SU hosts 8th Student Nurse Leaders Forum on interprofessional collaboration
Silliman University College of Nursing (SUCN) hosted the 8th Student Nurse Leaders Forum (SNLF) on October 10, 2026, at Mary Marquis Smith Hall, bringing together student nurses from Silliman University, Foundation University, and Negros Oriental State University to strengthen interprofessional collaboration in healthcare.
With the theme “Bridging Disciplines, Transforming Healthcare: Strengthening Interprofessional Collaboration in Modern Practice,” the forum highlighted the importance of teamwork, effective communication, leadership, and shared responsibility in providing safe, quality, integrated, and patient-centered care.
The forum featured a keynote address and panel discussions led by six speakers from nursing, rehabilitation, healthcare management, public health, and law, including Mr. Poincare C. Alilaen, Jr., RN, MBA, a SUCN alumnus from the Class of 1988 and retired Clinical Nurse Scientist; Asst. Prof. Minerva G. Marcial, MPH, RN, PTRP, a faculty member of Silliman University’s Physical Therapy Program under the Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences; and Atty. Rowtir John L. Banquerigo, RN, JD, REB, a lawyer, Sangguniang Bayan member of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, and SUCN alumnus from the Class of 2011.
Participants attend the forum.
The other speakers were Mrs. Jennifer Concha-Remollo, RN, MDM, Development Management Officer V and Head of the Health Systems Integration Cluster at the Department of Health–Negros Island Region Center for Health Development; Dr. Benju Lito S. Caturay, City Health Officer II of Dumaguete City; and Ms. Felisa B. Pa-alan, RN, MN, Vice President for Nursing Services and Chief Nursing Officer of Silliman University Medical Center Foundation, Inc.
The sessions explored interprofessional collaboration in modern healthcare, the integration of nursing and rehabilitation strategies to restore function and improve patients’ quality of life, and the legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities of healthcare practitioners.
These discussions enabled participants to exchange insights and better understand the roles and contributions of different healthcare disciplines in addressing patients’ needs and improving health outcomes.
(L-R) Christian Chino Maverick O. Tagra, SUCN Class 2027 President; Atty. Rowtir John L. Banquerigo, RN, JD, REB; Asst. Prof. Minerva G. Marcial, MPH, RN, PTRP; Mr. Poincare C. Alilaen, Jr., RN, MBA; Dr. Freslyn Lim-Saco, SUCN Research Coordinator; and Raven Jane R. Romano, Section A Representative, pose for a commemorative photo during the 8th Student Nurse Leaders Forum held on October 10, 2026, at Silliman University College of Nursing.
The SNLF was conceptualized by Dr. Freslyn Lim-Saco and first launched in 2019 as a classroom activity for SUCN’s Nursing Leadership and Management course.
Organized annually by the graduating class, it has evolved into a performance task that allows students to apply communication, creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical-thinking skills while developing management competencies in delegation, time management, and conflict management.
Christian Chino Maverick O. Tagra, SUCN Class 2027 President (front, left); Ms. Felisa B. Paalan, RN (front, second left); Dr. Benju Lito S. Caturay (front, center); Mrs. Jennifer C. Remollo, RN (front, second right); and Dr. Maria Theresa C. Belciña (front, right), SUCN Clinical Coordinator, pose with their certificates of appreciation following the presentations during the 8th Student Nurse Leaders Forum. Hannah Vincoy (second row, left), Section B Representative, and Raven Jane R. Romano (second row, right), Section A Representative, join the group for the commemorative photo.
Now in its eighth year, the forum continues to connect nursing students with SUCN alumni, nurse leaders, and professionals with nursing backgrounds who hold leadership and management positions across various fields.
Through these engagements, the SNLF extends learning beyond the classroom and prepares future nurses to lead, collaborate, and contribute to the delivery of integrated, quality, and patient-centered healthcare.
