Austine Gaqui, a Filipino nurse based in Canada, was recently named third place winner in the Hospital News 2025 Nursing Hero of the Year awards—an honor that adds to a long list of accolades recognizing his impact in both healthcare and community service.
Currently serving as a hemodialysis nurse at Scarborough Health Network (SHN) in Ontario, Gaqui’s path to success has been anything but easy. After moving to Canada in 2009, he initially worked as a janitor while navigating the complex process of acquiring his nursing credentials in a new country. It wasn’t until 2012 that he landed his first healthcare role as a Registered Practical Nurse. Through sheer perseverance, he would eventually become a full-time RN and earn his Nephrology Nursing Certificate at Humber College.
Beyond his clinical role, Gaqui is known for mentoring new nurses and tirelessly promoting patient safety in the dialysis unit. His work includes vascular access assessments using advanced tools like the Transonic machine, a vital component in ensuring effective treatment for patients undergoing hemodialysis.
His leadership extends beyond hospital walls. In 2019, he co-founded the Integrated Filipino Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA), where he now serves as Founding Chairman. Through this organization, Gaqui has helped hundreds of internationally educated nurses (IENs) restart their careers in Canada. One of the group’s landmark initiatives includes a partnership with Quirino Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines to provide clinical placements for Filipino nurses seeking Canadian licensure.
During National Nurses Week in 2024, Gaqui led a collaborative training series with the University Health Network offering free upskilling sessions for IENs, covering critical areas such as IV therapy, infection control, and basic critical care.
Gaqui’s dedication also shines in volunteer work. He has provided frontline medical support at the annual Fun Philippines Food and Music Festival, a major event drawing over 250,000 attendees. His swift clinical judgment and leadership in training new volunteer medics have ensured the safety and health of festival-goers.
Over the years, he has received numerous awards, including the Toronto Star Florence Nightingale Award, a Certificate of Appreciation from SHN, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award, and most recently, the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his advocacy for healthcare workers.
