PhD, MSCP, RN-BC, CCM, FAAN , Doctoral (Alumni)
Dr. Marife C. Aczon-Armstrong, PhD, MSCP, RN-BC, CCM, FAAN, is a nationally board-certified nurse case manager, global educator, Fulbright Specialist, and distinguished nurse leader whose career is defined by advancing health equity, culturally responsive care, and evidence-based practice. Recognized for her impact across clinical, academic, and community settings, she has dedicated her work to improving outcomes for historically marginalized and ethnically diverse populations—particularly Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in Hawaii, Nevada, and the broader Pacific region.
Grounded in a philosophy that integrates mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong champions holistic nursing approaches that honor cultural identity and lived experience. Her work emphasizes relational practice, patient advocacy, and the elevation of underrepresented voices in research, policy, and leadership. Drawing from her deep connection to AAPI communities, she has brought visibility to critical issues including mental health disparities, chronic disease burden, stigma, and social determinants of health. Through culturally grounded interventions and interprofessional collaboration, she has strengthened access to high-quality, culturally informed care.
A visionary organizational leader, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong is the Founder and President of the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) Hawaii Chapter and the Founding President and Past Chair of the Board of AAPINA Nevada. Through these roles, she has advanced workforce diversity, leadership development, and culturally tailored community outreach. She expanded health education beyond traditional settings as host of “Healthy Mondays with AAPINA of NV,” a radio program focused on mental health, chronic disease prevention, caregiving, and health equity.
Appointed by the U.S. Department of State as a Fulbright Senior Specialist, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong has completed multiple international assignments and continues to serve on the Fulbright Specialist Roster. Since 2014, she has taught annually as a visiting professor at Uganda Christian University in the Master of Nursing Science program. There, she collaborates with faculty and nurse leaders to strengthen graduate education, mental health training, and community-based care—supporting global nursing workforce development and cross-cultural academic exchange.
A proud alumna of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong has extensive expertise in psychiatric mental health nursing, including depression, substance use, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive behavioral health. She previously served on the SAMHSA MFP National Advisory Committee and continues to mentor doctoral nursing scholars committed to behavioral health equity.
Her leadership extends to state and national professional organizations, including service with the Nevada Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association Assembly, and the Hawaii American Nurses Association, where she serves as Director-at-Large (2025–2027). She has led HRSA-funded initiatives to strengthen primary care training and actively contributes to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within academic and research institutions.
In October 2025, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong was formally inducted in Washington, DC, as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), one of the highest honors in the nursing profession, recognizing her national and global contributions to health equity, mental health, workforce diversity, and culturally grounded leadership. In January 2026, she was honored internationally as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Filipino Global Nurses by the Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation during ceremonies held at the Conrad Hilton Manila in the Philippines. Further extending her global influence, she is scheduled to serve as keynote speaker at the 6th Filipino International Nursing Diaspora Conference in Sydney, Australia, in May 2026.
Dr. Aczon-Armstrong’s career reflects an enduring commitment to service, scholarship, global engagement, and the transformative power of culturally grounded nursing leadership.