Maria Victoria Juan, a nurse and consultant with the Philippines Army Health Services and Colonel in the Armed Forces Reserve, has been honored with the Aster Guardians’ Global Nursing Award 2024. She received a prize of Rs. 2 crore during a ceremony in Bengaluru.
The announcement was made by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, with the award being presented by Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao.
Launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award acknowledges the incredible efforts nurses make worldwide. The 2024 awards edition received applications from 78,000 nurses spanning 202 countries, representing a 50% increase in participation from the previous year.
During the event, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared a congratulatory message to the finalists.
Expressing her gratitude, Maria Victoria Juan remarked,
“Being a Philippine military nurse encompasses dedication to serving in diverse settings such as combat, disaster-stricken areas, and underserved communities, while also advocating for impactful change. This accolade honors not only my efforts but also the bravery of the soldiers I serve with and the resilience of Filipinos who inspire me daily.”
Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director at Aster DM Healthcare India, commented,
“Nurses work behind the scenes, quietly and diligently transforming lives. Our aim with these awards is to highlight and celebrate their remarkable contributions.
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The other nine finalists, from countries including Kenya, Papua New Guinea, the USA, Uganda, UAE, India, Singapore, and England, were also recognized with monetary awards for their contributions to nursing.
Selections were made via a rigorous process supervised by Ernst & Young LLP and assessed by both a Screening Jury and the Grand Jury.