International Nurse Awardees
2018 International Nurse Awardee
Marlon Garzo Saria, PhD, RN, AOCNS, FAAN
University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum
The University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum’s Committee on Awards, Citations, and Scholarships and its Board of Directors are proud to announce the unanimous selection of Dr. Marlon Garzo Saria as the UPINHF 2018 International Nurse Award recipient. Dr. Saria will be the “Special Guest Speaker” at the UPINHF’s 2018 International Forum on August 4, 2018 in New Jersey, USA. The International Nurse Award was created and instituted by the University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum to honor the UP nurses and celebrate their achievements that advance the nursing profession, improve healthcare, and provide meaningful benefits to patients, groups, communities, and ultimately all of mankind.
The justification for the award is very germane to the theme of this year’s Forum— “Collaboration: Key to Advancing Healthcare.” As described in the 2018 Educational Program, “Collaboration among various stakeholders in healthcare is critical in advancing social determinants of health that are largely responsible for outstanding disparities in health among population groups. Focusing on population health promotion through collaboration, leadership strategies in education, research and practice, experts provide exemplars of collaborative approaches to advance health of populations.”
Dr. Saria is an oncology nurse with over eighteen years of experience in multiple roles including direct patient care, professional development, program development and management, and research. He is currently the oncology clinical nurse specialist and nurse scientist for the inpatient oncology and Caritas concierge suites at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. He is an Assistant Professor of Neurosciences and Neurotherapeutics and Director of the Center for Quality Outcomes and Research at Pacific Neuroscience Institute and John Wayne Cancer Institute.
Dr. Saria received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of the Philippines and a master’s in oncology nursing from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from UCLA. His research interest is grounded on two overlapping themes- the effect of cancer- and cancer-related toxicities on patient outcomes and the impact of caregiver burden on caregiver well-being outcomes, patient health outcomes, and healthcare utilization outcomes. His vision is to provide a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to patient and family care in the oncology setting. His doctoral dissertation explored caregiver burden within the context of brain metastases and he continues to expand his research to address the lack of information on protective factors and neglect in addressing the risks experienced by caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer. His current studies seek to address the lack of a structured caregiver assessment and the underutilization of evidence-based resources and programs. He is also actively exploring the role of digital platforms to improve health outcomes.
Dr. Saria is a member of the Brain Cancer Quality of Life Collaborative and was on the team that wrote the grant proposal “Optimizing Palliative Care for Patients with Brain Cancer & Their Families” that was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute. His portfolio of active research studies include “An Exploratory Study of Caregiver Burden Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer”, “CancerLife: Patient-Driven Solution in Cancer Care”, and “Prospective Analysis of Brain Tumor Patient Symptoms Following Air-Flight”. His research studies in development include several proposals that utilize digital or electronic health applications, including digital platforms in monitoring and managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and increasing patient and family engagement in the plan of care.
Dr. Saria was selected as a Summer Intramural Research Program Fellow at the National Institutes of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health. He was appointed as a Visiting Researcher at Chiba University School of Nursing in Japan and has a current appointment as Faculty-In-Charge at the University of the Philippines Open University. He has been published in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Oncology Nursing Forum, Nursing Clinics of North America, Journal of Neurosurgery, CNS Oncology, Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, and many others. He is the editor for the Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Scenarios and Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing. He has written chapters in Your Guide to Cancer Prevention, Psychosocial Nursing Along the Cancer Continuum, Breast Cancer (Site-Specific Cancer Series), Telephone Triage, Oncology Nursing Advisor, and Clinical Guide to Antineoplastic Therapy: A Chemotherapy Handbook.
Dr. Saria is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, Philippine Nurses Association of America, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, American Nurses Association, Society for Neuro-Oncology, International Society of Nurses for Cancer Care, Reserve Officers Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the Unites States, Interallied Confederation of Medical Reserve Officers (CIOMR), American Academy of Nursing, Philippine Brain Tumor Alliance, Philippine Nursing Research Society, the NATO Grand Priory of St. Sebastian, Soldier Martyr Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, and the University of the Philippines International Nursing and Healthcare Forum. He was actively involved in the community as served on the board for the San Diego Filipino-American Humanitarian Foundation, Filipino-American Community Empowerment (Political Action Committee), San Diego Brain Tumor Foundation, and San Diego Filipino American Youth Foundation.
Dr. Saria is currently a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Nurse Corps where he serves as a flight commander for medical technicians in aerospace medical squadron, nurse credentials officer, public affairs officer, and patient flow manager. NATO Grand Priory of St. Sebastian, Soldier Martyr Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem.
He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Caring Nurses Foundation. He was also a recipient of the distinguished Pearl Moore Making A Difference Award from the Oncology Nursing Society.
Congratulations, Dr. Saria!