Press Release for Immediate Release -
The Legacy of HANA of Florida continues as the Outgoing 16th President - Pauline Louis-Magiste, MSNEd, APN, RN passed on the Florence Nightgale Lamp to the Incoming 17th President - Rose Valcin, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC at the 37th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala on Saturday, April 17, 2021. The 37th Annual Scholarship Fundraising & Awards Hybrid Gala of the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. (HANA) was very memorable and successful with a limited number of guests - 70 attendees at the Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel due to COVID-19 prevention CDC guidelines and social distancing by having the other attendees were live via Zoom. This year’s theme is HANA: Leading. Excelling and Innovating Beyond Limits. Eighteen (18) Scholarships were awarded to nursing students from accredited schools from South Florida and in Haiti. The gala was memorable and historic because of Mme President Pauline Louis-Magiste, MSNEd, APN, RN and her Team/members led and served passionately in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic as she faced many challenges during her presidency such as Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic. Mrs. Louis-Magiste’s primary goal as the 16th President of HANA of Florida was to revamp the health educational programs via TV & Radio talk shows to educate and promote health. We are happy to report that she has met her goal by bringing back “Koze Sante with HANA” via radio on WSRF 1580 AM every Saturday morning at 11:00 am and TV show on Island TV Channel 578 on Tuesdays at 9:00 PM sponsored by The Miami Foundation, United Front, Moorehouse College of Medicine and Primary Care Medical Center as she serves as one of the new Co-Hosts addressing chronic diseases, COVID-19 prevention, education on vaccination, and mental health impact of COVID-19 on nurses and the community. Under her tutelage, HANA had its first Healthy Heart Walk & Wellness Fair in conjunction with heart disease awareness and prevention month addressing the importance of maintain healthy heart and disease prevention. HANA also sponsored and participated in the 2020 Mental Health Summit held in Haiti in collaboration with Rebati Sante Mental, Inc. Mrs. Louis-Magiste quickly adapt to technology using the Zoom platform to keep members and the community engaged in the midst of the pandemic. “I would like to reinforce and stress the importance of getting tested for COVID19, being vaccinated, and staying healthy physically and mentally to protect your health, family, and your community”, said President Louis-Magiste. Another important goal for her was to strengthen her relationship with HANA’s 11 Chapters through mutual respect, trust, and unity involvement as we embarked on the new journey with HANA International to maintain the legacy of this prestigious organization, and she has accomplished that goal and will continue to remain engaged in HANA-I.
Mme President Louis-Magiste presented the 2021 Honorees and Award Recipients: Marjorie Lozama, MSNEd, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CDMS - HANA Wall of Fame for her tireless efforts and outstanding contribution to the nursing profession and maintaining HANA’s legacy. The 2021 Honorees are: Emmanuela Jean-Baptise, BSN, BS, RN - Recipient of the Beacon of Hope Award; Dr. Guerda Nicolas, Professor in the Educational and Psychological Studies department at University of Miami, School of Education and Human Development; Secretary General of the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Association; and Co-Founder of Ayiti Community Trust - Recipient of HANA’s Humanitarian Award; Shalom Community Church Broward Campus - Faith in Action Award, Leonie Hermantin, JD
Community Action Award;
City of North Miami - Community Action. Special thanks and appreciation for the unwavering support and financial contribution received from Leonie Hermantin towards HANA’s Scholarship in Memory of the Beloved Mrs. Warda Scott Mehu, Former Dean of the School of Nursing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Our special thanks also go to the Scott Family. HANA awarded the Rookie of the Year - Katiana Blaise, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN, the 2021 Nurse of the Year - Myrnelle D. Fleur-Aime, MSN-APRN, FNP-BC and the Advisor of the year award given to Prinston Jean-Glaude, CEO and Co-Owner of Primary Medical Care Centers.
Last but not least, the Board of Directors congratulated and honored the outgoing President 2019-2021 Pauline Louis-Magiste with a plaque and medal - the Unsung Hero & Outstanding Leader in In appreciation of her outstanding commitment, dedication and immeasurable contribution and service to the community & HANA in the midst of COVID-19 global pandemic.
HANA welcomed the 2021-2023 Executive Board Members: Rose Valcin, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, President, Katiana St. Thomas Azemar, MSNEd, RN - 1st Vice-President, Myrnelle D. Fleur-Aime, MSN-APRN, FNP-BC - 2nd Vice-President, Nimrode Toussaint, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC - Treasurer, Katiana Blaise, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN, Nancy Henri, MSNEd, APRN, FNP - Assistant Treasurer, and Pepita Jean, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, BMTCN- Assistant Secretary who took their oath to office as they were sworn in by the The Honorable Judge Phoebee R. Francois, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The gala was amazingly beautiful! Excellent entertainment provided by D.J. Francois. Special thanks to all the HANA Chapters who were in attendance to support as we celebrate 37 years of service excellence.
Special thanks to all the outgoing Executive Board 2019-2021, HANA members, Advisors, all 11 HANA Chapters, the Masters of Ceremony Brother Jude Christophe Simeon & Dr. Odiane H. Medacier, Rev. Dr. Marion Valcin, Senior Pastor of Adonai Baptist Church, Miami, Florida for providing the invocation, Mr. Jeff Lozama, Advisor, HANA Supporters, Volunteers, Donors, Community & Media Leaders for your continued support!
We appreciate and give thanks to our Gold Sponsors: Petion Law, Primary Medical Care Center, Miami Dade College, Lynn M.Hood, CEO of Principle Healthcare and Baptist Health. Our thanks go to the Silver Sponsors: St. Thomas University College of Science, Technology & Heath and Dr. Rudolph Moise - Comprehensive Medical Aesthetics.
Click on the below link to view some images from the event.
https://www.facebook.com/HANAofFlorida/posts/3963717840362320
