Maria Victoria Juan of the Philippines receives the 2024 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. ARCHIVE.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for nurses. The $250,000 (Dh900,000) prize is open to registered nurses worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to patient care, leadership, education, research, or community service. Applicants may select one primary and up to two secondary areas of contribution to showcase the breadth of their impact. Submissions can be made via www.asterguardians.com in multiple languages until November 10. Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, emphasized the critical role nurses play. “Their commitment, resilience, and compassion deserve far greater recognition,” he said. “The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was born from a deep sense of gratitude – to honour those who stand as the backbone of care and to inspire the next generation to join this noble profession.” Since its inception, the award has drawn participation from thousands of nurses across more than 200 countries. The 2024 edition saw over 100,000 registrations, representing a 28 percent increase from the previous year. Past winners include Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti from Ghana, honored for her groundbreaking work in standardizing cancer care training, and Maria Victoria Juan from the Philippines, a military nurse who developed an evacuation system that saved countless lives in conflict zones. The award's multi-stage selection process, independently managed by Ernst & Young LLP and overseen by an international jury of healthcare leaders, will narrow down candidates to 10 finalists. The global awards ceremony is set to take place in May 2026 on International Nurses Day. ICA/Expat Media
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