Latest news with #FitzGeraldDalinaCamacho
Arab News
08-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
UAE-based nurse nominated for Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025 with $250,000 prize
DUBAI: A UAE nurse shortlisted for the Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award 2025 has said that he will not spend a cent of the $250,000 prize money on himself, but instead on pediatric cancer research. Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho has been shortlisted for the award, which includes the quarter-of-a-million dollar prize. The 10 shortlisted for the prize were selected from a record-breaking 100,000 applicants from 199 countries. The only candidate working in the UAE and wider Arab world, Camacho is listed with nine other nurses in the running for the annual award, which celebrates their dedication and skill. The Filipino nurse learned about the nomination during a shift at work. 'I was shocked when my parents and friends sent me the links on social media. I did not expect to be nominated,' Camacho said. Despite his modesty, Camacho has an extremely decorated career. After starting his pediatrics training in the Philippines, he moved to the Gulf, first in Saudi Arabia. 'It was quite a transition for me moving to Saudi,' Camacho said. 'But it is a very good foundational place where the learning is very (well) supported.' He has been stationed in the UAE for 11 years and is currently a duty manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai. Since starting this post, Camacho has taken it on himself to upskill his nursing colleagues in areas where they might lack experience; especially in different age groups. 'I started an initiative of upskilling our nurses, and training them in terms of rehabilitation and intensive care,' he explained. 'If they were an adult nurse, I have skilled them to pediatric and if they were pediatric, I have skilled them to adult.' But Camacho said that he wants to make a move in his career from education to research so he could pursue one of his passions — pediatric care. 'I've seen how patients with cancer struggle,' Camacho said, 'So if I were chosen as the winner, then I would use the money for pediatric cancer patients back home in the Philippines.' The final round of the award will include interviews from a distinguished grand jury. After voting, the winner will be announced at a gala event in Dubai on May 26.
The National
06-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Filipino nurse in UAE vies for $250,000 global health prize
A UAE healthcare professional dedicated to raising standards in the nursing profession has expressed his pride after being shortlisted for a $250,000 global award. Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho, duty manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City, is one of 10 frontline workers selected from more than 100,000 entrants from about 200 countries in line for the fourth annual Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. The prize – which will be presented at a ceremony in Dubai on May 26 – recognises the remarkable contributions of nurses all over the world. Mr Camacho, from the Philippines, was nominated for his efforts to bolster safety protocols and training procedures for nurses working at hospitals in the region. He has overseen key projects such as the establishment of a Life Support Training Centre in partnership with the American Heart Association, the design and launch of a Continuous Medical Education Programme and the development of adult and paediatric nursing upskilling schemes. "I didn't expect to be part of the final list," Mr Camacho told The National. "It was an overwhelming and joyful feeling, and I was really shocked." Mr Camacho worked in the health sector in his home country, then in Saudi Arabia before moving to the Emirates. He is eager to share his wealth of knowledge with others to ensure nurses are equipped with the skills they need to provide essential care. 'I saw lot of people in my country didn't enrol in proper education because of poverty,' he said. "I want to share my knowledge with others." Mr Camacho has trained more than 100 nurses in his career, an impressive achievement for a man who had initially planned to pursue a legal career before finding his calling. 'I always wanted to be a lawyer but I'm happy to work as a nurse and help others,' he said. Mr Camacho is vying for the international honour with health professionals in Switzerland, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Kenya, Ghana, India, Malaysia and the US. Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said: 'The top 10 finalists have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion in their work – selected from over 100,000 registrations that were received for the fourth edition of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. "These nurses are not just healthcare providers but true leaders, pushing boundaries and making a profound impact in their communities. Their exceptional contributions deserve to be recognised and, through this award, we celebrate their passion and commitment to improving lives across the globe." The finalists will take part in interviews with the awards jury – made up of health sector chiefs and experts – while a public vote will also be held as part of the process to choose the winner.
Gulf News
05-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Dh900,000 Aster nursing award: Filipino finalist from UAE wants to help kids with cancer
Dubai: If he wins the $250,000 (Dh900,000) Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, Filipino nurse Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho, one of the top 10 finalists announced on Monday, has a heartfelt mission in mind. "I was deeply moved by children with cancer when I worked in the paediatric ICU and paediatric oncology unit,' said Camacho, 39, nursing duty manager at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai. 'If I become a winner, I want to share a portion of the prize money to help support such children back home, because I know there are so many kids in countries like the Philippines who cannot afford even one day's treatment,' he told Gulf News in an interview. Camacho has been in the UAE for 11 years after his previous stints in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia and has steadily risen through the ranks from a staff nurse to a leadership role. Though nursing was not his first choice as he originally wanted to study law, peer influence and a growing passion for care led him to a path he now deeply values. Bigger role Apart from their medical duty, Camacho believes nurses have a bigger role to play in society. 'We need to be sympathetic and empathetic while dealing with patients and their families, as many of them go through immense trauma," he said. 'Beyond day-to-day clinical and leadership responsibilities, I've been actively involved in several key initiatives that aim to enhance patient safety and quality of care," he said. One of the projects he is proudest of is the implementation of the Pediatric Sepsis Bundle, which has significantly improved early identification and timely management of sepsis in critically ill children. "I was also part of the commissioning team for our Pediatric Oncology Unit, helping to build the service from the ground up—from workflows to staff training—ensuring safe, compassionate care for children undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, I led a Quality Improvement Project focused on IV safety, which reduced complications related to intravenous therapy through evidence-based practices and frontline staff education. These initiatives reflect my commitment to raising the standard of pediatric care in our institution,' he explained. Educator and volunteer As a nurse educator, he has led several health initiatives across the region. These include founding Life Support Training Centres in two Abu Dhabi hospitals in partnership with the American Heart Association, and launching Continuous Medical Education (CME) and upskilling programmes for nurses. He was also instrumental in offering free education to several nursing assistants through the certified courses for nursing assistants.
Gulf News
05-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Dubai: Top 10 finalists revealed for Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025 worth $250,000
Dubai: Dubai -headquartered Aster DM Healthcare on Monday announced the top 10 finalists for the fourth edition of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award – a prestigious global recognition with $250,000 prize money, that honours the exceptional contributions of nurses worldwide. The 10 finalists were selected from a record-breaking pool of 100,000+ registrations across 199 countries, through a stringent evaluation process led by expert jury and Grand jury panels members, the organisers said. The top 10 finalists for 2025 includes Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho from Mediclinic City Hospital in the UAE. The rest of the finalists are: Catherine Maree Holliday (Centre for Community-Driven Response, Switzerland), Edith Namba (Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital, Papua New Guinea), Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR), Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga (Insight Global Health, USA), Khadija Mohamed Juma (Tudor Subcounty Hospital, Kenya), Maheswari Jaganathan (Cancer Research Malaysia), Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti (Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana), Dr. Sukhpal Kaur (PGIMER, India), Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya (Hospital for Mental Health, India). More details about the top 10 finalists are available on the website of the award. True leaders Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said: 'The Top 10 finalists have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, skill, and compassion in their work – selected from over 100,000 registrations that were received for the 4th edition of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. These nurses are not just healthcare providers, but true leaders, pushing boundaries and making a profound impact in their communities. Their exceptional contributions deserve to be recognized, and through this award, we celebrate their passion and commitment to improving lives across the globe." The fourth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award will not only present the grand prize of USD 250,000 to the winner, but also honour the other nine finalists with recognition and rewards. Grand finale in Dubai The final stage will involve public voting and interviews with distinguished members of the Grand Jury, with the winner set to be announced at a gala event in Dubai, on May 26. The final round will feature interviews with distinguished members of the Grand Jury, including: Prof. Sheila Tlou, Co-Chairperson of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition and Special Ambassador of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Botswana; Prof. James Buchan, Adjunct Professor at the WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Technology, Sydney, and Editor Emeritus of the Human Resources for Health Journal; Dr. Peter Carter, OBE Awardee and Independent Healthcare Consultant, Former CEO of Central and Northwest London NHS and Former CEO of the Royal College of Nursing, UK; Dr. Niti Pall, President-Elect at the International Diabetes Federation, Senior Consultant at AXA EssentiAll, France, and Board Chair of Harbr and Managing Director of Health4all Advisory, UK; and Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman of Asia Healthcare Holdings, Senior Advisor at TPG Growth, and General Council Member of the Neonates Foundation of India.
