A Collaborator and Team Player: Dr. Carmen Nievera, Chief Medical Officer of Asian Hospital and Medical Center

In November 2024, Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC), a premier healthcare institution in the Philippines, appointed Dr. Maria Carmen B. Nievera as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). A seasoned Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Nievera succeeds Dr. Jose Acuin, who now leads The Learning Institute by Asian Hospital.

Her appointment marks a milestone, as she becomes the first woman to hold the CMO position at AHMC. For Dr. Nievera, the role came at what she describes as the “right place and right time.” In an interview with BusinessMirror, she shared that her medical journey at AHMC began in 2002, the year the hospital opened its doors.

“Since the time this hospital opened, I’ve been here as a practicing physician. I’ve held several roles—Section Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and Co-Chair of the Credentialing and Privileging Committee,” she noted.

Dr. Nievera currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines. She also chairs its Immunization Committee and co-chairs its Hospital Accreditation Board.

Corporate Experience and Career Shift

In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Nievera built an impressive corporate career. She held strategic roles in leading pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). She also served as a Clinical Consultant Reviewer for Pediatric Drugs at the Food and Drug Administration.

In 2024, her personal life shifted when her family relocated from a house in Alabang to a condominium in Bonifacio Global City. This move marked a new chapter and a slower pace, as they opted to simplify their lifestyle. During this transition, Dr. Nievera accepted a part-time position as Medical Director of Centre Médicale Internationale (CMI), a comprehensive clinic offering preventive and curative services.

“Since this was a part-time role, I thought it would be something I could do while settling into our new home. We were simplifying our lives, and this seemed manageable,” she shared.

Rediscovering Her Roots

After some time at CMI, Dr. Nievera began to reflect on where her true impact could be made.

“I realized I was new to CMI, and not really part of its founding team. Then I thought—why am I working somewhere else when I could be doing more for the hospital I’ve always considered my home?” she recalled.

That reflection led her to learn that AHMC was looking for a new CMO. Given her growing involvement in medical operations and her longstanding ties to AHMC, the opportunity seemed to align perfectly.

“Everything was falling into place. It felt like this was where I was meant to be,” she said. After accepting a nomination from a colleague, she was appointed to the position.

Before officially taking on her role on January 1, 2025, Dr. Nievera underwent several weeks of orientation with AHMC’s leadership team to gain deeper insight into the hospital’s strategic direction and ongoing initiatives.

Among the key projects she now oversees are the establishment of The Learning Institute, AHMC’s upcoming JCI reaccreditation, the launch of the Asian Health and Medical Clinic, the atherosclerosis awareness campaign, and the introduction of CyberKnife technology—a state-of-the-art cancer treatment system, and the first in the Philippines.

“We need to ensure we have the right people—doctors trained in this new technology and a team-based approach. It’s not about one doctor and one machine—it’s about coordinated, multidisciplinary care,” she explained.

“My role is to make sure we have high-performing, highly qualified medical teams ready to deliver innovative, world-class care to our patients.”

Strengthening Core Services

While leading AHMC’s innovations, Dr. Nievera remains focused on strengthening its core services and ensuring both patient and physician voices are heard.

“Our message—‘Alagang Deserve, Alagang Sulit’—is about delivering world-class care in a cost-effective way. We value fairness and equity, and no matter a patient’s background, they deserve the best care based on global standards,” she said.

She also addressed the longstanding perception of AHMC as a hospital primarily for the elite.

“That may have been the case in the past, but today, we offer value-based packages that make care more accessible. We’re working hard to reduce inefficiencies and streamline processes. Healthcare will always be expensive, but smart use of resources helps us manage costs for patients,” she emphasized.

A Day in the Life

A typical day for Dr. Nievera begins early. After dropping her daughter off at school in Makati, she heads to the hospital for a day filled with meetings, rounds, and department inspections.

“I start my day checking in on different hospital areas, then meet with the leadership team. We’re currently preparing for our next JCI reaccreditation,” she said.

As CMO, part of her role is also ensuring that AHMC’s doctors stay updated with the latest medical knowledge and embrace digital transformation.

“Doctors today must be able to leverage big data and evidence-based guidelines. Medical decisions should be informed by both global and local disease trends,” she added.

Leadership Through Collaboration

Describing her management style, Dr. Nievera emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic alignment.

“I’m a firm believer in teamwork. I like to keep our goals in focus and work with our teams to craft a roadmap to get us there. Everything we do must be guided by our objectives—and ultimately, our patients are our North Star,” she explained.

While she believes in a collaborative environment, she understands that leadership involves steering the team toward a shared goal.

“My role isn’t about being the boss. It’s about directing the team toward what we want to achieve. I focus on the doctors because when they succeed, the whole hospital succeeds,” she said.

“If our doctors shine, we shine. When they perform at their best, we elevate the standard of care. My leadership is about empowering our doctors to thrive and provide the highest level of care.”

Looking Ahead

When asked about her future, Dr. Nievera reflected on purpose and balance.

“For me, it’s about finding a space where I can make a difference—leveraging my skills, experience, and network for a goal that aligns with my values. And of course, continuing to care for my family and indulging in my oil painting hobby,” she said with a smile.