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SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 

NURSING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL

"Quod Donum Mundi" (Be a Gift to the World)

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SLUnaai Distinguished alumni Awards

2027 Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations



Past Awardees

2025 Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Georgina B. Castillo '90

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Clinical Service or Practice

Over the course of her career, Ms. Georgina B. Castillo has demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and compassion in various clinical and teaching roles, making a significant impact in the nursing community and beyond.

Ms. Castillo has an extensive and impressive background, including work as an Oncology Infusion staff nurse, Antibiotic Infusion Center staff nurse, and as a nurse on the Renal Metabolic Oncology Unit. She is also an Instructor in Medical-Surgical Nursing and Pharmacology. Furthermore, she has held positions in Pediatric Intensive Care at the Philippine Heart Center, where she was awarded the Pediatric ICU Efficiency Award in 1994.

In addition to these achievements, Ms. Castillo is a two-time DAISY Award winner, recognized for her excellence in patient care in both 2023 and 1st quarter of 2024. These accolades are a reflection of her unwavering commitment to patient outcomes and the well-being of the families she serves.

Outside of her clinical responsibilities, Ms. Castillo voluntarily teaches anatomy and physiology, peripheral IV insertion training to instructors and students in the Philippines and police officers of the Benguet Mobile Force Company. Her role as a preceptor for student nurses and new RNs highlights her leadership and mentorship skills, providing invaluable support and guidance to the next generation of nurses. Her contributions to both patient care and education are inspiring, and her commitment to continuous improvement in the nursing field makes her deserving of this award.


Jennifer Rubino-Caguioa '94

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Administration/Leadership

Jennifer Rubino Caguioa—a world-class Filipino leader in UK healthcare. Jeni has devoted 30 years to nursing, including 25 in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). A graduate of Saint Louis University in 1994, she began her career at Baguio General Hospital before moving to the UK, where her visionary leadership has transformed patient care and inspired the global nursing community.

As Lead Nurse for Vascular Access at King’s College Hospital, Jeni spearheaded the H.A.N.D.S. Project, which significantly reduced IV-related infections and earned international acclaim from the Infusion Nursing Society and the British Journal of Nursing. Her dedication to lifelong learning led her to advanced leadership programs with the University of Birmingham and the Florence Nightingale Foundation.

Currently, as Head of Global at the Florence Nightingale Foundation, Jeni champions leadership development for internationally educated nurses, fostering diversity and inclusion. She co-founded and serves as Vice Chair of the Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance in the UK, advocating for ethnic minority voices and securing recognition of Filipino nurses as a distinct ethnic group in NHS records.

From meeting King Charles to advising top health organizations, Jeni’s achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to representation, equity, and health innovation. Her leadership has inspired nurses worldwide to strive for excellence and inclusive care.



Dr. Maria Alice Pilit-Torres '94

Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Health / Outreach

Dr. Maria Alice A. Pilit-Torres is a remarkable individual whose career embodies selflessness, resilience, and dedication to public health and community service. A proud graduate of Saint Louis University College of Nursing, Class of 1994, Alice has devoted her life to serving others, exemplifying the true spirit of healthcare.

Despite passing the CGFNS and NCLEX exams, Alice chose to remain in the Philippines, joining the Department of Health’s Doctors to the Barrios Program to serve underserved communities. Later, she transitioned to academia, inspiring countless nursing students and earning accolades, including graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Public Health and becoming a Fellow of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine.

Alice has been instrumental in implementing Universal Health Care (UHC) in Baguio City, crafting foundational policies and co-authoring the Health Care Provider Network Manual, now a national reference. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she managed six isolation facilities, ensuring care for over 13,000 patients while navigating resource shortages and emotional challenges.

Beyond her professional roles, Alice initiated health fairs promoting education, prevention, and well-being, including senior-focused Independence Day fairs and programs for adolescents. Her holistic approach reflects her deep commitment to community health. Recognized for her extraordinary contributions, Alice received Baguio City’s inaugural Serbisyong Mapagmalasakit Award. Today, we celebrate her achievements and the inspiring example she sets for healthcare professionals worldwide.



Ruth Thelma Tingda '80

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Education / Academia

Mrs. Ruth.Thelma Paeng Tingda,a proud 1980 graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Nursing, has dedicated her life to transforming healthcare and empowering future generations of nurses. Her journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, including her impactful work with Medical Ambassadors in the Philippines. Through this role, she exemplified outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access and education.

Ruth has also made her mark as a former president of the Philippine Nursing Association, where her vision and influence drove meaningful, positive changes across the nursing profession. Among her most notable accomplishments is the establishment of a nursing school with a curriculum tailored to students facing challenges in completing their university education. This initiative has not only opened doors to countless aspiring nurses but has also strengthened the healthcare workforce in the community.

Her passion for mentoring, educating, and inspiring others exemplifies the true essence of leadership. Ruth's enduring dedication to nurturing future nurses and enhancing healthcare access makes her a beacon of hope and progress in our field.


Anna Liza Fernandez-Rivero '90

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Research

Anna Liza Fernandez Rivero, BSN, RN is a remarkable nurse whose career exemplifies the highest standards of clinical research, patient care, and nursing leadership. Anna Liza’s unwavering commitment to advancing clinical trials and her exceptional ability to manage complex patient care have made her a standout in the field of nursing and research. Anna Liza has made significant contributions during her time at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she has played a pivotal role in groundbreaking clinical trials focused on Pheochromocytoma, Paraganglioma, and Hepatitis B.

Her expertise in managing the care of patients with complex conditions, including neuroendocrine neoplasms and advanced liver diseases, has ensured the safety and well-being of participants, all while adhering to the highest research protocols. Her meticulous approach to overcoming barriers in recruitment, consent, and protocol compliance has been instrumental in the success of these clinical trials. As a leader, Anna Liza has worked collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, contributed to protocol development, and maintained rigorous regulatory documentation. Her leadership was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was honored with the Director’s Award for her exceptional work coordinating care for liver disease patients. This recognition underscores her ability to deliver outstanding care in high-pressure environments. Beyond her technical expertise, Anna Liza is also a passionate mentor and advocate for professional development, patient safety, and best practices in clinical nursing.


Cherry Lynn Cabugao-Adams '94

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nurse Entrepreneurship

Cherry Lyn Cabugao Adams, BSN, RN, ESQ, is an extraordinary individual whose entrepreneurial journey embodies the power of vision, determination, and compassion. She is amember of the Class of 1994 and the founder and CEO of the CLCA Group of Companies.

Cherry’s career began as a nurse for the National Health System in England, where she saw a gap in high-quality home care services. Driven by her passion for patient-centered care, she founded CLCA Nursing, which now employs 150 professionals providing live-in caregivers, home care, and nurses across the West Midlands.

Her entrepreneurial spirit expanded further with the creation of CLCA Aeromed, offering remote medical case management and repatriation services for the international travel insurance market. During the pandemic, Cherry diversified into maritime healthcare, founding CLCA Maritime to support the medical welfare of seafarers and offshore workers.

Under her leadership, the CLCA Group’s mission, Building Exceptional Services Together (BEST), thrives through mentoring, collaboration, and innovation. Cherry’s commitment to excellence extends to community service, with her companies supporting charitable organizations like Rainbow Children’s Charity, Barnardos, and medical missions in the Philippines.

Cherry’s leadership has redefined nurse entrepreneurship, turning challenges into opportunities and businesses into platforms for care. Her story is a testament to the transformative impact of innovation and compassion in healthcare.


Eden Grace Mangaoang '93

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Informatics

Ms. Eden Grace Mangaoang’s journey in this specialized domain began with her role as a super-user and trainer for the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Through her dedication and expertise, she became a pivotal force in launching the Pain Management Clinic at South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), where she designed innovative templates to streamline nurse documentation and enhance data access for Veterans’ care.

Ms. Mangaoang earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing Informatics in 2014, followed by advanced certifications from the Veterans Affairs (VA) American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) and the Mid-Atlantic Program (MAP). Her commitment to lifelong learning is exemplified by her current work with Oracle Health to build and implement a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for the VA, Department of Defense, and U.S. Coast Guard. Her expertise extends across multiple interdisciplinary teams and councils, where she has shaped policies, workflows, and training programs to enhance medication administration safety, patient outcomes, and system interoperability. She is a key contributor to national projects, including standardizing BCMA workflows and developing simulation models for improving EHR usability. Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Mangaoang is a mentor and advocate for the next generation of Nursing Informaticists. In addition to her groundbreaking work in informatics, Ms. Mangaoang exemplifies service through her volunteer efforts at her local church and swim center, as well as her contributions to nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Arbie Marie Barawid-Ramos '93

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Advanced Practice Nursing

Ms. Arbie Marie Ramos, MSN, AGPCNP, NP-C, CDP, a 1992 alumnus of Saint Louis University School of Nursing, has built a remarkable career blending clinical expertise with compassionate care. As a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, she has over 8 years of experience caring for adult and geriatric patients with chronic and complex conditions. Currently, she serves as an Acute Care Hospitalist at RWJ Barnabas Health Community Medical Center in New Jersey, playing a vital role in the Rapid Response Team, where her timely interventions save lives and improve outcomes. Arbie’s dedication to lifelong learning is evident in her advanced certifications, including a Post-Master’s Certificate and designation as a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Beyond her clinical work, she is a leader and mentor, having served as Vice President of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey Southern Region and contributing to the Saint Louis University Nursing Alumni Association International. Her impact extends beyond healthcare settings, as she champions public health initiatives like organ and tissue donation and has served as a co-liaison for her hospital’s Organ and Tissue Donation Program for over a decade. Her tireless efforts to advocate for health education and patient support have made a lasting impact on both her colleagues and the communities she serves. Arbie’s outstanding accomplishments and dedication to community education and advocacy underscores her profound commitment to making a difference and embodies the mission and values of Saint Louis University School of Nursing.

2023 Distinguished Alumni Awardees


Anna Liza Bernal-Rodriguez '92

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Administration

Ms. Anna Liza Rodriguez, MSN, MHA, RN, OCN®, NEA-BC is a transformational healthcare leader with over 30 years of clinical and executive experience, currently serving as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing and Patient Services at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. She drives the nursing strategic vision, fosters a Magnet culture, and oversees administrative practice across the organization, as well as managing Radiation Oncology and Pastoral Care.

Anna holds Master’s degrees in Nursing and Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz. She is board-certified as a Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC) and Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), holds Six Sigma Green Belt training, and belongs to ACHE and AONL.

Previously, as Associate Nursing Officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Anna managed a $145 million budget, led 350+ staff, and oversaw 215,000 annual visits. She successfully directed facility expansions, electronic health record implementations, workflow redesigns, and introduced cutting-edge therapies like outpatient CAR-T and Lutathera®. Her career began as a staff nurse in Stem Cell Transplant/Hematology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, followed by key leadership positions at Presence Resurrection Medical Center.

A committed researcher and international speaker, Anna frequently presents and publishes on oncology care and nursing leadership. Her dedication to clinical excellence, innovation, and mentoring future healthcare professionals makes her an exemplary role model and a deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in Nursing Administration and Leadership.



Christine Edillon '94

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Informatics

Christine Edillon, MSN, RN, NI-BC, PMP, CLSSGB, brings over 25 years of diverse nursing experience spanning public health, quality improvement, acute care, and nursing informatics. A board-certified Informatics Nurse (ANCC) with an MSN in Nursing Informatics, she holds Project Management Professional certification from PMI, along with Epic certifications in Inpatient Clinical Documentation and Cogito Analytics.

During her five-year tenure as a Clinical Applications Analyst at Bayhealth Medical Center, Christine enhanced electronic medical record (EMR) functionality to improve patient safety and care quality. She built standardized nursing care plans, action plans for chronic conditions, and customized reporting dashboards. Her work on Meaningful Use criteria directly contributed to Bayhealth earning HIMSS Analytics Stage 6 (2017) and Stage 7 (2020) recognitions.

Promoted to Project Manager at Bayhealth in late 2020, Christine led high-impact initiatives with rapid timelines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she directed the EMR setup for mass vaccination efforts across drive-through clinics, mobile units, and hospital sites, enabling the administration of over 16,500 vaccines in the first year.

Furthermore, Christine spearheaded major telehealth transformations, including launching MyChart virtual visits and accelerating the rollout of the Bayhealth@Home virtual urgent care app in just four months. To address critical physician shortages, she led the implementation of Tele-ICU services, allowing remote intensivists to conduct virtual rounds and consults. Known for her technical expertise, strategic leadership, and dedication, Christine consistently drives innovation that elevates patient care and clinical outcomes.



Dr. Anna Liza Fernandez '93

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Practice

Anna Liza Fernandez, DNP, RN-BC, is a dedicated advocate for advanced nursing practice, recognized for her clinical, scholastic, and leadership achievements. Holding a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Miami, she is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Jonas Veteran Healthcare Scholar, and certified in Surgical Service Management (CSSM), where she serves as an expert consultant for the Competency Credentialing Institute. Her notable honors include the VISN Employee of the Year, the G.E.M. Johnson & Johnson Nursing Regional Award, and the 2021 Iowa EBP Outstanding VA Program.

Exemplifying service leadership with a "patient first" philosophy, Dr. Fernandez excelled as Acting Clinical Director for the Office of Community Care (OCC) while serving as Nurse Manager for Special Procedure Units. Leveraging her Six Sigma expertise, she led the OCC nursing team to rank number one in performance across VISN 21, embodying the VA ICARE values. She creates an inclusive environment that fosters employee development, collaborative conflict resolution, and cross-stakeholder alignment.

A strong champion of evidence-based practice (EBP) and mentorship, Dr. Fernandez empowers nurses to become change agents. Over the past four years, her guidance enabled staff to share best practices at national platforms, including a podium presentation on improving care access for Transgender Veterans at the 2023 Evidence-Based Practice National Conference. Beyond her clinical role, she actively contributes to non-profit organizations as Chair for Research at SLUNAAI and as an adult volunteer for the Hancock Squadron Sea Cadet Training program.


Jayvee Moltio '2011

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service & Public Health

Jayvee Moltio is a dedicated public health nurse and advocate whose career reflects a profound commitment to community welfare, particularly among Indigenous populations. After beginning his career as a community development worker with DSWD-CAR, he earned his Master in Public Health (Cum Laude, 2014) from Saint Louis University, receiving the Gawad San Luis for Creativity in Research for his regional public health studies.

In 2017, Jayvee joined Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) as a nurse for its Drug Rehabilitation Program—the sole accredited facility in Northern Luzon. During the national anti-drug campaign, he provided psychological counseling and coordinated vital social services for thousands of surrenderees across remote municipalities. Promoted to Health Education and Promotion Officer in 2020, he led public health messaging and vaccination campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic while helping implement Universal Health Care (UHC) provisions.

A continuous learner, Jayvee completed UP Manila’s Leadership Course in Public Health Nursing and was selected as the sole nurse fellow for St. Luke’s College of Medicine’s Next Generation One Health Philippines Program in 2022. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies (Medical Anthropology) at UP Baguio to improve healthcare access for Indigenous communities.

In recognition of his public health interventions, Jayvee received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in 2021—the highest honor for Philippine public servants—and was named a 2022 Outstanding Citizen of Benguet. Exemplifying Louisian core values, he stands as a highly distinguished alumna in public health and community service.


Dr. Fidel Taguinod '92

2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for Nursing Research

Fidel Taguinod, RN, PhD, MSc, CPHQ, LSSBB is an accomplished healthcare leader, researcher, and advocate with over 20 years of international experience spanning the Philippines, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He holds an M.Sc. in Applied Healthcare Management from University College Dublin (2004) and earned his Ph.D. from Technological University Dublin (2013). His autoethnographic doctoral thesis, Licensed to Care, critically examined Filipino nurse migration, diaspora, and the country’s institutionalized migration regime.

Currently, Fidel serves as Director of Clinical Governance at Danat Al Emarat Women and Children Hospital / Mubadala Health in Abu Dhabi, overseeing patient safety, risk management, and accreditation. Previously, he managed quality and risk across multiple Mubadala Health assets.

In Ireland, Fidel was the Founding President of the League of Filipino Nurses and first Chair of the Irish Nurses’ Organization’s Overseas Section. He actively fought racism and successfully campaigned alongside trade unions to repeal policies prohibiting spouses of migrant nurses from working—achieving the 2006 Metro Eireann Multicultural Award and featuring in the documentary Here To Stay.

A dedicated educator, Fidel served as Visiting Faculty for SLU’s Ph.D. Nursing Program (2016–2020), teaching philosophy and research methodologies. He continues to advance patient safety through ongoing collaborative research, delivering Participatory Action Research (PAR) workshops and quality training at major Philippine medical centers, including Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Baguio General Hospital. Fidel is an exemplary nominee for the SLUNAAI Distinguished Alumni Award in Nursing Research.

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY NURSING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL

Address: 1891 E. Goshen Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720

info@slunaai.org

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