2024-2026 PNAOW Executive Board
President
Dr. Mafe D. Chase
I have been an active member of PNAOW since 2018 and served as the Assistant Secretary for PNAA at the national level from 2022 to 2024. My professional interests include nursing research, quality improvement, public health, and environmental justice.
I came to the United States to represent the Philippines in various environmental programs. I co-founded environmental organizations both in the Philippines and in Portland, OR, and have worked with several NGOs, overseeing health and nutrition programs, community organizing, and education in rural communities.
Currently, I work at Providence St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Quality Management. I have conducted evidence-based research projects and presented them both locally and nationally. My research has contributed to practice changes in clinical settings. I’ve worked in a wide range of healthcare environments but have a special passion for the NeuroTelemetry unit, where I worked both as a staff nurse and preceptor, teaching young nurses the value of compassionate care.
In my community, I am an active faith community nurse at my church, where I helped establish a respite program for older parishioners and coordinated health clinics for the uninsured. I am also involved with Medical Teams International and Providence Health International, participating in medical missions to Guatemala and the Philippines.
I am excited to lead PNAOW as president and proud of all the organization has accomplished. The friendships I have formed through this work have been truly inspiring. I look forward to collaborating on more impactful projects that benefit our communities, both locally and in the Philippines.
President-Elect
Maria Susi , BSN, RN
Maria Cecilia Salazar Esteban most people calls me ACES
From Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija
Graduated HS St. Paul San Miguel , Bulacan
Graduated nursing 1989 from Nueva Ecija Doctor’s
Married to Rem Susi we have total 4 boys Michael Susi, Glen Susi, Mychal Alarilla and Immanuel Susi
We have 7 grandchildren
Jocelyn 22 , MJ 18 ,Vanessa 11, Kelena 10, Callie 5 , Blake 15, Donovan 9 expecting our 8th grand baby Remy January 2025
I enjoy being a grandma
I joined PNAOW when they started forming the group
I like the idea of giving back to our community especially the medical missions and which has been my passion . The satisfaction we get during our missions is fulfilled feeling, one reason I became a nurse .
Secretary
Dr. Shirley Whisenhunt, DNM, MAN, RN
Dr. Shirley Whisenhunt, RN is an Acute Care Nurse at Providence St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Concurrently, she is the Program Head for Graduate School of Nursing at Philippine Christian University in Manila, Philippines.
Born in the Philippines, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Centro Escolar University. Subsequently, she earned a master’s degree in nursing administration and Doctoral Degree in Nursing Management from Trinity University of Asia. She has spent her entire career in Nursing, from clinical care to administrative and managerial functions at both St. Luke’s Medical Center campuses.
With experience serving as Chairperson for Continuing Professional Development for the national office of the Philippine Nursing Association, she joined PNAOW in 2024. She hopes to bring her vast experience in the Nursing to other service minded Filipinos serving in the local health care community by helping foster a community of sharing, support and influence to her fellow professionals.
She currently calls Beaverton, Oregon home where she enjoys spending her free time with her husband and four children watching movies, playing games, and travelling.
Assistant Secretary
Christine Espina, DNP, MSN, RN
I’m Christine Espina, and I’ve been a member of PNAOW since 2012. My professional interests are community/public health nursing, health policy and quality improvement, and nursing education and workforce development to impact racial health\disparities.
I have worked in a wide variety of settings including an in-patient telemetry unit, quality improvement in an acute and outpatient setting, the Washington Center for Nursing, and University of Washington Continuing Nursing Education. I’m currently an assistant professor at Western Washington University in the RN-to-BSN program.
I enjoy being a member of PNAA and PNAOW. I’m most proud of our chapter’s work in giving back to the local community and supporting community development efforts in the Philippines. I look forward to what’s ahead for our chapter.
Treasurer
Lynette Gaerlan, BSN, RN
My name is Lynette Gaerlan, and I am a proud descendant of the Kalinga tribe. I grew up in La Union, where I completed a nursing degree at a humble institution – Lorma College. I am currently employed at Kaiser Permanente Wound Care Clinic – Northwest Region. My wise grandpa sent me to college for this profession only. Why nursing? He told me nursing was my ticket, and he was right in various ways. Through this profession, I gained a sense of identity, rose above mediocrity, and embraced new life possibilities.
Understanding where I have come from and how blessed I have been makes me feel I must give back. Initially, I joined the PNAOW to increase the membership figure in this chapter. That gradually changed when I saw the executive board’s dedication to service (locally/internationally) while simultaneously having fun. To this day, I am delighted to remain active with these spirited nurses who share the same goals and aspirations, ultimately making a dent in society, however small it seems.
Assistant Treasurer
Fe Navalle Malott, BSN, RN, CMSRN
I have been a member of PNAOW for many years and love to be involved and serve the community. I’m a registered nurse and currently working at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital and Home Health Nurse on call at Advance Care Home Health.
I’m a big Trail Blazer fan, love to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Outside of work I like to spend time with my family, camping, white water rafting, traveling and skiing or snowboarding in the winter. I look forward serving PNAOW and our Filipino American Community.
Auditor
Evelyn Paras, BSN, RN
I am a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing, class of 1990. In 1992, I migrated to the United States on a working visa and settled in Brooklyn, New York. I began my U.S. nursing career in a medical-surgical unit and later transitioned to the Cardiac Critical Care Unit in 1996.
In 2002, I took my talents south and joined the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where I worked in the Intensive Care Unit. This experience exposed me to state-of-the-art nursing practices and provided invaluable learning opportunities. As an Assistant Charge Nurse and preceptor, I was honored to be voted as an Outstanding Northeast RN of Florida. It was an incredible, ongoing learning experience that I now share with new nurses.
In 2011, I relocated to Portland, Oregon, and currently work in the Medical ICU at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Along this journey, I have been supported by my three wonderful children: Liberato III, Liberty, and Liberato IV.
Public Relations Officer
Melissa Sy, BSN, RN
Hello, my name is Melissa Sy, but I prefer to be called Mhel.
I have been a nurse for over three decades, with experience in both acute and chronic healthcare settings. My career includes work in the emergency room, dialysis, nursing homes, home health, prison wards, and community health. Currently, I am the owner of Advocacy Team In Home Care, where we also provide BLS classes for RNs and CPR, First Aid, and AED certification for caregivers.
On the entrepreneurial side, I own vacation rental properties in Pacific City, Lincoln City, and Newberg, Oregon. In addition, I am expanding my business into the medical aesthetics field, with plans to offer IV drips, Botox, lip fillers, and eventually a full medspa.
My goal for our organization is to expand our reach among colleagues and engage them more actively in our mission and vision. Fun fact about me is that I am a Hello Kitty collector and I love singing karaoke!
Executive Board Member
Jana Amparo, BSN, RN
My name is Jana Amparo, and I currently serve as the Director of Nursing Operations at Rivera Mansions RCF.
My goal is to expand our senior living footprint by developing a diverse range of housing and care solutions that meet the unique needs of older adults. I am dedicated to creating welcoming environments that promote their well-being and quality of life.
I plan to pursue an MBA in the near future, and my professional background includes completing residency and working at the #2 ranked pediatric cardiac ICU in the U.S. at Duke University Health. I also recently passed my Executive Director licensing exam for long-term care and am passionate about leadership in this field.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing soccer in my Sunday league and am a die-hard fan of the Portland Thorns.
Executive Board Member
Katherine Munson BSN, RN
My name is Katherine Munson. I have been a cardiac nurse for 20 years and currently work as a registered nurse and relief charge nurse in the Interventional Recovery Unit at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. In this role, I actively contribute to committees dedicated to improving patient safety and nursing quality.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oregon Health & Science University in 2004 and hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Portland State University. I joined PNAOW to become more involved in the community and to support those in need.
Outside of work, my life revolves around my family—my husband and our two boys—whom I consider my greatest accomplishment. I also have a passion for languages and enjoy learning French and Spanish in my spare time. To stay active, I attend weekly dance lessons, which I thoroughly enjoy.
