June 2025 Employee of the Month Nominees: Honoring Nurses

At Health Carousel International, we proudly recognize global healthcare professionals who embody resilience, compassion, and dedication to patient care. Each nominee this month carries a unique story of perseverance and transformation, showing us what it truly means to step beyond borders and serve with heart.

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Christie C., RN

Current State: Florida
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: ER, MS, PEDS

Christie has spent six years in the healthcare profession, building her career across ICU, Medical-Surgical, and Pediatrics before taking on her current role as an EMS nurse in Florida. Her work demands courage in the face of urgency, from responding to stroke calls and respiratory distress to administering first aid, CPR, and critical treatments during patient transport. Her hands-on expertise and adaptability allow her to provide care under pressure where every second counts.

When she reflects on her journey, Christie shares that her American dream brought her to HCI. What began as a leap of faith, reaching out to HCI with nothing to lose, became a rewarding career that continues to test her strength and endurance. Christie admits that nursing challenges her in every dimension: mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. But in those moments when patients express gratitude for her care, she finds fulfillment and validation. To her, recognition is not about accolades but about living her calling with sincerity and heart.

“Touching patients’ lives and hearing their gratitude is the most rewarding recognition of all.”

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Kathreen Niña Q., RN

Current State: Ohio
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: OB, ER, Triage, DR, Covid ward

For Kathreen Niña, the journey to the US was paved with persistence and trust. While other agencies dismissed her early inquiries, HCI patiently supported her through her plans to complete her USRN requirements. This dedication left a lasting impression and motivated her to entrust her American dream to HCI’s guidance.

Now practicing in Ohio, Kathreen Niña has learned that successful nursing is not only about technical skills but also about empathy. Her work in obstetrics, emergency care, triage, and delivery has shown her the power of listening. Sometimes patients need to feel heard as much as they need treatment.

“More than skills or knowledge, patients need someone to listen and to let them know it is okay to feel what they feel.”

She recalls that being nominated already feels like winning because it affirms her contributions at work and honors the community of colleagues who keep the workplace uplifting and light. With her favorite American comfort foods, mashed potatoes and chicken tenders, she celebrates both her growth and the joy of new experiences.

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Berly Joy A., RN

Current State: South Carolina
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: ER, LD

Berly Joy’s career has taken her into the intense environments of the Emergency Room and Labor & Delivery, where she applies a wide range of skills from stroke and pediatric care to fetal assessments and delivery assistance. Her training in two high-pressure specialties has built resilience and precision in her practice.

She explains that HCI’s dedication to guiding healthcare professionals was what inspired her to join. For Berly Joy, optimism and passion are essential to carrying the weight of long shifts and high-stakes situations. Burnout is an ever-present challenge, but she believes that joy in one’s calling sustains nurses through the toughest days.

“If you are happy with what you do, you can work tirelessly, and that joy fuels every shift.”

For her, recognition as a nominee is not just personal success. It is also a sign that she has honored her profession well, bringing justice to the care her patients deserve.

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Marie Lorraine F., RN

Current State: Texas
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MS

Marie Lorraine’s dream of becoming a US nurse was put on hold by retrogression, leading her to practice in the Middle East and the UK. But witnessing a friend succeed through HCI reignited her aspirations, and she eventually pursued her American journey with the same agency. With more than 10 years of nursing experience, she has grown into a confident oncology nurse, navigating complex cases while providing holistic care and education to her patients.

Her move to Texas required resilience and openness to change. Learning Spanish, adapting to new cultural norms, and embracing a different healthcare system tested her adaptability. Yet, she views these challenges as growth opportunities.

“Perseverance, humility, and positivity form the foundation of a strong nursing career.”

Her pediatric oncology patients inspire her every day, and she describes them as “young warriors” bravely facing life-changing battles. For Marie Lorraine, the nomination is more than recognition. It is a symbol of perseverance and proof that dreams deferred are not dreams denied.

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Florence Jane G., RN

Current State: Maryland
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MB

Florence began her journey in the Philippines with a deep commitment to maternal care, gaining more than four years of experience as a Mother-Baby nurse. Her responsibilities have included managing high-risk conditions like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, guiding mothers through recovery, and leading teams as a Charge Nurse. Today, she applies her skills in Maryland, where her compassionate approach makes a tangible difference.

She credits HCI with helping her achieve the dream she held since 2017, inspired by stories of nurses who built fulfilling careers in the US.

“Everyone can be a nurse, but not everyone can be the compassionate nurse every patient deserves.”

Florence believes compassion is the defining quality of excellent nursing. For her, recognition means knowing her work matters, that she has touched lives while transforming her own journey from a small-town dreamer to a professional thriving in the US.

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Joanna Corrine P., RN

Current State: Iowa
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: ER

Joanna’s nursing path has taken her across continents, from the Philippines to the United Kingdom, and now the US. With four years of ER experience, she is equipped to handle critical cases like strokes and trauma while also bringing compassion to patients in moments of crisis. Her experience as a Charge Nurse has further strengthened her leadership and adaptability.

She explains that HCI made her dream possible when she graduated in 2017 and longed for a career in America. Now based in Iowa, she admits that humility is her most important lesson, recognizing that even seasoned nurses must be willing to relearn and adapt in a new healthcare system.

“The most important lesson is knowing that I do not know everything. Humility allows growth.”

Joanna views her nomination as a tribute not only to her own hard work but also to every international nurse who takes the leap toward a brighter future.

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Jeleen J., RN

Current State: Indiana
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MS, ICU

With more than two years of experience in Medical-Surgical and Critical Care units, Jeleen has built a reputation as a compassionate and dedicated nurse. She has served as both a Charge Nurse and a Nurse Preceptor, mentoring others while continuing her own growth. Currently working in an ICU in Indiana, she exemplifies resilience and adaptability.

She first met HCI during her college career fair, drawn in by their openness and encouragement. Jeleen shares that adaptation is less about convenience and more about survival. It requires self-sufficiency, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the culture of the community she serves.

“Adaptation is not just a skill. It is survival, and it shapes who we become as nurses.”

For her, recognition as a nominee is more than an accolade. It is a meaningful acknowledgment of her pride in her profession and the care she provides every day.

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Honoring Our Nominees

Every nominee in June demonstrates the perseverance, empathy, and professionalism that define international healthcare. Their stories are reminders of the sacrifices and triumphs that shape this calling. At HCI, we celebrate their journeys and remain dedicated to supporting their continued growth in the US healthcare system.