The Visayas State University-College of Nursing (VSU-CoN) has once again earned national acclaim as its students secured top honors at the 14th Nursing Research Colloquium held last friday, November 15 through an online meet.
Leading the charge, a VSU team claimed the First Place award for Best Oral Research Presentation for their study titled “Motherhood from a Distance: A Phenomenological Study of Mothers Deprived of Liberty.” The research, authored by Sean Eco, Ma. Dawndree Clau Cinco, Josanne Irene Condes, Precious Joan Piquero, and Czejan Rae Tabaranza, examined the unique struggles of incarcerated mothers, capturing their emotional resilience and challenges. Mentored by Dr. Janet Alexis A. Delos Santos and Dr. France Allan Cavite, the study highlighted the often-overlooked experiences of these women, sparking discussions on the intersection of motherhood and justice.
Meanwhile, another VSU team took home the second place for their research “Improving Medication Adherence and Polypharmacy Management Among Older Adults: A Pilot Study on the TAMBAG Telehealth Application.” Led by Micole Matthew Pino and supported by team members Kyra Anne Bas, Princess Sybil Doroy, Marchael Isaac Manigque, Mary Brittany Saladaga, Tessa Isabelle Trazo, and Joshua Sy, the study demonstrated how innovative technology could help address healthcare challenges among the elderly. Their work was guided by Dr. Delos Santos and Dean Christian Vie Baldonado.
Aside from the two teams mentioned, other Viscan representatives also took part in the colloquium. One group tackled HIV prevention practices among incarcerated individuals, while another explored the barriers to adherence to tuberculosis therapy in Leyte. A third team examined how nurses integrate spiritual care into clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of holistic patient care.
For the students, the awards are more than trophies; they represent milestones in their journey as future healthcare leaders. "This experience was a reminder of the transformative power of research,” said Czejan Rae Tabaranza, lead presenter of the first-place study. "We hope our work inspires others to look deeper into the human stories behind healthcare challenges."
Organized by the Angeles University Foundation College of Nursing and the Global Society for Philippine Nurse Researchers, Inc., the event showcased groundbreaking research from nursing schools across the Philippines.