Kuzuzangpola!

I am deeply honored and excited to be part of the Arura Academy of Health Sciences (AAHS), a pioneering institution and the first private nursing school in the country. I believe my role in the institute represents the culmination of my lifelong passion for the medical profession and my dedication to fostering excellence in healthcare education.

Although my professional background is not directly related to nursing or medicine, my personal journey has always been closely intertwined with the healthcare field. As a student, I harbored the ambition to become a doctor, driven by a profound respect for the medical profession and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others. While circumstances led me down a different path, my passion for healthcare has never waned. These experiences have fuelled my commitment to supporting those who dedicate their lives to this noble calling, particularly nurses.

“Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body—the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said the finest of Fine Arts.” – Florence Nightingale, the Lady with a Lamp.

This quote reflects the dedication, skill, compassion and mindfulness required in nursing, elevating it to the level of fine art.

Over the years, I have gained substantial managerial and leadership experience, which I believe will be instrumental in guiding this institution towards continued success. My career has equipped me with the skills necessary to navigate complex organizational challenges, foster collaborative environments, and drive strategic initiatives that enhance both educational and operational outcomes.

As we look toward the future, I am especially excited about integrating mindfulness into the curriculum. In alignment with the vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, I believe that introducing mindfulness elements can profoundly benefit our students, faculty, and staff. Mindfulness fosters resilience, enhances focus, and promotes overall well-being—qualities that are essential for healthcare professionals. By embedding mindfulness into our curriculum framework, we can prepare our students to face the demands of the nursing profession with greater composure and empathy.

Taking inspiration from this Royal quote, “…the future is neither unseen nor unknown. It is right in front of me, looming large, and I see it clearly,” – His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 112th National Day of Bhutan, on December 17, 2019, I see a bright and promising future for the AAHS, one where our students not only gain the technical skills required for their careers but also develop the emotional, spiritual, and psychological resilience to excel in their professional and personal lives.

Helen Keller once remarked, “The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.” This sentiment resonates deeply with our mission, as we strive to nurture nurses who are not only skilled but also compassionate and mindful.

As we advance, let’s be inspired by our national brand — Bhutan – Believe. The national tagline – “Believe,” emphasizes belief in the future of Bhutan, trust in its unique approaches, and confidence in the values, capabilities, contributions, and potential of its citizens and the leaders.

The brand manifesto sums up this optimism with the brand message:“We see a bright future. And we believe in our ability and responsibility to realise it together, and shine as a beacon of possibility in the world.” The hope is we become what we believe in. We are asked to believe in ourselves, in our worth, in Bhutan’s future, with hope and conviction.

With support and collaboration from stakeholders, I “Believe” our ability to elevate AAHS to new heights, expanding its positive impact on the health and well-being of Bhutan and the world at large.