Guardians of Health: Zenny Mae Tejero, the Team Leader Who Makes Every Patient Feel Seen

Staffing shortages, multiple admissions, urgent transfers and clinical emergencies, sometimes all at once. That was the test Zenny Mae Lumapac Tejero faced when she stepped up as a Team Leader while still caring for patients herself. A nurse from Malabuyoc, Cebu, with 13 years in the profession, she now works at Amana Healthcare, a long-term care and rehabilitation facility in Abu Dhabi, where she has learned that leadership and compassion go hand in hand.

Tested as a team leader

The role tested Zenny’s clinical knowledge, but also her ability to stay calm, prioritise, support her team and make timely decisions under pressure. “I realized that leadership is not about having all the answers,” she says. “It is about staying composed, communicating clearly, and ensuring that both patients and staff feel supported during difficult situations.”

Resilience, compassion and a strong sense of responsibility carried her through. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, she focused on what she could control: patient safety, clear communication and one task at a time. She also leaned on her team. “Nursing is never a one-person job, and I learned that asking for help and working together are signs of strength, not weakness.”

The power of being present

For Zenny, the unspoken part of nursing is simply being present: taking time to listen, offering reassurance, holding a patient’s hand in a difficult moment, or sitting quietly with someone who feels anxious. Many of her patients are vulnerable, frightened or far from their families. By treating each one with dignity, respect and compassion, she helps create a sense of safety and trust.

“Often, it’s these small, unspoken gestures that make patients feel seen, valued, and cared for, and to me, that is one of the most meaningful parts of being a nurse.”

One language of care

Zenny’s biggest culture shock in the UAE was a workplace and community made up of many nationalities, cultures and beliefs. Every patient and colleague brought different values, communication styles and expectations of care, and language barriers made it harder at first.

She met the challenge with an open mind, respect and a willingness to learn: listening more, asking questions and adapting how she communicated so every patient felt heard. What once felt like a challenge became one of her greatest strengths. “While our languages and traditions may differ, kindness, empathy, and genuine care are universal.”

Leading under pressure

In a crisis, Zenny stays calm, organised and guided by one priority above all: patient safety. She quickly assesses the urgency, identifies the resources available and delegates based on each team member’s skills. Staffing, equipment and supplies are used efficiently without compromising the quality of care.

When the team itself is under strain, she promotes open communication, respect and collaboration, listening to concerns and addressing issues fairly. Every crisis, she says, has taught her the value of adaptability, accountability and teamwork.

Her “why”

What keeps Zenny committed is the chance to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, even in the smallest ways. A patient’s progress, a simple “thank you” or knowing she helped someone feel safe reminds her why she chose this career. More than any title or achievement, she hopes people will say she made others feel seen, heard and cared for.