Our Board and Committee Members
Dan Suarez, MA, RN, F-NYAM
President
Mavely Penzo González, BSN, RN, AMB-BC
President - Elect
Amanda Iris Pacheco, NSN, RN
Secretary
Eliana Alonzo, BSN, RN, CCRN
Treasurer
Tatiana Morales, BSN, RN
Co-Treasurer
Luz Santana
Board Director
Sylvia Collado-Gonzalez, BSN, RN
Board Director
Dr. Karla Rodriguez, RN
Board Member
Angel Garcia, MSN, APRN-CRNA
Board Member
Dan Suarez, MA, RN, F-NYAM
President
Dan Suarez, MA, RN, NYAM
I have been a Nursing professional with more than 45 years of experience in the nursing field.
During my career, I have held several positions as a Clinician and Nurse Recruiter in several hospitals around New York City. Currently, I work as a Clinical Liaison Manager at Mount Sinai in NYC. Prior to joining Mount Sinai, I was Director of Sales for the NY/NJ region, at Nurse.com formerly Nursing Spectrum.
Besides having a successful professional career, I am very involved in the Hispanic community helping students and young professionals to pursue a career in Nursing. I am currently the President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses NY Chapter, and past National President.
I graduated from Stony Brook University with a BS in Nursing and earned a master’s degree in nursing administration from the Teachers College at Columbia University. I have received numerous awards and recognition below are some of the Honors.
Tatiana Morales, BSN, RN
Co-Treasurer
Tatiana Morales, BSN, RN
Born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Tatiana Morales brings heart, culture, and vibrant energy into everything she does. As a proud first-generation college graduate, she understands the doors that education can open—and the barriers that often stand in the way. This perspective fuels her deep commitment to uplifting her community, especially those who may not have access to the resources or mentorship needed to navigate the path to higher education.
Family is Tatiana’s foundation and greatest priority. She is passionate about preserving traditions and honoring the cultural values that define Hispanic communities, carrying that sense of identity and pride into every space she enters.
Tatiana serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses – New York Chapter and is the Co-Treasurer for the 2026–2027 term. She is dedicated to empowering Hispanic nurses, fostering leadership, and advancing culturally competent care. She is especially committed to ensuring Hispanic communities feel supported, respected, and heard particularly during times when access to care, trust, and representation are more important than ever.
A strong believer in advocacy, Tatiana is not afraid to push boundaries to ensure that the voices of those who often go unheard are represented. Beyond her leadership roles, she remains deeply connected to her community by providing translation support for immigration services, helping families navigate critical resources. She also mentors future nurses as a clinical instructor, sharing both knowledge and lived experience to inspire the next generation.
Outside of nursing, Tatiana loves to travel, explore new cultures, and discover great food believing that some of the most meaningful connections are made around a table.
She currently practices as a bedside nurse in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), where she delivers compassionate, high-level care to critically ill patients.
Luz Santana
Board Director
Luz Santana
Luz Santana serves as a Board Director (2026–2027) for the NAHN New York Chapter. She brings over 20 years of progressive leadership and case management experience across managed care, hospital systems, and community-based healthcare settings. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions and served on both local and national boards, successfully leading multidisciplinary teams, driving quality improvement initiatives, and implementing evidence-based care models for diverse and high-need populations.
Her active involvement in professional organizations reflects a strong commitment to advancing nursing leadership, health equity, and advocacy. Luz has contributed to numerous committees, interdisciplinary initiatives, and public health volunteer efforts, consistently bringing a collaborative and mission-driven approach to her work.
In addition to her board role, Luz serves as Community Outreach Liaison for NAHN-NY, where she leads efforts to organize community outreach events, coordinate health screenings, promote health education initiatives, and support community-based research activities. She is dedicated to leveraging her expertise, leadership, and passion to strengthen chapter initiatives and foster the professional growth and engagement of NAHN members over the next two years.
Amanda Iris Pacheco, BSN, RN
Secretary
Amanda Iris Pacheco, BSN, RN
My name is Amanda Iris Pacheco, and I am honored to serve as the Secretary for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, New York Chapter (NAHN-NY). Having joined NAHN as a nursing student, I have held several leadership roles within the organization, including leading the NAHN-NY Student Committee and Social Media team, as well as serving as co-chair of the Community Service Division.
Professionally, I am a pediatric nurse with a diverse clinical background encompassing the pediatric ICU, pediatric long-term care, pediatric primary care, and school nursing.
This organization has been instrumental in my professional development and nursing journey. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the membership and support our organization's vision.
Best regards,
Amanda Iris Pacheco BSN RN
NAHN-NY Secretary
Sylvia Collado-Gonzalez
Board Director
Sylvia Collado-Gonzalez
Born and raised in the South Bronx and proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, Sylvia has dedicated 55 remarkable years to the nursing profession. Her career began as an LPN in 1971 at age 22, and driven by a lifelong passion for learning, she went on to earn her ADN in 1986 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2014 at the age of 64—an achievement bolstered by the unwavering support of the NAHN New York and New Jersey chapters.
Throughout her years in active duty, Sylvia found her greatest joy at the bedside. Her early experience on a Medical Unit laid the groundwork for a rich, full-circle career spanning OB/L&D, Postpartum, Nursery, and Perinatal services.
A pillar of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) New York Chapter for 27 years, Sylvia has served over 14 years on the Board of Directors, including six years as Treasurer. Currently, she serves on the National/Chapter Membership Committees, Chapter Scholarship, and Chapter Nomination committees, and was recently reappointed to the Board of Directors to oversee the chapter’s membership roster and student activities.
Sylvia remains fiercely committed to mentoring the next generation of nurses, regularly sharing her legacy on panels. Believing whole-heartedly that "retirement is only from full-time work," she continues to champion recruitment and retention, proving that while the work isn't easy, impact is always possible.
Angel Garcia, MSN, APRN-CRNA
Board Member
Angel Garcia, MSN CRNA
My journey with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses began in 2008 as a pre-nursing student, shaping both my career and commitment to service. After graduating nursing school in 2011, I started my career as an Operating Room RN at NYU Langone Health in Brooklyn, New York. Through NAHN community outreach and medical missions, I discovered my passion for giving back and developed a strong interest in nurse anesthesia.
In 2017, I joined the critical care fellowship at Mount Sinai South Nassau, working in the ICU while earning my CNOR and CCRN certifications. In 2019, I was accepted into the nurse anesthesia program at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, graduating in 2022 and becoming a board-certified CRNA. I now practice independently as a locum CRNA in Ohio.
Giving back remains central to who I am. Since 2024, I have participated in anesthesia medical missions to the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. Much of my success has been shaped by mentors who continue to guide me, which inspires me to mentor others through my continued involvement with NAHN. Serving as a board member is an opportunity to continue supporting and empowering the next generation.
Eliana Alonzo, BSN, RN, CCRN
Treasurer
Eliana Alonzo
Eliana Alonzo was born and raised in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States at the age of 17 with her parents and younger brothers. This transition was one of the most challenging experiences of her life, but through perseverance, faith, determination, and the unwavering support of her family, friends, and mentors, she successfully navigated a new chapter and pursued her dreams.
Eliana joined NAHN New York as a new graduate nurse, where she found invaluable mentorship, lifelong friendships, and inspiration that helped shape both her professional and personal journey. Today, she proudly serves as Treasurer of NAHN NY.
Eliana participated in her first medical mission trip to Mexico in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the experience of caring for children with complex congenital heart conditions. Inspired by that experience, she returned to New York and pursued a career in Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Nursing. She continues to volunteer on medical mission trips around the world, combining her clinical expertise with her commitment to service. Through these missions, she helps care for children with congenital heart disease and supports their families while collaborating with and mentoring local nursing teams. These experiences continue to deepen her love for nursing and strengthen her dedication to improving healthcare access for underserved communities worldwide.
Beyond the bedside, Eliana is a sound meditation facilitator who is passionate about the connection between science, healing, and human consciousness. Through meditation, breathwork, sound, and mindfulness practices, she creates spaces that support self-discovery, healing, and wholeness. She believes that true healing happens when we honor both the science of healthcare and the wisdom of the human spirit and nature, bringing compassion, presence, and a deep sense of interconnectedness into everything she does.
Personally, Eliana is an adventurer at heart who finds inspiration in the ocean, travel, and the lifelong journey of learning, growth, and discovery.