Dr. Cyruz P. Tuppal is a distinguished registered nurse, registered midwife, licensed professional teacher, and internationally recognized nurse theorist. He is the author of the Theory of Communion-in-Caring, a groundbreaking theoretical contribution published in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences following his advanced academic engagements at the Anne Boykin Institute for the Advancement of Caring at Florida Atlantic University.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from VMC Asian College Foundation Inc., a degree pursued with a deep commitment to midwifery practice and public health. A dedicated member of the Integrated Midwifery Association of the Philippines and the Association of Philippine Schools of Midwifery (APSOM), Dr. Tuppal also served as a nurse-midwife in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in the Philippines, embodying compassionate care in the most underserved communities.

Dr. Tuppal holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing, major in Administration, from Concordia College. He completed his Doctor of Management Science (DMS) at the Technological University of the Philippines, and subsequently earned a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) and a bridging Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD) from St. Paul University Philippines.

His multidisciplinary expertise is further evidenced by several master’s degrees:

• Master of Arts in Special Education, major in Teaching the Hearing Impaired and Developmental Disabilities (Manuel L. Quezon University)

• Master of Hospital Administration (PHINMA – St. Jude College, Inc.)

• Dual Master of Business Administration degrees in International Business and International Management from European University Business School, Geneva, and Roehampton University, UK, where he graduated cum laude

• Diploma in Research Development and Management from the University of the Philippines Open University

In the field of law and governance, Dr. Tuppal earned his Juris Doctor from St. Dominic Savio College School of Law, where he served as President of the Student Council. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Public Administration at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines Diliman.

Dr. Tuppal’s academic and professional journey spans a broad spectrum of teaching and leadership roles. He has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels in nursing, midwifery, public health, and allied health disciplines. His diverse experience includes:

• Community health and emergency nurse

• Teacher for children with special needs

• Academic and clinical coordinator

• Research university coordinator

• Graduate school program chair (MSN – Concordia College)

• Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research

• Pioneering Dean of the College of Nursing at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna

• Dean of the College of Health and Allied Medical Professions at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City

A frequent recipient of awards for best paper and best presentation in local and international conferences, Dr. Tuppal continues to influence nursing knowledge production and dissemination globally.

He is actively involved in various national and international professional organizations, including:

• Lifetime Member, Philippine Nurses Association

• Lifetime Member, Maternal and Child Health Nurses Association of the Philippines

• Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society

• International Network for Doctoral Education in Nursing (INDEN)

• International Association for Nursing Philosophy

• International Association for Human Caring

• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

• International AIDS Society

• Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)

• Founder, Asia Association for the Advancement of Nursing As Caring

• Regular Member, NRCP-DOST

Dr. Tuppal is also a Fellow of Lead4R, University of the Philippines Diliman, and is credentialed as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Certified Global Nurse Consultant (CGNC) under the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and CGFNS International Inc.

His scholarly and service-oriented career reflects a steadfast commitment to elevating the standards of nursing and midwifery education, ethical practice, leadership, and global health. Through his integrated academic pursuits and practical experience, Dr. Tuppal continues to inspire a new generation of health professionals dedicated to human dignity, compassionate service, and excellence in care.

Leah Kalayaan A. Pellacœur, RN, MAN, is a compassionate nursing professional with extensive experience in emergency care, medical-surgical nursing, and healthcare administration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Midwifery from VMC Asian College Foundation Inc., her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marie-Bernarde College, Quezon City, and her Master of Arts in Nursing from St. Jude College, PHINMA Education. With a strong foundation in patient-centered and culturally sensitive care, Leah is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based nursing practice while advocating for holistic healthcare.

Her professional experience includes serving as a Staff Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Asian Hospital and Medical Center, where she delivered critical care in a fast-paced setting to ensure optimal patient outcomes. As a Utilization Review Nurse at EXL Philippines, she applied analytical expertise to optimize healthcare resource utilization and ensure compliance with medical guidelines. Currently, as a School Nurse at Lycée Français de Manille (European International School), she provides primary healthcare services, health education, and emergency response for students and staff, fostering a safe and healthy school environment.

Leah’s career bridges clinical expertise and administrative leadership, enabling her to coordinate healthcare teams, streamline operations, and maintain compliance with best practices and regulatory standards. She is a Philippine Registered Nurse, an NCLEX-RN passer under the State of New York, and an active member of professional nursing organizations. She has attended numerous seminars on nursing leadership, legal foundations in education, and caring-driven practices, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning.

Beyond her professional roles, Leah is actively engaged in community outreach programs, health promotion campaigns, and advocacy initiatives focusing on preventive care, mental health, and healthy lifestyle promotion. Guided by her belief that “There’s healing in caring,” she remains committed to improving healthcare accessibility and quality. Her core competencies include strategic nursing leadership, policy development and regulatory compliance, staff mentorship and training, and patient advocacy with a focus on holistic care.