A Filipino nurse based in Riyadh has broken into the global top 10 of one of the most competitive nursing recognitions in the world, selected from a field of more than 134,000 registrations spanning 214 countries and economies.
Dinah Sevilla, Head Nurse for Peritoneal Dialysis at King Saud University Medical City – King Khalid University Hospital, is among the Top 10 finalists for the fifth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026, announced on International Nurses Day. The winner receives a cash prize of USD 250,000.
Sevilla has been working in the Kingdom since 2011. “Looking back to when I first arrived in 2011, I can truly say that Saudi Arabia will always have a special place in my heart, and forever I will be grateful for the opportunities, growth, and experiences it has given me,” she shared with TGFM.
Her unit’s record in patient safety stands out even on a global scale. Under her leadership, the peritoneal dialysis ward achieved a peritonitis infection rate of just 0.07% — a fraction of the worldwide benchmark of 0.40% — while recording zero incidents across key safety indicators including medication errors, patient falls, and catheter-related complications.
Sevilla credits the results to a combination of rigorous patient education and emotional investment in each case. “Education is continuous, not just during training, but throughout their dialysis journey,” she said, adding that building trust with patients directly improves their confidence and adherence to home treatment protocols.
A significant part of that educational effort involved removing language as a barrier. Working alongside her multicultural team and in partnership with healthcare company Baxter, Sevilla helped develop pictorial guides and demonstration videos that walk patients through the dialysis process step by step regardless of their language background. The unit also maintains 24-hour staff coverage. “This constant availability gives patients reassurance that they are never alone in their dialysis journey,” she said.
Sevilla traces her path into nursing back to the realities she witnessed growing up in the Philippines. “Healthcare in the Philippines can be very challenging, with overcrowded hospitals and limited resources. Those experiences opened my eyes to the importance of dedicated nurses and inspired me to serve people with empathy and commitment,” she said.
She received the Nursing Excellence Award in 2025 before being named a global finalist this year. She describes both recognitions as belonging not just to her but to every member of her team. “Quality patient care is always the result of teamwork,” she said.
For Filipino nurses considering careers abroad, Sevilla’s message is grounded and direct. “Skills and knowledge are important, but genuine care and empathy for patients will always make the biggest difference,” she said. “Be proud of where you came from, because Filipino nurses are respected around the world for their excellence, adaptability, and caring spirit.”
The finalists were evaluated through a multi-stage process overseen by Ernst & Young LLP as independent process advisors, covering eligibility screening, expert panel assessment, and Grand Jury review. The Grand Jury includes global health figures such as Prof. Sheila Tlou, former Minister of Health of Botswana, and Dr. Peter Carter, OBE, former CEO of the Royal College of Nursing in the United Kingdom. The award winner will be named at a gala ceremony in India in July 2026.
