Candidate for Board of Directors (Four to be Elected)

Read Candidate Q&A

Daphny Peneza, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, FAORN, is a Clinical Manager for the Neurosurgery and Neuro-Interventional operating rooms at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in nursing from Ateneo de Davao University in the Philippines and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in executive leadership from Vanderbilt University.

Peneza has been a perioperative nurse for 11 years and a member of AORN for 10 years. She is a member of

• AORN of Greater Houston (2015-present)
• AORN of Middle Tennessee (2023-present)
• eChapter (2017-present)
• the Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses (2017-present)
• the Ambulatory Surgery Specialty Assembly (2015-present)
• the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2015-present)
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2015-present)
• the Nurse Scientist Specialty Assembly (2022-present)

She has been a member of

• the Neurosurgery, Orthopedic, and Trauma Specialty Assembly (2015-2016)

Peneza has attended Congress nine times in the past 10 years, each time as a delegate.

Peneza has received

• an AORN Fellowship (2022)
• an AORN Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education Award (2021)
• Nursing Excellence Gold Medal for Clinical Education, Good Samaritan Foundation Houston (2021)
• an Excellence in Neuroscience Education Award, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (2020)
• an AORN Promising Professional Achievement Award (2018)

Highlights of Peneza’s service to AORN include that she is

• a member of the Global Surgical Conference Education Committee (2024-present)
• secretary of AORN of Middle Tennessee (2024-present)
• a peer reviewer for the AORN Journal (2016-present)
• a member of the Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses Leadership Council (2017-present)

She has been

• a member of the Nominating Committee (2022-2024)
• a member of the AORN Journal News Advisory Group (2021-2023)
• education chair of the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2021-2022)
• chair of the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2019-2021)
• president of AORN of Greater Houston (2020-2021)
• a member of the AORN Global Relations Committee (2017-2019)

In other leadership roles, Peneza is

• president of Vanderbilt School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Diversity Affinity Group (2023-present)
• a member of the Global Nursing Accreditation and Certification Council Board of Directors (2024-present)
• a member of the American Nurses Association (2015-present)

She has been

• a member of the Competency and Credentialing Institute Certification Council (2020-2022)
• a member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Leadership and Development Committee (2020-2022)

In her community, Peneza is

• a graduation keynote speaker for the Pearl Cohn High School for Health Science and Personal Care Academy Certification Ceremony (2024-present)
• a guest lecturer at Pearl Cohn High School’s Health Science Annual Career Fair (2024-present)

She has been

• a guest lecturer for Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals career development courses (2020-2022)
• a health care volunteer for the Star of Hope Women and Family Development Center (2018-2021)
• a health screening volunteer for the Alief Community Health Fair (2018-2019)

Election Statement

AORN’s rich legacy of excellence and safety is more than just a tradition; it is a way of life. As an internationally educated nurse, I have seamlessly transitioned to global practice through AORN’s clinical resources and supportive members. Assimilating every learning and service opportunity polished me to be my best. Since 2016, I have contributed to nursing science by serving on AORN’s committees, task forces, and specialty assemblies. I empowered our members by focusing on strong grassroots to global collaborations, creating multiple volunteering and educational opportunities. These strategies enabled chapters and the Clinical Nurse Educator SA to achieve their optimum state. As a Nominating Committee member, I championed quality communication to empower current and aspiring leaders. I will bring this track record of service excellence to our AORN Board.

Collaboration between the AORN Board and members will exponentially increase the growth of AORN. I am determined to improve AORN’s momentum of excellence. Allocating meaningful time to listen and collaborate with members will help me find innovative, sustainable solutions as I complete projects. It is a crucial investment for safe care practices to understand the unique challenges and needs of novice to expert perioperative professionals. I am committed to seeking diverse member insights across multiple communication platforms.

Global change will continue to shape health care and perioperative practice. Let us boldly rise together. I challenge you to invest in our future; your vote is golden. I respectfully and humbly request your support in electing me to the AORN Board of Directors.