Fellow Nurses Africa News Desk || Lagos Nigeria || May 26th 2025.
Ghana’s Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti Wins $250,000 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025 for Cancer Care Excellence
In a moment of pride for Ghana and the global nursing community, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. The prestigious award, organized by Aster DM Healthcare, a leading healthcare provider in the GCC and India, comes with a $250,000 cash prize and celebrates nurses who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to healthcare. Selected from over 100,000 nominations across 199 countries, Naomi was honored at a grand ceremony in Dubai on May 26, 2025, for her transformative impact on cancer care in Africa.
A Trailblazer in Oncology Nursing
With a remarkable 23-year career, Naomi, who also serves as Head of Nursing at Ghana’s National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, has redefined oncology care in her home country and beyond. She pioneered specialist oncology training in Ghana, mentoring over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses. In 2015, she played a pivotal role in developing Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum, setting a benchmark for nursing education. Her influence extends globally as a member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), a co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology Grant, and a global faculty member for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses.
Naomi’s dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including the Ghana Ministry of Health Excellence Award and the Dr. Dorcia Kisseh International Award. Her emotional acceptance speech, captured in a video shared by Graphic Online, resonated with audiences worldwide, showcasing her humility and passion for improving lives through healthcare.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award: A Beacon for Nursing Excellence
Founded in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award aims to recognize nurses as the backbone of healthcare. The award evaluates nominees across five critical areas: patient care, nursing leadership, nursing education, social or community service, and research or innovation. The 2025 selection process, overseen by Ernst & Young LLP, involved a distinguished panel of jurors, including Prof. Sheila Tlou, co-chair of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition, and Dr. Peter Carter, former Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing. The process culminated in public voting and interviews, ensuring a fair and transparent selection.
Celebrating the 2025 Finalists
The 2025 award saw a record-breaking 100,000+ nominations, with 10 finalists showcasing global nursing excellence:
- Catherine Maree Holliday (Switzerland): Developed the PEEK protocol, creating a vast patient experience data repository and a telehealth model for underserved communities.
- Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho (UAE): A Filipino nurse focused on pediatric cancer research and upskilling nurses in diverse care settings.
- Vibha Salaliya (India): Empowered 3,000+ mental health patients in Gujarat through a peer support model, reducing hospital stays and fostering economic independence.
- Khadija Mohamed Juma (Kenya): Represented African healthcare excellence alongside Naomi, recognized for her innovative contributions.
- Other finalists included Edith Namba (Papua New Guinea), Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre (Hong Kong SAR), Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga (USA), Maheswari Jaganathan (Malaysia), and Dr. Sukhpal Kaur (India), each celebrated for their leadership and impact.
Naomi’s win, alongside Khadija Mohamed Juma’s recognition, marks a significant moment for African healthcare, highlighting the continent’s growing influence on the global stage.
A Legacy of Impact
Previous winners of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award include Anna Qabale Duba (Kenya, 2022), who built a school to promote education; Margaret Helen Shepherd (UK, 2023), a leader in genetic diabetes care; and Maria Victoria Juan (Philippines, 2024), who championed community health initiatives. Naomi’s victory continues this legacy, inspiring nurses worldwide to push boundaries in healthcare.
The 2025 ceremony was described as a “turning point in nursing history,” underscoring the award’s role in elevating the profession. Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti’s triumph is a testament to the power of dedication, innovation, and compassion in transforming lives.
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