The world awaits with bated breath as the highly anticipated Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023 winner is set to be announced on the momentous occasion of International Nurses Day, 12th May. As the nursing community celebrates this special day, the prestigious award ceremony will unveil the nurse whose exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on the field of healthcare. Among the finalists are ten remarkable individuals, each deserving recognition for their outstanding achievements and profound impact on patient care.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, known for its commitment to honoring excellence in nursing, has meticulously selected the ten finalists from a pool of highly accomplished and compassionate nurses worldwide. These individuals represent the epitome of nursing professionalism, embodying the qualities of expertise, compassion, leadership, and innovation. Let us introduce you to the ten extraordinary finalists vying for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023:
- Cathy Cribben-Pearse-UAE
a distinguished nursing leader with over 20 years of experience, has left an indelible mark on the field of nursing through her exceptional contributions and innovative initiatives. From offering pro bono coaching services during the pandemic to founding OakTree Mentoring, Cathy’s passion for nursing excellence and commitment to mentorship have inspired and supported nurses and midwives worldwide. Her visionary leadership, coupled with her drive to create a sense of belonging and pride within the profession, has led to transformative outcomes, including successful start-ups and the achievement of prestigious accreditations. Cathy’s unwavering dedication to providing the best patient care while fostering personal and professional growth for healthcare professionals exemplifies her outstanding contributions to the nursing community.
- Christine Mawia Sammy-Kenya
Christine’s 27-year journey as a neonatal nurse has been marked by unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements in improving the health and survival rates of newborns. Her transformative efforts in establishing the first-ever newborn unit in Kitui county have had a profound impact, drastically reducing neonatal mortality from above 50% to below 10% in just one year. Fueled by her passion to address the root causes of neonatal deaths, Christine collaborated with key stakeholders and overcame cultural and religious barriers to implement vital newborn resuscitation mentorship programs across the region. Her visionary leadership and unwavering determination have not only saved countless newborn lives but also set new benchmarks for excellence and innovation in neonatal nursing. Christine’s outstanding contributions have rightfully earned her recognition and accolades, including the Nurse-led Initiative of the Year and Trailblazer in Reproductive Health awards, solidifying her status as a true champion for newborn health and a source of inspiration for the entire nursing community.
- Gloria Itzel Ceballo Batista-Panama
Throughout her educational journey, Gloria’s passion for nursing education has been unwavering. Even during her master’s degree, she devoted herself to developing an educational program specifically for nurses in the bone marrow transplant unit, a program that continues to be implemented at Hospital del Nino Doctor Jose Renan Esquivel, where she works. Her teaching career began with general pediatrics and blood component management, eventually transitioning to teaching pediatric oncology. Presently, Gloria spearheads a training program for nurses at the hospital. With an impressive 25 years of experience, she is an active member of esteemed international organizations such as the Paediatric Hematology Association of Central America (AHOPCA). Her collaboration with the Global Alliance of St. Jude in Memphis, USA, has significantly contributed to enhancing cancer patient safety and improving longevity. Furthermore, Gloria’s involvement with the World Health Organization (WHO) showcases her dedication to developing care guidelines on a national level, making her an influential figure in the field of nursing education and patient care.
- Jincy Jerry-Ireland
As the Assistant Director of Nursing for Infection Prevention and Control, Jincy currently holds a crucial role in overseeing and implementing innovative strategies to enhance quality and patient safety. Recognizing the importance of innovation, she has developed digital, device, and service innovations that have proven instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by Ireland’s healthcare system during the Covid-19 pandemic. These solutions have effectively streamlined repetitive, high-volume tasks, leading to improved coordination, enhanced workforce management, the implementation of systematic practices, and reduced staff burnout rates. To mitigate the potential for human error in result collation from laboratories, Jincy also designed a tailored software solution. Her groundbreaking contributions have earned her the prestigious Prix Hubert Tuor Innovation Academy Award in 2021. Additionally, her RPA (Robotic Process Automation) project garnered recognition for Best Use of Information Technology at the 2020 Irish Healthcare Awards, further affirming her dedication to driving innovation in healthcare.
- Lilian Yew Siew Mee- Singapore
Driven by a profound desire to care for others, Lilian embarked on her nursing journey as a staff nurse in 1992, and today she holds the esteemed position of Chief Nurse. Leading with a multi-faceted approach, Lilian has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining high standards of service within her organization, Raffles Hospital. Through her leadership, she has optimized the nursing skills mix and collaborated with the hospital to expand its clinical services, ensuring the delivery of exceptional care. Her visionary guidance has laid the foundation for the hospital to achieve the highest professional standards and quality goals. Lilian has actively played a role in renewing accreditations, increasing bed capacity, and supporting public hospitals by accepting more acute cases. Amid the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lilian demonstrated remarkable leadership by mobilizing nursing leaders and nurses to set up 14 vaccination centers in alignment with the National Vaccination Program in 2020-2021. Additionally, she deployed nursing leaders to establish Covid-19 Treatment Facilities (CTF). Since 2020, Lilian has also held a position as a Board member of the Singapore Nursing Association (SNA), further exemplifying her dedication to advancing the nursing profession at a national level.
- Margaret Helen Shepherd-United Kingdom
Margaret has been dedicated to improving diabetes care through better diagnosis. She is the leading nurse for monogenic diabetes in the UK and provides advice to clinicians across the world regarding the management of this condition. She set up a national network of genetic diabetes nurses in 2002 to increase awareness of this condition (which is initially misdiagnosed in 80% of cases, resulting in patients being treated with unnecessary insulin injections). She was one of 70 national NIHR70@70 Senior Nurse Research Leaders (driving innovation and new roles to increase research awareness and engagement within clinical care) and has received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarship.
- Michael Joseph Dino- Philippines
As the Director for Research Development and Innovation Center at Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City, Philippines, his role in advancing research and innovation is paramount. With expertise spanning various fields such as leadership, management, nursing, humanoid robots, and the integration of technology in education, his contributions have been significant. His notable achievements include the successful implementation of a telehealth program for seniors, improving health literacy among older adults, and a pioneering project on Breastfeeding and Breastmilk Banking that has positively impacted infant care. Leading initiatives to support breastfeeding as the President of the PhiGamma Chapter of Sigma Nursing, he has gained global recognition for his comprehensive approach. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, his multimedia project on #VaccineEquity, in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses, has made a profound impact in various regions and countries. His outstanding accomplishments have earned him prestigious awards and recognitions, highlighting his exceptional leadership and dedication to research and innovation in nursing.
- Shanti Teresa Lakra-India
Shanti’s unwavering dedication to serving Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands of India is truly remarkable. With a strong commitment to preventing the adverse health conditions faced by these tribes from leading to their extinction, she has made a profound impact. Working in the remote areas of Dugong Creek, Little Andaman, where the Primitive tribe Ongees resides, Shanti recognized the challenges they faced due to lack of medical knowledge, language barriers, and unclear medical histories. She immersed herself in their settlement, spending time with them to build trust and make them feel comfortable. When the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami struck in 2004, displacing the Ongee tribe and forcing them deep into the jungle, Shanti showed remarkable perseverance by making her home among them, living in an open tent. Her selfless service has been recognized through various awards, including the National Florence Nightingale Award in 2010, the Indian Red Cross Society Best Volunteer, and the Best Health Worker Award in 2011. In 2011, the Government of India honored Shanti Lakra with the prestigious Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, in recognition of her incredible dedication and service to the tribal communities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Teresa Fraga- Portugal
Teresa Fraga, a dedicated neonatal nurse, identified a crucial gap in the support system for children with chronic illnesses and took it upon herself to make a difference. In Portugal, she established KASTELO, a palliative care unit specifically designed for children with chronic illnesses. Teresa’s primary objective is to provide high-quality care and improve the quality of life for these children through innovative strategies. The center employs innovative nursing techniques such as bronchial cleaning, pain reduction, and improved muscle activity organization. It also offers various leisure, sensory, and musical activities to promote cognitive development. One remarkable feature is the water park Teresa developed, which not only provides entertainment but also supports therapy in water. Emphasizing the importance of community involvement, Teresa incorporates adapted theater, animation groups for children’s birthday parties, and hippotherapy into the palliative care program. Her exceptional efforts and dedication have earned her recognition from the European Union, highlighting the profound impact she has made in the lives of these children and their families through KASTELO.
- Wilson Fungameza Gwessa- Tanzania
In just a short span of five years in the nursing profession, Wilson has already made a significant impact in reducing neonatal deaths. While working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Muhimbili National Hospital—Mloganzila, Wilson recognized a concerning trend of high neonatal mortality rates. Through a research survey, he discovered that respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), particularly affecting premature babies, was a major cause of these deaths due to the underdeveloped lungs. Since the hospital lacked respiratory support machines like CPAP and ventilators, Wilson took the initiative to introduce the Improvised Bubble CPAP Device as an alternative. This innovation resulted in a remarkable reduction of neonatal deaths from respiratory issues, decreasing the rate from 14.1% to 5.9%. Presently, Wilson works in the department of training, research & consulting at Muhimbili National Hospital—Mloganzila and has authored a groundbreaking book titled ‘Nursing Diagnosis for Academic and Clinical Practice,’ which stands as the first locally written nursing book in Tanzania. Wilson’s dedication and achievements in improving neonatal care are a testament to his commitment to saving lives and advancing the field of nursing.
Each finalist has exhibited exceptional dedication, innovation, and a profound impact on patient care within their respective fields of expertise. Their achievements reflect the diverse and crucial roles nurses play in delivering high-quality healthcare and improving outcomes globally.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award aims to celebrate the tireless efforts and invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide. On International Nurses Day, the award ceremony will bring together esteemed healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to honor the winner’s exceptional journey and acknowledge the profound impact nurses have on individuals, families, and communities.
The winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023 will be bestowed with a prestigious accolade, recognizing their remarkable achievements, and will serve as a beacon of inspiration to the nursing community worldwide. Their exemplary dedication to patient care will remind us all of the immeasurable value of nursing and its transformative power within the healthcare industry.
Stay tuned as we eagerly await the announcement of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023 winner on International Nurses Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the incredible contributions of nurses around the globe. The winner’s name will be revealed during the award ceremony, signifying their exceptional journey and the transformative impact they have had on the lives of patients and their communities.
As we approach International Nurses Day and the unveiling of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023 winner, let us join together in recognizing and applauding the outstanding achievements of these ten remarkable finalists. Their dedication, compassion, and innovation exemplify the very essence of nursing excellence, inspiring future generations of nurses to strive for greatness and continue advancing the noble profession of nursing.
