerpts from writers Howard Chua-Eoan and Ishaan Tharoon on Time Magazine's Nov. 16, 2009 issue "The meaning of Manny"...(on Filipinos).." Some spend decades abroad, away from the ones they love, for the sake of the ones they love...Everyone in the Philippines knows a person who has made the sacrifice, or is making it.." We as nurses know this... love of family is a given in our culture. Do we extend that generosity to our community, our Alma Mater? Giving back has been a part of who we are..We MUST continue to do so...WILL WE?
Some of us have experienced "caregiver burn-out" one time or another in our attempts to meet the extraordinary pressures of our ordinary lives. Do we have the grace to imitate that woman in the Bible, who gave 2 coins, everything she had....? Do we ask for the courage to take that leap of faith and trust, and give with joy, because the ULTIMATE GIVER will always provide for our needs?..ONLY YOU, can answer that..some food for thought, as we give thanks for all our blessings this Thanksgiving Day...
P.S.
We may not have Manny Pacquiao's "cardiomegally" and trademark generosity, but here are some opportunities for us, "lesser mortals," (or inotropically challenged nurses) to give back
I.Educational Opportunities
Conduct seminars, symposia, simulation classes for AUL faculty/ Students on your areas of expertise
Theresa Diamante, (Class '75} shares some photos during one of her visits to AUL)
Donate Education materials/ computers for the College of Nursing/ AUL libraries
II.Community Outreach
Medical Mission to underserved areas
Fund-Raising to support patients in charity wards...(Cancer pts on chemo, radiation therapy who can't afford this treatment, or supply Diabetics, pts. with HTN, CHF,etc, who can't afford medical regimen..coordinating classes for this population..
III (Martha ways)..Bake, cook, bring a dish to feed volunteers during fund-raising and medical Mission days
Massage, PT sessions might also help?
IV. Write that check! (you decide how much to give , or how many zeroes to add after that number!)..send to your Class Treas. or the AULCNAI treasurers..
WE have the Nursing expertise, many dedicated and impassioned nurses! Be generous with your time, talent and treasures so our alumni association will have a positive impact in our communities in the Philippines!!! TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT!!!
AULCNAA/AULCNAI TIMELINES
1st Grand reunion- July 25-26, 1992
Los Angeles, California
Guest Speaker- Father Ramon Salinas, Founding Father, Aquinas University of Legaspi College of Nursing
2nd Grand reunion- July 21-23, 1995
San Antonio, Texas
Guest Speaker- Debra Townsend
Internationally renowned author, speaker, nurse entrepreneur
3rd- August 3-5, 2001
Seattle, Washington
Host Class-1976
Speaker- Father Jessie Lorrete, O.P.
4th- July 31-aUGUST 3, 2003
LA, CA
Ensenada, Mexico- cruise
Host- Class 1978
Ida L. Guerrero, 1st Aquinas University College of Nursing Dean
5th- 2005
Aquinas University of Legaspi, Legaspi City, Philippines
AULCNAA/AULCNAI Projects/Activities
1972- AULCNAA original constitution and by-laws drafted in Aquinas University of Legaspi
Conrado Bootan Jr., Adviser
1992-Constitution and by-laws adapted by AULCNAA North America alumni
Spring, 1995- Spring, 2003
Alumni Newsletter/ Alumni website
Provided reunion news/alumni updates and financial report for alumni members
2003- AULCNAA incorporated, and renamed AULCNAI
2001/2005/2007
Educational Assistance to AUL College of Nursing for faculty Projects and development
Financial assistance given, educational aids provided for the Nursing Demonstration Room of the College of Nursing
2005
Community Outreach
Medical Missions in Legaspi
Financial Assistance for the AUL Scholarship Fund to support deserving university scholars
2007
Fund- Raising, Texas Alumni
San Antonio, Texas
For Typhoon Reming Victims , College of Nursing
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Class '72 Reunion
The class of '72 recently had their reunion in Las Vegas last month (October). Check out the following pictures and see if you can identify them:
Click on picture to enlarge, then click on your browser's BACK button to come back to this web page.
Zeny Biscocho Afable and Norma Mandane Bootan enticed the rest of us with an almost too-good-of-a-deal offer for accommodations. DESTINATION: LAS VEGAS! A few creative stories, cajoling discussions with scheduling coordinators later, TEN of us (100%! of all '72 Aquinian nurses in North America) managed to agree on the dates suggested by Zeny and Norma.
Malou Obligacion Ojeda and Zeny Biscocho Afable escaped from Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Norma Mandane Bootan had to take care of her home health clients first, then she joined us driving from California later. Edna Regondola Ramos, the ever loyal Johns Hopkins Hospital PACU nurse, flew in from Baltimore, Maryland. Susan Monforte Matito thought she had taken time out from her Jacksonville, Florida hospital and her PNA responsibilities, only to realize that she had "duties" waiting for her in Las Vegas (ha, ha). Zorayda Bona (from Harlingen), Celeste Lorena Bona (from Beaumont), and I (from Houston) coordinated our flight schedules from Texas so Susan and Julius Matito could meet us at the airport (turn-around time: one hour).
Pat Buni Marchand was the surprise of the group! Nobody recognized her. She has blossomed into a peach of a professional - the Canadian Rockies must have been the answer! She lives and works in Alberta, Canada. Our lone representative from Seattle, Washington, Aida Gonzales Villaron so generously fed us for dinner that first night! I guess it comes naturally from being a supervisor, to take care of her hungry RN's.
Most hours were spent catching up on our personal and professional lives; discussions, plans and goals for the future were in the agenda for the group's futher consideration. For entertainment, Malou made arrangements to watch the Cirque du Soleil's musical, dance and acrobatics extravaganza, "The Beatles' LOVE".. .what a night! Excellent choice, guys.
Everyone made it to the mass at the cathedral Sunday October 18. That day included a birthday celebration, a leisurely walk at the Red Bluff Canyon, and an impromtu invitation to the lovely residence of Perry and Tita (Zeny's sister) Thompson. Pat and her husband Gerald provided later for the hungry group. Merci!!
The reunion would not have been memorable were it not for the support of our friends' loved ones. We are so grateful to Romy and Julius, who both ran errands for the group and drove us around town, not to mention the fact that Romy shared his prized Vegas winnings!! Gerald and Perry, thanks for the hospitality, the dinner treats, and your patience for putting up with 12 women in one room!! Julius Matitto, thanks for sharing your time and your talent. Julius modified the original idea for a t-shirt design for the occasion; his "words of wisdom" (ha, ha) were a reunion hit!! (See below for t-shirt design.)
Here's a quote from Mother Teresa.."We can do no great things, only small things with great love". My dear Aquinian friends, you may never make it in the pages of newspapers and magazines for the rich and famous, but your silent philanthropy, your kindness, the love you share with others is as consistent as the rising sun! You are the unsung heroes of a lot of hearts."
Remember the homily for that day in the cathedral? It was about perceptions... on seeing the glass as half-full, or half-empty. Sure, it is a tumultuous world sometimes, but we are a hope-filled bunch of people!!
HERE'S TO "JOIE DE VIVRE"!!!!
Carmen Calisin, RN CCRN
Click on picture to enlarge, then click on your browser's BACK button to come back to this web page.
Carmen Calisin wrote on Monday, November 9, 2009:
It started more than a year ago... Three Aquinian nurse pioneers got together in California and thought about "how wonderful it would be if the rest of our classmates could join us for a class reunion!" And so it happened... Last October 15 through 18, 2009, some of the "Marthas" in this part of the world (busy, busy, busy serving others) took time out to have a "Mary Heart" (listening to each others' concerns, enjoying each others' company)!! What a short-lived, memorable four-day reunion it turned out to be!
Zeny Biscocho Afable and Norma Mandane Bootan enticed the rest of us with an almost too-good-of-a-deal offer for accommodations. DESTINATION: LAS VEGAS! A few creative stories, cajoling discussions with scheduling coordinators later, TEN of us (100%! of all '72 Aquinian nurses in North America) managed to agree on the dates suggested by Zeny and Norma.
Malou Obligacion Ojeda and Zeny Biscocho Afable escaped from Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Norma Mandane Bootan had to take care of her home health clients first, then she joined us driving from California later. Edna Regondola Ramos, the ever loyal Johns Hopkins Hospital PACU nurse, flew in from Baltimore, Maryland. Susan Monforte Matito thought she had taken time out from her Jacksonville, Florida hospital and her PNA responsibilities, only to realize that she had "duties" waiting for her in Las Vegas (ha, ha). Zorayda Bona (from Harlingen), Celeste Lorena Bona (from Beaumont), and I (from Houston) coordinated our flight schedules from Texas so Susan and Julius Matito could meet us at the airport (turn-around time: one hour).
Most hours were spent catching up on our personal and professional lives; discussions, plans and goals for the future were in the agenda for the group's futher consideration. For entertainment, Malou made arrangements to watch the Cirque du Soleil's musical, dance and acrobatics extravaganza, "The Beatles' LOVE".. .what a night! Excellent choice, guys.
We had some "comedy sessions", starring Zor Bona and Magneta Lee Acuesta, who joined us on the last day (thanks, my Class '73 sis). Evelyn Mata Rimando of the Class '72 Supplemantal and AUL Clinical Instructor also joined us from Arizona (thanks for your gracious presence, Eve).
Everyone made it to the mass at the cathedral Sunday October 18. That day included a birthday celebration, a leisurely walk at the Red Bluff Canyon, and an impromtu invitation to the lovely residence of Perry and Tita (Zeny's sister) Thompson. Pat and her husband Gerald provided later for the hungry group. Merci!!
The reunion would not have been memorable were it not for the support of our friends' loved ones. We are so grateful to Romy and Julius, who both ran errands for the group and drove us around town, not to mention the fact that Romy shared his prized Vegas winnings!! Gerald and Perry, thanks for the hospitality, the dinner treats, and your patience for putting up with 12 women in one room!! Julius Matitto, thanks for sharing your time and your talent. Julius modified the original idea for a t-shirt design for the occasion; his "words of wisdom" (ha, ha) were a reunion hit!! (See below for t-shirt design.)
Here's a quote from Mother Teresa.."We can do no great things, only small things with great love". My dear Aquinian friends, you may never make it in the pages of newspapers and magazines for the rich and famous, but your silent philanthropy, your kindness, the love you share with others is as consistent as the rising sun! You are the unsung heroes of a lot of hearts."
HERE'S TO "JOIE DE VIVRE"!!!!
Carmen Calisin, RN CCRN
(Class '72 pioneer)
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