On the occasion of
National Nurses Month, we continue our series highlighting the work that nurses do at Saint Therese, with a look at two sisters who’ve called
Saint Therese of New Hope home for more than 16 years.
Glenda Baviera, RN, and Jodina Ramos, RN, (left to right, respectively), the last two kids born in a family of fourteen children, moved to the United States in 1995 from the Philippines to take nursing positions at Saint Therese of New Hope.
Residents in our Care Center have been the very fortunate recipients of their care, which is likely rooted in their Filipino culture.
Among other things, the Filipino culture instills in its people a respect for elders, a pride in their families, and a belief in helping one another, without expecting anything in return. All essential qualities for any nurse.
“We take care of our patients like our own,” said Glenda, house supervisor in the Care Center. “I believe nursing was my calling. To me it ties my passion to compassion. I love being kind and helping people which is why I love working as a nurse.”
The younger sister, Jodina, said going into nursing school all started by obeying what her mom asked of her, to choose this profession. “In our culture we always obey our parents, which I did, and this turned out to be a great blessing to me. Nursing is a beautiful profession dedicated to service and taking good care of human beings. It’s very rewarding as you give TLC to your patients.”
Both were nurses in the Philippines before they were recruited by Saint Therese, and Glenda said while she worked in a hospital and in a missionary, her 27 years in a nursing home cemented her desire to work with the elderly.
Glenda has also received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, and it has helped her apply creativity, strategy and teamwork to her position.
In the end, though, the role is about caring for the residents.
“Always give the residents your best, the best quality care, and treat them like your own family, like the way you want to be treated one day,” added Jodina. “That’s my principle about being a nurse.”
Perhaps no one appreciates that ethos more than Christine DeLander, executive director and campus administrator at Saint Therese of New Hope, who like everyone in the industry, faces a
shortage of healthcare workers.
“In the past two years, we have truly realized how important nurses are, as they helped us navigate through COVID with such poise and expertise. Our nurses know no bounds when it comes to assisting residents during staff shortages,” DeLander said. “We couldn’t fulfill our mission without our nurses, they are our backbone and a blessing, and we thank God for each one of them for the lives they enrich at Saint Therese.”
