By Gabriel C. Ortigoza, PhD, RN
The first cohort of the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP) at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ celebrates a transformative journey in Philippine nursing education.
In the summer of 2023, a virtual meeting via Zoom at the University of California Davis School of Nursing marked the beginning of a transformative journey in Philippine nursing education. During the meeting, where clinical faculty introduced themselves and shared their professional experiences, I mentioned my dual roles: as a Clinical Nurse Educator at UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing since 2018 and as an Associate Professor at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ (̽»¨¾«Ñ¡) College of Nursing. Among the attendees was Dr. Charleen Singh, Director of the International Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP).
Following the meeting, Dr. Singh expressed her desire to bring IWOCNEP to the Philippines at no cost to students, a program valued at $14,000 per enrollee in California. Dr. Singh’s vision resonated deeply with me, and I offered to facilitate the collaboration between IWOCNEP and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, an accredited institution with autonomous status. This initiative also had the support of Annie Ocampo, a Filipino – American certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN) and a board member of the WOCN Society, who had advocated for this idea since 2012.
The Journey of Collaboration
A historic moment at the IWOCNEP closing Ceremony, where Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy, President of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, proudly celebrated the first-ever Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP) graduates in the Philippines
Discussions between IWOCNEP and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ began in 2023, starting with ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ College of Nursing Dean, Atty. Salex Alibogha. Virtual meetings were held with key stakeholders, including Dr. Singh, Ms. Ocampo, Atty. Alibogha, and myself. When Atty. Alibogha was later appointed as Commissioner of the Legal Education Board, Professor Melba Capaspas Sale assumed the role of Officer-in-Charge at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ College of Nursing. A fortuitous encounter at a ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Nursing Alumni reunion in Las Vegas in September 2023 allowed me to continue advocating for the program with Prof. Sale and Atty. Alibogha.
Meanwhile, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ underwent a leadership transition, culminating in the appointment of Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy as the 18th President of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡. A native of Antique and a long-time Houston resident, Dr. Dagohoy embraced the vision of IWOCNEP. Through the help of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ alumni like Helga Moscoso Sanchez, I established a direct line of communication with him, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ and IWOCNEP in April 2024.
Recruitment and Program Implementation
Building bridges in healthcare education: The Day 1 courtesy call to University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy sets the tone for a groundbreaking collaboration with IWOCNEP.
The program aimed to enroll 30 registered nurses (RNs), initially targeting ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ graduate students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) program however it did. It pushed through. Recruitment was redirected to clinical instructors (CIs) from ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ College of Nursing, Iloilo Mission Hospital, Filamer Christian University, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). By August 2024, a total of 43 RNs had enrolled, including military and civilian nurses from the AFP.
If we calculate the cost for 43 registered nurses at $14,000 each, the total amounts to $602,000, which is equivalent to ₱34,314,000 at an exchange rate of $1 to ₱57. This is the worth of education donated by IWOCNEP to the Philippines.
The didactic component began in August 2024, conducted online every Friday evening (California time) or Saturday morning (Philippine time) via Zoom. Lectures were recorded to provide flexibility for students. The clinical component, held from December 9-20, 2024, required students to work onsite in Iloilo, rotating between Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH), Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH), and Healthway QualiMed Hospital.
Transforming Patient Care
ÌýAhead of the clinical phase, letters seeking approval were sent to hospital administrators, all of which were warmly received. Students were divided into three groups and conducted patient assessments, wound management, and dressing applications using advanced materials brought from the United States. The results were remarkable, with significant wound healing observed within days.
One standout moment occurred at IPH, where Dr. Villanueva, a physician and the Vice Mayor of Dingle, lauded IWOCNEP’s free services for her patient with severe pressure injuries. The treatment, which would have cost approximately ₱4,000 per dressing set, was provided at no charge. The gratitude expressed by patients, their families, and even medical professionals underscored the program’s profound impact.
A Historic Milestone
The IWOCNEP culminates on December 19, 2024, with the graduation of its first cohort. The ceremony, will be held at the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ College of Nursing building, marks a historic milestone as the first-ever Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program in the Philippines. Graduates will proudly carry the title WOCN, symbolizing their specialized expertise and commitment to advancing wound care in the nation.
This collaboration between IWOCNEP and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ signifies a new chapter in Filipino nursing, bridging international best practices with local healthcare needs. It stands as a testament to the power of global partnerships in transforming lives and improving healthcare outcomes.
Congratulations to the pioneering graduates of IWOCNEP! May your journey inspire others to follow in your footsteps and elevate the standard of care for patients in need.