Laura Garcia

Laura Garcia’s love for learning is evident in her pursuit to better herself academically. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Silliman University. A few years later, she pursued a completely different degree at Kean University in New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, summa cum laude. Passionate about the nursing profession, she earned two master’s degrees in 2006: Master of Arts in Nursing from Southwestern University, Philippines, and Master of Science in Nursing – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from Seton Hall University in New Jersey. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017 at Farleigh Dickinson University.

Because Laura comes from a family that valued education and health careers, it seems natural for her to follow the same career path. Upon her arrival in the United States of America in 1985, she practiced nursing and then became a nursing instructor. She had a flourishing career as a nurse clinician, specializing in Labor and Delivery; however, she had to put it on hold when she was diagnosed with Spasmodic Torticollis, a debilitating condition that causes the involuntary contraction of neck muscles, resulting in the head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.

After nine years of battling the disorder, she recovered, sparking a newfound resolve to achieve personal and professional goals, among which were developing expertise in the field, providing quality nursing care, and contributing more to society. She resumed her career as a nurse clinician and went pursued again her passion for teaching. Since then, she has been a nursing professor in different institutions including Long Island College Hospital School of Nursing, Trinitas School of Nursing, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, and College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Laura is equally exemplary in her community work. She served two terms as state chair for the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations of New York, implementing initiatives and projects beneficial to her community. During the pandemic, she reached out to two US senators to lobby for the release of Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines, collaborated with the Office of the New York Mayor to provide help to the Filipino-American community, and linked with several organizations to conduct health forums, etc. Aside from these, she continues to initiate drives to be able to send books and medical supplies to the Philippines.

While Laura considers her career an important aspect of her life, she recognizes the value of her family. She said, “Without family relationships, life is an aimless journey, lacking in positive direction and full of hollow achievement.” She takes pride in her two adult children and five grandchildren, whom she considers her “happy source of unending inspiration.”