ROSALVA BLANCO

Rosalva Blanco is a dedicated and accomplished Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife whose career spans nearly four decades of committed service to the nursing profession and the communities of Belize. Her professional journey began in October 1986 at the Old Bliss School of Nursing, where, at the age of 19, she entered the Practical Nurse Program. After only three months, she was given the opportunity to challenge the Registered Nurse Program, an opportunity that marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to excellence in nursing.

Throughout her career, Rosalva has demonstrated exceptional dedication to patient care, infection prevention and control, quality assurance, nursing education, surveillance, and healthcare improvement. She has served in a variety of leadership and clinical roles, continually seeking opportunities to strengthen her knowledge and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.

Her professional experience includes serving as Nursing Administrator at Garden City Medical Center in Belmopan, where she is responsible for the administration and coordination of nursing services, quality assurance, infection prevention and control, and the promotion of high standards of patient care and professional nursing practice.

From 2021 to 2023, Rosalva served as an Acute Febrile Illness Technician with Baylor College of Medicine, attached to Western Regional Hospital. In this capacity, she educated patients and healthcare professionals about the Acute Febrile Illness Program, obtained patient consent and enrolled participants in investigations, visited healthcare facilities throughout Belize to support program activities, and participated in school visits promoting proper hand hygiene practices.

Her commitment to public health was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in 2020, she became actively involved in hospital and community surveillance and COVID-19 response activities at Western Regional Hospital. She also served as Chairperson of the Belmopan COVID-19 Surveillance Response Team. In addition, she was responsible for infection control training for new healthcare entrants and provided ongoing education and sensitization to staff on infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

In 2019, Rosalva received a lateral promotion to Quality Assurance Nurse, further demonstrating her expertise and leadership in healthcare quality improvement. Earlier in her career, she served as Infection Control Sister at Northern Regional Hospital from 2006 to 2014, where she led infection prevention and control initiatives, conducted training and sensitization sessions for healthcare staff, and participated in numerous professional development and educational programs.

Her commitment to continuous learning has taken her beyond Belize. She completed Infection Control Training at the International Medical Center of Japan in 2006 and participated in specialized training in Influenza in Panama City, Panama, in 2009. Her professional development also includes a Field Epidemiology Certificate, training in Occupational Health and Prevention in Healthcare Settings, and training in improving the quality of nursing care through evidence-based practice.

Rosalva earned her Certificate in Midwifery from the University of Belize in 2003 and became a Registered Nurse through the Bliss School of Nursing in 1990. Her professional development reflects her broad expertise in nursing administration, infection prevention and control, quality assurance, nursing education, hospital and community surveillance, epidemiology, maternal and newborn care, evidence-based nursing practice, hand hygiene promotion, and healthcare quality improvement.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rosalva attributes much of her resilience and success to her faith and family. She is grateful for the wisdom, courage, and determination that have enabled her to overcome challenges throughout her career. Her family has remained a constant source of strength and motivation, while her patients and the communities she has served have provided her with continued inspiration to pursue excellence in her profession.

Guided by the words of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Rosalva continues to approach nursing with compassion, faith, and dedication. For her, nursing is more than a career—it is a passion and a calling. She considers it a privilege to care for others and remains committed to practicing and contributing to the profession for as long as she has the opportunity to serve.

Rosalva Blanco's career stands as a testament to dedication, resilience, continuous learning, leadership, and a genuine commitment to improving the quality of healthcare. Her enduring passion for nursing and service to others has made her a valued member of the healthcare profession and an inspiration to those who have had the privilege of working alongside her.