Montemorelos University Honored for Humanistic Excellence in Nursing Education

Government of Nuevo León recognizes the university for promoting empathy, ethics, and patient-centered care in nursing training.

June 8, 2026 | Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico | Laura Marrero and IAD News Staff

The School of Nursing at Montemorelos University has been recognized by the Government of the State of Nuevo León with the Humanistic Excellence in Nursing Education Award for its commitment to values-based nursing education and person-centered health care.

The recognition was presented during the 22nd Interinstitutional Nursing Congress of Nuevo León 2026, held May 12, in Monterrey as part of the International Nurses Day celebration.

According to organizers, the award honors educational institutions that demonstrate outstanding dedication to preparing future nurses through the promotion of vocation, empathy, ethical practice, respect, and dignified patient care in comprehensive health services.

According to Lesly Hernández, coordinator of the bachelor’s degree in Nursing program at Montemorelos University, several nursing schools from across Nuevo León participated in the evaluation process, with the university obtaining the highest overall score among the institutions assessed.

“The recognition distinguishes schools that integrate humanized training into their nursing education programs,” Hernández said. “We submitted various forms of evidence, and later we were notified that we had obtained the highest score in the evaluated criteria, which led to us receiving the award.”

The evaluation considered educational strategies related to empathy, professional ethics, leadership, community service, and the development of interpersonal skills within the nursing curriculum. Judges also reviewed institutional evidence demonstrating the program’s impact on student formation and professional preparation.

One of the areas most highly rated by the evaluation committee was the community service carried out by nursing students and faculty, as well as the integration of human-centered care principles into the curriculum. The university also presented evidence of its use of the CLEAR Whole Person Care Model, developed at Loma Linda University.

“The CLEAR Whole Person Care Model seeks to measure the human treatment provided by health professionals toward patients,” Hernández said. “It promotes closer interaction, empathy, and active listening, treating the patient as a person and not simply as a number or an illness.”

Another component highlighted during the evaluation was the spiritual formation of nursing students. The School of Nursing presented initiatives tied to courses on spiritual care, medicine and lifestyle, as well as campus activities such as weeks of prayer, spiritual retreats, ministry involvement, and the nursing pinning ceremony.

“We emphasized that in order to care for the spiritual needs of patients, students must first develop that area in their own lives,” Hernández said.

The university also shared examples of missionary and volunteer service carried out by students and graduates, including international projects in Mozambique, Italy, and Morocco.

The school also presented projects related to respect for life and environmental stewardship. Among the initiatives highlighted was student involvement at Hacienda La Carlota, the university’s agricultural research and conservation center, where students participate in planting and land-care activities as part of the institution’s emphasis on service and responsibility.

The official notification of the recognition was sent by the Nuevo León State Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Alma Rosa Marroquín.

According to Hernández, this was the first time the award had been presented in Nuevo León and, based on remarks made during the congress by state nursing authorities, it may also be the first recognition of its kind in Mexico.

Hernández accepted the award on behalf of Montemorelos University, accompanied by faculty members, students, and the university president.

Lisandra Vicente and Brenda Cerón contributed to this report.