Foreword

This is an informal private study on pain. It is not an academic resource at this time, however,it will ultimately be in the future. It is not a literary presentation either, but a content presentation of preliminary data gathering for the actual formal research pending the formulation of an appropriate hypothesis that may become invaluable in our efforts to break through pain.

 This independent scholarship is motivated to improve health through a concrete study on pain from all aspects of human life and behavior.

This site will present the science of pain as evidenced from both the results of quantitative research and scientific studies as well as the qualitative descriptive evidences, both written and told, to break through pain as scientifically and humanly possible.

Mission:
Breaking through Pain (Demystifying pain through descriptive research)

Vision:
Presentation of the Science & Art of Pain

Philosophy:
Mind, Body & Soul Synergy


Principal Researcher/Author/Investigator
Myrna D. Santos, MSN, RN


Artists
Aziza Amira
Bai Jamila A. Tamano
Bienvenido Bones Banez,Jr. /Curator
Potri Ranka Manis


Art Director
Marcos Anselmo Panlilio



Collaborators
Anne Higgins, RN
Ayal Lindeman, LPN
Chad C. Gatchalian, CRNA, RN
Cynthia Margalit, MSA, RN
Nilda Berguido, BSN, RN
Potri Ranka Manis, MSA, RN






Potri Ranka Manis, MA, RN:

A nurse in search of the role of ancestral arts and culture in healing

 

A Nurse Artist, Potri conceived, choreographed and directed Pandibulan (bathing by moonlight), a cultural presentation featuring dances, music, and folktales from the Yakan people of Southern Philippines.

The story evolves on a woman from the southern Philippines, working as a caregiver in New York, rekindles her strength of spirit through the folklore and lifecycle rituals of the Yakan people of Basilan Island.  Tales of her ancestors, stories of the sea, dazzling dreams of dragons that swallow the moon and magical struggles for the earth and sky at once sustain her and make her nostalgic for her village and home. There is a unique interweaving of tradition with the contemporary issues of modern life for a caregiver with her feet on two continents.

Potri Ranka Manis is a literary genius, artist, and foremost a nurse, a “Modern Nightingale”. She has a Masters degree in nursing and continually explores through qualitative searches on the role of ancestral arts and culture in the science and art of healing.

And yes, indeed, it has been based on evidence that in nursing, culture matters. Similarly, pain is a culture-sensitive phenomenon presenting a drama unique to a group of people and its culture. The true color of pain is embedded in one’s cultural make-up that is born with him.








CYNTHIA MARGALIT, MSA, RN

Mental Health: De-escalation of potential violence

 

Ms. Cynthia Margalit has been for the last 8 years, a driving force behind nursing leadership at Downstate Medical Center.  Arriving at Downstate Medical Center in March 2003, after her significant contribution to Interfaith Medical Center and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Cindy quickly sheparded the Psychiatric Unit through its transition from having all voluntary status patients to the acceptance of involuntary patients as well.  To ensure the safety of patients and staff following this needed change, Ms. Margalit partnered with her staff to develop a plan for the “ De-escalation of potential Violence ”.  The procedure has resulted in a significant reduction in the needs for restraints and seclusion of our patients in the Psychiatric Unit.  Indeed, the plan was awarded first place in the poster conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2005.  With her typical foresight, this protocol anticipated the mandate by the Office of Mental Health for a “ violence free and coercion free ” environment on psychiatric units.






NILDA R. BERGUIDO, RN, BSN, CCRN, PT  

A Nurse Leader, Mentor, and Health Advocate

 
Nilda is a Fulbright scholar. She crossed the Panama Canal to come to America and have influenced numerous lives in her over forty years of nursing hopping along New York’s twenty hospitals. She has a rich and diverse exposure to the human drama of pain during the acute stage of diseases in the critical care and towards the end-of-life.

“Nursing is a universal profession that is not bound by race and cultural diversity. Caring is the expression of the nurses dedication, passion and service to humanity. I shall remain at the service of nurses and advocate health for all.”







AYAL  B. LINDEMAN, EMT, LPN:

No matter what the condition or situation: “Something Can Be Done About It”

                                                     
Specializes in Emergency Care and has worked as a Volunteer Minister with the Churches of Scientology Disaster Response as an EMT forward triage with the volunteer field hospital and then logistics and supplies during the 911 recovery; Hurricanes Charley, Frances Ivan and Jean (Florida ‘04,) Katrina, Rita and Wilma in Mississippi and Louisiana in ’05, and recently, the tsunami disaster in Japan. He has 20 years experience as an EMT and has done Nerve Assist since 1976.

He has volunteered to work at the General Hospital Port au Prince in Haiti and University of Miami Medishare Hospital Port au Prince Airport last Jan, Feb, and March, 2010, following the earthquake that devastated Haiti. He arranged the transport of three Haitian nationals to the United States for the care needed so that they might survive and has continued to assist with groups working to coordinate and help to establish a clinic in Cabaret Haiti.

He has been a witness to the pain brought about by nature's fury to the community,its people and resources. He has seen how communities respond and pull themselves together from the rubble and start life anew from the pains of a loss of loved ones amidst disease and chaos. He has a ready hand in times of calamities for he believes that “No matter what the condition or situation: “Something Can Be Done About It”
.