BAGUIO CITY – The second to fourth-year levels of the University of the Cordilleras-College of Nursing (UC-CON) celebrated their 8th Communidad, recognizing the importance of community health nursing.
The ‘Communidad’ was established in School Year 2011-2012 to bring the community-affiliated areas and stakeholders closer to the UC-CON. This 8th Communidad activity is a comeback as it went into a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the brainchild of the current dean of UC-CON, Judith Odanee G. Magwilang, who is proud of what Communidad has become throughout the years.
According to Magwilang, the event not only celebrates unity and collaboration but also the collective pursuit of healthcare workers for innovation and progress, being the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry.
She also said that the strength of the community lies in the ability of healthcare workers to work together and support each other in pushing the boundaries to what is possible.
Ariel Nimo B. Pumecha, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, shared the same sentiment in his message.
“Nursing is more than a career. It is a calling rooted into passion, dedication, and the unwavering commitment to care for others. And I believe, it is what Communidad is all about.”
“Communidad is a celebration of a collective journey. It is an opportunity to connect, to share experiences, and inspire one another. It reminds each and every one that we are not alone in our mission”, he added.
With the theme, “Forward United: Inspiring Collective Progress Through Innovative Endeavour”, Pumecha stated that the theme captures the essence of Communidad and the ever-changing landscape of every profession.
He said that the fact cannot be denied that innovation is the way to progress and move forward.
“To make the nursing profession relevant is to embrace the change that comes with it. Innovation is not a word to be afraid of. It is something we should embrace to remain relevant.”
The UC-CON Student Council has also stressed the significance of nurses in public health. The Student Council Stated that public health nursing is a vital pillar in the health and well-being of communities. With its importance woven into the fabric of society, touching lives in profound and often unseen ways.
“The narrative of public health nursing is a story of prevention, education, and compassionate care that ripples through every corner of the community.”, the Student Council added.
Jedrek Carillo, a graduating nursing student, said that his experience during their community immersion was fulfilling and an eye-opener. He said that they are applying all the things they learned and, at the same time, helping the community.
Carillo also noted the significance of being aware to the lack of public health workers, as mentioned repeatedly by the speakers and health worker representatives from different municipalities.
Dean Magwilang reminded these future nurses that they are committed to serving the people at the grassroots level. She also emphasized public health nursing as the less traveled road in nursing.
“I hope that some of you could go to community or public health nurses to address the needs of those in the areas where healthcare services is not fully given”, she said in hopes that some of these future nurses will take this path, seeing the status of healthcare in far-flung areas during their community immersion. By Peachy Clarisse L. Tillay
