Board of Directors

Linda Beechinor has been in Hawaiʻi since 1984 (previously from Canada).  While practicing as a staff nurse, Linda earned a Master's degree from UH Manoa and has practiced as a family nurse practitioner in independent practice with vulnerable populations in urban Honolulu at community health centers and in forensic settings with homeless, mentally ill clients with complex health issues coincidental with their legal difficulties.

Linda has been a member of the American Nurses Association Board of Directors and in various aspects of the enterprise such as the Credentialing Center (ANCC).  When Hawai'i previously had a state association with ANA, it was in tandem with the union or collective bargaining organization, which separated from ANA 10 years ago and is now known as "Hawaiʻi Nurses Association / OPEIU Local 50" (HNA).   Linda was at various times president, executive director, treasurer, etc. of the original "HNA" and has continued efforts to re-establish our professional nurses association with American Nurses Association (ANA) in Hawaiʻi.  Now here she is as executive director and vice-president of the Board of Directors, many of whom are founding members of the re-established ANA state nurses association in Hawaiʻi.  It is a passion of hers that we all involve ourselves in the politics of healthcare in order to fulfill our professional promise as nurses.

Rhoberta Haley PhD, RN, FNP is the Dean of the School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington, formerly from Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she served as the dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions since 2019. She is an experienced nurse, family nurse practitioner, nursing educator, and academic administrator who has taught at all levels of nursing education and has also served as a director, dean, chief academic officer, and campus president. 

Haley’s extensive background as a faculty member, scholar, and administrator reflects a commitment to inclusive excellence.

“Dr. Haley’s profound understanding of the social determinants of economic inequality and health disparities, coupled with her advocacy for broader educational access, underscores her dedication to fostering equitable healthcare practices,” said Dean of the College of Health Professions, David Ward. “Additionally, her expertise extends to successful involvement in grant-funded projects.”

“My passion is to support students to become nurses and to pursue advanced nursing practice roles,” said Haley. “I am grateful to join PLU’s mission to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care. What a perfect description of the work nurses strive to do daily with patients, families, and communities. PLU nursing faculty, staff, students, and alumni make a difference in the world, and I am honored to join them in this work.”

Haley is a leader in the nursing education field. She currently sits on the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Haley holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Sacramento, a Master of Nursing (family nurse practitioner) from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of San Diego.

Bob Gahol was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and immigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1983.  He worked at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for eight years specializing in Trauma, Transplant and Critical Care Nursing. He joined the US Army in 1995 and completed assignments in healthcare administration both in medical centers and field hospitals in the continental US and overseas. As the most senior ranking Army nurse in Afghanistan, he oversaw the clinical care of US/NATO service members during deployment there.

Gahol is a member of the Army Nurse Corps Association, the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the United States Military Strategists Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, National and Hawaii chapters, the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA), Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation (PNAAF), and the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Hawaii Chapter (PNAH).

Denise Cohen moved to Maui in 1978 and obtained an LPN, BSN, MS, and PhD all through the University of Hawaiʻi system. She has worked at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Hale Makua Home Health and finally MCC/UHMC both as a full professor (now retired) and a Nurse Practitioner at the UHMC Campus Health Center. 

She has served on various community and state organizations including the Maui County COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing, Hawaiʻi Nurses Association (pre-2005), American Nurses Association, Maui Aids Foundation, Hawaiʻi Council for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing, and American Lung Association Board of Directors. She raised two sons on Maui and has three grandchildren, loves to read, exercise and travel.