2018 Gold Medalist – Nursing Administration and Leadership

Emmanuel Javaluyas, MSN, RN-C, NP-C, NE-BC, Service Line Director for Pediatric and Surgical Units, Houston Methodist Hospital

After earning his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wesleyan University-Philippines in 1993, Emmanuel Javaluyas practiced for a few years in his home country, where he was exposed to less fortunate and underserved populations. Working with limited medical resources, he developed a true sense of caring and compassion, and came to understand the healing power of a genuine presence, caring hands, a listening heart, and comforting words.

To serve more Filipino children, Emmanuel was the nurse leader and coordinator of the Spina Bifida Support Group of the Philippines and supported the creation of a hemophilia center to help indigent children suffering from the disease. Miles away in Houston, he continues to support these initiatives. When he visits the Philippines, he shares his knowledge by giving lectures to nurses and nursing students.

A nurse for 25 years, 19 of which have been in service to Houston Methodist Hospital, Emmanuel found his inspiration growing up in a family of medical practitioners. “I looked up to them and was motivated to work in a profession of service,” he says. “Nursing offered me the opportunity to learn in the classroom and practice what I’d learned in the clinical setting. In nursing school, you’re making a difference from the very beginning, touching people’s lives while you’re still in training. It’s an opportunity and a privilege.”
In pursuit of growth, Emmanuel immigrated to the United States, adapting easily to nursing practice in his new country. Over the years he assumed leadership roles, initially as a charge nurse and then as a clinical nurse manager of a high-acuity inpatient unit at Houston Methodist Hospital. The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses has recognized his leadership and service with the Premier Recognition in the Specialty of Medical-Surgical Nursing from 2015 through 2018.

His leadership success is also evident in his passion for sharing knowledge with younger nurses. “He inspires them to be the best version of themselves by giving them opportunities to grow and become leaders at the bedside,” wrote his nominator Ayoka Badmus, MSN, RN-C “Through his years of service in the leadership role, he provides inspiration and support to staff members to pursue their education. He believes in the importance of bringing out the best in every person, especially the deep sense of caring they need to excel as nurses. His advice to new managers: ‘As a leader you must know something personal about each and every member of your team. If not, you still have a lot of work to do. To lead a caring team you have to show how much you care.’”

Emmanuel also believes in the importance of continuing to grow in the profession. “I judge my success as a leader by watching my team evolve as nurses,” he says. “I encourage them to continue their education and to get certifications. My best advice to nurses is to use modern technology to complement the human touch, not replace it. Our caring hands and hearts are the most important things of all as we help patients recover.”

Emmanuel received his master’s degree in nursing at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston in 2012 and was certified as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. He’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing practice at UTMB, with expected graduation in spring 2019.

“I hope to be able to continue to hone my leadership skills and be in a position to reach a larger population and influence the direction of our health care system,” he says. “My goal is to promote population health and inspire my team to be global leaders in nursing.”

In addition to serving Houston Methodist Hospital, Emmanuel is a primary care nurse practitioner in a clinic that provides care to the underserved population. “I chose to practice in a primary care clinic because I can focus on comprehensive care and patient education. Education can make a significant contribution to the prevention of disease in people with lower health literacy and limited resources.”
Emmanuel was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society in 2013 and the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2018. He was recognized as a 2018 Nursing Leadership Award Finalist at Houston Methodist Hospital and was named among the Houston Chronicle’s Top 150 nurses in the newspaper’s 2017 Salute to Nurses. He received the UTMB Community Service Award in 2013.

“Emmanuel is a true servant leader with the passion to serve,” wrote Badmus in his nomination. “He leads by inspiring and mentors by challenging others to create a vision and be innovative.”

“Being a nurse is a continuous learning experience,” he says. “Every day, from every patient and family encounter, I learn the value of life. Even though I’m in management now, I’m very hands-on with my patients. When I’m with them, they have me 100 percent.”