Seeds of Hope International

07/15/2026

06/17/2026

This year’s Men of Honor celebration recognized 44 exceptional leaders from across the United States whose service and influence have left an enduring imprint on the nursing profession. I am deeply honored to stand among these distinguished gentlemen as part of Men of Honor 2026—an acknowledgment of the most impactful men in nursing. Presented by The Nurses Magazine, Men of Honor is a premier recognition program celebrating extraordinary men who are shaping the future of the profession by breaking barriers, demonstrating exemplary leadership, and advancing patient care, community health, and healthcare systems nationwide.

I had the privilege of meeting keynote speaker Dr. Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FADLN, FAAN, Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Duke University School of Nursing and immediate past president of the American Nurses Association—the nation’s largest nursing organization, representing 5.2 million registered nurses. Notably, Dr. Grant is the first man elected ANA president in its 130‑year history. I was fortunate to meet keynote speaker Dr. Sheldon D. Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP‑BC, ACRN, FAANP, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN, research professor and inaugural Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Penn State College of Nursing, and the 14th National President of the National Black Nurses Association. I also had the opportunity to connect with Master of Ceremonies Dr. Guillermo R. Valdes, DNP, MSN‑HCS, PGC‑NEd, ANCC MED‑SURG‑BC, Sigma Theta Tau International Virginia Henderson Fellow and Director of the South Region, Florida Nurses Association.

I was equally grateful to meet Dr. Donel J. Richmond, DBA, MSN, MBA, RN, president, founder, and publisher of The Nurses Magazine. The magazine’s mission is to celebrate, empower, and elevate nurses worldwide by showcasing their extraordinary contributions to healthcare and inspiring excellence in practice, leadership, innovation, and compassion. I appreciated the chance to meet Dr. Carlfred Charlot, MD, MBA, PA, co‑founder of The Nurses Magazine, and Dr. Marie O. Etienne, DNP, APRN, FNP, PNP, PLNC, editor‑in‑chief and chief operating officer, widely recognized as the first Haitian American Black president of the Florida Nurses Association. Additionally, it was a privilege to connect with Dr. Jonathan V. Llamas, DNP, RN‑BC, PMHNP‑BC, PHN from California, and Carrundlas Mathews, MSN, RN, N‑BC from Florida.

I extend my sincere gratitude to The Nurses Magazine for its distinguished commitment to elevating the nursing profession. Your dedication to recognizing excellence, amplifying the voices of nurse leaders, and highlighting the transformative impact of our work strengthens the visibility and advancement of nursing nationwide. Through thoughtful storytelling, meaningful recognition, and a steadfast focus on leadership, innovation, and compassion, you continue to honor the individuals and communities who shape the future of healthcare. Thank you for fostering a platform where nurses are celebrated, empowered, and inspired to pursue excellence in every dimension of practice.

— Rommel R. Yarcia, President and Founder, Seeds of Hope International; Chicago Hospital Administrator; Emergency Room Nurse; Doctor of Nursing Practice–Leadership and Management student

06/17/2026

Grateful to stand alongside some of the greatest men in the nursing industry during the inaugural of Men of Honor with Marie O. Etienne, DNP, APRN, FNP, PNP, PLNC - The Haitian-American, first Florida Nurses Association black president Savannah, Georgia. 6/13/2026

06/08/2026

Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes Mindanao in the Philippines

06/07/2026

The Men of Honor: Honoring the Most Impactful Men in Nursing stands as a powerful embodiment of Purposeful Leadership for Positive Change (PLPC) — a philosophy rooted in the deliberate, values-driven commitment to transform healthcare through intentional action, inclusive vision, and unwavering service. The men have not simply entered nursing; they have led within it — challenging long-standing stereotypes, dismantling barriers, and affirming that compassion, excellence, and advocacy are not defined by gender, but by character and calling. PLPC is evident in every male nurse, leader, and mentor who embraces clinical nursing practice not as a second choice, but as a purposeful vocation — one anchored in the conviction to elevate the profession, serve with integrity, and invest deeply in those who will carry its legacy forward. By celebrating diversity, advancing inclusion, and inspiring the next generation of men in nursing, this recognition affirms the enduring truth that the most transformative leaders are those who lead with purpose and whose influence ignites positive change in every life they touch. - SOHI Rome

04/02/2026

Child autism awareness is crucial because early recognition and timely intervention significantly improve developmental, behavioral, and social outcomes for children on the autism spectrum. Recent data from Shaw et al. (2025) highlight the urgency of this work, showing that autism prevalence among eight-year-olds has reached 1 in 31 across 16 monitoring sites, with rates ranging from 9.7 per 1,000 in Texas (Laredo) to 53.1 per 1,000 in California. The study further demonstrates that autism is 3.4 times more common in boys than girls and that prevalence is disproportionately higher among Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial children compared with non-Hispanic White children. Several sites reported higher prevalence in communities with lower median household income, underscoring the powerful role of social determinants in shaping access to diagnosis, early evaluation, and supportive services (Lin et al., 2025). Together, these patterns emphasize that autism awareness extends far beyond recognizing early signs—it requires reducing stigma, addressing inequities in access to care, and ensuring that all children and families, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, receive timely evaluation and the resources needed to thrive.

References

Lin, L., Zhang, Y., Zhou, D., Wang, Q., Wang, X., Sun, J., Li, H., & Cong, F. (2025). Burden and risk factors of autism spectrum disorder: Global study and analysis. Pediatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04641-6

Shaw, K., Williams, S., Patrick, M., Valencia-Prado, M., Durkin, M., Howerton, E., Ladd-Acosta, C., Pas, E., Bakian, A., Bartholomew, P., Nieves-Muñoz, N., Sidwell, K., Alford, A., Bilder, D., DiRienzo, M., Fitzgerald, R., Furnier, S., Hudson, A., Pokoski, O.,...Maenner, M. (2025). Prevalence and early identification of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 4 and 8 years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022, CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(2), 1–22. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm

03/28/2026

Seeds of Hope International supported the EverPulse inauguration and fundraising event, an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing innovation in pediatric heart care. This milestone gathering marked the launch of a movement committed to ensuring that every child with heart disease has access to medical devices designed specifically for their unique needs. Each year, more than 40,000 children are born with congenital heart defects, yet nearly 60% of pediatric cardiac procedures still rely on devices originally created for adults—a gap that reflects decades of underinvestment in pediatric technology and the significant challenges innovators face in bringing child specific devices to market. Guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, music, raffles, and games, with every contribution directly supporting the development of medical technologies tailored for children.

The Dalcy
302 N Green Street 3rd floor Chicago, Illinois USA 60607
November 13, 2025