Marilou J. Dangalan BSN, RN President, Philippine Nurses of Illinois, Inc. (PNAI)

By: Ryan Tejero

 

One of the pioneers in nursing organizations in America is the Philippine Nurses Association of Illinois, Inc. (PNAI). Established in 1957 by group of nurses from the Nurse Exchange Visitors Program, PNAI was founded by Adel B. Campos, who became as its first President.

Now, 65 years old, PNAI is the oldest chapter among the 50 chapters across America. It is registered as a 501(c)3, voluntary, non-sectarian and non-profit organization that is open for membership to nurses of Filipino descent. PNAI mission is to uphold the positive image and welfare of the members, promote professional excellence, provide innovative leadership, and contribute to significant outcomes to health care and society.

PNAI President Marilou Dangalan is a retired nurse. She still puts her nursing practice doing nursing consultancy in a number of Homehealth and Homecare agencies in Chicago and the suburbs. She joined PNAI in 2010 and received an Excellence Award in Nurse entrepreneurship. She occupied several key positions within PNAI. Her term as President is for 2022-2024.

Marilou’s work history includes 4 years at St Luke’s Medical Center and 12 years in Saudi Arabia prior to migrating to the US in 1991. She graduated Diploma in Nursing at Central Luzon Doctors Hospital in Tarlac, Philippines, and completed BS in Nursing degree at St Luke’s Trinity College in Quezon City, Philippines.

Mt. Sinai Medical Center was her first employer as a nurse in the US in 1991. From there, she moved to other workplaces that include Cook County Hospital, West Suburban Hospital, Loyola Medical Center, McNeal Hospital, and St Joseph Hospital in Joliet. In 2009, she switched her preference to become an entrepreneur in the field of Home Health Care. She operated and owned 2 home health agencies and held positions as Administrator and Director of Nursing in several home health agencies until her retirement.

Marilou is married to Ricardo Dangalan, also retired. They have two children: Ian Dangalan, married to Casey Uhlir, and have 2 children – Dylan (11) and Mia (2), and Marie Grace, who works in Orthotics and Prosthetics industry. Marilou hails form Florida Blanca, Pampanga. She became active involved in the activities of the Circulo Capampangan in Chicago, and became the President during 2014. She is currently the Treasurer of Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club.

Marilou says “I am a retired nurse now but will always be nurse for the community. I have been busier now, and enjoy what volunteerism brings. Advocating for my fellow nurses and the community is what probably the meaning of why I am with this organization, PNAI. I would like to invite and ask our nurses to join us to give back to the community to share the blessings we have in meaningful ways as nurses.”

Marilou J. Dangalan BSN, RN President, PNAI

PNAI Officers and Members