Biography of Current Officers (2025)
Dr. Andrew Thomas Reyes
President, AAPINA-NV
Andrew Thomas Reyes, Ph.D., MSN, RN, is an associate professor at the UNLV School of Nursing. His practice specialty is psychiatric/mental health nursing. His research expertise is in the area of resilience in post-traumatic stress. He completed his Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, which is a research-intensive university that emphasizes studies about leadership in nursing education, health promotion, and health services delivery. He earned his Master of Science in nursing at the D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY, and his Bachelor of Science in nursing at the Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation in Tacloban City, Philippines.
His program of research is focused on the concept and construct of resilience among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (i.e., military veterans, nurses who were traumatized by the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian American women with a history of trauma and post-traumatic stress, and older adults with a lifetime history of trauma). He is currently exploring the effects of a mindfulness mobile app on the resilience of individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. He also developed and published four grounded theories relating to resilience: the grounded theory of pushing through, the theory of integrating, the theory of modulating intrusions, and the theory of mindful scaffolding. These grounded theories provide the theoretical framework of his research studies. He has also published articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local, regional, national, and international conferences.
His research on mindfulness, resilience, and experiential avoidance in post-traumatic stress and resilience in nursing education has been cited by over 500 research works worldwide. His research on mindfulness has been used as a foundational framework for various mindfulness interventions in different parts of the world, and his research on resilience in nursing education has informed curricular changes in different nursing education programs globally.
He is an editor of the International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship and a member of the Advisory Council of the Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Office of Ethnic Minority and Health Equity (NOHME).
Marilou T. William
President-Elect, AAPINA-NV
Marilou T. Williams, MBA, BSN, RN, CPHQ, HACP, is a dedicated nurse leader with over 16 years of expertise in quality management services and regulatory compliance. She is currently the Quality and Regulatory Manager for Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican Hospitals in Las Vegas, where she oversees patient safety initiatives, hospital regulations, and compliance across three campuses. Marilou has a strong background in nursing leadership, nursing education, quality performance improvement, and clinical care, including 12 years of experience as a staff nurse. Her commitment to healthcare excellence is reflected in her recognition as a 2006 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awardee and as a runner-up for the same award in 2016 and in her continued leadership in improving patient quality outcomes.
Dr. Ethel Leon
Secretary, AAPINA-NV
Ethel Leon, DNP, RN, is a highly experienced registered nurse with over 18 years in clinical and teaching roles across diverse healthcare settings. She specializes in neonatal intensive care, pediatric rehabilitation, geri-psych, hemodialysis, and case management. Ethel recently completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Nebraska Methodist College, focusing on public health and policy. Her roles demonstrate her commitment to nursing education and leadership as a part-time instructor at the College of Nursing of Arizona College and the University of Louisiana, where she mentors students and integrates technology to enhance learning. Dr. Leon has also been published in cultural competence and awareness in nursing, showcasing her dedication to improving healthcare delivery through education and practice.
Dr. Ipuna Black
Treasurer, AAPINA-NV
Ipuna Estavillo Black, PhD, MSN, CNE, COI, is a first-generation college graduate and was a single mother while pursuing her nursing education. These experiences shaped her understanding of students' challenges and fueled her passion for helping others succeed. Earning her degrees transformed her life, opening doors she never imagined. That personal transformation drives her commitment to fostering nursing students' growth, knowing that education can truly change lives.
Dr. Black is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Ph.D. in Nursing: Sustainable Health. She also holds a Master of Science in Nursing as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Stony Brook University in New York. With over 20 years of nursing experience, primarily in Pediatrics and Community Health, and 15 years in higher education, she has taught in baccalaureate and associate-level programs across three institutions.
Currently, Dr. Black serves as Associate Dean at Nevada State University School of Nursing, where she collaborates with a team of passionate educators to prepare the next generation of caring nurses. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered learning, focusing on individual strengths, abilities, and cultural diversity.
An accomplished researcher, Dr. Black has published and presented on holistic wellness and health promotion. She is also the principal investigator for an HRSA grant aimed at faculty recruitment, retention, and development.
A proud mother of four, Dr. Black deeply values holistic, sustainable health practices and remains dedicated to advancing the nursing profession through mentorship, education, and research that supports well-being across diverse communities.
Dr. Zarah Borines
Immediate Past Presient, AAPINA-NV
Zarah Borines, DNP, MSN/Ed, RN, CNE, COI, is a highly capable professional whose resume speaks volumes about her capacity to lead the organization. She is a founding member of the AAPINA of NV. Her leadership skills, passion for service and nursing education, desire to uplift the nursing profession, and genuine interest in improving the health and community of Asian American Pacific Islander communities are qualities that augment her already established leadership skills. Dr. Borines is a well-respected faculty member of Nevada State University, has been mentoring nursing students and new RNs, is a member of several committees at Nevada State University, and is of good standing in both AAPINA of Nevada and nationally. She had been invited to speak at the International Webinars for Community Education. She is well-connected to the Las Vegas Community. She has been involved with several nursing organizations, including the Philippine Nurses Association of Nevada and Sigma Theta Tau (Zeta Kappa-at-Large), among others.
A prolific contributor to nursing literature, Dr. Borines published her doctoral degree project, “The Effectiveness of Mentorship Program in the Emergency Department," in the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development. The second publication, "The Effectiveness of Badging Systems in Engaging, Motivating, and Incentivizing Students in the Mastery of Nursing Licensure Materials, " was published in the International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship.
Beyond academia and professional accomplishments, Dr. Borines finds joy in family moments with her husband, daughter, and twin boys, hiking with relatives, and enjoying outings with friends. Her leisure pursuits include religious routines and exploring new destinations, reflecting her commitment to a harmonious family-work-life balance.
In Dr. Borines' world, each chapter unfolds with a commitment to excellence, a love for teaching, and an insatiable curiosity that propels her toward new horizons in nursing education and leadership.