International Nurse Awardee 2019admin2019-08-01T17:18:12+00:00

UPINHF’s 2019 International Nurse Awardee

Dr. Josefina Angeles Tuazon, DrPH, MN, BSN, RN is the Recipient of the UPINHF’s 2019 International Nurse Award for her leadership, commitment, and implementation of a multi-pronged approach to the prevention of chronic illness generally known as Non-Communicable Diseases.

UPINHF, as its Preamble to the Constitution declares, has more than meets the eye. It has depth and profound meaning. Who we are and what we are, is, no doubt, the sum total of our vision, distinction, and compassion. The International Nurse Award is the epitome of these elements which, for all intents and purposes, transcends beyond just achievements and temporal feats.

“Vision” is an ideal or a sublime goal toward which one aspires. This year’s recipient, Dr. Josefina Angeles Tuazon, exemplifies that vision to help others with her well-suited capacity and relentless efforts, thus in her own words: “I was driven not simply to achieve nor attain positions. I was driven by a passion to do my best always and to do the best for the general good.”

Imbued with compassion towards the patients and victims of chronic diseases, Dr. Josefina Tuazon dedicated most of her professional life in pursuit of preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in the hope that the endeavor could somehow taper off the creeping rise of this malady. She became part of and contributed to the development of a national policy and program for prevention of NCD and the promotion of healthy lifestyle.

Does her work have an international impact or global significance? It has indeed, very much so. According to the World Health Organization, of the 57 million global deaths in 2008, 36 million or 63% were due to Non- Communicable Diseases (NCD). The four main NCDs are Cardiovascular disease, cancers, Diabetes, and Chronic Lung Disease. The burden of these is rising disproportionately among lower income countries and populations ((WHO: Death from Non-Communicable Diseases), the Philippines among them.

Latest data indicate that NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each Year 15 million people die from Non-Communicable Diseases between the ages of 30 and 69 years. Over 85% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, (WHO: June 1, 2018). Tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet s are proximate causes of NCDs. As a caring nurse she saw the hardship and suffering of patients, families, and victims. She became a staunch advocate of tobacco control, supports asthma and diabetes education and physical activity like regular exercise. To this end, Dr. Tuazon is working closely with the Department of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention Alliance on Tobacco Control. She is also Vice President of the Philippine Coalition for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (PCPC). In addition, she helped organize the Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines (ADNEP). Jim Wallis (1948-) once said: “It is the experience of touching the pain of others that is the key to change…. Compassion is a sign of transformation.”

A noted academician, Josefina Tuazon excelled in all her scholastic endeavors from Elementary, Secondary, and Tertiary where she graduated from U.P. with a BSN degree, Cum Laude in 1977. She obtained her Master in Nursing, (MN) in 1986 and in the year 2000 she attained her Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH)—she was presented the Highest Academic Performance Award in Doctorate Program by the U.P. College of Public Health.

A teacher, professor, and Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing, Dr. Josefina A. Tuazon is also a researcher, prolific writer, mentor and a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics in the Philippines and abroad, most notably about the chronic diseases that affect millions of people around the world. With enthusiasm coming from deep within, her eloquence springs from a passion and desire to stem the inexorable dread of NCDs.

Dr. Josefina Tuazon’s work in the academia, and her advocacy of a beneficial cause did not go unnoticed. She is a recipient of numerous awards and citations including Ten Outstanding Filipino Teachers (TOFT), Centennial Professorial Chair Award, Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, to name a few. And for her advocacy of physical well-being through education, training and promotion of healthy lifestyles, she received the Julita V. Sotejo Medallion of Honor, the highest award to a U.P. nurse.

Of the many facets of her career, UPINHF finds her work on NCD worthy of recognition and distinction it certainly deserves as it is very relevant and apropos in today’s world. In her nomination, Josephine Francisco Villanueva, MA, BSN, RN, a UPINHF Founding Member, states: “For all the global, national, and international work, accomplishments and all her dedicated efforts in sharing her knowledge and expertise for the advancement and improvement of nursing care profession, she deserves to receive the International Nurse Award for 2019.” In endorsing the nominee, UPCN Dean Sheila R. Bonito, BSN, MAN, DrPH, RN, said: “Her 40 years of commitment to the nursing profession as an educator, researcher, and administrator in the University of the Philippines Manila deserve recognition by the UPINHF.” After polling the members, Jesusa Santa Barbara Czach, BSN, RN, CCRN, Chairman, Committee on Awards, Citations, and Scholarships certified the panel’s unanimous vote to Theresa Liboro Abad, MSN, BSN, RN, Chairman of the UPINHF’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors likewise unanimously approved the recommendation of the Committee on Awards, Citations, and Scholarships in favor of Dr. Josefina Angeles Tuazon, DrPH, MN, BSN, MN, RN, as the recipient of the 2019 UPINHF International Nurse Award with distinction. The Founding Members, Directors, and all members extend their best wishes to a very deserving nominee.