A Filipino registered nurse working at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi has recently received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, one of the most recognized honors in the global nursing profession.
Marc Nixson Sta. Juana Cao, RN, MSN, MAN, was nominated by a patient and the patient’s family after his care left a lasting impression during what they described as a deeply personal and vulnerable time.
“From the very beginning he showed not just medical professionalism, but also genuine kindness and patience,” the patient said. “It’s clear Marc Nixson takes his role seriously and puts his patients’ comfort and well being first. He is a true example of what excellent healthcare should feel like, and I’m grateful for his care.”
SKMC is part of SEHA, Abu Dhabi’s government-owned healthcare network. The DAISY Award is an international program that recognizes nurses for both clinical skill and the kind of compassionate bedside care that often goes formally unacknowledged.
At the award ceremony held at the SKMC facilities, Cao received the traditional DAISY certificate, pin, and a Healer’s Touch sculpture. SEHA and SKMC leadership also gathered to recognize his service.
Cao dedicated the recognition beyond himself. “This is not just for me; it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Filipino nurses serving here in the UAE and around the world. Every patient deserves extraordinary care, and I am humbled that my efforts were able to make a difference during such a vulnerable time in their lives.”
The Philippines remains one of the largest sources of healthcare professionals in the UAE, with Filipino nurses playing a significant role across the country’s public and private medical institutions.
