Message From Our President
Oisaeng Hong, PhD, RN

Happy Spring!

It is my honor and pleasure to serve as President of AAPINA for 2010-2012, organization devoted to promote and enhance the health and well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. I am fortunate to have an excellent team on the Executive Board: Yu (Philip) Xu, PhD, RN (President-Elect), Patricia Alpert, DrPH, FAANP (Treasurer), and Eunjung Kim. PhD, RN (Secretary). My sincere thanks to Drs. Jillian Inouye (outgoing president) and Dr. Dianne Ishida (outgoing treasurer), for their many contributions to AAPINA’s significant progress.

We recently celebrated AAPINA’s 7th Annual Conference in Chapel Hill, N.C.  On behalf of the 2010 Executive Board, I would like to thank Conference co-chairs, Drs. Yeo and De Gagne, their team, and everyone who participated in the conference. Plans for the 8th AAPINA annual conference have begun.  Omana Simon, DNP, RN, President of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) and her colleague, Alice Neycheril, DNP, RN are willing to serve as Conference co-Directors and host the meeting in Huston, Tx in Spring 2011.  In addition, I am proud to announce that AAPINA is one of the 16 inaugural founding organization members of the World Academy of Nursing Science (WANS). This opportunity would make AAPINA more viable and visible internationally.  
 
During the first year of my presidency, I will focus on three goals:

1) Increase membership;
2) initiate research interest groups within AAPINA; and
3) establish AAPINA student scholarship program. 

We need your active participation and support to keep AAPINA growing and ensure a successful period of new leadership. Please share your ideas and contribute to our organization as a volunteer or an appointed member of various committees.  I look forward to opportunities and challenges in serving as your president and working closely with you, our valued members.

Sincerely,

Oisaeng Hong