RCS - Aster DM - Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award Top 10

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07/05/2025 16:45

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RNS Number : 7465H  Aster DM  07 May 2025

Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award Unveils Top 10 Finalists for 2025 from
100,000+ Registrations

·      Over 100,000 registrations received from nurses across 199*
countries - a 28% increase from the third edition, which received 78,000+
registrations.

·      One of the shortlisted Top 10 finalists will be honoured with the
grand title award and a prize of USD 250,000.

·      These finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation
process, led by esteemed expert jury and grand jury panels. The entire process
is independently moderated by the appointed "Process Advisors" Ernst &
Young LLP.

DUBAI, AE / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/)  / May 7, 2025
/ Aster DM Healthcare has today announced the Top 10 finalists for the fourth
edition of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award - a prestigious global
recognition with USD 250,000 prize money, that honours the exceptional
contributions of nurses worldwide. These 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 entire process is independently moderated by the appointed
"Process Advisors" Ernst & Young LLP.

The top 10 finalists for 2025 includes: Catherine Maree Holliday (Centre for
Community-Driven Response, Switzerland), Edith Namba (Mount Hagen Provincial
Hospital, Papua New Guinea), Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho (Mediclinic City
Hospital, UAE), 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). To know more about the top 10
finalists, please visit: https://www.asterguardians.com/
(https://pr.report/a673)

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 4(th) 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. 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 & 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 & Managing Director of Health4all Advisory, UK; and Mr.
Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman of Asia Healthcare Holdings, Senior Advisor at
TPG Growth, and General Council Member of the Neonates Foundation of India.

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, UAE on May 26, 2025. *As per data.worldbank.org/country

##

About Aster DM Healthcare FZC in GCC

Founded in 1987 by Dr. Azad Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare is a leading
integrated healthcare provider, with a strong presence across 5 countries in
the GCC and Jordan. Aster is committed to the vision of providing accessible
and high quality healthcare, from primary to quaternary services, with its
promise of "We will treat you well". The organisation's robust integrated
healthcare model includes 15 hospitals, 122 clinics, and 313 pharmacies in GCC
serving all segments of the society through three differentiated brands:
Aster, Medcare and Access. Aster consistently adapts to meet the evolving
needs of patients, ensuring access to quality healthcare through both physical
and digital channels which is exemplified with the launch of the region's
first healthcare super app, myAster.

About Aster DM Healthcare Limited, India

Aster DM Healthcare Limited is one of the largest healthcare service providers
operating in India with a strong presence across primary, secondary, tertiary,
and quaternary healthcare through 19 hospitals with 5,128 beds, 13 clinics,
203 pharmacies (Operated by Alfaone Retail Pharmacies Private Limited under
brand license from Aster), and 254 labs and patient experience centers across
5 states in India, delivering a simple yet strong promise to different
stakeholders: "We'll Treat You Well."

For more information about us, please contact:

 Lavanya Mandal                                    Udhayan Sasidharan Nair
 Head of PR and Internal Communications            Manager - PR & Communications
 Aster DM Healthcare                               Aster DM Healthcare
 Tel: +971 528126577                               Tel: + 971 508850520
 Email: lavanya.mandal@asterdmhealthcare.com       Email: udhayan.nair@asterdmhealthcare.com

Annexure / Editor's Note -

The top 10 finalists for 2025 include:

Catherine Holliday, Centre for Community-Driven Response,
Switzerland: Catherine Holliday founded the Centre for Community-Driven
Response (CCDR) to embed patient experience as a core pillar of health policy,
alongside clinical and economic evidence. Through the creation of the PEEK
(Personal Experience, Expectations, and Knowledge)protocol, she has built one
of the world's largest repositories of patient experience data - over 2,000
interviews shaping strategies across countries and ensuring patients become
active hosts in their own care. Catherine also pioneered the Pathways
Specialist Nurse Service, a nurseled Telehealth model delivering triage,
assessment, and education to underserved, crisis-affected, and remote
communities. Her model redefined Telehealth in nursing, expanding access for
people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic diseases in
low-resource settings. Catherine was named one of the WHO's 100 Outstanding
Women Nurses and Midwife Leaders (2020), received the Australian Health
Minister's Award for Nursing Trailblazers (2022), and was honored with
the President's Award for Legacy Contribution by the Australian Primary
Health Care Nurses Association (2024).

Edith Namba, Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital, Papua New Guinea: Edith Namba
is a courageous nursing leader whose 27-year journey has been instrumental in
advancing patient care, spearheading public health initiatives, and
specializing in gender-based violence response programs. Triggered by the
urgent needs she witnessed during cholera outbreaks and gender-based violence
crisis, Edith has led systemic change - pioneering emergency care for
survivors, playing a crucial role in piloting Family Support Centres in rural
areas, and training health workers to provide holistic care. Edith has also
received recognition from CIMC for her work of volunteerism in the fight
against of Gender based Violence in Papua New Guinea. Her initiatives have
reduced preventable harm, advanced gender equity, and redefined what it means
to lead in healthcare - not from behind a desk, but at the heart of crisis and
community.

Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho, Mediclinic City Hospital, UAE: Fitz Gerald Dalina
Camacho is a nurse educator whose journey was ignited by a deep conviction
that safe, high-quality care begins with empowered, well-trained nurses. Fitz
has played a key role in enhancing safety protocols and education systems
across hospitals in the Middle East. His initiatives include the establishment
of the Life Support Training Center in collaboration with the American Heart
Association, the design and launch of the Continuous Medical Education (CME)
Program, and the development of Adult and Pediatric Nursing Upskilling
Programs. These efforts combine hands-on innovation with global standards.
Fitz's passion for equity also extends beyond the hospital, as he actively
teaches and volunteers with underserved communities.

Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre,

Centre for Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Policy, The Hong

Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR: Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre is a
globally recognised Gerontologist, Researcher and Policy Influencer whose work
drives systems-level change in ageing, caregiver support, and the global
nursing workforce. He has led multiple World Health Organization commissioned
projects, including a global review of community-based age-friendly
interventions that informed the WHO Age-Friendly Framework, and a critical
analysis of strategies to improve science literacy during public health
emergencies. His pioneering contributions to nursing education - such creation
of an interdisciplinary program Master of Ageing, Wellbeing, and
Sustainability - has redefined how future health leaders are trained. Dr.
Montayre's research and digital innovations, including telecare for socially
isolated older adults, continue to shape inclusive, evidence-based care across
borders. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the
prestigious "Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing" award from the
U.S.-based National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence in
2021. He was also honoured with the "Vice-Chancellor Excellence in Research"
award for Early Career Research at Western Sydney University in 2022 and named
"New Zealand Young Nurse of the Year" in 2016.

Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga, Insight Global Health, USA: Dr Jose Arnold Tariga is
a transformative nursing educator and global health advocate whose mission was
sparked by his own early struggles navigating bias as a highly qualified,
non-western trained nurse entering the U.S. healthcare system. Turning
adversity into action, he developed the groundbreaking International
Transition to Practice Program (ITPP), a model now shaping how internationally
educated nurses bridge clinical, cultural, and communication gaps. From
designing rapid upskilling modules during COVID-19 to challenging systemic
inequities in nursing education, his work has elevated standards, improved
retention, and expanded access. Prior to his move to the USA, he spent over 9
years in the UAE driving education and training for staff at multiple
organizations, delivering lectures and workshops recognized by the Department
of Health.

Khadija Mohamed Juma, Tudor Subcounty Hospital, Kenya: Khadija Mohamed Juma
is a Kenyan nurse and social innovator revolutionizing blood donation access
through her tech-enabled platform, RedSplash. In just five years, she has
led over 500 blood donation campaigns, collected more than 25,000 units of
blood, and saved an estimated 75,000 lives -transforming Kenya's approach to
emergency care. Recognized by the Commonwealth Youth Awards and featured on
global media, Khadija's Smart Donor Search app connects donors to patients in
real time, all while breaking cultural taboos and mobilizing over 500
volunteers. Her bold, community-driven approach is redefining the future of
healthcare accessibility in Africa.

Maheswari Jaganathan, Cancer Research Malaysia: Maheswari Jaganathan is a
nationally recognized oncology nurse leader who pioneered Malaysia's Patient
Navigation Program, which has transformed breast cancer care by reaching over
4,700 newly diagnosed women and closing critical gaps in access and
equity. This program -now implemented across multiple hospitals in
Malaysia-integrates clinical support with financial, legal, and emotional
advocacy, dramatically improving patient outcomes. Recognized by the World
Health Organization, her work is redefining nursing as a force for system
change. She plans to set up a Navigation Academy for Southeast Asia - a
regional hub of learning and collaboration focused on system change, AI,
mHealth, and research, further positioning nurses at the forefront of
healthcare transformation.

Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana: Naomi Oyoe Ohene
Oti is a nationally and internationally recognized oncology nurse leader and
recipient of multiple honours for her contributions to cancer care, research,
and education in Africa. She played a crucial role in the setting up a formal
oncology nurse training program in Ghana. Through her leadership, the centre
had trained over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses.
She is a member of education and training committee for the African
Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and coinvestigator
on Global Bridges Oncology GM Grant, she has shaped continental competencies
and policies in cancer nursing, while mentoring more than 48 nurses from
African nations. Her initiatives in driving nurse-led education and research
- are revolutionizing cancer care and positioning nursing as a central force
in Africa's cancer control response.

Dr Sukhpal Kaur, PGIMER, India: Dr. Sukhpal Kaur is a pioneering force in
Indian nursing whose 34-year career has redefined how evidence-based care
reaches the most vulnerable. Motivated by the urgent need for nurse-led
innovation in underserved settings, she played a key role in
securing national interdisciplinary research grants - developing mobile
apps, home-care protocols, and indigenous therapies that have improved
outcomes for cancer patients, bedridden elders, and rural families. From
contributing to nurse-led specialty clinics to transforming education through
simulation and competency based learning, her work bridges academic excellence
with grassroots impact - making compassionate, research-driven care accessible
where it's needed most.

Vibha Salaliya, Hospital for Mental Health, India: Vibha Salaliya is a
nationally recognized mental health nurse and recipient of the Florence
Nightingale Award. She has been instrumental in implementation of the Peer
Support Volunteer (PSV) model, which has now scaled across four government
mental hospitals in Gujarat. Through this revolutionary initiative, over 3000
individuals with mental illness have achieved economic independence, and 426
patients have transitioned from care receivers to care givers-breaking the
stigma and cycle of institutionalization. Her clinical innovations have
drastically reduced hospital stay durations from 90 to 43 days by integrating
psychotherapeutic approaches, life skills training, family reintegration
strategies, and vocational rehabilitation initiatives. She has also trained
over 6000 frontline professionals across Gujarat.

##

SOURCE: Aster DM

 

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