The University of the Philippines Manila College of Nursing (UPCN), in partnership with the Johnson & Johnson Foundation Global Community Impact, held a three-day NurseLEAD Public Health Nurses Leadership Summit on April 5-7, 2022 at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort Clark Pampanga. The summit aimed to help in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
UPCN Dean Sheila R. Bonito hopes that this NurseLEAD Summit will build a community of public health nurses who will share their experiences and best practices in management and collaborations to achieve the desired public health goals.
NurseLEAD started in April 2021 and is being led by UPCN in collaboration with the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Foundation. It seeks to strengthen the public health nurses’ competencies in leading and managing primary care services and population-based programs, carrying out supervisory and leadership responsibilities, and fostering interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
“You are now more than nurses. You will cross boundaries and become certified leaders, managers, and collaborators to respond to the challenges of our health system in transitioning to universal health coverage through your strengthened capacities as our health care providers. In areas where there are no or very limited doctors, you will step up as public health nurses to perform the roles of public health officers,” stated Chancellor Carmencita Padilla as she congratulated the 152 nurse leader-graduates of the program.
Department of Health’s Health Human Resources Development Bureau (DOH HRDB) OIC Dr. Pretchell P. Tolentino affirmed the support of DOH HRDB to the NurseLEAD program through the dissemination of department circulars and by bringing in the first batch of participants to the program.
Ms. Wen Yi Tan of Johnson & Johnson Foundation Southeast Asia affirmed that J&J will continue supporting and championing nurses in the critical role they play in elevating healthcare systems worldwide. Ragu Krishna, President and Managing Director of J&J, shared an inspirational message about ways to improve leadership skills: to be truly world-class in whatever you do, find people who inspire you to do bigger things in life, and to practice leadership that is constantly evolving.
In the plenary session, retired Professor Araceli S. Maglaya discussed the leadership role of nurses in the public health setting, saying that it is crucial that nurses understand their patients’ reality and perspective to enable community participation.
Acknowledging the managerial role of nurses in the public health setting, Ms. Nelia A. Rafael, OIC (Retired) Division of Nursing Services of the Manila Health Department, said that empowering the community is the greatest reward in public health nursing.
Other summit activities were the participants’ presentation of their capstone project, launching of the National Association of Public Health Nurses, Inc. (NAPHINI), oathtaking of officers and members, and field visit to conduct health activities at the Rural Health Unit in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
Charmaine Lingdas
