Guardians of Health: Aiko Acosta-Villamor, the radiology nurse who learned that courage means caring despite fear

At the height of the pandemic, Aiko Acosta-Villamor could not go home. As a COVID nurse, she lived in dedicated accommodation for healthcare workers, apart from her family, so she would not carry the virus back to the people she loved. Every day she cared for patients who were fighting to breathe and fighting to live. Nineteen years into her nursing career, the nurse from Davao City now works as a Radiology Nurse at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and she still carries the lessons of that season to every bedside.

The season that tested everything

Serving as a COVID nurse was, she says, one of the most challenging and defining moments of her career. “I witnessed firsthand how patients fought desperately to stay alive,” she recalls. Many were isolated from their loved ones and struggling to breathe, yet still holding on to hope. “Seeing patients who had such a strong desire to live but were being overwhelmed by the severity of the disease was both heartbreaking and humbling.”

Being separated from her family for an extended period was one of the hardest sacrifices she had to make. Long hours, strict safety protocols, frequent testing and the constant worry of exposure made it mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. What carried her through was her sense of purpose, resilience, faith and commitment to the profession she had chosen.

The bridge to loved ones

When families could not be at the bedside, nurses often became the bridge between patients and the people they loved. “Sometimes, a comforting word, a reassuring presence, or simply holding a patient’s hand meant more than any medical intervention,” Aiko says.

Today, in radiology, she cares for patients who are anxious about their scans, worried about a diagnosis or facing uncertainty about their health. She believes one of the most important yet unspoken parts of nursing is making patients feel safe, heard and cared for. “Patients often remember how we made them feel during their most vulnerable moments.”

Malasakit, the universal language

For Aiko, the Filipino touch is a genuine sense of malasakit, a deep compassion that goes beyond clinical care. It shows in the warmth, patience and empathy Filipino nurses bring to every interaction: a comforting word, taking time to listen, or going the extra mile for a patient’s comfort.

“Working in a multicultural healthcare environment has taught me that kindness is a universal language,” she says. “I strive to combine professional competence with heartfelt care, treating every patient as I would want my own family to be treated.”

Rooted in Davao

Aiko earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Pedro College in Davao City, a recognised Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. The school gave her a strong academic foundation, rigorous clinical training and high professional standards, and her upbringing taught her resilience, compassion, respect and hard work. “I remain grateful to San Pedro College and to the Philippines for providing the foundation that has helped me grow into the nurse I am today.”

Before the UAE, she worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Moving to the Emirates, she was struck by how open and multicultural the country is. As a Filipino Catholic, she found comfort in having access to churches and a diverse community where people of many nationalities and faiths live side by side. Having lived here for many years, she calls the UAE her second home.

Leading with composure

The pandemic taught her that a crisis calls for calm leadership, clear communication and teamwork: staying focused on priorities, making timely decisions and making sure both patients and staff feel supported. She values listening to colleagues, recognising each team member’s strengths and building an environment where everyone feels heard. “Effective leadership is not about having all the answers,” she says. “It’s about staying composed, leading by example, and bringing people together to achieve the best possible outcome for our patients.”