About Us

Dr. Judith Awurumibe DNP, CRNP, FNP, APRN
President, National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America

Dr. Judith Awurumibe has been in the nursing field for fifteen years and has been working for seven years as a primary care provider at a community health center, where she provides care to newborns, adolescents, adults, addiction medicine, and women’s care. Prior to her current job, she worked for eight years in the hospital where she covered various units including PCU/ICU, trauma, and medsurg unit. She received her first nursing diploma in the Reading hospital school of nursing in 2007 in PA, her BSN in Alvernia University in PA in 2010, her MSN and Family Nurse Practitioner in 2014 at Millersville University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Chamberlain School of Nursing in 2020. Dr, Judith Awurumibe precepts Nurse Practitioner students from Chamberlain School of Nursing, Walden University, Alvernia University, and Gwynedd Mercy University. She also started in 2022 to precept doctorate-level students from Aspen University. She is the 2020 -2021 NANNNA Vice President and 2022 NANNNA President.

Dr. Judith Awurumibe is the founder and the President of the Nigerian Nurses Association in Pennsylvania (NNAPAC). She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau Global Nursing Excellence. She is also the founder and CEO of the Sunday Anozie Children’s Charity foundation where she received many Philanthropic awards for supporting children yearly for the last fifteen years to get a better education and showcase their talents for a better future in a community in Nigeria, Africa.

Dr. Judith Awurumibe has been at the forefront of educating the community about their health and preventive care. Her community involvement increased since COVID -19, and she has been educating the community about the COVID-19 virus and its vaccines since its origin. She collaborates with churches, and local and out-of-state associations to talk about COVID-19 and its vaccines. She also collaborates with the National Association for the Advancement of the Colored People (NAACP) to educate their members and people all over the USA. Dr. Judith Awurumibe is married with six children, one girl, and five boys. She enjoys dancing for fun and singing in the church choir.

Dr. Gloria Beriones RN, NEA-BC
President-Elect, Philippine Nurses Association of America

A transformational nurse leader with over forty years of exemplary contributions to nursing practice, leadership, education, and research. Currently, the Staff Development Coordinator of Primary Care Clinics at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affair Medical Center, Houston, Texas. She is passionate in her role as a leader, change agent, educator, consultant, facilitator, and researcher. She is a Coldiron Senior Nurse Executive Fellow at Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

EDUCATION
Her life-long learning includes: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science at Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas. Her research study was on Adaptation Experiences of Internationally Educated Filipino Nurses Employed in the United States. She graduated her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas Health and Science Center, Houston, TX, major in Clinical Nurse Specialist Program and Nursing Administration, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Riverside College of Nursing, Bacolod City, Philippines. A proud graduate of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Graduate Nurse Program, Bacolod City, Philippines. She graduated ranking number 2 among 84 graduates.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO NURSING
She is a member of AARP Foundation / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Campaign for Action on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Steering Committee 2022.

She participated at the AARP Foundation / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Campaign for Action Virtual Summit, June 3-4, 2021, that developed action plans and measurable outcomes on Major Recommendation # 3 – Promoting Nurses’ Health and Well -Being and Recommendation # 8 Preparing Nurses to Respond to Disasters and Public Health Emergencies. On September 9, 2021, she participated at the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action Summit to discuss the priority recommendations and sub-recommendations aligned the most to own organization.

She is a member of the Alliance Advisory Board, from 2022-2024. In 2022, she participated in the revision of the Code for Health Care Professionals. She is the PNAA Foundation / PNAA Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Lead Champion, CDC Project Firstline, 2020-2022. The CDC Project Firstline was supported by 6NU38OT000295-02-06 from the Department of Health and Human Services / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The PNAAF/PNAA is a Partner of the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) CDC Project Firstline. Together with two PNAAF /PNAA IPC Champions, they conducted and coordinated three Infection Prevention and Control Education and Training Series: January 23, 2021; February 20, 2021; & March 20, 2021. Total of 325 nurses attended the education/ training using the train the trainer teaching strategy to prevent & control the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The 325 educated and trained nurses / healthcare workers are now teaching and training co-workers, families, friends, and communities on CDC infection prevention and control principles. She collaborated with APIAHF Partners such as New York University Center for the Study of Asian American Health, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Papa Ola Lokahi, and Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance to bring the CDC Project Firstline education and training to the frontline healthcare workers and public health personnel. She presented at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress Nov 2-4, 2021. The podium presentation title, “Promotion of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control through Culturally Tailored Interventions and Collaborations with Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Communities.

She is a faculty of the PNAA Online Leadership Development Program (iLDP) for three years since 2019 -2021. The 8-week leadership program is free for President, President-Elect, and any officers or members of the 55 chapters. The intensive leadership program is to provide the chapter leaders the education, tools, and mentors in leading their organizations. To this date there are over 100 graduates of iLDP who are contributing to the mission, vision, and goals of PNAA and PNA Chapters.

PROFESSIONAL WORK and ACHIEVEMENTS
She was a Nursing Director at Houston Methodist Hospital (HMH) for 14 years in General Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Units. The recipient of Houston Methodist Hospital Nursing Leadership Award for her exemplary Nursing Leadership. She was honored for her stellar leadership endeavors in building the first shared governance nursing unit at Houston Methodist Hospital. She was one of the top 20 Outstanding Nurses by Texas Nurses Association District 9 for excellence in nursing leadership, education, and community outreach services. She was a recipient of Dr. Jose Rizal Excellence Award for Nursing Leadership and Service by Knights of Rizal, Houston, TX.

She was the Manager of Education, Research, Professional Excellence at Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett, Tennessee. Her impactful contributions were: organizing and strengthening of the shared governance councils, staff professional development, and creating the hospital RN Residency Program. She has been a speaker in local, state, national, and international levels. She has presented numerous topics on leadership, clinical practice, education, and research;

has written articles and publications. Her greatest passion in life as a leader is mentoring and making a difference in the lives of people particularly fellow nurses.

Contributions to Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) include:

• PNAA President-Elect 2020-2022
• PNAA South Central Region (SCR) Vice President (VP) 2018-2020
• PNA Corpus Christi, TX and PNA of Alabama were organized and became PNAA Chapters December 11, 2019, under her leadership and mentorship.
• Organized the Philippine Nurses Association of Nashville Tennessee and became a PNAA Chapter on October 17, 2018.
• Organized the Philippine Nurses Association of Tennessee on March 19, 2016, became a PNAA Chapter in June 2016
• PNAA Education Committee Co-Chair 2014-2016
  • Conducted four Regional Conferences, two National Conventions, and an International Nursing Conference in Manila, Philippines.
• PNAA South Central Region Vice President – 2010-2012
• Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan Houston Foundation Treasurer 2009-2014
• PNAA Board Member and Chair of PNAA Education Committee – 2008-2010
  • Conducted four regional conferences, two National Conventions, and International Nursing Conference in Cebu, PH.
• PNAA Board Member and SCR Region Liaison Officer -2006- 2008
• PNA Metropolitan Houston President 2004-2006
• PNA Metropolitan Houston Board Member 2002 -2004

Sinead Carbery
Brand President, Nurse Staffing Solutions – International (Formerly O’Grady Peyton International)
AMN Healthcare

Sinead Carbery brings almost 30 years of experience to her role as President of AMN Healthcare’s international nursing division. She completed her nursing education in Ireland, immigrated to the U.S. through the OGP Program in 1994, and completed nursing assignments in California and Georgia before joining the O’Grady Peyton corporate team. She has held roles in Clinical Management, Clinical Support, Account Management, Sales and Account Management Leadership, and Leadership of the international business since 2015. Sinead has served on the Board of The Alliance since 2019.

Annie Coughlin, MSN, CRNP, NNP-BC
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Annie Coughlin, MSN, CRNP, NNP-BC is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Neonatology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Annie completed her BSN at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN and her MSN at MSN – Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.

Bill DeVille, MBA
Health Carousel

Bill is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Health Carousel, which is a Joint Commission certified healthcare staffing company. In 2021, Staffing Industry Analysts ranked Health Carousel as the 17th largest healthcare staffing company in the US. The company provides a range of workforce solutions to help healthcare organizations to provide cost-effective, high-quality healthcare for patients, including:

• Travel staffing for nurses and allied health professionals,
• Locum tenens staffing for physicians and advanced practice professionals, and
• International staffing for nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

Prior to forming Health Carousel, Bill was the co-founder and COO of Health Personnel Options, which was one of the largest and fastest-growing travel staffing companies in the country. HPO was acquired by On Assignment in 2002 and subsequently acquired by Medical Solutions. Prior to HPO, Bill was Managing Partner at R.E. Lowe Associates, which was a leading healthcare retained search company. Bill is a past president of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR), helped draft the organization’s Code of Ethical Recruitment Practices, and currently serves as the Chair of the Ethics Committee. Bill has been recognized as a member of the 2020 SIA Staffing 100, which celebrates 100 notable individuals whose impact on the workforce solutions ecosystem elevates the industry and drives its evolution.

Bill earned an MBA (concentration in organizational development) and a BS in Business Administration, both from The Ohio State University.

Kathy Harris, MS, RN, CENP, FACHE(R)
American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

Kathy Harris, MS, RN, CENP, FAONL, FACHE(R), has been a nurse for 50 years including more than 40 years in a variety of leadership positions, including as a front-line leader, a service line director, a Chief Nurse Executive, and as a corporate nurse executive. She currently works as a consultant and provides expertise in legal cases. Kathy has also acted in the role of Chief Executive Officer in a number of different settings. Kathy has presented on nursing leadership to a broad spectrum of audiences, nationally and internationally. She is a Wharton Fellow and a past member of the AONL board of directors, the Colorado Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Center for Nursing Excellence, the last of which she served as a board member and Chair. Kathy currently represents AONL on the Alliance Advisory Board. In addition, she has worked closely with the Colorado Health and Hospitals Association and several affiliate members. She earned her Master of Science from the University of Colorado in 1984, her Bachelor of Science from Metropolitan State College in 1981, and her Diploma in Nursing from the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in 1972. In addition to her professional certifications, she is as Just Culture Master certified.

Kaye Mendoza RN BSN CNOR
Nurse Advocate and Contract Nurse Mentor
Lefora Filipino Nurses to US

Her 19 years nursing journey began after completing her nursing education at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. In 2005, she took the opportunity to work as a foreign nurse recruit in New York City. Unfortunately, she faced unethical recruitment practices and challenging employment conditions at the start of her US career despite her academic preparations. However, this experience fueled her determination to learn about different contracts and assignments, leading her to become a traveling nurse for 18 years.

Throughout her career, she gained invaluable work experience in several prominent health systems in the US, including Johns Hopkins, Hackensack Meridian, MassGeneral-Brigham, University of Maryland, New York City Health and Hospital Corporation, Yale New Haven Health, and many other facilities. Her expertise spans across various healthcare sectors, including government, non-profit, private for-profit, academic/teaching, community, rehabilitation, long-term care, satellite facilities, ambulatory facilities, and clinics. Working with over 40 staffing agencies has given her a comprehensive understanding of the nursing contracting landscape.

Her role as a nurse advocate and contract nurse mentor was critical in supporting and guiding thousands of local US nurse contractors through expedited and efficient transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. She developed a nurse survival guide that gained recognition and was shared with BBC News, benefitting nurses worldwide.

She is committed to her professional growth and dedicated to promoting ethical and professional recruitment practices in the nursing industry. Through the social media platform with 190,000 community members in Lefora Filipino Nurses to the US, she advocates for education, transparency, and informed decision-making among aspiring and current contract nurses. Her passion for teaching and advocating for nurses led her to attain her Negotiation Mastery Certificate from Harvard Business School Online. As a volunteer, she invests her time helping contract nurses navigate their employment offers, ensuring they make informed choices that are aligned with their goals.

As a philanthropist, she nurtures a “pay it forward” culture by being a long-time supporter of Catholic Women’s League outreach programs in the Philippines for children and the elderly.

Cheryl Peterson, MSN, RN
American Nurses Association

Cheryl Peterson, MSN, RN is the Vice President of Nursing Programs at the American Nurses Association. In this role, she is provides senior leadership to the Directors of the departments of Health Policy, the Center for Ethics and Human Rights, and the Minority Fellowship Program. These departments are responsible for guiding policy development, as well as advising the ANA CEO, President, and Membership, on the full range of policy and practice issues facing the nursing profession. As part of her policy portfolio, Ms. Peterson is responsible for managing ANA’s participation within the International Council of Nurses, as well as supporting the development and implementation of quality indicators affecting patients, nurses, and the entire health care team. Since coming to ANA in 1990, Ms. Peterson has developed expertise in several areas including political education and campaign involvement; lobbying issues related to labor, employment, trade and immigration; and policy development on the supply of and demand for nursing services. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University.

Mukul Bakhshi, JD
Director, Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices
Chief Global Affairs Officer, CGFNS international, Inc.

Since CGFNS’ acquisition of the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices in 2014, he has led that multi-stakeholder initiative to advance fair and ethical recruitment practices of foreign-educated nurses. In his time as director, the Alliance has strengthened its voluntary certification program and now certifies firms recruiting a majority of nurses migrating to the U.S.

Mukul Bakhshi is Chief Global Affairs Officer at CGFNS. In that capacity, he builds relationships with government and other stakeholders around the world to encourage efficient regulation that promotes public safety and enables health care workers to leverage their skills. He also leads development and implementation of the global affairs strategy to ensure CGFNS can serve the global community at the intersection of healthcare, migration, and credential evaluation and mobility. At CGFNS, Mukul has written extensively about nursing workforce issues, has presented at the United Nations and World Health Organization on nurse recruitment, and is currently serving on the WHO’s Technical Expert Group on bilateral agreements in health care professional recruitment.

Previously, he served as a management and strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company and Altman Vilandrie & Company, where he developed the organizational and health strategy for a major non-profit consumer protection organization and a statewide telehealth network.

Mukul Bakhshi received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and is admitted to the bar in the state of New York. He was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and received a Parker School Certificate for International Law. He received his B.A. at Yale University, where he double majored in history and economics.

He also previously served on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Connecticut and currently serves on the Board of the New Jersey-based AIDS Resource Foundation for Children.

Kaley Cook
Program Manager, Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices

Kaley Cook is the Program Manager for the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices. She works with recruitment firms that are committed to ethical practices and participates in research on issues faced by immigrant nurses, as well as migratory trends in healthcare. As a previous CGFNS credentials analyst, Kaley worked to develop new credentialing training and provided guidance to nurses seeking to work in the US.

Kaley completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014 and was awarded a Fulbright teaching assistantship in Holešov, Czech Republic from 2014-2015. She completed a Master of Science in International and Cultural Encounters at Roskilde University in Denmark in 2018.