Daphny Peneza, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, is an education resource specialist III at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, Houston. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing from Ateneo de Davao University, Philippines.

Peneza has been a perioperative nurse for eight years and a member of AORN for seven years. She is a member of

• AORN of Greater Houston (2015-present),
• eChapter (2017-present),
• the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2015-present),
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2015-present), and
• the Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses (2017-present).

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

Peneza has received

• an AORN Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education Award (2021),
• an AORN Promising Professional Achievement Award (2018),
• an American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Excellence in Neuroscience Education Award (2020),
• a Texas Nurses Association - District 9’s Nursing Hero Award (2021), and
• a Philippine Nurses Association of Metropolitan Houston’s Outstanding Filipino Nurse Award (2018).

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

• volunteer coordinator-observer, Global Surgical Conference Education Committee (2021-present);
• a member of the AORN Journal News Advisory Group (2021-present);
• education chair of the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2021-present);
• a member of the Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses Leadership Council (2017-present); and
• chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of AORN of Greater Houston (2021-present).

She has been

• a member of the Global Surgical Conference Education Committee (2019-2021),
• a member of the AORN Global Relations Committee (2017-2019),
• chair of the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2019-2021),
• president of AORN of Greater Houston (2020-2021), and
• chair of the AORN of Greater Houston Nominating Committee (2017-2018).

In other leadership roles, Peneza is

• a member of the Competency and Credentialing Institute Certification Council (2020-present),
• a member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Leadership and Development Committee (2020-present),
• a member of the American Nurses Association and Texas Nurses Association District 9 (2014-present), and
• a member of the Philippine Nurses Association of America Marketing and Communications Committee (2018-present).

She has been

• a member of the Federation of Houston Professional Women Nominating Committee (2020).

In her community, Peneza is

• a guest lecturer, Michael E. Debakey High School for Health Professionals career development courses (2020-present);
• a volunteer for the Houston Royal Oaks Lions Club Health Fair (2018-present); and
• a volunteer for the Star of Hope Women and Family Development Center (2018-present).

She has been

• a health screening volunteer at the Alief Community Health Fair (2018-2019) and
• a sort room volunteer for Medical Bridges (2015).

Election Statement

As the world continues to find stability within the myriad of multifaceted health care and other global issues, nurses continue to deal with high-acuity patients and complex working conditions. We will need strong leaders, who embody our “Shared Vision: Holistic Excellence in Motion” to realize our “Prime Purpose: Provision of Safe and Quality Care for Humanity.”

Through the years, my AORN involvement has been centered on building strong collaboration from grassroots to global levels. I have empowered members to pursue their service calling by creating mentoring and volunteering opportunities. As president of a large chapter, I unlocked creative innovation strategies that helped us receive Chapter of the Year for 2021.

My continuous meaningful participations and extensive network will help me craft a balanced ballot of qualified leaders and develop a sustainable base of bankable leaders to help AORN thrive gracefully. I will bring to AORN leadership a stellar record of excellence and genuine desire to support the growth of our perioperative specialty.

Surviving the current time is not achieved through a sprint nor marathon, we must be part of the relay! Receive and pass the baton with conviction through advocating for each other, learning daily, generously sharing, and embracing diversity. I challenge you to invest in our future, your vote is golden. I respectfully and humbly ask for your support to serve as a member of our AORN Nominating Committee.

Read Daphny’s responses to an online Q&A presented by the Nominating Committee.