Austine Gaqui, Scarborough Health Network
I am writing to nominate Austine Gaqui, a hemodialysis nurse for Nursing Hero award 2025.
Austine’s journey to becoming a registered nurse in Canada was marked by extreme hardship and perseverance. Uprooting his young family in the Philippines in 2009, he left behind a thriving career as Registered Nurse/Police Nurse in the hopes of securing a better life for his family. In Canada, Austine’s professional achievements are marked by a significant transition from a janitorial role, a job he held for three years, to a successful nursing career. In Ontario, he faced challenges obtaining his RN registration, leading him to obtain his registration as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to support his family.
In 2012, his perseverance paid off when he was offered part-time employment as RPN in the nephrology department at Scarborough Health Network (SHN). Later, his dedication led to a full-time position in the hemodialysis unit and subsequent completion of a Nephrology Nursing Certificate at Humber College, which equipped him with specialized skills in a critical area of healthcare. Beyond his clinical excellence, Austine is a mentor, educator, and advocate who has precepted new nurses and students, sharing his knowledge to uplift the next generation of healthcare professionals, highlighting his leadership and mentorship capabilities. As a preceptor, Austine has consistently exhibited a high level of knowledge in hemodialysis practices, ensuring that trainees receive thorough and comprehensive instruction. His ability to effectively communicate complex concepts, provide hands-on training, and foster a supportive learning environment has been instrumental in the professional development of new staff members. His mentorship has not only enhanced the clinical competencies of his trainees but has also contributed to the overall quality of patient care.
Beyond his instructional capabilities, Austine is a strong advocate for patient safety and best practices in dialysis care. His meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established protocols ensure that patients receive optimal treatment while minimizing or preventing potential risks. His ability to troubleshoot issues, implement best practices, and educate others on safety measures has made a significant impact on the unit’s overall efficiency and quality of care. His responsibilities include on the spot vascular access assessment using non-invasive ultrasound dilution (Transonic) machine to confirm delivered flow, direct recirculation and measure access flow of arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft. Vascular access assessment is crucial for hemodialysis as it ensures proper blood flow for effective waste removal and helps identify potential problems early, preventing complications and improving patient outcomes.
Additionally, Austine exemplifies professionalism and teamwork. He collaborates effectively with interdisciplinary teams, fostering a positive work culture that enhances patient outcomes and staff morale. His leadership and willingness to support their colleagues make them an invaluable asset to the team. Over the past decade, he has been an integral part of SHN’s Hemodialysis team, demonstrating his commitment to patient care and professional development. In 2024, after more than a decade of hardship and perseverance, Austine obtained his Registered Nurse designation and now works in this capacity at SHN.
Austine’s volunteer achievements are extensive and impactful. His biggest impact is the empowerment of internationally educated nurses (IENs) to obtain nursing registration/licensure in Canada. As Chair of the Board of Directors, he co-led the founding of the Integrated Fil-Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA) in 2019. Since its founding, IFCNA has helped hundreds of IENs resume their nursing careers in Canada, enhanced their quality of life, and ultimately becoming engaged and productive citizens of Canadian society at a time of severe nursing shortage. Through his collaborative leadership style, he co-led IFCNA in delivering professional development opportunities to IENs to help them transition their nursing knowledge and skills within the Canadian context by providing free mentorship to IENs. In 2024, during the celebration of National Nurses Week, the IFCNA in collaboration with University Health Network (UHN) conducted free nursing skills training which includes Physical Assessment, Fall Prevention and Infection Control, Medication Administration, Concept Mapping, IV Therapy and CVAD Care, Airway, Drains and Tubes and Basic Critical Care Nursing.
His recently forged a memorandum of agreement for clinical enhancement program with the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), one of the Philippines’ biggest publicly funded tertiary medical centres, to provide placement for IENs, and meet nursing registration requirements in Ontario. The clinical enhancement program aims to provide IENs, who have not practised for more than five years, with quality clinical exposure to meet the requirements for licensure in the province of Ontario. At the end of the structured supervised practice, nurses who successfully complete the program with satisfactory performance will receive a certificate of training, which can be used as supporting evidence for nursing licensure and safe practice requirements in Canada.
Moreover, he has been a dedicated volunteer providing medical support under the leadership of IFCNA at the summer festival called Fun Philippines Food and Music Festival. His background in the nursing field, coupled with his ability to stay calm and effective under pressure, makes him an outstanding Volunteer Medic. Austine has consistently demonstrated his quick-thinking ability to address both minor and major health concerns, ensuring the safety and well-being of all attendees of over 250,000. His clinical judgment is sharp, and his compassionate approach is always evident in the way he interacts with patients. He has displayed leadership qualities through mentoring new volunteers, ensuring that they are properly trained and feel confident in handling various situations. Austine is also known for advocacy on environmental sustainability and community services, through volunteering to tree planting, clean up drive, and blood donation campaign.
Austine has received numerous awards, honors, and citations in recognition of his countless contributions to nursing and community service. Notable accolades include the 2014 Toronto Star Florence Nightingale Award, and in 2023, he was honored with the Certificate of Appreciation from SHN in recognition of his valuable contributions and commitment to supporting the learning of others and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Award for his outstanding service to the community particularly in the field of healthcare. His leadership in the IFCNA earned the organization an honorable mention from the City of Toronto, culminating in the Toronto Community Champions Award in 2023 for their contributions during the pandemic. Most recently, on March 12, 2025, he has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his advocacy for health service workers, marking a significant recognition of his commitment to the nursing profession and community welfare.
To conclude, I strongly recommend Austine for his exemplary contributions as a great mentor, community leader and a strong advocate for internationally educated nurses.
