New York Times honors Pinoy nurse
12/13/2011
NEW YORK CITY - Filipino-American nurse received the "New York Times 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award" for innovation and leadership at the New York Times headquarters in Manhattan.
Michael Tagadaya, a nurse manager at the New York University (NYU) Hospital, was nominated in three different categories.
With his unique contributions to the nursing field, the awards organizers said they created a new award category for the Filipino nurse – the Innovation and Leadership Award.
“For me, to come from the Philippines and out of the almost a million of Filipino nurses here sa buong America, it’s a huge honor, napakalaking karangalan,” Tagadaya said.
As a nurse manager at the Ambulatory Surgery unit of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, Tagadaya created paddle pagers to ease the family members’ concerns about their loved ones’ surgeries.
He also created new staff positions to bridge the gap between operating room and recovery room.
Tagadaya’s superiors at the NYU Hospital said patient satisfaction soared, thanks to those innovations.
“It’s no surprise that a lot of our nurses are of Filipino background and we really have a lot of respect for them. And they’re wonderful colleagues and they really make our medical center special, It’s a pleasure to have them,” said Joseph Basco, vice-chairman of the Orthopedic section of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases.
“Congratulations on achieving this honor. It’s a beginning of your path in nursing leadership and we are very proud of you,” said Ann Vanderberg, Vice President for Nursing and Patient Services.
Tagadaya said he was shining shoes and working in a deli to pay for his education back in the Philippines. After becoming a registered nurse, Tagadaya came to the US in 1991 to chase his "American Dream".
Tagadaya, who now has a Master’s Degree in Nursing, said he owes the honor to his father.
“This honor is really dedicated to my Father, because he, at a very young age, talagang in-emphasize niya sa akin yung importansya ng pagiging tunay na leader and to go above and beyond,” he said.
The “Tribute to Nurses Program” is the New York Times’ way of bringing the attention to the outstanding contribution of nurses in the healthcare field in the tri-state area.
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