In a gathering of healthcare professionals, students and community members, the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno hosted the Northern Nevada premiere of “Nurse Unseen,” a groundbreaking documentary that elevates the untold stories of Filipina/o and Filipina/o-American nurses whose labor, compassion and resilience have shaped the U.S. healthcare system for generations.

The event, organized by the Orvis School of Nursing Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, Office of Undergraduate Studies, and the Orvis Student Nurses Association (OSNA), brought together more than 100 attendees, including students, faculty, practicing nurses, caregivers, and community advocates. The screening was followed by a deeply reflective panel discussion featuring local healthcare leaders and the filmmakers.

The evening opened with remarks from Dean of the Orvis School of Nursing, Charles Yingling, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, who underscored the ethical significance of honoring diversity in nursing and the global contributions of Filipino healthcare workers.

“As nurses, the most trusted profession in the United States for more than twenty consecutive years, we are bound not only by skill and science, but also by a shared professional Code of Ethics,” saidYingling. “This Code, recently updated in 2024, explicitly calls for global solidarity in advancing health and human rights. Honoring the stories and sacrifices of Filipino and Filipino American nurses is not simply a cultural celebration — it is a moral obligation. It reminds us to uphold human dignity, to respect diversity and to advocate for equity in our profession and beyond.”

Directed by Michele Josue, “Nurse Unseen” traces Filipino nurses' historical and emotional journey, from their migration during the U.S. colonial era to their service in World War II to their indispensable frontline roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While ‘Nurse Unseen’ is about the grief we carry, both personal and collective, it is also, at its core, a celebration of the love that lives within that grief,” Josue shared. “It’s a tribute to the ways in which the Filipino American community continues to show up, care deeply and lead with compassion despite immense challenges. That is what inspired this film.”

Among the evening’s most poignant moments was a panel conversation that included healthcare leaders and representatives from the Philippine Nurses Association of Nevada (PNANV), whose work in culturally competent healthcare continues to grow in the northern region.

Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa, RN, DNP(c), CPHQ, CCM, MCMC, past president and advisor of PNANV, spoke candidly about how the film mirrored her lived experiences.

“This film is not just a documentary, it’s a mirror that reflects our sacrifices, our strength, and our commitment as Filipino American nurses,” she said. “We saw ourselves on screen, our history, grief and triumphs. Despite the isolation and fear during the pandemic, we continued to serve. This film honors that perseverance.”

Kyle Taboada-Lobaugh, a recent BSN graduate and former vice president of OSNA, expressed pride in the community’s engagement.

“Volunteering for this event was an eye-opening experience,” Taboada-Lobaugh said. “I was amazed and grateful to witness such a large and engaged audience. It showed me that even stories that have been historically overlooked, like those of Filipino nurses during the pandemic, are beginning to get the attention and respect they deserve.”

The collective energy at the event was one of reverence, pride and unity. The presence of the filmmakers, faculty leaders and community partners made the event more than a film premiere — it was an affirmation of identity, history and healing.

The Orvis School of Nursing extends its deepest gratitude to the student volunteers, faculty advisors, generous donors and partnering organizations who helped bring this event to life. As the school continues its mission to promote inclusive excellence, this event marked a powerful reminder: the story of American nursing is not complete without the voices of those who have long remained unseen.