Nominating Organization: LIG

Myrna Young’s Lifetime of Service Continues

We are pleased to introduce you to Myrna Young, nominated by our partner, the Life is Great Global Foundation (a nonprofit dedicated to medical volunteerism around the world), to join thirteen other nurses who were recognized at the United Nations, during our first annual event and awards ceremony.

Myrna, an extremely accomplished MSN, RN and CNOR, whose work today is focused around teaching other nurses at RWJ Barnabas Health while also serving as a Nursing Education Specialist in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, has assumed many different clinical roles in various health settings, rising from her start after graduating from Far Eastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as a staff nurse. While being promoted into roles including head nurse, clinical supervisor, and nursing director of numerous specialty units, Myrna continue to also invest in her education earning a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Seton Hall University.

Throughout her career, Myrna has been active in nursing communities, including the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey, Philippine Nurses Association of America, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Association for Operating Room Nurses, New Jersey State Nurse Association, Organization of Nurse Leaders and National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist.

An inspiring and driven educator and leader, Myrna’s boundless energy forms around her constant belief in helping nurses pursue excellence, while doing all they can to serve others, in the US, in the Philippines, and globally.

Her passion for making a difference is not limited by her experience and enthusiasm in nursing! She has been at the forefront of multiple community outreach programs including coordinating the Feed America Campaign to benefit food pantries in several towns in New Jersey, Gift Giving during the Holidays for indigent New Brunswick Kids, Tackle Sickle Blood Donation project, and Clothing and Food Drive for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Internationally, she initiated the fund drive for the Philippine Medical Mission and Nandadeep Hospital for the Blind in India. During the Sandy Storm calamity, Myrna and her Middlesex PNANJ executive board volunteered at Elijah’s Promise to prepare and cook food for the national rescuers who came to NJ to help the victims of this devastating event.

In 2013, when Philippines was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, Myrna initiated a hospital wide fund drive/ donation campaign. Her team collected over 50 large boxes of clothing, food and emergency medical supplies and raised over $12,000 to benefit the victims.

When Sierra Leone was devastated by the worst recorded outbreak of Ebola virus, Myrna actively participated in a mission dance fundraising event in an effort to support the Ebola Eradication campaign. Members of the African community and Rutgers University students supported this initiative. To raise awareness about the deadly disease, her team prepared educational posters distributed pamphlet/ brochures.

Myrna also spearheaded a team to participate in the walkathon for the Children’s Tumor Foundation in 2016 to support the research initiative for people who are afflicted with Neurofibromatosis. Myrna is currently an active member of the March of Dimes committee responsible for raising funds to help fund research initiatives for mothers to have healthy pregnancies, prevent premature births, birth defects and infant mortalities.

Myrna also serves as the chairman of the boards for Knights of Rizal. The purpose of this non-for profit, charitable organization is to promote education. Recently, under Myrna’s suggestion, the Knights of Rizal donated school supplies and backpacks, to three different public schools in New Jersey.

Myrna has an impressive array of achievements and accolades, and now includes the first annual International Nurses Day award from Nurses With Global Impact, supported by our partners at Life Is Great Global Foundation, RAD-Aid and Philips Corporation.

We congratulate Myrna and thank her for her passion, commitment, and ongoing mentorship and motivation for nurses around the world!

With gratitude,

– Deb