Lourdes Shah, BSN RN President Chicago Nightingales

By: Ryan Tejero

 

As Chicago Nightingales (CN) marks its 10th year anniversary this year, the organization looks back to the 10 productive years of building a formidable community visibility and outstanding philanthropic role in the community. CN’s membership consisting of Healthcare Professionals of Nurses and many Ancillary fields in the Midwest has been an integral part of the Filipino American community. They pioneered milestones in raising awareness to important global issues such as Veterans Affairs and urgent need for medical care in third world countries. CN’s Medical Mission Program last February brought many volunteers to the Philippines. They were mostly physicians, nurses, and also non-medical volunteers who share CN’s passion of helping humanity. The medical mission provided free medical check-ups, screening, health education, and distributed over-the-counter medications.

Last year, CN extended its outreach program by sending monetary aid to the victims of Typhoon

Odette in the Philippines. Partnering with the local area charity groups, the group also provided emergency supplies to some of the victims in the immediate aftermath of the calamity. More information is available in CN’s website, www.chicagonightingales.org, about the organization and its humanitarian activities.

Currently, CN strives to enrich the lives of Filipinos back home. In Igbaras, Iloilo, CN had partnered with local folks to create a community garden where they can cultivate and grow vegetables for their consumption and for livelihood. Today, the garden is thriving and created a safe space that benefits some troubled youths and adults alike.

In Chicago, CN is engaged into various community-building efforts. Over the past years, CN had provided meals to front-line workers and first responders, volunteered with the Chicago Food Depository, Phil’s Friends, NIFB, and FMSC. It gave out handmade blankets to benefit hospitals, dialysis centers, cancer centers, and veteran’s groups. In the Southside of Chicago, CN provided a small monetary donation to a Community Church who asked for their assistance. CN continues to respond to calls for stewardship, action, and healing. The group is driven by its mission to help make the world a better place. Everyone is invited to be part of CN’s efforts for fundraising, outreach, and volunteerism to fulfill its mission.

CN is strong under the leadership of Lourdes Shah. She has a nursing career spanned over 20 years with diverse roles in varied nursing disciplines. She started in Long Term Care Facilities caring for elderly at bedside as well as serving in administrative and directorship positions. She also worked in pediatric care both in acute and longterm care settings. After marriage, her career took her into another path of home health nursing in curative and palliative services. As a nurse, Lourdes has always been passionate about and motivated by caring for others. She considered becoming a member of Chicago Nightingales as a great opportunity in her nursing journey.

As President of Chicago Nightingales, Lourdes says “We plan to stay on this steady path, while expanding our reach deeper into our local communities and aboard. As current president of the organization, I am proud and fortunate to lead and take Chicago Nightingales further; to another 10 years, and another, and another…”

Photos of the officers and members of the Chicago Nightingales in their summer activities.