NEGRENSE nurse Emmanuel Garcia Paron who currently works at the Intermediate Care Unit of Sinai Hospital in Baltimore City, Maryland, United States of America since 2003 has inspired the future nurses of his Alma Mater - the Riverside College in Bacolod City during its 62nd Capping and Candle Lighting ceremonies held on August 23, 2019 at SMX Convention Center, SM North Wing Bacolod City.
He came home to Bacolod City as he served as one of the inspirational speakers in the said ceremony being an alumnus of Riverside College Bacolod City, Batch 1994 who is considered as a successful nurse abroad.
"My inspirational speech was focused on discussing about caring as the core of nursing. I told the 204 sophomore students who were candidates for capping and candle lighting ceremony, to take time to listen. Their instructors, who have nothing in their hearts but to prepare them to be world class nurses. I know, because I came from the same college that trained me to care for others by striving for excellence. Caring doesn't stop at holding your patient's hands and showing empathy. A nurse who truly cares seeks excellence, to deliver the best care for the patient,' he said.
Over the years, he has earned different certifications not to gain money out of it, but to enhance his expertise in different specialties.
"I have earned Progressive Care Certification (PCCN) by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ACCN), wound care certification, chemotherapy and biotherapy. By earning these certifications, I increased my ability to care. Like troubleshooting a wound vac machine on a homeless person, during my ostomy class, I wore a bag (colostomy bag worn by patients which collects their stool), I went out of the house with it to see and feel how the actual patients feel when somebody is looking at their bag. That way, when I am dealing with a patient under my care, I won't be judgmental and can empathize with how they feel. I have discussed the beauty of caring, which allowed me to see healing and witnessing miracles. A patient who was overdosed and was in a coma state for 3 months, fully recovered, came to thank the staff," he shared.
He closed the speech by quoting Matthew 5:15-16. "It is a reminder for all the nursing prospects to be the lamp and to let their light shine to others so that the recipient of their care will praise God the Father.
Paron was a recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses (a national award by J.Patrick Barnes Foundation) and a winner of Baltimore Magazine Top Nurses of 2019.
He is the son of the late Eduardo Paron, Sr. and Elsie Paron.
He graduated from his secondary education at Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School in La Carlota City, Batch 1990.
