Silver Jubilee Celebration and Nurses Day Celebration

Saturday, May 25, 2019

At Safari Ranch

In 1982, the Indian nursing community in Houston started discussions about the need for an organization to support immigrant nurses from India.  As a result of the hard work of many pioneers of great vision and dedication, The Indian American Nurses Association of Greater Houston (IANAGH) was initiated in 1994 with the intention of Promote professional excellence in nursing practice and healthcare through the empowerment and renewal of professional and cultural identity of all nurses of Indian origin/heritage, and to optimize their contribution to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.

 Within this 25 years of endeavors  IANAGH could accomplish many initiatives but to mention some are, helped to establish the CGFNS and NCLEX centers in Kerala, Created cash scholarships for high school graduates and nursing students both in the USA and  India, volunteered time and talent to go with surgical/medical missions to underdeveloped countries like India, Mexico, Bolivia, and Haiti, and many years IANAGH participated at the Star of Hope during December with Christmas toy donations and a Christmas programs for  homeless women & children.

Thus, the May 25, 2019, Sunday the Greater Houston woke up with the 25th Silver Jubilee celebration in the banquet hall at Safari Ranch in Richmond, Houston. It was an unforgettable day in its 25-year history. Both the Silver Jubilee celebrations and Gala Night were filled with colorful events. The celebrations started at 10 am and continued until10 pm with innumerable educational, arts, and cultural activities. More than 500 guests including many nurses from America and India participated in the program. The theme of the morning educational session was ‘Journey of Leadership: Challenges to Championship’. The panel was held on the topic of “Transformational Leadership: Criteria for Nursing Excellence”. Very authentic and educational discussions were led by nursing dignitaries.

The guests were welcomed in traditional Indian style with Thalapoli and Shinkari Melam. Akamma Kallel delivered the President’s Address and Mrs. Virginia Alphonso expatiated the Welcome Speech. The IANAGH mission message was ‘Community of Nursing Excellence’.

Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford served as the chief guest. Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Dr. Durga Aggarwal (President of the UH System Board of Regents) and Dean Kathryn Tartt (University of Houston College of Nursing), Janet Leatherwood (Chief Nursing Officer Methodist Sugarland Hospital), Corey Russell (Administrative Director of Nursing, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center), Fort Bend Court Judge Julie Mathew, Stafford City Council Member Ken Mathew, Donna Schultz (Associate Director VA Medical Center), Dr. Agnes Theridi (National President of the Association of Indian Nurses of America, and Leena Eppen spoke with greetings.

Many awards were distributed during the occasion. Anumol Thomas and Eliamma Baby received APN Excellence Award and RN Clinical excellence award. Koshy Thomas (CEO Voice of Asia), Simon Valacherill (Editor-in-Chief, Nerkasha Newspaper) and Rose Jean Gallus (United Light of Hope), and Mr. John W Varghese (Let Them Smile) won awards for Outstanding Community Action. As part of the association’s educational assistance scheme, scholarships were distributed to 5 eligible candidates. Fresh Graduate Registered Nurses, BSN, MSN, and the recipients of Doctorate in Nursing were specially felicitated on the occasion.

The beautiful IANAH souvenir release was also held on the Silver Jubilee. Ms. Raina Rock and Dr. Omana Simon spearheaded the beautiful souvenir publication. The souvenirs were distributed to IANAH members free of cost, and it contains a variety of informative articles. The celebratory night was filled with various fascinating cultural programs such as Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Skits, and songs. Delicious food was also served. As MCs, Anumol Thomas and Raina Rock took the helm of various events.

There was a lot of planning and hard work done by the Advisory, executive, governing and the jubilee committee. Each person played a great role in making this event successful. The future promises to be an exciting time, as new trends and technologies drive innovation and opportunities for growth in the Nursing profession and the IANAGH!