Honoring Anastacia Giron-Tupas
In recognition of Filipino American History Month (FAHM), HLB honors Anastacia Giron-Tupas (1890-1972), a nursing, public health, and education leader whose work to advance the nursing profession had profound impacts on the United States and worldwide.
Giron-Tupas graduated from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) School of Nursing in 1912 and studied public health nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. During her nursing experience at the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston and other facilities across the United States, she received mentorship from Jane Delano, the founder of the American Red Cross Nursing Service. In 1917, she became the first Filipino to serve as chief nurse and superintendent of the PGH School of Nursing, reflecting her ability to foster strong relationships and collaboration across cultures. She later co-established and served as the director of the Philippines’ first postgraduate public health nursing program at PGH.
She expanded to public policy work after joining a health care committee that helped advance the Philippines’ first law regulating the nursing profession. In 1922, she founded the Filipino Nurses Association, now the Philippine Nurses Association, which continues to support and advocate for Filipino nurses nationally and globally. She has received numerous honors for her enduring contributions, including the Anastacia Giron-Tupas Award, created in her memory to celebrate excellence in nursing.
Learn more about Anastacia Giron-Tupas here.
