| Lolita B. Compas, RN, MA New York, New York A Zealous, Intelligent, and Compassionate Leader; Advocate of Human Rights |
Ask any foreign-born nurse in New York if she knew Miss Lolita B.
Compas, and she would certainly say, "Why, of course! For Lolit,
as she is fondly called by those very close to her, has for many
years worked closely with immigrant nurses, mostly those
coming from the Philippines. She has devoted much of her time
after work in helping them to resolve problems pertaining to their
status in the profession. Miss Compas has manifested a
diplomatic touch in dealing with these problems, and an
unmistable sensitivity to ethnic and cultural diversity coupled with
a firm commitment to promote their welfare and interest.
During the shortage of nurse in the 80's and the increase in
recruitment of foreign-born nurses, she worked tirelessly to help
and educated not only Asian and American nurses, but also
those coming from Europe. She developed a genuine support
and resspect for each individual nurse acknowledging specific
and unique qualities vis-a-vis race, ethnicity, cultural practices and
ideosyncrasies. At Cabrinin Medical Center for example, she
spearheaded a substantial number of projects to help newly-hired
foreign-born nurses. Her efforts were not limited to Filipino
nurses only. Nurses from other countries were recipients of her
assistance as well.
Compas, and she would certainly say, "Why, of course! For Lolit,
as she is fondly called by those very close to her, has for many
years worked closely with immigrant nurses, mostly those
coming from the Philippines. She has devoted much of her time
after work in helping them to resolve problems pertaining to their
status in the profession. Miss Compas has manifested a
diplomatic touch in dealing with these problems, and an
unmistable sensitivity to ethnic and cultural diversity coupled with
a firm commitment to promote their welfare and interest.
During the shortage of nurse in the 80's and the increase in
recruitment of foreign-born nurses, she worked tirelessly to help
and educated not only Asian and American nurses, but also
those coming from Europe. She developed a genuine support
and resspect for each individual nurse acknowledging specific
and unique qualities vis-a-vis race, ethnicity, cultural practices and
ideosyncrasies. At Cabrinin Medical Center for example, she
spearheaded a substantial number of projects to help newly-hired
foreign-born nurses. Her efforts were not limited to Filipino
nurses only. Nurses from other countries were recipients of her
assistance as well.
Among her more beneficial projects were: (1) Collecting household goods donations to assist newcomers
set up apratments; (2) Inviting them to her private home during major holidays; (3) Assisting them in obtaining
Social Security cards; (4) Helping them with their immigration problems; (5) Conducting State Board review
classes; and (6) Providing counselling and advice during their adjustment period.
When Cabrini Medical Center nurse, Mis Brenda Galand died in the 1983 Korean Airlines Flight 007 incident
which gained international attention, Miss Compas worked earnestly to make sure that Brenda's family
received her survivor's benefits in due time.
Since Miss Compas took over the presidency of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York, Inc., (PNA,
NY, Inc.) the organization attained impressive professional growth and increased its visibility and
empowerment. She is credited for developing the Association's continuing education programs gaining the
accreditation as a provider of Continuing Education by the New York State Nurses Association Council on
Continuing Education which is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on
Accreditation.
With Miss Compas at the helm, the organization made great strides not only in recruiting members but in
retaining them. The vigorous outreach efforts of the organization have resulted in more than five hundred
registered members. She keeps the growing membership informed of the PNA-NY activities by having the
Association publish a quarterly newsletter. During her term, the PNA-NY, for the first time ever, was awarded
a grant of $10,000 by the Funds for New Citizens at the New York Community Trust, for the purpose of
educating Filipino newcomers on diverse issue, such as immigration problems, citizenship requirements,
family unity programs, and related matters.
With Miss Compas' dynamic leadership, strong linkages were forged by the PNANY with the New York State
Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Asian-American Federation of New York, the Philippine-American
Communities Executive Council, the New York Immigration Coalition, and the Philippine Consulate General.
As far as the latter is concerned, the conduits involved health services during major events, such as
presidential visits and the yearly celebration of Philippine Independence Day in June. Still during her
presidency in 1994, PNANY represented New York in the Asian-Pacific Health Care Reform Briefing at the
White House.
True to her assertive nature, Miss Compas further enhanced the Association's profile on excellence as an
active and viable professional organization. As a testimonial to this singular achievement, the PNANY
received the Presidential Citation Award from the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association Inc. on
May 11, 1995. Indue recognition of her valuable efforts as a leader of the nursing profession, Miss Compas
was given the Outstanding Asian-American Award in New York by the then Governor Mario Cuomo on May 5,
1994 for "her unwavering commitment towards the promotion of nursing excellence, tolerance, diversity, and
preservation of human rights." In addition, in 1993 she received the Asian-American Role Model Award from
the City Government of New York, for "the advocacy for foreign nurses, and for being a caring nurse and a
committed labor activist." Back in 1992, she was the recipient of the NYSNA Economic and General Welfare
Award for "her outstanding contribution in areas of professional endeavor for the protection of the public and
advancement of the nursing profession, dedication, inspiration, and leadership." She is the first
Asian-American to receive such a distinguished award.
That same year, Miss Compas was invited by the General and Provincial Councils of the Missionary Sisters of
the Sacred Heart to participate in an international conference in Rimini, Italy, which dwelt on issues pertinent
to immigration. She spent a week in Italy at the 13th Annual Meeting for Friendship of Peoples sponsored by
an Italian Catholic organization. She spoke there on "The Presence of Mother Cabrini in the Cabrini
InstitutionToday." Mother Cabrini was a human rights advocate of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who
founded the hospital that bears her name. She was the first citizen saint of the United States.
"My talk was about how Mother Cabrini's spirit is being perpetuated by people of diverse cultures at our
institution," said Miss Compas. "Although the employees here are presented by two powerful unions, the
sense of family at Cabrini is very strong." She said she was "humbled" by the honor of representing the
employees of Cabrini Medical Center in this international gathering of over a thousand attendees in Europe.
It was no less tha President Bill Clinton who took notice of Miss Compas' leadership in the nursing
profession. In a letter sent to her after the White House New York Appreciation Day on March 22, 1995, the
President said, "New York needs leaders like you and so do I."
The humanitarian activities of Miss Compas extended beyond the boundaries of the United States of America.
She helped organize and facilitated fund-raising projects of the Food for Children Inc., a nonprofit organization
of Cabrini Medical Center employees whose mission is to assist in improving the quality of life of our less
fortunate brothers and sisters. Among its project is a vaccine production facility in East Africa for the purpose
of providing vaccines to prevent polio, rabies, and measles among children. Her efforts have helped native
homeland as well. She lent support for the construction of a center for street children in Baguio City. The
municipal government of Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines, in recognition of this humane gesture, gave her
the town's highest award, "Gawad Tangbul-Giting", bestowed on its sons and daughters who had
accomplished outstanding contributions for humane causes.
Born in Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines, Miss Compas went to elementary and secondary school in that
town. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate from St. Paul College in Manila, she migrated to the United
States in 1969. She received a Master of Arts degree from New York University, majoring in Nursing
Administration in June 1977. She started working at Cabrini Medical Center where she has held various
responsible positions, as a Staff Nurse, Team Leader of the Critical Care Unit, Evening Nursing Care
Coordinator of the Emergency Services. Currently, she is the Clinical Instructor of Critical Care Units and the
Emergency Department.
The seventh of 11 children of the late Vicente Compas and Luisa Burgos from Alitagtag and Tanauan,
Batangas respectively, Miss Compas has gained the respect and esteem not only of the Filipino community
but also of the nursing profession in America.
For her achievements, she credits her late parents for teaching her the love of God and intrinsic values in life,
her family for their unselfish love, her friends for their proven loyalty and her colleagues for their tireless
support. Those who know her well, howver, know that an essential ingredient in Miss Compas' success is
her genuine love and concern for people, no matter what they do or to what race they belong. That is the
Christian way. That is the Lolita Compas way.
set up apratments; (2) Inviting them to her private home during major holidays; (3) Assisting them in obtaining
Social Security cards; (4) Helping them with their immigration problems; (5) Conducting State Board review
classes; and (6) Providing counselling and advice during their adjustment period.
When Cabrini Medical Center nurse, Mis Brenda Galand died in the 1983 Korean Airlines Flight 007 incident
which gained international attention, Miss Compas worked earnestly to make sure that Brenda's family
received her survivor's benefits in due time.
Since Miss Compas took over the presidency of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York, Inc., (PNA,
NY, Inc.) the organization attained impressive professional growth and increased its visibility and
empowerment. She is credited for developing the Association's continuing education programs gaining the
accreditation as a provider of Continuing Education by the New York State Nurses Association Council on
Continuing Education which is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on
Accreditation.
With Miss Compas at the helm, the organization made great strides not only in recruiting members but in
retaining them. The vigorous outreach efforts of the organization have resulted in more than five hundred
registered members. She keeps the growing membership informed of the PNA-NY activities by having the
Association publish a quarterly newsletter. During her term, the PNA-NY, for the first time ever, was awarded
a grant of $10,000 by the Funds for New Citizens at the New York Community Trust, for the purpose of
educating Filipino newcomers on diverse issue, such as immigration problems, citizenship requirements,
family unity programs, and related matters.
With Miss Compas' dynamic leadership, strong linkages were forged by the PNANY with the New York State
Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Asian-American Federation of New York, the Philippine-American
Communities Executive Council, the New York Immigration Coalition, and the Philippine Consulate General.
As far as the latter is concerned, the conduits involved health services during major events, such as
presidential visits and the yearly celebration of Philippine Independence Day in June. Still during her
presidency in 1994, PNANY represented New York in the Asian-Pacific Health Care Reform Briefing at the
White House.
True to her assertive nature, Miss Compas further enhanced the Association's profile on excellence as an
active and viable professional organization. As a testimonial to this singular achievement, the PNANY
received the Presidential Citation Award from the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association Inc. on
May 11, 1995. Indue recognition of her valuable efforts as a leader of the nursing profession, Miss Compas
was given the Outstanding Asian-American Award in New York by the then Governor Mario Cuomo on May 5,
1994 for "her unwavering commitment towards the promotion of nursing excellence, tolerance, diversity, and
preservation of human rights." In addition, in 1993 she received the Asian-American Role Model Award from
the City Government of New York, for "the advocacy for foreign nurses, and for being a caring nurse and a
committed labor activist." Back in 1992, she was the recipient of the NYSNA Economic and General Welfare
Award for "her outstanding contribution in areas of professional endeavor for the protection of the public and
advancement of the nursing profession, dedication, inspiration, and leadership." She is the first
Asian-American to receive such a distinguished award.
That same year, Miss Compas was invited by the General and Provincial Councils of the Missionary Sisters of
the Sacred Heart to participate in an international conference in Rimini, Italy, which dwelt on issues pertinent
to immigration. She spent a week in Italy at the 13th Annual Meeting for Friendship of Peoples sponsored by
an Italian Catholic organization. She spoke there on "The Presence of Mother Cabrini in the Cabrini
InstitutionToday." Mother Cabrini was a human rights advocate of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who
founded the hospital that bears her name. She was the first citizen saint of the United States.
"My talk was about how Mother Cabrini's spirit is being perpetuated by people of diverse cultures at our
institution," said Miss Compas. "Although the employees here are presented by two powerful unions, the
sense of family at Cabrini is very strong." She said she was "humbled" by the honor of representing the
employees of Cabrini Medical Center in this international gathering of over a thousand attendees in Europe.
It was no less tha President Bill Clinton who took notice of Miss Compas' leadership in the nursing
profession. In a letter sent to her after the White House New York Appreciation Day on March 22, 1995, the
President said, "New York needs leaders like you and so do I."
The humanitarian activities of Miss Compas extended beyond the boundaries of the United States of America.
She helped organize and facilitated fund-raising projects of the Food for Children Inc., a nonprofit organization
of Cabrini Medical Center employees whose mission is to assist in improving the quality of life of our less
fortunate brothers and sisters. Among its project is a vaccine production facility in East Africa for the purpose
of providing vaccines to prevent polio, rabies, and measles among children. Her efforts have helped native
homeland as well. She lent support for the construction of a center for street children in Baguio City. The
municipal government of Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines, in recognition of this humane gesture, gave her
the town's highest award, "Gawad Tangbul-Giting", bestowed on its sons and daughters who had
accomplished outstanding contributions for humane causes.
Born in Candelaria, Quezon, Philippines, Miss Compas went to elementary and secondary school in that
town. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate from St. Paul College in Manila, she migrated to the United
States in 1969. She received a Master of Arts degree from New York University, majoring in Nursing
Administration in June 1977. She started working at Cabrini Medical Center where she has held various
responsible positions, as a Staff Nurse, Team Leader of the Critical Care Unit, Evening Nursing Care
Coordinator of the Emergency Services. Currently, she is the Clinical Instructor of Critical Care Units and the
Emergency Department.
The seventh of 11 children of the late Vicente Compas and Luisa Burgos from Alitagtag and Tanauan,
Batangas respectively, Miss Compas has gained the respect and esteem not only of the Filipino community
but also of the nursing profession in America.
For her achievements, she credits her late parents for teaching her the love of God and intrinsic values in life,
her family for their unselfish love, her friends for their proven loyalty and her colleagues for their tireless
support. Those who know her well, howver, know that an essential ingredient in Miss Compas' success is
her genuine love and concern for people, no matter what they do or to what race they belong. That is the
Christian way. That is the Lolita Compas way.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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