Dr. Ray-an Talatala, DNP, MAN, MN, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, is the perioperative nursing professional development specialist at the New York City Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, a Level 1 trauma and teaching hospital located in Manhattan, New York. He is also an accomplished nurse leader and an award-winning researcher. He has 12 years of clinical experience in perioperative nursing. He holds a doctorate degree in nursing and a national specialty certification in perioperative nursing (CNOR) and nursing professional development (NPD-BC).

As a research enthusiast, he has published in international peer-reviewed journals, won multiple awards, and presented in various podium and poster presentations. Also, he serves at the national level as one of the members of AORNs National Nursing Research Committee where he was involved in developing and publishing the AORN Research Priorities in Perioperative Nursing 2023-2028. He is also a peer reviewer for the AORN Journal. He is a member of the board of directors of AORN New York chapter, a member of the AORN, an honorary nurse leader of the STTI Honor Society of Nursing, and a past chapter president of the OR Nurses Association of the Philippines.

He made a historical accomplishment as he took the lead in making the NYC Health and Hospitals/Kings County the first hospital in the City of New York to receive the prestigious AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Prevention of Retained Surgical Items (RSI) designation. He is a recipient of the 2023 AORN Emerging Perioperative Nurse Leader Under 40 Award.