The 2026 Lopez Award continues to showcase the extraordinary contributions of Filipino nurses in the diaspora whose doctoral research is advancing healthcare, education, leadership, and innovation across the world. Named in honor of Professor Violeta Lopez, one of Australia’s most accomplished and highly decorated Filipino nurse leaders, the award recognizes Filipino nurses in the diaspora who have successfully completed doctoral degrees and whose scholarly work contributes meaningfully to nursing science and healthcare improvement.
Among this year’s distinguished recipients are Dr. Abdulkarim O. Agga of Qatar and Dr. William Son Galanza of Sweden, two scholars whose professional journeys demonstrate the diversity, excellence, and global reach of Filipino nursing.
For Dr. Abdulkarim Agga, a Filipino nurse educator, professional development advocate, and emerging researcher based in the Middle East, the recognition carries profound personal significance. Registered as a nurse in the Philippines, Qatar, and the United States, he has dedicated his career to advancing nursing education, caring science, leadership, and professional development.
Receiving the Lopez Award, he says, is not merely a personal achievement but a reflection of the many individuals who shaped his journey. “This recognition belongs to every mentor who believed in me, every colleague who journeyed alongside me, every student who inspired me, and every patient whose life shaped my understanding of what it truly means to care.”
As a Moro and a Tausug who grew up in the southernmost part of the Philippines, Dr. Agga’s story is one of resilience and possibility. He reflects on how education opened doors that once seemed beyond reach and how his community, family, and mentors nurtured his aspirations. For him, the award is a reminder that one’s beginnings do not determine one’s future. Instead, courage, perseverance, and a commitment to service create pathways to impact.
Meanwhile, in Sweden, Filipino nurse researcher Dr. William Son Galanza is helping shape the future of healthcare through his work in healthy ageing, geriatric psychiatry, digital health, and artificial intelligence. A postdoctoral researcher, educator, and clinician, Dr. Galanza’s interdisciplinary work focuses on improving the lives of older adults while advancing nursing science through international collaboration.
Reflecting on the award, Dr. Galanza emphasizes the journey rather than the recognition itself. He recalls beginning his career as a young nurse in the Philippines, uncertain of what the future would hold but motivated by a genuine desire to make a difference. Along the way, nursing opened opportunities in research, education, clinical leadership, and international collaboration while allowing him to remain grounded in the values of compassion, humility, and respect for human dignity.
For Dr. Galanza, the Lopez Award recognizes not only individual achievement but also the growing contributions of Filipino nurses worldwide. He hopes his work inspires future generations to see nursing as a profession without boundaries. “Nursing is not confined to the four corners of a care facility,” he explains. “It can lead to opportunities in research, innovation, technology, and leadership that ultimately improve patient care and people’s lives.”
His research on digital health and artificial intelligence also highlights an important message for future nurses: compassion and innovation must go hand in hand. The future of nursing, he believes, requires both scientific curiosity and human empathy.
Together, Dr. Agga and Dr. Galanza embody the spirit of the Lopez Award. Their stories remind us that Filipino nurses are making meaningful contributions far beyond their countries of practice—strengthening education, advancing research, shaping policy, and improving lives. In honoring their achievements, the award also celebrates the transformative power of nursing, education, and service.
Their journeys serve as an inspiration to Filipino nurses everywhere: dream boldly, learn continuously, serve humbly, and never underestimate the impact that one nurse can make on the world.
