Bicolana Nurse Dinah Sevilla Calls on Global Filipinos to Support Her Bid for Prestigious Nursing Award

Filipina nurse Dinah Sevilla is appealing to Filipinos worldwide to rally behind her as she competes for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for nursing professionals.

Sevilla, who serves as Head Nurse for Peritoneal Dialysis at King Saud University Medical City – King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is among the award’s Top 10 finalists.

She was selected from more than 134,000 registrations representing 214 countries and economies, marking the highest participation recorded in the award’s five-year history. The eventual winner will receive USD 250,000.

Carrying the Filipino Nursing Story

For Sevilla, the recognition goes beyond an individual achievement. It represents the countless Filipino nurses who leave their homes and families to care for patients in different parts of the world.

“Behind this journey is not only one nurse. It is the story of many Filipino nurses who leave their families and homeland to serve, to care, and to make a difference wherever life takes them,” she said.

A proud native of Iriga City, Bicol, Sevilla has worked in Saudi Arabia since 2011. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated how compassionate leadership, clinical excellence, and teamwork can create better outcomes for patients.

Under her leadership, the unit achieved a peritonitis infection rate of only 0.07%, significantly lower than the global benchmark of 0.40%. It also recorded zero incidents involving medication errors, patient falls, and catheter-related complications.

Her contributions earned her the Nursing Excellence Award in 2025.

Improving Care Beyond Language Barriers

Sevilla and her team have also introduced practical solutions to make home-based peritoneal dialysis easier and safer for patients.

Working with healthcare company Baxter, they developed pictorial guides and demonstration videos to help patients understand their treatment despite language differences. The unit also provides 24-hour staff coverage, ensuring that patients can access assistance whenever they need it.

These initiatives reflect Sevilla’s commitment to making healthcare more understandable, accessible, and patient-centred.

A Proud Filipino, Bicolana and Irigueña

As public voting reaches a crucial stage, Sevilla is asking the Filipino community to unite behind her nomination.

“I stand before you as a proud Filipino, a proud Bicolana, and a proud Irigueña, carrying with me the values, resilience, compassion, and heart that we Filipinos are known for,” she said.

She reminded supporters that even a single vote can help amplify the collective voice of Filipinos around the world.

“One vote may seem small, but when thousands of hearts come together, one vote can become a powerful voice,” Sevilla added.

Winner to Be Announced in New Delhi

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is an initiative of Aster DM Healthcare, with Ernst & Young LLP serving as independent process advisors.

The finalists underwent a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process, including eligibility screening, expert panel assessment, and Grand Jury review.

The winner will be announced during a gala ceremony in New Delhi, India, on September 12, 2026.

Filipinos and supporters of the global nursing community are encouraged to vote for Sevilla and share the voting link with their families, friends, and colleagues.

Vote for Dinah Sevilla here:
https://apply.asterguardians.com/voting