Featured Archives - Mary Johnston Hospital

Clinical Pastoral Education Sending Off: “Another Chapter Coming To an End”

At the Sending Forth Ceremony of Mary Johnston Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) trainees today, six students marked the end of an intensive summer journey, wrapping up the program for Summer 2026 with the theme “Another Chapter Coming To an End”.

Rev. Col.Daneck Dang -Awan, the graduation speaker, started his talk with a very meaningful illustration with the title: He didn’t get here alone”

He started saying, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots,” had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, “Why is that there?” Alex Haley answered, “Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think that they are wonderful, & begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post & remember that he didn’t get there on his own. He had help.”

That is the basis of thankfulness – to remember that we got here with the help of God, and that He is the provider of every blessing we have.”

Further, he instructed the graduates: “I hope that your CPE journey here has brought you to greater possibilities of acquiring knowledge, deep spiritual insight, intellectual clarity, and personal illumination.

Moreover, in becoming agents of hope in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. We need to show, sow, and give hope through our ministerial presence, our silence, and our willingness to listen, and with the ability to probe and clarify with powerful questions. Hope is now becoming a rare commodity.

With the Certified Educator- Rev. Dr.Luz B. Zemina, who gave the Vows of release to them from their duties as spiritual caregivers within the church and the community.

The group comprised five students from Union Theological Seminary in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and one local pastor from the Philippines Annual Conference, Northwest Metro Manila District. Over seven weeks, they immersed themselves in learning and growth, nurturing their minds and hearts as future spiritual caregivers.

Their experience goes beyond academics – it’s about growing empathy, compassion, and service. As they move to their respective assignments, they’ll carry the lessons and memories from MJH, serving as beacons of God’s love and grace.

The MJH community, CPE faculty, and hospital administrators join in sending off Nino M. Cezar, Sachiko Castillo, Mark Jhorence Galindo, Dave F. Martizano, Henry Mark Darrem Tierra, and Lemuel Danganan, praying they’ll be empowered to spread God’s love wherever they’re called.

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.

Kapit-Kamay: Partnership with Manila Health Department

The collaboration was finalized following a productive meeting on May 18, 2026, between the hospital’s Management Team and City Health Officer Dr. Grace H. Padilla. The meeting marks the beginning of their shared commitment to the Health Care Provider Network, which aims to strengthen city-wide coordination and prevent a potential rise in measles cases.

Continuous Quality Improvement Study and Competition

Theme: Promoting a Speak-Up Culture for Effective Communication and Safer Patient Care

In every workplace, challenges reveal opportunities to learn, grow, and improve systems. Knowing the root cause is one thing, but acting where it can truly be addressed is what drives real change.

They say facing challenges helps us see what can be improved and guides us toward solutions. When we clearly understand the root cause, the next step is taking initiative and speaking up at the level where meaningful change can happen.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a process through which the level of quality is defined, pursued, achieved and continuously improved through the establishment of formal mechanisms/systems and structure within the organization.

In a hospital, CQI ensures that every part of a patient’s visit—not just the medical treatment—runs as smoothly as possible. This approach uses data to shorten wait times during admission, ensure medical care follows the latest safety standards, and guarantee that billing and discharge are accurate and stress-free. By focusing on both clinical and administrative workflows, CQI empowers every department, from the front desk to the lab, to be faster, safer, and more helpful for the patient.

In connection with the ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) event at MJH, this activity promotes the importance of open communication among hospital staff. Through the Speak Up Challenge, employees from different departments are encouraged to work together, share ideas, and help identify areas that need improvement in the hospital.

The participants don’t just stay in their own departments, instead, in this challenge people from different areas—like medical staff, nurses, office staff, and maintenance are grouped together to form CQI Circles.

The CQI circle gives staff the opportunity to express their concerns, suggest solutions, and take part in improving hospital processes. By encouraging everyone to speak up, the hospital strengthens teamwork, improves communication, and helps ensure safer and better care for all patients.

“So then each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” – Romans 14:12

Standardizing excellence. Day 1 of our CQI journey

Activating our CQI Circles! Today, each group is diving deep into their specific areas from the wards to the billing office to identify the real-world concerns that impact our patients every day.

Can you cook the perfect egg in exactly 6 minutes?. Testing different methods to see which one delivers the safest and most efficient results within the given timeframe.

Activating our team’s potential! Because nobody understands the process better than the people doing the work, our CQI Circles

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)

Roots of Care: Growing 120 Years of Healing

Mabisang Kalusugan: Pansaling Lahi

Mabisang Kalusugan: Pansaling Lahi

A tree-planting ceremony on April 6 marked the launch of MJH’s 120th year. It symbolizes growth, renewal, and an enduring commitment to faith-centered care. The activity highlighted not only environmental stewardship but also the deeper mission of the institution—serving as a healing ministry grounded in faith.

A special heritage tree, planted by hospital leaders, serves as the centerpiece—its roots reflecting the institution’s strong foundation and its branches pointing towards continued growth. Hospital staff participated to symbolically commit to nurturing lives through compassionate care. In planting trees, the hospital plants a legacy—one that will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Celebrating 120 years of dedicated service, the initiative reaffirmed the MJH’s vision of healing that transcends the physical, embracing both community and faith.

Dr. Paraso, Executive Director; Mr. Pacifico Aniag, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Rev. Sarah Garduque, Spiritual Health Officer, were shown from left to right, with Rev. Garduque

Valuing Connections

The Greater Northwest Area (GNWA) and their Directors of Connectional Ministries (DCM) of the three conferences- Pacific Northwest (PNW) with Rev. Dave Valera, Oregon-Idaho (O-l) with Ms. Laurie Day, and Alaska with Rev. Kristie McGuire, visited at Mary Johnston Hospital at Tondo and it’s Trece Martires campus in Cavite.

As a sharing and learning experience, they were able to hear of the work, mission and ministry of health of the only United Methodist hospital in the Philippines. Established in 1906, it celebrates its 120th year of healing together with the different communities it serves.

A tour of the hospital saw them exchange their thoughts and inputs in thoughtful conversations. They were likewise our earth partners through their tree planting visit at the Trece Martires campus, an expansion site of the future health and commercial complex for further mission presence in the south.

While we have the PNW as an established initial partner, we believe that ministry opportunities and discernment for mission partnerships with the Oregon-Idaho and Alaska Conferences have sprang up due to this. Truly, ‘valuing connections’ broaden God’s kingdom building.

Blessed to give. Blessed to save.

With grateful hearts, we successfully held our first mass blood donation for the year through the sponsorship of Philippine Northwest Conference (PNW) of the United Methodist Church, Drake Philippines, and RGL Bioalliance Inc. Today, 52 compassionate individuals stepped forward and from these, 42 qualified donors were able to give, resulting in 42 life-saving bags of blood collected. This year, we plan to organize three additional mass blood donation drives, and we look forward to establishing a partnership. Through this collaboration, we aim to develop a blood bank center that will enable us to produce blood components for patient needs.

Red Flame, Be a Hero, Donate Blood: A Medical Technologist’s Perspective on Mass Blood Donation

Mass blood donation is a vital healthcare activity that supports lifesaving medical treatments, especially in hospital settings, where blood is constantly needed for emergencies, surgeries, and patient care. Mass blood donation is both inspiring and demanding. While donors are often recognized as heroes, we work behind the scenes to ensure that their generosity translates into safe and lifesaving transfusions.

Testing: The Heart of Safety

Once donated blood arrives at the hospital laboratory, we carefully verify donor information, perform ABO and Rh typing, conduct antibody screening, and test for transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. We also perform crossmatching to confirm compatibility between donor blood and the recipient. Accuracy is critical because even a small identification error can lead to serious consequences.

The Human Side of the Laboratory

Although we rarely meet the recipients, we are constantly aware that each blood bag represents a potential lifeline. Mass blood donation drives are powerful reminders that community generosity and laboratory precision work hand in hand. Donors provide the gift; we ensure that gift is safe and ready to save a life.