Nurse Maria Victoria Juan from Philippines wins the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024

Dubai,UAE - November 29, 2024 - Broll:https://we.tl/t-52JFVzjc4k

Nurse Maria Victoria Juan from Philippines, a Consultant at Philippines Army Health Services and Colonel, Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has been announced as the winner of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024 and awarded with 14,672,500 PHP or USD 250,000 at a prestigious award ceremony held in Bengaluru, India. The winner was announced by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, in the esteemed presence of Ministry and Government officials, Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO – Aster DM Healthcare, T J Wilson, Executive Director and Group Head – Governance & Corporate Affairs, Aster DM Healthcare and distinguished guests.

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was launched by Aster DM Healthcare in 2021, with an aim to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of nurses to patients across the world. The 2024 edition of the awards saw an overwhelming participation from 78,000 nurses from 202 countries, marking 50% growth in applications received in 2023.

The event also featured a special message from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

Commenting on the win, Nurse Maria Victoria Juan said, “As a military nurse from the Philippines, my journey has been defined by a steadfast commitment to service—whether caring in combat zones, disaster-stricken areas, or underserved communities, and championing advocacies on every platform to create positive change. This recognition reflects not just my efforts, but also the courage and honor of the soldiers I proudly serve alongside and the resilience of the Filipino people that inspire me daily.

It is also a tribute to the nurses I represent—tireless, selfless, extremely courageous individuals in the military and civilian sectors who put themselves in harm's way to save lives and protect others. This honor acknowledges the sacrifices of those who serve under the most challenging conditions and highlights the boundless potential and dedication of our noble profession.”

Maria Victoria Juan, currently a consultant at Philippine Army Health Services and Colonel, Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, served as the Chief Nurse of the Philippines Army and she was responsible for initiating the first aeromedical evacuation system in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This system has greatly improved survival rates by enabling rapid evacuation and early treatment of casualties, especially in conflict areas. At the age of 54 years, she joined an intensive 9-month long aeromedical evacuation training program while working full-time as a chief nurse. As a leader who believes in leading from the front, she completed 200-hours of emergency ambulance conduction, 100 hours of clinical duty, 1-mile ocean swim, 3-day jungle survival, helicopter underwater escape and flight medical runs, while having a fear of flying and deepwater swimming. Maria also pioneered environmental health initiatives, integrating vetiver grass technology to combat soil erosion and water pollution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria organized the Endurun Mega Swabbing Center, training troops as medical swabbers and coordinating healthcare professionals. The center conducted nearly 500,000 tests, significantly contributing to the country’s pandemic response.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chaiman, Aster DM Healthcare stated, “Maria exemplifies nursing excellence and is an inspiration to the global healthcare community. Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, offering care with compassion and playing a pivotal role in the system. The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards honor these unsung heroes and their invaluable contributions.”

Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare added, “Maria Juan embodies the courage, skill, and compassion that elevate healthcare. Through this platform, we aim to bring their remarkable stories to the forefront.”