Three Filipino Nurses Finalists for Global Nursing Award

Three Filipino nurses have earned global recognition as finalists for the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, with each representing the country’s excellence in healthcare leadership, policy reform, and education across three continents.

Named among the top 10 out of over 100,000 nominations from 199 countries, Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho, Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre, and Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga are in the running for the grand prize of PHP 13.92 million (USD 250,000), to be awarded at a ceremony in Dubai on May 26, 2025.

“These three extraordinary Filipino nurses exemplify resilience, innovation, and compassion, values at the heart of nursing,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, founder chairman of Aster DM Healthcare. “Their leadership has impacted countless lives across continents.”

Fitz Camacho: Champion of Nurse Training in UAE

Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho serves as a Nursing Manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai, bringing 14 years of international experience to the forefront of education-driven healthcare reform.

Camacho spearheaded the establishment of a Life Support Training Center in collaboration with the American Heart Association, launched CME-accredited training programs, and designed Adult and Pediatric Upskilling Programs to standardize high-quality care.

His work also extends to Operation Smile and teaching at the American University of Kurdistan, driven by a patient-centered leadership philosophy rooted in mentorship and equity.

Originally from the Philippines, Camacho’s influence has shaped nursing capabilities across the Middle East, integrating global standards with local needs.

Dr. Jose Tariga: Uplifting Internationally Educated Nurses

Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga currently leads as Director of Clinical Education and Development at Insight Global Health in Boston, where he developed the International Transition to Practice Program (ITPP) to help internationally educated nurses (IENs) adapt to Western healthcare systems.

His work focuses on improving clinical competencies, cultural fluency, and communication skills among global nursing talent, especially during the critical early stages of migration and licensure.

Dr. Tariga, a former educator in the UAE, is also a published researcher, award-winning lecturer, and board member of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA), where he advocates for workforce equity and global health inclusion.

With over 40,000 LinkedIn followers, he has become a prominent voice in global nursing leadership and digital mentorship.

Dr. Jed Montayre: Influencing Global Aging Policies

Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre, an Associate Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, directs the Centre for Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Policy, where he is widely respected for his work in gerontology and healthcare workforce policy.

He began his nursing journey in the Philippines at age 19 and has since influenced health systems in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Dr. Montayre’s work with the World Health Organization on aging and health interventions has led to global policy changes, including the WHO Age-Friendly Framework.

He also designed a pioneering Master’s degree program in Ageing, Wellbeing, and Sustainability, and his research continues to support resilience strategies for healthcare workers and age-inclusive policy reforms.

His awards include the “Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing” by the U.S.-based National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence and “New Zealand Young Nurse of the Year.”

The public is invited to vote for their favorite finalist through Aster Guardians’ official website until May 19, 2025: https://apply.asterguardians.com/voting.

The grand winner will be announced during a gala night in Dubai on May 26 and will receive PHP 13.92 million, one of the highest individual prizes globally awarded to a nurse.

Now on its fourth edition, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is considered among the world’s most prestigious honors for nursing professionals.

Finalists were chosen through a rigorous, independent selection process led by a grand jury and expert panel, and facilitated by Ernst & Young LLP.

Filipino nurses, who comprise one of the largest international healthcare workforces globally, have long been recognized for their excellence, resilience, and compassion.

According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), over 200,000 Filipino nurses work abroad, with substantial concentrations in the Middle East, North America, and Southeast Asia.

Their presence in the 2025 Aster Guardians Award further cements the Philippines’ legacy as a global leader in nursing.

“This recognition is not just about individual achievement but also about raising the flag for Filipino nurses everywhere,” said Dr. Tariga.

For ImagineLaw, a policy advocacy group that works on health workforce issues, the achievement signals the need for continued support to Filipino healthcare workers worldwide.

“These finalists show the world the unmatched contributions of Filipino nurses in shaping equitable, high-quality healthcare systems,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, ImagineLaw’s Executive Director.

Launched by Aster DM Healthcare in 2022, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award honors exceptional nurses for transformative contributions to patient care, healthcare systems, and community engagement.

The award includes a cash prize of USD 250,000 (PHP 13.92 million) and is judged based on criteria such as clinical excellence, leadership, research, community service, and innovation.

The initiative is part of Aster’s broader vision to spotlight nurses as change-makers in global healthcare.

Aster DM Healthcare, established in 1987, is a major healthcare provider in the GCC and India, operating 34 hospitals, over 130 clinics, and more than 500 pharmacies and diagnostic centers.

The company recently launched myAster, the region’s first healthcare super app, expanding access through digital platforms.

Other Finalists Represent Global Diversity

The seven other finalists represent impactful projects from Switzerland, Kenya, India, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia, spanning specializations from cancer nursing and mental health to telehealth and gender-based violence response.

Notable finalists include:

• Catherine Maree Holliday, founder of the Centre for Community-Driven Response in Switzerland, known for her PEEK patient experience protocol.
• Khadija Mohamed Juma, a Kenyan nurse innovator behindRedSplash, a tech-driven blood donation platform that has saved over 75,000 lives.
• Maheswari Jaganathan, an oncology nurse from Malaysia who pioneered the Patient Navigation Program for breast cancer care.

For full profiles of all finalists, visit https://www.asterguardians.com.

The recognition of three Filipinos among the top 10 is more than symbolic—it reflects a global nursing shift where professionals from the Global South are increasingly leading innovations in health systems, policy, and education.

Whether guiding international reforms in elderly care, bridging cross-border workforce inequities, or building training institutions from the ground up, Camacho, Montayre, and Tariga represent a generation of Filipino health professionals pushing boundaries.

“Nursing is no longer just bedside care—it’s about shaping the future of global health,” said Dr. Montayre.

Their journeys also highlight a critical truth: investing in nurses is investing in national and global health security.