Our PNANJ BergenPassaic County Subchapter (BPCS)’s team has created initiatives addressing social determinants of health that have been demonstrated through collaboration and teamwork, and carried on with compassion, respect, integrity, professionalism, and stewardship. We recognize the importance of partnering with the community and collaborating with other subchapters and organizations/entities. A few of our highlight recognitions are: 
Ø  May 20, 2023: BPCS was awarded “Bayani ng Mundo” by PNAAF, Inc.
Ø  2022: Recipient of PNANJ Strong Membership Engagement Subchapter
Ø  2020:  PNANJ Most Outstanding Subchapter Recipient
Ø  Bergen County’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration & Flag Raising Ceremony held at One Bergen County Plaza @The Piazza in Hackensack, N.J. on June 12, 2018. Four PNANJ BergenPassaic members were recognized for their community contributions and received the following awards as Outstanding Filipino Americans:
 Community Service - Vickie Arirao, MA, APN, CRNA
 Education - Christopher de la Victoria, MSN, RN, MSRN, CSRN, CDP, CADDCT
 Health Services – Marites Welch, MAEd, RN, CCRN
 Medical Services - Maria Young, BSN, RN, RAC-CT
 
Ø  In aligning ourselves with PNANJ’s membership recognition and our positive competitiveness with other subchapters, BPCS swept the only 4 PNANJ Nurse Excellence and 1 Empowerment Awards in 2017
§  Nurse Leader: Virginia Tan, BSN, GERO-BC, RN, WCC
§  Clinical Nurse: Jocelyn Espejo, BSN, CCRN-CMC
Education: Christopher de la Victoria, MSN, RN, MSRN, CSRN, CDP, CADDCT
§  Community Service: Visitacion Arirao, MA, APN, CRNA
§  Empowerment Award: Marites Welch, MAEd, RN, CCRN
 
Being a subchapter team, we have consistently been devoted to our community - locally and internationally. Individually, most have also been engaged and involved in international medical missions, averaging 4 to 5 times a year. In the context of the five social determinants of health, the following are the vignettes of our accomplishments:

ECONOMIC STABILITY
·      Feeding the Homeless at Bergen County (Human Services Center/ Family Promise of Bergen Walk-In Dinner Program) from 1990 to present
·      2022/2023/2024: 5 K Fundraising for Community Outreach Projects
 
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT
·      In 2017, BPCS promoted ANA’s and NJSNA’s “Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation” initiative
·      May 2022/ September 2023: BPCS members volunteered at the NY Philippine Consulate Outreach at Bergenfield, NJ
·      2022/2023/2024: Supported and participated in Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio’s Community Wellness Campaign to promote healthy living. The Borough of Bergenfield has the 2nd highest Filipino population in the State of New Jersey. (Jersey City is 1st)
·      Represented PNANJ and participated in every Bergen County’s Filipino American Pacific Islanders civic and social activities such as the Filipino American Festival, Inc., Asian Pacific Heritage, Philippine Day Organizing Council, etc.
· Dec 2022/2023 PNANJ BPSC joined the United Passaic Organization in the Holiday Express Toy Drive at the Union Baptist Church, Passaic, NJ; the toys provided by BPSC brought smiles and holiday cheers to the children.
·      June 2024 Pistahang Bayan’24, Lincoln Park, Jersey City, NJ: BPSC, along with other PNANJ subchapters and PNANY chapter, supported and participated in the very first Pistahang Bayan, showcasing Filipino heritage, culture, organization, and businesses; we provided manpower support to the registration booth, as well as the medical emergency booth.

NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
·      Jan 2020: BPCS Fundraised for flood victims of Pamplona, Cagayan Valley, Philippines; this was the first collaboration with PNANJ as a PNANJ Foundation
·      June and Dec 2020: BPCS donated non-perishable goods during the COVID pandemic
·      2021: BPCS was the first to donate diapers and wipes during 2021 PNANJ’s Homefront Diaper challenge
·      July 2024: Mushroom Understanding, Learning, and Cultivation Haven (MULCH) Project, in Dingras, Ilocos Norte Philippines. This is an income-generating project for students.
·     The “Pabahay” (Housing) and “Gulayan sa Barangay” (Community Garden) projects have been an approved BPCS project with IPAD to provide safe housing and community garden to low-income families in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. This is in partnership with the International Professional Association of Dingras (IPAD), which is a non-profit organization based in the Philippines.

HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND QUALITY
·      BPCS conducted BP/Health screening/Health Counseling in community health fairs
·      2016 to 2019: Provided clinical manpower during Asian Health Services conducted in Bergen County
·      Jan 2018: Besao International Medical Mission, Bergen County SC teamed with Ocean County Subchapter
·      2018/2019: Participated in “Walk for Mom” Breast Cancer Awareness Walk-A-Thon sponsored by Holy Name Hospital.
·         October 2020: COVID-19 serum blood test drawing community in Bergenfield.
·      Jan 2024: BergenPassaic and Middlesex Subchapters were the main financial and human resources of PNANJF’s International Medical Mission held in Davao, Philippines.

EDUCATION ACCESS AND QUALITY
·         The BPSC, in collaboration with its Education Committee, advocates and promotes continuous growth and learning among its members through a variety of continuing education topics. These topics contribute to professional development and overall well-being. 

·         Fernand “Dean” De Los Reyes, a BPCS member, is Co-Director of Nursing High School Scholars and Influencers (HSSI) Program and a Program Review Committee Member of Nursing HSSI and Health Equity Influencers Program (HEIP) for Nurse Educators.  
      The Nursing HSSI Program is a Petrie Foundation-funded program that fast-tracks high school students from Bronx County into the BSN program. The HSSI program is enabling 36 scholars to complete their BSN in three (3) years. In addition, the COMM 110 course that the scholars take in their first semester trains and educates them to become Public Health influencers, thus making a difference in their communities.
 
·         July 2024: Mushroom Understanding, Learning, and Cultivation Haven (MULCH) Project. This project, located in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, will be an income-generating initiative for Bamasesamar National High School, an agricultural and entrepreneurial institution. Through this project, students and community members will receive training in mushroom cultivation, fostering the values of food sustainability and self-sufficiency within the school and the surrounding community.
 
·         BPCS advocates for its members by nominating them for scholarship awards. Several members are currently pursuing graduate degrees, and many have already attained their doctorate degrees, showcasing the organization’s commitment to higher education and professional advancement. 
Testimonial:
 
"BergenPassaic County Subchapter has been a pillar of support in our community. Their dedication to providing compassionate care and improving health outcomes is unmatched. The nurses' professionalism, integrity, and excellence set a remarkable example for all."
– M.S. Community Member