Of over 400 nominations received, Dr. Emelyn A. Roux and Red Cloud Decaleng Capuyan, graduates of Saint Louis University (SLU) and of Igorot descent, emerged victorious as they were among the awardees of the 2023 Top Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East.
Aimed at recognizing the achievements of outstanding Filipino Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East and providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the healthcare industry, the 2023 Top Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East screened hundreds of nominations. Nominees were judged according to their career excellence, leadership in their respective fields, innovative contributions to enhancing the quality of care, and dedication to their profession.
Dr. Emelyn A. Roux: An Outstanding Aviation Doctor
Dr. Roux, from Sabangan, Mountain Province, is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, who began her journey in Aviation Medicine over 15 years ago, driven by a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. After graduating from the School of Medicine in Saint Louis University, Baguio City, she pursued her dreams in the UAE.
Overcoming obstacles and earning the Australian certificate of civil aviation medicine in Melbourne, she fulfilled her role as an airline doctor and aviation medical examiner, ensuring the fitness of pilots and cabin crew for safe duty performance. As a dedicated Medical Review Officer (MRO), Dr. Roux’s passion for continuous learning propelled her to attain a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine (PGDipOccMed) and a Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed) from the University of Otago, New Zealand. These achievements elevated her to a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner role, involving critical evaluations for aeromedical boards.
Notably, Dr. Roux played a pivotal role in examining candidates for the first UAE Astronaut Program, contributing to a historic milestone for the UAE. Additionally, she actively participates in medical missions held in Abu Dhabi as a member of the League of Filipino Healthcare Professionals (LFHP-UAE).
In realizing dreams, Dr. Roux has always lived by the words of Doe Zantamata: “It starts with a dream. Add faith and it becomes a belief. Add action and it becomes part of your life. Add perseverance and it becomes a goal in sight. Add patience and time, and it ends with a dream come true.” (Source: The Flipino Times)
Red Cloud Decaleng Capuyan: An Exemplary Nurse
On the other hand, Capuyan, from Sagada-Besao Mountain Province, is an experienced Quality and Training Officer in the healthcare industry. He demonstrated expertise in Patient Safety Training, Quality Healthcare Management, Infection Control, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Capuyan is a graduate of Saint Louis University (School of Nursing) in Baguio City. He thereafter attained his Postgraduate Education in International Inter-Professional Wound Care from Dalla Lana, School of Public, University of Toronto, Canada; and Diploma in Infection Control from Health Sciences and Safety Institute Notting Hill College, United Kingdom.
Capuyan’s dedication to serving others extends beyond his leadership roles. As the Founding President of the Philippine Nurses Association – UAE Chapter, he is known for his compassion, empathy, and willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. His selflessness and genuine concern for the well-being of others have earned him the respect and admiration of the community. In June 2021, he was chosen to be one of the nurses who went to Kurdistan Iraq in coordination with the Emirates Red Crescent to support the UAE government in giving COVID-19 Vaccination among the refugees.
Further, Capuyan is a recipient of various prestigious awards including the Clinical Excellence Award in Nursing Profession, Asia’s Golden Icon Awardee, The Filipino Times – Top 3 Finalist for 2019 Healthcare Professional of the Year and acknowledged as one of the 100 UAE Frontline Lockdown Heroes under the Patronage of His Highness Sheik Hamdan Bin Khalifa Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. In 2020, he was featured in “A River of Tears in the Valley of Triumph – 100 Influential Filipinos in the Gulf” by Ulysses V. Espartero.
The awarding of the 2023 Top Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East was held last 23 September 2023 at Bristol Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates with His Excellency Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, conferring the awards. Other personalities who graced the event were Hon. Renato Duenas Jr., Philippine Consul General in Dubai and Northern Emirates; Dr. Abdulla Hamed Kazim, Section Head of Healthcare Professional Licensing, Department of Health Abu Dhabi; and Dr. Karen Remo, CEO & Founder of New Perspective Media Group, and Publisher of The Filipino Times.
