Dr Dula Pacquiao (EdD, RN, CTN-A, TNS) is an internationally renowned leader, educator, and researcher in transcultural nursing. She is Professor Emerita at the Rutgers School of Nursing and currently serves as Executive Director of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey Foundation. A distinguished alumna of Rutgers University, Dr Pacquiao retired in 2015 after a decade of service as professor, during which she held key leadership roles including Director of the Stanley Bergen Center for Multicultural Education, Research, and Practice, and Director of the Urban Health track in the PhD in Urban Systems programme. As an international speaker, consultant, and educator, Dr Pacquiao has made significant contributions to advancing cultural competence, ethics, health equity, and the care of vulnerable populations. Her extensive body of research and publications includes two recent books published by Springer — Social Pathways to Health Vulnerability and Global Applications of Guidelines for Culturally Competent Health Care. Dr Pacquiao’s outstanding work has been recognised through numerous awards, including the Leininger Award for Transcultural Nursing Leadership, the Medal of Honor from the University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association, and the Leadership in Professional and Allied Organisations Award. She has also been inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BS in Nursing from the University of the Philippines, her MA in Nursing Curriculum from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her Doctor of Education (EdD) from Rutgers University.