August 28–29, 2025 | Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Medical Center, Baguio City
The University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC CON) faculty members proudly took part in the Maternal and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines (MCNAP) Breastfeeding Summit 2025 – Baguio Chapter, held on August 28–29, 2025 at the Fr. Theophile Verbist CICM Hall, Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Medical Center. With the theme “Independent Nursing Practice in Birthing Clinics and Breastfeeding: Empowering Nurses, Empowering Mothers,” the two-day scientific program and seminar-workshop gathered nurses, experts, and leaders nationwide to highlight the crucial role of nurses in advancing maternal and child health.
UC CON faculty were actively involved not only as participants but also as organizers, facilitators, and support staff—working tirelessly with MCNAP officers to ensure the smooth flow and success of the event. From coordinating registration, assisting plenary sessions, and facilitating poster and research presentations, to guiding concurrent workshops and discussions, the UC CON faculty demonstrated the college’s strong commitment to maternal and child nursing excellence.
Day 1: Plenary Sessions and Scientific Program
The opening day featured keynote addresses from prominent leaders, including Mayor Benjamin Magalong, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Anne Curtis, and PRC-BON Chair Hon. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, who underscored the importance of breastfeeding advocacy and independent nursing practice.
The program also covered crucial maternal and neonatal care topics such as:
- The “Golden Hour” in preterm infant care,
- Patient safety protocols in the NICU,
- Breastfeeding management for late preterm infants,
- Nutrition for high-risk neonates, and
- Evidence-based neonatal practices like Kangaroo Mother Care and lactation management.
The day concluded with poster presentations, breastfeeding showcases, and amendments to MCNAP’s by-laws, ensuring a comprehensive and collaborative knowledge-sharing experience.
Day 2: Seminar-Workshop on Birthing Clinic Practice
The second day focused on the Course Module on Birthing Clinics for Nurses, a vital step in equipping nurses for independent, nurse-led maternal care services. Key sessions included:
- Ethico-legal foundations of maternal care,
- Nursing management across antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages,
- Care of the newborn and obstetric complications,
- Pharmacology in maternal and newborn care,
- Patient safety standards, and
- Setting up and managing birthing clinics.
The interactive workshop emphasized the Essential Newborn Care (ENC) Protocol and the use of a Competency-Based Performance Completion Checklist to guide skill development. The event culminated in a cultural night and the Ms. Breastfeeding Nurse Pilipinas 2025 pageant, celebrating both professional excellence and cultural identity.
UC CON’s Dedication
The UC CON faculty’s presence and active involvement reflected the institution’s continuing mission to advance nursing leadership, education, and practice. Their hard work in helping organize and execute the summit not only strengthened ties with MCNAP but also highlighted UC’s role in shaping future nurse-leaders in maternal and child health.
The Breastfeeding Summit 2025 stood as a testament to the power of collaboration among nurses, institutions, and communities—empowering nurses to empower mothers.
