THEIR compassion knows no borders, and excellence deserves to be celebrated — together. The Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation has awarded the Ten Global Filipino Nurses who lead, inspire and mentor the next generation of health care professionals. This coincided with the 5th Filipino Nurses Global Summit and 15th International Nursing Conference of the Philippine Nurses Association of America with the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing.
Here are these nursing leaders who made a mark in the global arena.
Dr. Freida Chavez
Dr. Wilfrida “Freida” Chavez is a nurse whose global footprint, leadership, practice excellence, mentorship and community service really are the very best of the nursing profession.
Dr. Chavez has spearheaded primary health care capacity-building projects in Brazil that are currently in use in several regions. She has been a visiting professor/scholar in Spain, Grenada, Thailand and the United States, and was founding director of the Global Affairs Office, Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
A professor emerita and fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Chavez has advanced the fields of mental health and community care, health administration and academia throughout her career with a focus on compassionate care and advocacy for the vulnerable. She has been in leadership positions with WHO Collaborating Centers, the Institute for Global Health Equity and Innovation, and as founding president of the National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada, the Philippine Nurses Association-Canada.
Dr. Chavez has mentored generations of nurses at the University of Toronto, Case Western Reserve and Johns Hopkins Universities.
Marvin Delfin
Mr. Marvin Delfin is a clinical nurse IV and a unit educator at Stanford’s Emergency Department, where he has led several evidence-based initiatives, spearheaded extraordinary growth in specialty certification and made his unit a BCEN National Certification Champion. Marvin is internationally certified in trauma, flight, transport, burn and emergency nursing. As such, he models our highest standards of clinical excellence and patient advocacy at the bedside.
He is a well-respected educator and mentor who has led hundreds of our nurses. Marvin has also chaired the AACN National Teaching Institute Program Planning Committee and served as an AACN ambassador. He has been the recipient of many professional honors, including Distinguished Certified Emergency Nurse, Ambulatory Care Nurse of the Year, AONL Young Professional Voices, ENA’s 20 Under 40, and numerous alumni and education awards both in the US and in the Philippines.
Violeta Lopez
Professor Violeta Lopez is an internationally acclaimed nurse scholar with senior academic and leadership positions at world-class universities such as the National University of Singapore, the Australian National University, where she led the Research Center for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has contributed to the advancement of evidence-based care and critical-care nursing on an international scale. Her work encompasses clinical intensive care, public health nursing in Laos and three decades of academic excellence in Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
She has nurtured and guided generations of nurses through master’s and doctoral studies, held nursing school dean positions, and continues to be an adjunct professor in Australia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
Dr. Michael Joseph Dino
Dr. Michael Joseph Dino is a dual-degree doctor, with a PhD in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Santo Tomas. Dr. Dino spearheads innovative digital-health and informatics projects that have received national and international recognition and awards from Sigma Theta Tau International, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, and Springer Nature.
As a global leader in his fields, Dr. Dino has held a postdoctoral scholar position at the University of Central Florida, and has served as chairman in Sigma Nursing, board member of the Society of Nursing Leaders of the Philippines and regional faculty in the American Heart Association. His achievements have also been recognized with such honors as Outstanding Professional of the Year in Nursing and the Edmund J. Y. Pajarillo Health Informatics and Innovation Scholar award.
Jennifer Caguioa
Dr. Jennifer Caguioa is a nurse leader, educator and researcher with advanced preparation in oncology nursing and cancer care. She has also held key leadership positions in nursing education and quality initiatives.
In addition to her clinical and academic accomplishments, Dr. Caguioa has been a dedicated mentor and professional development guide for many students and colleagues, supporting their progress through undergraduate and graduate study, their scholarship and their participation in capacity-building projects that broaden nursing’s contributions to health systems.
Marife Aczon-Armstrong
Dr. Marife Aczon-Armstrong, a nurse leader, scientist and advocate who is a tenured associate professor and researcher at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. She has also extended this work internationally through initiatives in Uganda, helping to build nursing and public health capacity in partnership with local leaders and organizations.
Her NIH-funded research, peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences have helped to illuminate the causes of and solutions to health disparities. As a recognized leader and advocate, Dr. Aczon-Armstrong also serves on boards and advisory councils, and has been the recipient of multiple awards recognizing her contributions to research, leadership and service to community.
Paul Reinald Base Garcia
Paul Reinald Base Garcia is a nurse leader, educator and advocate whose professional experience includes critical care, emergency and perioperative nursing. He is also known for his academic accomplishments and specialty certifications.
His background as a teacher and mentor at the undergraduate and graduate level, curriculum developer and guide for nurses in competencies and professional development. He has also demonstrated leadership in advocating for patient safety and quality improvement, often in resource-limited settings.
Mr. Garcia also practices his vocation, and community and social service in health-promotion activities and outreach that positively impact diverse and underserved communities.
Rhigel Tan
Dr. Rhigel Alforque Tan is a nurse scholar, healer and cultural advocate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing and a board certified advanced holistic nurse whose academic and clinical work focus on transcultural nursing, holistic care and the preservation of Indigenous Filipino healing traditions. Through his widely recognized program on Hilot, traditional Filipino medicine, he has developed curricula, workshops and international presentations that have brought this cultural knowledge, demonstrating outstanding global impact and innovation in nursing practice.
A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corp., he has provided leadership in national and international organizations dedicated to holistic and transcultural care, promoting health equity and culturally safe practice for immigrant and minority populations.
Zyrene Marsh
Zyrene Marsh is a nurse leader, educator and advocate who embodies the very spirit of global impact, excellence in practice, leadership, mentorship and community service.
Ms. Marsh is an experienced and accomplished nurse with expertise in perioperative and critical-care nursing who is known for her advanced clinical knowledge and proficiency. Her academic accomplishments, specialty certification and engagement in research and quality-improvement initiatives are a testament to her commitment to evidence-based practice and advancement in nursing.
She was cited for her leadership role and involvement in professional organizations and Filipino American nursing organizations, and for the promotion of health equity among immigrant and minority communities.
Dr. Carl Balita
Humbly, yours truly is included among the honorees, a Philippine-based nurse, leader and social entrepreneur who chose to stay.
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SOURCE: The Manila Times