In a remarkable moment of global recognition, Nurse Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti of Ghana has been named the winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, receiving the USD 250,000 prize at a prestigious ceremony held in Dubai. The award was presented by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in the presence of healthcare leaders, policymakers, and senior executives from Aster DM Healthcare.
Naomi, an Oncology Nurse Specialist and Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, emerged victorious from a staggering pool of over 100,000 applications representing 199 countries. Her win not only marks a personal triumph but is a resounding acknowledgment of African nursing excellence on a global stage.
Launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the award has become a powerful global platform that honors nurses for their work in leadership, innovation, research, and community impact. This year, the award saw a 28% increase in participation from the previous edition—further reinforcing the growing global movement to recognize frontline heroes in healthcare.
A highlight of the evening was a congratulatory message from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who saluted the finalists and commended Aster DM Healthcare’s commitment to honoring the invaluable role of nurses in global health.
Speaking at the ceremony, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan emphasized the nobility of the nursing profession and the UAE’s dedication to empowering healthcare workers:
“The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award stands as a distinguished platform that honors one of the noblest and most impactful professions in human history—nursing… We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winner… Their recognition is a testament to the profound impact nurses have on individuals and communities across the globe.”
For Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti, the award is a catalyst for scaling her impact:
“To be honoured with the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is deeply humbling. This recognition is not mine alone – it belongs to every nurse across Ghana, Africa, and the world who leads with resilience, compassion, and courage… This award will help amplify our impact – scaling training, building faculty, and inspiring the next generation of oncology nurses across Africa.”
With more than two decades of experience, Naomi has played a transformative role in cancer care across Ghana and the continent. She has developed specialized oncology training programs in collaboration with international institutions like the Cross Cancer Institute in Canada, and under her leadership, over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses have been trained. These efforts have significantly expanded the capacity for specialized care nationwide.
Beyond Ghana, Naomi’s expertise has shaped cancer nursing education and policy across Africa. As a member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology GM Grant, she has mentored more than 48 nurses from African nations and helped shape culturally relevant global standards through her work with ASCO, ISNCC, and others.
Her accolades include the Ghana Ministry of Health Excellence Award and the Dr. Dorcia Kisseh International Award, underlining the national and international recognition of her contributions.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, described her win as a redefinition of the nursing role:
“Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti has redefined what it means to be a nurse – not just as a caregiver but as an innovator, leader, and changemaker.”
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO, echoed this sentiment:
“Naomi Ohene Oti’s story is a powerful reminder of the quiet heroism that unfolds every day in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the world.”
The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of the other nine finalists from around the globe, each of whom was recognized for their outstanding contribution to the nursing profession:
- Catherine (Kate) Maree Holliday – Switzerland
- Edith Namba – Papua New Guinea
- Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho – UAE
- Dr. Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre – Hong Kong SAR
- Dr. Jose Arnold Tariga – USA
- Khadija Mohamed Juma – Kenya
- Maheswari Jaganathan – Malaysia
- Dr. Sukhpal Kaur – India
- Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya – India
All finalists were selected through a rigorous, multi-phase process led by Ernst & Young LLP, a Screening Jury, and a Grand Jury of healthcare experts.
This year’s edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award has once again reinforced the role of nurses as the foundation of healthcare systems, highlighting their relentless pursuit of excellence across continents, cultures, and care settings.
