By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Mr. Jonathan Gapilango together with his wife Rowena Neri-Gapilango during the Divas and Dons Gala.

Mr. Jonathan A. Gapilango, MSN, RN, OCN, CCRP, NE-BC, an alumnus of the CPU College of Nursing batch 1993, was honored by the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) in the Divas and Dons Gala as an outstanding professional at the Pines Manor in Edison, New Jersey, on April 11, 2024.

The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) is an institute that provides quality education programs and grants for nurses involved in research. The association recognized 19 top nurses for their outstanding professional career accomplishments and presents a special award during the Divas and Dons Gala.

Mr. Jonathan A. Gapilango is the current Administrative Director of Oncology Performance Measures and Accreditation at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He shared during an online interview that in this field, he faced difficult challenges such as ensuring the oncology department performance measures and accreditation standards established by regulatory bodies or professional organizations. “Overcoming these issues requires strong leadership, excellent communication, cooperation with diverse teams, an initiative-taking commitment to quality improvement, and adherence to accreditation criteria in the cancer environment,” he shared.

“My sincere commitment to giving patients exceptional care drives me. The desire to have a constructive influence on the lives of cancer patients and enhance healthcare results serves as a compelling driving force,” he added. Mr. Gapilango also shared that he could influence and shape the healthcare environment, impacting not only patient care but also the professional development of his team.

For him, receiving such recognition is a challenging and rigorous process that requires months of dedication and commitment. It serves as a testament to his leadership skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and guide his team towards shared goals in improving patient outcomes and ensuring lofty standards of care.

“I will be forever grateful for the skills, knowledge, and values I learned from CPU. Putting God above all things is my guiding principle in my personal and professional life. Additionally, to achieve success, one must be committed, persistent, enthusiastic, and persistent in their quest for development and progress along the path,” Mr. Gapilango’s heartwarming message to the Centralian community.

CPU is very proud of you! To God be the glory!