May 2025 Employee of the Month Nominees: Honoring Nurses

At Health Carousel International, we are proud to recognize the courageous and compassionate healthcare professionals who bring healing and hope to patients across the US. This month’s Employee of the Month nominees reflect what it means to step beyond borders, grow through adversity, and lead with heart. Read on as we celebrate the journeys of these inspiring clinicians.

Rica N., RN

Current State: Maine
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MS, ER

Originally from the Philippines, Rica stepped into her US nursing career with a bold vision: to grow personally and professionally through global service. Drawn to HCI's commitment to ethical recruitment and innovation, Rica embraced every challenge of transitioning to a fast-paced healthcare system.

“Adapting didn’t just mean adjusting to new protocols,” she reflects. “It meant learning to embrace challenges and collaborate across cultures.”

Now based in Maine, Rica is not only thriving but is becoming the nurse, advocate, and human being she always aspired to be.

‍

Arcelle B., RN

Current State: Ohio
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: PICU

Arcelle, BSN, with 4 years of nursing experience in the Pediatric ICU unit, performs Charge Nurse roles in a 600-bed capacity hospital in the Philippines. She has good communication skills and always displays a positive attitude toward work. She is very eager to further her career in the US.

Arcelle’s journey from the Philippines to Ohio began after passing the NCLEX, when HCI stood out for its transparency and consistent support. Resilience became her daily mantra as she adapted to new cultural norms and cutting-edge technology. “Taking care of people whose culture is far from mine has been the biggest challenge,” she shares.

“But I’ve learned to adapt while still honoring my values as a Filipino nurse.”

Arcelle now brings creativity and compassion to her patients, often served with a side of her favorite food: a classic American hamburger.

‍

Gretchel A., RN

Current State: North Dakota
Country of Origin: Philippines
Specialty: MS

Gretchel, BSN, worked in the General Inpatients unit of a 372-bed capacity hospital in the Philippines. She is a fast learner and has good interpersonal skills.

Signing with HCI at just 24, Gretchel realized her American Dream early in her career. Her arrival in North Dakota introduced her to diverse languages, backgrounds, and attitudes. Through it all, she found that communication and strong relationships are the keys to success. “Every day is a lesson,” she says. Guided by her IES, her "one-call friend," she’s grown into a trusted nurse, always seeking ways to build connection and compassion across cultures.

‍

Mary Anne A., RN

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

Mary Anne, BSN, has over a year of experience in the Male Medical ward specializing in Medical-Surgical cases in a 425-bed capacity tertiary hospital in the Philippines. She has Charge Nurse responsibilities in her role and has secured her BLS, ACLS, and IV Therapy certifications. She is an eager learner and looks forward to working in a facility in the US.

Mary Anne’s lifelong dream of becoming a nurse took her from the Philippines to the UK, and now, Georgia. Watching classmates thrive in the US through HCI inspired her to join the program, and it changed her life. With newfound confidence in a Clinical Team Leader role, Mary Anne says, “I discovered a new side of me that I am quite surprised and very pleased with.”

Her advice to others: stay strong, keep the faith, and hang on to the good days that make you love nursing again and again.

‍

Milaneth T., RN

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

Milaneth, BSN, has over 16 years of clinical experience, including 12 years in Critical Care. She is a Charge Nurse and Nurse Preceptor with an active NRP certification.

Milaneth was drawn to HCI not just for a job, but for a career rooted in mentorship and growth. The transition to the US came with cultural and clinical challenges, yet she remained anchored in her Filipino values of humility and resilience. Working in the NICU, Milaneth learned that every detail matters, and that advocacy and assertiveness are key to making a difference.

“Winning would be more than an award—it would be a symbol of my journey and purpose,” she shares.

‍

Nadia P., RN

Current State: Oregon
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Specialty: ER, ICU, MS

Nadia, BSN, has a total of 9 years of nursing experience. She currently works in the ER and also has experience in MS and Critical Care units. Nadia has excellent communication skills, is passionate about nursing, and has Nurse Preceptor experience. She recently passed the NCLEX exam.

Born in New Zealand and now practicing in Oregon, Nadia praises HCI for its transparency and steady communication during the transition. Over nearly five years, she’s discovered the universality of kindness in healthcare:

“Being kind and compassionate is appreciated in all cultures.”

From stressful shifts to quiet victories, Nadia’s journey reminds us that international nurses bring unique strength to every bedside.

‍

Christy M., PT

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

Christy started her American journey through a friend’s referral and leaned on HCI every step of the way—from paperwork to deployment. Now working in Texas, she adapts daily to the US healthcare system while staying grounded in professionalism and a love for learning. Her hard work is rooted in pride:

“I want to give a good reputation as a candidate from HCI,”

she says, reflecting the shared mission of our global community.

A graduate of the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program, Christy has one year of hospital experience, handling patients with cardiopulmonary diseases as well as musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and pediatric cases such as meningitis, Down’s syndrome, cervical spondylosis, fracture, post-amputation, and CVA. She is open to any state and setting.

Empowering the Global Healthcare Workforce

At HCI, we celebrate the extraordinary journeys of our clinicians because we know that each path is a story of purpose, perseverance, and transformation. Through our Clinical Career Coaching, Clinical Ladder, flexible career paths, and strong support systems like International Employee Supervisors (IES) and the Clinical Team, we remain committed to helping international healthcare professionals not only succeed but thrive.