MARIA THERESA 'TESS' PANIZALES, DNP, Dr. (h.c.), MSN, RN
NIGH BOARD of DIRECTORS
NIGH BOARD of DIRECTORS
NIGH's growing team is privileged to welcome Maria Theresa ‘Tess’ Panizales to serve on NIGH's Board of Directors and as a colleague and friend. In July of 2023, she proactively participated in the launch of NIGH's 'Nurses' Voices' campaign shared virtually and onsite from Switzerland and the 2023 Caux Forum 'Healing the Wounds of the Past.' She also shared her original language and culture by serving as our Advisor to establish the Tagalog / Filipino language version of the Nightingale Declaration.
Tess has more than 40 years of professional nursing experience across the spectrum of healthcare both local and international — also including volunteer service. She is currently working at the Veterans HealthCare Administration Boston Health System. As a nurse leader, her goal is to engage and build the next generation of nurses through mentoring and role modeling. Tess completed her Doctor in Nursing Practice—Public Health Nurse Leader at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst. Her doctoral research focused on the |
refugee population’s health and their physiologic and psychosocial needs after resettlement program support ends. Her first nursing professional work was with the Red Cross. Hence, working with refugees in a public health context is her important connection.
Tess completed her Baccalaureate in Nursing from West Visayas State University in the Philippines. Her Master’s in Nursing was completed with a dual specialization from Hunter College City University of New York.
Her sustaining work in Mongolia awarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree—Honoris Causa from Etugen University, June 2017. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and shared oral and poster presentation in various international and national conferences. She has published two books as a co-author, include one about Filipino Nurses in “Living the Journey Across the Globe in Love, Courage, and Honor"— available at Barnes & Noble and from Amazon online.
Tess completed her Baccalaureate in Nursing from West Visayas State University in the Philippines. Her Master’s in Nursing was completed with a dual specialization from Hunter College City University of New York.
Her sustaining work in Mongolia awarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree—Honoris Causa from Etugen University, June 2017. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and shared oral and poster presentation in various international and national conferences. She has published two books as a co-author, include one about Filipino Nurses in “Living the Journey Across the Globe in Love, Courage, and Honor"— available at Barnes & Noble and from Amazon online.