In 2020, The partnership between The College of St. Scholastica (CSS) in Duluth, Minnesota, and Mary Johnston Hospital (MJH) in Tondo, Manila, represents a model of transcultural nursing. In a recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) this collaboration 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) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs.
The Transcultural 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.
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 since 1906.
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.
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 we step outside our comfort zones and into the lives of others, we don’t just become better nurses and therapists—we 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)
Transcultural Nursing as defined by Madeleine Leininger (a nursing theorist) is a legitimate and formal area of study, research and practice focused on culturally basis care, values and practices of a community. This is also a branch of nursing that deals with understanding and providing cultural care in diverse age group levels. It also involves comparing cultures to understand universal similarities and differences like health beliefs, health care illness and how they respond to their health condition.
