Dubai: Maria Victoria Juan, a military nurse from the Philippines who pioneered the first aeromedical evacuation system in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has won the prestigious $250,000 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024. She triumphed over 78,000 nurses from 202 countries during the award ceremony held in Bengaluru, India, on Thursday night.
Juan, a Consultant at the Philippines Army Health Services and Colonel in the Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to nursing. The award, established by Aster DM Healthcare, celebrates extraordinary nurses for their impactful service in healthcare worldwide.
The award was presented by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, during a ceremony attended by high-profile figures, including Ministry and Government officials, Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, and Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare. The event also featured a special message from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who congratulated the finalists and highlighted the crucial role of nurses in global healthcare.
Championing Advocacy and Dedication to Filipino Nurses
In her acceptance speech, Juan shared that her journey as a military nurse has been driven by a deep commitment to service, from caring in combat zones to disaster-stricken areas and underserved communities. She emphasized that her recognition is not just for her efforts but also a tribute to the courage and resilience of the Filipino people, particularly the nurses she represents. She dedicated her award to Filipino nurses serving worldwide, including many in the UAE. Juan expressed pride in her fellow Filipino nurses and honored the sacrifices they make, often in challenging environments.
Plans for Life-saving Initiatives
Juan plans to use her $250,000 prize money to support impactful health initiatives. She intends to expand the use of vetiver grass for soil erosion prevention and water purification—a technique that has proven successful within the Philippine Army. Additionally, she aims to introduce advanced life-saving equipment and training in Filipino households, empowering communities with the knowledge and tools needed to handle emergencies and trauma. Drawing from her military experience, Juan is determined to reduce preventable deaths and improve access to vital medical resources.
A Career Marked by Milestones
Throughout her distinguished career, Juan has made significant contributions, including her pioneering work in aeromedical evacuation. As the Chief Nurse of the Philippines Army, she initiated the first aeromedical evacuation system in the Armed Forces, greatly improving casualty survival rates, particularly in conflict zones. Juan’s dedication extended to rigorous personal development: at the age of 54, she completed a nine-month-long intensive aeromedical evacuation training program while serving as a full-time chief nurse. This included 200 hours of emergency ambulance conduction, 100 hours of clinical duty, and specialized survival training. Her leadership was also evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when she organized the ‘Endurun Mega Swabbing Centre,’ training medical swabbers and coordinating healthcare workers to conduct nearly 500,000 tests.
Environmental Health Initiatives
Maria Victoria Juan has also been a trailblazer in environmental health, integrating vetiver grass technology to combat soil erosion and water pollution. Her ability to innovate in both healthcare and environmental protection sets her apart as a dedicated and multifaceted leader.
Celebrating Nursing Excellence
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, praised Maria Victoria Juan for representing the highest standards of nursing excellence. He noted that the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards recognize the often-overlooked contributions of nurses worldwide, acknowledging those who go above and beyond to make a real difference in patient care and the healthcare system as a whole.
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, emphasized the quiet but powerful impact of nurses, noting that the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards aim to bring their remarkable stories to light. She commended Juan for her courage, skill, and compassion, which inspire and elevate the healthcare profession.
Award for Other Finalists
The nine other finalists of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024 were also recognized for their exceptional contributions. They included Archimedes Motari (Kenya), Johnsy Inni (Papua New Guinea), Laarni Conlu Florencio (USA), Lilian Nuwabaine (Uganda), Nelson Bautista (UAE), Nilima Pradeepkumar Rane (India), Martin Schiavenato (USA), Hoi Shu Yin (Singapore), and Sylvia May Hampton (England). Each of the finalists received a monetary prize in recognition of their contributions to nursing.
Recognition of Global Nursing Excellence
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is a rigorous process, with 78,000 applications reviewed by a screening panel and a Grand Jury. This year’s award ceremony reflected a 50% increase in applications compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing recognition of nurses’ pivotal roles in global healthcare.
