Today, August 16, the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network (FiND) hosted another milestone event, a webinar that drew nearly 700 participants from across the globe. The online gathering was held in partnership with St. Anthony’s College, the Pacific Nursing Service Organization, and the World Continuing Education Alliance, showcasing the power of collaboration in advancing nursing education and practice.
The featured speaker was Dr. Rizaldy Bandola from the United States, who brought a wealth of expertise to the discussion with his lecture titled Enriching Nutritional Status of ICU Patients through Early Enteral Nutrition. His presentation resonated deeply with nurses, clinicians, and educators alike, highlighting the critical role nutrition plays in the trajectory of critically ill patients.
Dr. Bandola emphasized that nutrition in the intensive care unit is not just about providing sustenance; it is a therapeutic intervention. Early enteral nutrition has been shown to reduce complications, prevent infections, and accelerate recovery for patients in critical condition. His insights provided nurses with actionable strategies, reinforcing their pivotal role in ensuring timely initiation of nutrition therapy and monitoring patient responses closely. As he remarked during the session: “Empowering reminder to all nurses: By initiating nutrition early, we accelerate healing and drive transformative recovery.”
The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Nurses from diverse practice settings engaged actively, recognizing how the principles shared could be applied to improve patient outcomes in their own institutions. For many, the session was more than an academic exercise—it was a reminder of their responsibility and capacity to drive change through evidence-based care.
FiND’s Director for Engagement, Irene Mayo, RN, MCSc., perfectly captured this sentiment: “Enriching the nutritional status of ICU patients through early enteral nutrition empowers nurses to translate evidence into timely care that reduces complications and drives better recovery outcomes.” Her words underscored the essence of the webinar: bridging the gap between knowledge and practice to ensure better outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.
The academic partners were equally proud of the event’s success. Dr. Aris Kendell Bungabong, Dean of St. Anthony’s College, remarked: “This collaboration demonstrates the strength of bringing together institutions and experts across borders. By creating spaces for shared learning, we not only equip nurses with knowledge but also cultivate a culture of continuous growth and innovation that benefits healthcare systems everywhere.” His statement reinforced the importance of joint efforts in nurturing global nursing leadership.
The nearly 700 attendees represented not just a statistic but a thriving community committed to lifelong learning. For FiND and its partners, the turnout was a powerful validation of the hunger for advanced education among Filipino and international nurses. It also affirmed the organization’s mission: to empower nurses through knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and global collaboration.
Beyond the numbers, what stood out was the sense of unity among participants. Nurses from different continents came together, bound by a shared commitment to improving patient care. The exchange of perspectives during the interactive portions of the webinar reflected the diversity of experiences within the nursing diaspora, while also highlighting the universal challenges and solutions in critical care.
For Dr. Bandola, the opportunity to speak was not just about delivering a lecture but about inspiring action. His research and clinical experiences provided the foundation, but it was the engagement of nurses that transformed the session into a meaningful dialogue. Many participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to implement early enteral nutrition practices more rigorously within their units.
As the session concluded, the collective spirit was one of gratitude and renewed motivation. Events like this reaffirm the central role of nurses as advocates for patients, innovators in practice, and leaders in healthcare systems. The webinar was not merely a transfer of information but a celebration of the power of nursing education to change lives.
In reflecting on this event, it becomes clear that the strength of the Filipino nursing diaspora lies not just in its numbers but in its capacity to collaborate, learn, and lead globally. By building bridges between local institutions and international organizations, FiND and its partners are creating pathways for professional growth and patient-centered excellence.
The August 16 webinar was one more step in that journey—a reminder that when nurses come together to learn, patients everywhere benefit. With nearly 700 participants carrying the lessons of early enteral nutrition back to their practice settings, the ripple effects will undoubtedly be felt in ICUs and hospitals across the world.
For FiND and its partners, the success of this event is both a celebration and a call to continue. As healthcare continues to evolve, so must nursing leadership, education, and practice. And with leaders like Dr. Bandola sharing their expertise, and organizations like FiND fostering engagement, the future of global nursing looks brighter than ever.
