February 2025 Employee of the Month Nominees: Celebrating Courage, Growth, and Global Impact

At Health Carousel International (HCI), we celebrate more than clinical excellence: we celebrate the courage, adaptability, and leadership that define the journeys of internationally educated healthcare professionals.

For February 2025, we proudly recognize four outstanding Employee of the Month nominees: Clarissa O., Mary Hazel A., Harriet B., and Hanelett T.

Each of these nurses exemplifies the spirit of our mission: empowering healthcare professionals to achieve personal and professional success while elevating patient care across the United States.

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Clarissa O.

Current State: Oregon
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: NICU

Clarissa’s journey to the United States began with uncertainty, but never without support. With HCI and the PassportUSA program behind her, she transitioned confidently into her new life and career.

“HCI helped me in so many ways to pursue my American dream,” she shares.

Clarissa embraced the cultural shift, adapted to new clinical protocols, and found strength in collaboration. She speaks openly about learning to communicate more effectively and turning her accent into a tool for connection.

“I know that I’m appreciated by my team. It’s a motivation to continue giving quality care.”

For Clarissa, growth isn’t just about adjusting to a new country. It’s about becoming the kind of nurse who uplifts everyone around her.

Mary Hazel A.

Current State: North Carolina
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MS, PEDS

From her earliest interactions with HCI, Mary Hazel felt seen and supported.

“They were there all the time, supporting and caring for me,” she recalls.

That deep sense of care shaped her perspective in the US, where every new experience is viewed through a lens of gratitude. She speaks of blessings, mentors, and a commitment to paying it forward through her work as a nurse.

For Mary Hazel, this recognition is a shared celebration: of the support that helped her rise and the opportunities that continue to inspire her journey.

Harriet B.

Current State: Georgia
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: ICU, ER, MS

Harriet’s journey began with a friend’s recommendation, and a hopeful heart. Since joining HCI, she has approached every challenge with resilience and optimism.

“In every struggle, we need to learn and move forward,” she says.

To Harriet, positivity isn’t just personal. It’s professional. Her outlook has helped her adapt to the evolving landscape of US healthcare and serve patients with steady resolve.

Being nominated, she shares, feels like validation of the hard work, late nights, and belief in something better.

Hanelett T.

Current State: Washington
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: ENDO, MS

For Hanelett, HCI is more than a recruiter: it’s a career partner.

Her journey has been defined by transformation, personally adapting to a new culture and professionally growing through every shift and challenge. With confidence built through perseverance, she has found purpose in change.

Recognition, she shares, is not only for her but for the loved ones who supported her from afar.

Honoring the Drive Behind the Dream

Clarissa, Mary Hazel, Harriet, and Hanelett remind us that great nurses aren’t born from ease: they’re shaped by courage, guided by values, and supported by community. Their stories reflect the strength of international healthcare professionals who rise to meet every challenge with grace and purpose.