Maria Victoria Juan, a consultant at the Philippine Army Health Services and a Colonel in the Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has been named the winner of the 2024 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. She was awarded $250,000 during a prestigious ceremony held in Bengaluru, India, attended by government officials, healthcare leaders, and Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre.
The announcement was made by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, who lauded Juan’s exceptional dedication to nursing. “Maria Victoria Juan represents the highest standards of nursing excellence and serves as an inspiration to the entire global healthcare community,” Dr. Moopen said.
Juan, overwhelmed by the recognition, shared her disbelief when she first heard her name announced. “When I found out that I was chosen, I did not believe it at first. I thought, ‘Maria? Is she talking about me, Maria?’ I was expecting someone else, as my colleagues are all great nurses themselves. When they announced the winner, I thought, ‘Did I really win?’ Until now, it hasn’t fully sunk in. But I see this not as my personal award, but an honor for all military nurses, civilian responders, and Filipino nurses across the globe,” she said in an interview with The Global Filipino Magazine.
Her illustrious career includes groundbreaking work as the Chief Nurse of the Philippine Army, where she spearheaded the Armed Forces’ first aeromedical evacuation system. This initiative significantly improved survival rates by enabling rapid treatment of casualties in conflict zones. Despite her fear of flying and swimming, Juan underwent rigorous training to ensure the system’s success, completing jungle survival exercises and helicopter underwater escape training.
“This recognition reflects not just my efforts but also the courage of the soldiers I serve alongside and the resilience of the Filipino people,” she said . “It honors the sacrifices of nurses working in the most challenging conditions and highlights the boundless potential of our noble profession.”
“This award is for all Filipino nurses, both here and abroad, who continue to serve with dedication,” she added.
Her efforts extended beyond military operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Juan organized the Endurun Mega Swabbing Center, training medical personnel and facilitating nearly 500,000 tests. Additionally, she introduced environmental health initiatives, employing vetiver grass technology to combat soil erosion and water pollution.
“We already have a plan to address soil degradation and dirty water using vetiver grass, which I learned about through research. The project began in the indigenous areas of Tanay but faced delays due to typhoons. I am committed to resuming this work because it addresses not just environmental issues but also the trauma caused by disasters like soil erosion,” Juan explained. “If we can tackle these issues, we can save lives and prevent more tragedies.”
