Guard the Line: The Impact of the Critical Care Complex at Mary Johnston Hospital

For 120 years, Mary Johnston Hospital (MJH) has stood as a cornerstone of healthcare in Tondo, Manila, evolving from a modest clinic into a modern beacon of holistic healing. In May 2025, MJH marked a historic milestone in clinical excellence and innovation with the launch of its Critical Care Complex (CCC)—a vital project realized through a powerful partnership with the Jemary Gracious Foundation Inc.

By doubling its Intensive Care Unit capacity from four beds to eight, the CCC delivers high-precision, round-the-clock monitoring and specialized management for Medical, Surgical, Pediatrics, and OB-GYN patients across their entire lifespan. To date, this upgraded unit has already served over 300 critically ill patients.

Precision Technology Meets Compassionate Care

The Critical Care Complex is built to handle complex, life-threatening clinical scenarios—such as cardiac arrest, acute respiratory distress, and high-risk postoperative complications. It is fully equipped with advanced, life-sustaining technology, including: Mechanical ventilators, Real-time cardiac telemetry, and Advanced intensive care monitoring systems.

An Educational Pillar and Enduring Mission

Beyond its immediate life-saving capabilities, the CCC serves as a crucial training ground. It sharpens the skills of resident physicians, staff nurses, preceptors, nursing students, and other medical allied students, preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders for the realities of critical care.

In alignment with its core mission of ‘Healing Together,’ Mary Johnston Hospital is committed to expanding its facilities to better serve our patients and support our healthcare teams.

The Therapeutic Atmosphere

In 2016, Mary Johnston Hospital through the leadership of Dr. Glenn Paraso launched a project called Project 111. This is in line with the celebration of the Hospital’s 111^th Anniversary. The project’s vision of “One Room, One Church, One Hospital” is a beautiful approach to bringing together the hospital, the community, and faith in a shared mission of care and healing. It is a holistic model, showing that healthcare extends beyond just the physical treatment of illness; it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and community support as well. By upgrading the healing spaces, Project 111 has served to foster more meaningful and compassionate interactions between patients, staff, and families. A healing space is not just a room; it’s an atmosphere that contributes to a person’s overall well-being, which is especially important in a hospital setting. By making the spaces more comfortable, calming, and welcoming, patients will not only receive top-notch medical care but will also feel supported in a more profound way during their healing journey.

Dr. Gina Diaz together with her husband Dr. Josefino Diaz taking the role as Health Partners to help rebuild room 336 demonstrates their deep commitment to generosity, compassion and giving back to Mary Johnston Hospital. Dr. Gina, with her background in nursing, understands the importance of recovery while Dr. Josefino, with his background in Medicine, likely appreciates how a healing environment can improve patient outcomes, reduce stress, and promote overall wellness.

Last March 18, 2025, Dr. Gina Diaz paid a visit to a patient admitted at the Healing Space called “Kamayadan Suite” which means Health and Wellness in Ilonggo. As this patient faces the challenges of Stage 2 breast cancer and the recovery from a mastectomy, the presence of the Health Partner encouraged and boosted the emotional aspect of the patient.

Patient E. B. was grateful to Mary Johnston Hospital as the institution provided what she needed. On the other hand, the visit of Dr. Diaz embodied the sense of appreciation and encouragement as their conversation went through. According to the patient, the combination of spiritual empowerment nurtures her emotional and spiritual needs offering hope, comfort and recovery. Incorporating meaningful Bible verses in the healing space can serve as a source of encouragement and peace, particularly for patients facing challenging circumstances, like cancer.

Additionally, the patient and relative reflected that the physical comfort of the space—perhaps with soft lighting, comfortable seating, peaceful decoration, and nature-inspired elements—combined with the spiritual nurturing provided by these verses, creates a holistic healing experience. It can truly have a profound impact on the patient’s sense of well-being, promoting a sense of peace towards the healing process.

Bridge of Healing: Strengthening Global Healthcare Ties between Mary Johnston Hospital and College of St. Scholastica

In 2020, The partnership between The College of St. Scholastica (CSS) in Duluth, Minnesota, and Mary Johnston Hospital (MJH) in Tondo, Manila, represents collaboration of two respected institution in health care. In a recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), this partnership recently covered the entire school of health professions thus, expanding inter professional collaboration, bringing together students from among the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Post Baccalaureate Nursing (PBN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.

The Capstone Experience

For CSS students, the “Philippines Capstone” is more than a rotation; it demonstrates social responsibility and advocacy, while serving as a deep understanding of cultural awareness, and health care culture practices. Exposure to these diverse environments transforms theoretical concepts into practical wisdom, preparing students to lead with cultural awareness and professional integrity. They have also invaluable opportunity to transcend traditional clinical boundaries and analyze healthcare delivery through an international framework.

Nursing students rotated through the various nursing units, including the recently opened Pediatric Oncology Ward, one of the first in a private mission hospital, while the Physical Therapy (PT) students were deployed to the PT clinic of the hospital which has a history known for serving the communities of Tondo, Manila. On the other hand, DNP Students had the opportunity to immerse along with Medical Residents and Interns to gain a transformative cultural perspective that empowers them to provide inclusive, confident care to patients across a wide perspective of diverse experiences.

A significant recent development is the integration of DPT students alongside BSN students. This allows a collaborative approach to patient care, where nursing and physical therapy students develop responsible and meaningful transcultural health care practice in patients, reflecting the “Wesleyan Health System” philosophy of Mary Johnston Hospital: a holistic approach to body, mind, and spirit.

“I have been able to better understand how culture and healthcare systems influence the way care is delivered and experienced by patients. It provided insight on the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability in providing effective and respectful healthcare.” –Carissa (CSS DPT Student)

Beyond the hospital walls, students were engaged in community outreach in a nearby Barangay in Tondo and a Non-Government Organization by a Private Individual who happened to be a retired nurse as a way of giving back in the Community in Pampanga, running their own free clinic for the Aeta Community, experiencing “Healing Together” by participating in public health initiatives.

“My biggest takeaway from my time in the Philippines is how powerful service can be when people commit themselves to serving others. I saw firsthand how it strengthens patient care, uplift the community, and teaches everyone involved the value of serving along the way.” –Megan (CSS DNP Student)

As the 2026 Philippine Capstone concluded, the bridge between Duluth and Tondo stood stronger than ever. This inter-professional journey serves as a reminder that when they step outside of their comfort zones and into the lives of others, they don’t just become better nurses, nurse practitioners and therapists—they become better future health care providers.

“After getting to experience the Philippines these past few weeks I have learned so much. My main takeaway is how much community can mean, not only for the patients, but me as a nurse.” –Piper (CSS BSN Student)

Renewed Partnership Between Mary Johnston Hospital and Manila Cathedral School

A post-pandemic partnership resumption between Mary Johnston Hospital and Manila Cathedral School took place last February 10, 2025. Being a Work Immersion Program of Senior High Students taking up the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Strand), it focuses on building academic excellence and health care education among students.

This promises to be a window of learning toward potential allied health courses. Students will have hands-on experience in a hospital setting, being exposed to the Nursing Wards, Pharmacy Unit, Physical Rehabilitation Unit, Laboratory Department and Radiology Unit of our health facility.This will give them a bird’s eye view of possible career paths, focusing on health care and medical science fields.

It is worthy to note that this work immersion program collaboration has produced graduates like Nilo Palajos, Julianna Dela Fuente, and Reign Dineros, who are registered nurses and are now part of the health force at our facility.

In an interview, Reign Dineros (Pediatrics Ward Staff Nurse) shared her insights about the work immersion. “My experience was fulfilling because we have rotated in different areas of the hospital, after which, we were able to share our takeaways in our post- conference evaluation”. Additionally, she gladly shared the benefit of the work immersion. “I saw how nursing works and revolves with passion, dedication and excellence. The lesson I learned during our work immersion helped me to pursue Nursing. Finally, I passed the board exam, got hired and became part of the Nursing Service Department”.