NAHN Leadership CandidatesAttention NAHN members! Learn about the candidates for open 2025-2026 NAHN national leadership positions by reading their personal statements below. All voting NAHN members will receive an email on June 6 providing them with access to a personal online ballot. Voting will take place electronically from June 6 to June 13, and elected candidates will begin their two-year terms in July 2025. CLICK HERE to report a campaign violation. Did you miss the "Meet the Candidates" webinar? Log into your profile and watch the recording on the Member Landing Page.
Board of Directors (Secretary)
Patrick Luna Dear Members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, As the current Membership Committee Co-chair, Secretary of the Denver Chapter, and a National Board Member of NAHN, I have had the privilege of working closely with our members to achieve national membership goals. My tenure in these positions has equipped me with the skills necessary to effectively collaborate with members on initiatives and facilitate communication among our members. One of my core passions is supporting nursing students and emerging professionals. I believe that nurturing the next generation of nurses is crucial for the continued growth and success of our organization. Through the NAHN Student Boot Camp, educational workshops, and networking opportunities, the Membership Committee has actively contributed to creating pathways for students to thrive in their careers. My dedication to NAHN is unwavering, and I am committed to ensuring that our association remains a beacon of excellence and advocacy. As Secretary, I will strive to enhance our organizational efficiency, promote member engagement, and uphold the values that make NAHN the preeminent nursing organization for Hispanic nurses. Board of Directors (Treasurer)
Rocio Sanchez It has been an honor to serve as Treasurer of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Over the past term, I have worked to strengthen NAHN’s financial infrastructure, expand chapter support, and champion transparency across our operations. In collaboration with the Finance Committee, I have helped align NAHN’s fiscal strategy through monthly financial reviews, quarterly investment evaluations, and multi-year trend analysis. To build sustainable support for our chapters, I launched Cuentas Claras, Amistades Largas, NAHN’s first finance education newsletter, created a fundraising training video, and established a Treasurers’ Basecamp platform to promote cross-collaboration and peer mentorship among chapter treasurers nationwide. I seek a second term to continue building a strong, transparent, and mission-driven financial foundation for our members and chapters. My goal is to ensure that NAHN’s resources are protected, strategically utilized, and positioned to fuel our collective impact for generations to come. It would be my privilege to continue serving our organization with dedication, accountability, and purpose. Con dignidad, transparencia y propósito. Thank you for your trust. Board of Directors (three open positions)
Erika Alfaro I currently serve as the President of the SF Bay Area Chapter, where I have successfully created an active community of nurses and grown our membership from 30 to 110 members during my tenure. My active involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association, Bay Area Black Nurses Association, and Safe Ag Safe Schools has fostered collaboration and strengthened community efforts. I am honored to have received the 2024 Janie Menchaca Wilson Leadership Award and the 2023 Sarah Gomez Erlach Humanitarian Award, recognizing my contributions to nursing and healthcare. As a council member and Farmworker Food and Agriculture Co-Chair with the California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice, I advocate for sustainable practices and policies that prioritize the well-being of California's farm working communities. Additionally, my experiences as a UCSF REACH the Decisions Fellow and an Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Fellow have deepened my commitment to health equity and environmental justice. Through my leadership, advocacy, and dedication, I aspire to drive meaningful change as a board member of NAHN. My intent to serve is rooted in a passion for advancing equity, empowering underrepresented communities, and creating healthier environments for all.
Veronica Bargas As a proud Latina and doctorate-prepared nurse, I am honored to apply for a position on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). With over 35 years of nursing experience and 15 years in leadership, I currently serve as Director of Critical Care and Cardiovascular Services at El Camino Hospital in Silicon Valley. I am an active member of our Hispanic Affinity Group and mentor Hispanic nurses across the organization, leading efforts to raise awareness around dementia, hypertension, and mental health in our community. A former NAHN Phoenix Chapter member (2006) and Gira Sol Chapter President and member (2010–2013), nominating committee member in 2008, I have long been committed to NAHN’s mission. I am passionate about bridging cultural gaps in healthcare and empowering the next generation of Hispanic nurses through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development. If elected, I will champion equity, elevate Hispanic nurse leadership, and drive national conversations that highlight the strengths and needs of our community. I am eager to bring my experience, heart, and vision to serve NAHN and our future leaders.
Paola German As a proud immigrant and first-generation college graduate, I am honored to be considered for the NAHN Board of Directors position. My journey from trauma nurse to Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate and current faculty member at the University of California, Irvine, reflects my commitment to uplifting Hispanic communities through education, mentorship, and culturally responsive care. At UCI, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, I prepare future nurses with a focus on leadership development and cultural humility. My clinical experience in Orange County, where over one-third of the population identifies as Hispanic, has deepened my understanding of health disparities and the need for community-focused solutions. My scholarship addresses public health challenges in underserved populations. My work, published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, highlights how culturally tailored education increases vaccine acceptance. Currently, I lead an HPV awareness campaign aimed at reducing preventable cancers and improving health equity. Beyond academia, I serve as the Education Chair for the CANP Orange County Chapter and contribute nationally through the NONPF conference planning committee. Recently, I was honored by the Orange County Supervisor at the Annual “Women Making A Difference Awards” for my contributions to making meaningful impacts in the community. I look forward to advancing NAHN’s mission through continued leadership and service.
Melissa Hladek I am honored to submit my candidacy for the NAHN Board of Directors position. As a Latina, a tenure-track research faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, a practicing nurse practitioner, where I care for a Central and South American immigrant community, I am deeply committed to the health and well-being of the Latino community and the U.S. as a whole. I bring a personal story of overcoming barriers and a deep commitment to resilience and problem-solving health disparities. As Immediate Past-President of NAHN DC Metro Chapter, along with our Board, I led an effort to grow our membership by over 200%. NAHN must be part of national conversations on health and wellness, and I want to help in three key areas:
Thank you for considering my candidacy!
Lois Lopez I am honored to seek a position on the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Board of Directors. As a first-generation Cuban-American nurse leader, I bring deep commitment, lived experience, and a record of results in advancing equity, access, and representation in nursing. With experience in nursing education and leadership, I’ve created nationally recognized programs that empower future nurses and address systemic disparities. My CCNE-accredited implicit bias course has reached over 20,000 healthcare providers, and my RN-BSN elective on advancing equity has sparked student-led initiatives across the country. As Co-Chair of NAHN’s DEI Committee, I’ve led strategic efforts to increase Latino visibility and advocacy within the profession. I believe in the power of mentorship, community, and policy change to create lasting impact. As a board member, I will champion culturally responsive leadership, support professional development, and expand opportunities for Latino nurses at all levels. Your vote will help elevate a vision of equity, belonging, and leadership that reflects the strength of our heritage and the promise of our profession. I’m ready to serve and amplify the voices of our NAHN community—together, we can shape the future of nursing.
Naydu Lucas I am Naydu Lucas, I have been a nurse for about 18 years. As a Doctoral-prepared nurse, I am passionate about developing the next generation of nurses and healthcare leaders, advocating for Hispanic nurses, and promoting inclusion in healthcare. This passion aligns with my role as a nurse executive, who is often responsible for training, mentorship, and fostering a positive work environment. My commitment to patient care and healthy communities reflects the broader goals of nursing leadership, which include improving quality of care, advocating for our patients and for our nursing profession. Currently, I serve as the President for the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives Pacific Northwest Chapter, which has been a venue to support Latinos/Latinas professional development and growth and advocate for the well-being of our Latin communities. I strongly believe serving our professional organization is a way to make a positive impact and be a steward of engagement that promotes inclusion in all areas of healthcare. As a Latin healthcare professional, it is my profound commitment to continue serving, and I am utmost committed to supporting NAHN’s mission, advancing the health in Hispanic communities, and to lead, promote, and advocate for the educational, professional, and leadership opportunities for Hispanic nurses. I believe in the power of collective action to effect positive change.
Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth You may remember me from last year’s NAHN Conference plenary session, "Crabs in a Bucket," where I shared reflections on solidarity, cultural humility, and the power of lifting as we climb. For over 25 years, I’ve worked tirelessly to elevate and support Hispanic nurses—whether at the bedside, in research, or through workforce development initiatives. I currently serve as Director of Research for a large ambulatory care system, where I lead programs that center the experiences of entry-level healthcare workers, from Medical Assistants to Community Health Workers. My projects—often rooted in equity, trauma-informed care, and qualitative inquiry—have addressed everything from burnout to recovery after disaster. Most recently, I served as Incident Commander at the Pasadena Convention Center Evacuation Site during the Eaton Wildfire and helped shape LA County’s long-term recovery strategy. My intent to serve is grounded in a deep commitment to our shared future as Hispanic nurses. I bring national research experience, lived frontline leadership, and a proven dedication to mentoring the next generation. I would be honored to contribute my skills and voice to furthering NAHN’s mission.
Elisa Romero My name is Elisa Romero, and I am interested in serving to support our Hispanic nurses association because I know that I can help to be an advocate who influences necessary change while also being a leader who engages the voices of our community. I have served as a nurse leader within inpatient and ambulatory settings over the last 15 years while also serving as a healthcare leader in our community volunteering as a board member for American College for Health Executives San Diego Chapter. I currently also serve as an adjunct faculty helping to teach licensed vocational nurses in the San Diego community and I also support to create mentorship programs for high school students within my healthcare organization. I am currently a first year PhD student focusing my studies and research on areas for improving healthcare outcomes for Hispanic adolescent mental well-being. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and support NAHN working collaboratively with the entire board members and serving our Hispanic Nursing Community. Thank you for your consideration.
Alicia Truelove I’m a nurse with a passion for advancing the mission of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). Since 2023, I’ve served on the NAHN Policy and Advocacy Committee and have achieved successful Hispanic Health Policy Summits two years in a row. I’ve served on the ANA\California Board of Directors over the past few years and have recently been re-elected to another term as Secretary. I have a proven track record of actively engaging in the strategic direction and decision-making processes that shape NAHN’s priorities and goals. My expertise in advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels allows me to contribute to the development of policies and programs that serve the needs of Hispanic nurses and the communities we serve. As a board member, I take pride in fulfilling my fiduciary duties and ensuring the organization's financial stability. My commitment to the bylaws and policies has always been central to my approach, ensuring transparency and accountability. I’m eager to bring my experience and passion for advocacy to the Board of Directors and continue to elevate the organization's impact on the communities we serve. It would be an honor to serve and work collaboratively toward achieving NAHN's vision of excellence. Nominating Committee (two open positions)
Karla Rodriguez As an ambitious professional in the healthcare industry and academia, I have excelled over the past 25 years of my nursing career by maintaining a perpetual curiosity and striving for continuous quality improvement. My career has been dedicated to advancing education and addressing inequalities in healthcare and in academic settings. During the 2020 - April 2024 term, I had the privilege of serving in the NAHN-NY Chapter as their Treasurer. I have gained such valuable experience and knowledge which enabled me to develop financial, organizational, and leadership skills. Being engaged in our board meetings helped prepare me to further my practices such as taking part in other professional committees such as the Nominations Committee. It is also important to share with you that my identity as an immigrant Hispanic woman is a source of pride and joy. Being exposed to poverty and gendered oppression from my trips to Peru (and abroad) made a profound impact on my view of the world. It continues to be what drives and guides most aspects of my work. My leadership and time management talents have supported my transferability of skills to promote professional growth. I look forward to learning from my NAHN colleagues. Thank you.
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