TAPAN Installs New Officers. Highlights from the 2025 State Conference
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TAPAN Installs New Officers at the 49th Annual State Conference 2025
At the State Conference on September 26, 2025, TAPAN welcomed its 2025–2027 Executive Board. Congratulations to Geraldine Delos Santos, our new President; Lynette Alcorn, Vice-President/President-Elect; Kim Register, 2nd Vice President; Britini Hoien, Secretary; Alma Pope, Treasurer; and Patty Charles, Immediate Past President!
Region Director Linda Allyn inspired us all to get involved and stay engaged with TAPAN’s many activities. We’re excited to share that several dedicated leaders will continue their roles: Dr. Katherine Simpson as Clinical Inquiry Chair; Frances Garza as Membership and Marketing Chair; Britini Hoien as Communications Chair; Hazzell Gomez as Eyeopener Newsletter Editor; and Susan Russell as Policies and Procedures Chair. We’re also delighted to welcome new Committee Chairs: Rebecca Caddell (State Conference), Felicia Selman (Governmental Affairs and Education), and Eric Pazziuagan (Webmaster).
This year’s State Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Conroe, Texas, brought together more than 200 TAPAN members from all across the state—one nurse even made a nine-hour drive from Midland to join us!
We also took time to recognize the 2023–2025 Executive Board and Committee members for their outstanding commitment and service. The four TAPAN regions proudly celebrated their achievements with the Bluebonnet, Newsletter, and Outstanding Region Awards, while individual honors included the Recruiter of the Year, TAPAN Stars, President’s Award, and Distinguished Service Award.
TAPAN Stars 2025
Ten TAPAN Members Awarded at the State Conference
This year, the TAPAN Star Award attracted an impressive pool of over 50 nominations and celebrated 32 outstanding professionals—each recognized for embodying TAPAN’s mission through dedicated service and impactful contributions to perianesthesia nursing.
Out of the 32 nominees, these were the 10 TAPAN Star Awardees:
Sheila Anthony Judith Quindo
Laura Griffin Kim Register
Trina Mora Barbara Robinson
Catherine Ocampo Niera Santos
Alma Pope Rose Sepulveda
North and East Region Receives Bluebonnet and Outstanding Region Awards
Kristi Denton and her dynamic team of perianesthesia nurses have been honored with both the prestigious Bluebonnet and Outstanding Region Awards. The Bluebonnet Award spotlights a year of exceptional regional achievements—showcasing energizing educational events, impactful community outreach, engaging business meetings, and ongoing clinical education and research.
Reflecting on this accomplishment, Kristi Denton remarked, “We did this together—because we are a TEAM!”
The Outstanding Region Award celebrates an impressive track record: outstanding membership engagement, robust continuing education, community service, scholarships, high certification rates, and active participation at both State and National Conferences. This year, the North & East Region proudly took the lead in hosting the National ASPAN Conference in Dallas. Their commitment and energy are truly inspiring. You can view their many activities in their website. Congratulations to this remarkable team!
Eric Pazziuagan: Receives Region Newsletter Award for Upper Gulf Coast Region!
The 2025 First Place for the Newsletter Award was awarded to Upper Gulf Coast Region for their 2025 Spring Edition of Snooze News.
Eric Pazziuagan's creative vision and hard work helped to make UGCR's quarterly newsletter a vital source of information and celebration for all things TAPAN! Congratulations!
You can read the Newsletter by clicking the button below.
Every year, TAPAN honors the exceptional individuals whose dedication elevates our organization. This year, Lynette Alcorn earned the prestigious Recruiter of the Year award—not only from TAPAN but also as ASPAN’s 2025 Recruiter of the Year!
Our energetic and inspiring state conference chair, Britini Hoien, received the President’s Award from Patty Charles in recognition of her outstanding leadership, which played a pivotal role in creating a highly engaging and successful state conference.
Geraldine delos Santos was celebrated with the Distinguished Service Award, acknowledging her decades of remarkable service as a board member, hospital champion, seminar coordinator, and passionate advocate for certification within TAPAN.
ASPAN President, Ursula Mellinger--TAPAN's Distinguished Guest at the State Conference
We were honored to welcome ASPAN President Ursula Mellinger, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, as a distinguished guest at the TAPAN state conference. Her presence was truly meaningful to both the organizers and attendees. At the President’s Banquet, Ursula warmly greeted TAPAN members and expressed her enthusiasm for the future of both organizations.
During the Saturday educational sessions, Ursula delivered an insightful presentation on “Herbal Medications and Perianesthesia Implications.” She shared valuable information tailored to preoperative and postoperative nurses, highlighting important considerations regarding surgical and perianesthesia complications in patients who use herbal medications and supplements.
With 49 years of nursing experience, Ursula Mellinger is a dual-certified BSN (CPAN, CAPA) who began her career in Pittsburgh’s ICU, later serving 15 years at a federally funded healthcare facility for underserved and geriatric patients. For the past 24 years, she has specialized in PACU care—Phases I, II, and pre-op assessment—and currently works as a pre/post RN at a free-standing ASC. A devoted ASPAN member for 20 years, Ursula has held numerous leadership positions, including Regional Director, Vice President, and now President. She is continuing her commitment to nursing excellence and leadership.
Unseen, Essential, Extraordinary:
The Perianesthesia Nurse
Geraldine delos Santos, MSN RN CPAN
It’s truly impossible to picture a hospital without its perianesthesia nurses. Today, we honor you—a remarkable group whose expertise and compassion are woven into every quiet, behind-the-scenes moment. So much of what you do happens away from the spotlight: soothing a nervous patient as they come out of surgery, easing their pain, catching subtle changes when quick thinking can make all the difference. These moments are the heart of perianesthesia nursing, and you bring them to life every single day.
I find myself inspired not just by all we’ve accomplished, but by the promise of what’s still ahead for our organization. We’ve built something solid—through your dedication, resilience, and thoughtful leadership. Now, as we look to the future, let’s continue to honor our roots while embracing new ideas and bold dreams. Together, we can shape a future that respects our past while reaching for even greater heights.
This year’s state conference was a testament to your passion: over 200 perianesthesia nurses gathered, joined by seven dynamic speakers, thirteen exhibitors, and nineteen innovative poster presentations. None of this could have happened without our enthusiastic volunteers and the dedicated team of planners—we owe so much to your commitment. I am already looking forward to celebrating our 50th year together next year, and all the incredible things we’ll accomplish side by side!
TAPAN invites you to share and celebrate perianesthesia nurses!
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