Rosemarie Cruz MSN, RN

Nurse Educator Excellence Award

• Has 45 years of Nursing experience in acute care, long term care and nursing education.
• Retired this year from Southwestern College as a Nursing Professor after serving for 15 years. She was an excellent teacher and a very caring instructor.
• Functioned as Lead Faculty and Nursing Professor of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program, Lead Nursing Instructor of the Vocational Nursing (VN) at Southwestern College prior to retirement.
• Dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic Educator who has helped many students become successful in nursing.
• Longtime member of PNASD since it was founded in the 1970’s
• Supported Balik- Aklatan Program of PNASD by donating Nursing books.

Jose Samson FNP, MSN, RN

Advance Practice Nurse Excellence Award

• Currently serving as a Nurse Practitioner at the Calipatria State Prison, Calipatria, CA providing primary care to incarcerated individuals.
• Previously worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in North County Health Services in Oceanside, CA.
• Worked at Operation Samahan Community Health Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner and supported efforts to deliver Population Health to underserved communities.
• Received multiple Leadership awards in his nursing career.
• Active member of PNASD and previously served as PRO and Co-Chair of By-Laws Committee.
• Active member of several Advance Practice Nursing Organizations and contributor in lobbying for Legislative changes of Nurse Practitioner laws.

Brandee Hassel BSN, RN

Community Service Nurse Excellence Award

• Works at San Diego Naval Medical Center as a Psychiatric Nurse Case Manager.
• Recently joined Champions for Health as a Registered Nurse involved in the Covid-19 Vaccination programs in partnership with community organizations like PNASD.
• Active member of the San Diego Black Nurses Association (SDBNA) since 2009 and currently the Membership Chairman.
• Board of Director of the Case Management Society of America.
• Secretary of the Balboa Registered Nurse Association since 2018.
• Active member of PNASD and is the Liaison for San Diego Naval Medical Center. Also served as a member of the Nurse Excellence Award committee of PNASD.
• Consistently volunteers in PNASD community outreach events and Covid- 19 vaccination programs.
• Volunteered in Covid-19 vaccination program for the military servicemen.

Britney Taganas MSN, RN

Clinical Staff Nurse Excellence Award

• Works at Sharp Memorial Hospital in the Medical-Surgical Unit.
• Serves as an excellent Charge Nurse and oversees daily unit operations.
• Outstanding preceptor of newly hired nurses and clinical staff.
• Dedicated mentor to new graduate nurses and nursing students.
• Educates patient and families on medical-surgical procedures, therapeutic regimens and pain management.
• Provided excellent care to many Covid-19 patients.
• Enthusiastic PNASD Corresponding Secretary 2018-2020.
• PNASD Student Leadership Council (SLC) RN Adviser 2020-2022.
• Assists the PNASD Executive Board with electronic needs, i.e PNAA 41st Annual National and 1st Virtual Convention in San Diego in 2020, Quarterly Membership meetings and SLC events and activities.
• Currently the PNASD Heritage Newsletter Editor who published colorful and well put together articles timely.

Mary Ann Isidro MSN, PHN, RN

Nurse Entrepreneur Excellence Award

• RN for 36 years and has served in acute care hospitals, community clinics, home health nursing, skilled nursing homes and correctional settings.
• Retired from the San Diego County Sherriff’s Department as a Detention RN.
• Owner of First Vita Plus San Diego Satellite Center, Health and Wellness Company.
• Official Speaker in Health and Wellness Programs. Provided health education for Cancer survivors and many people with co-comorbidities.
• Immediate Past President of Rotary Club of San Diego, Paradise Valley.
• Active volunteer in Medical/Dental missions and community outreach programs.
• Volunteered in Covid-19 vaccination programs and member of PNASD Marketing and Sponsorship committee.

Jainee Ordonio BSN, RN

Novice Nurse Excellence Award

• Currently works at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center as a Clinical Nurse in PCU 5E since 2019.
• Functions as an excellent Resource nurse and provides support to clinical staff.
• Preceptor and Mentor of new grad nurses since 2020.
• RN Extender in MICU and assists ICU nurses in providing direct patient care.
• Recently became a Charge RN and starting to take leadership role as “Super User” for Policies and Procedures.
• Became an active member of PNASD as a student nurse to present.
• Panel Speaker of “Bridging the Gap between Generations” in March 2021’s Virtual Spring Seminar as the Millennial representative.
• Active volunteer in community outreach programs, San Diego County.