South Asian Heritage Month: Walter Burog reflects on Unity in Diversity

Could you tell us a little about your current role?

My role focuses on strengthening professional standards and creating opportunities for nurses and other healthcare professionals to grow and deliver high-quality care.

Although I no longer work in a direct clinical role, I still see myself as a nurse first and foremost. One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been watching colleagues grow in confidence and progress into senior roles. The values that brought me into nursing – service, compassion, integrity and care for others – continue to guide how I lead today.

Can you tell us a little about your heritage and what it means to you?

I’m incredibly proud of my Filipino heritage. Growing up, I was surrounded by a strong sense of family, community, faith and respect for others. These values were demonstrated every day through how people treated one another.

One value that has stayed with me is malasakit. Although it is often translated as compassion, it means much more. It is about genuinely caring for people and feeling a personal responsibility to help – not simply feeling empathy but acting on it.

I grew up seeing people support neighbours, relatives and friends without expecting anything in return. Those experiences shaped my understanding of service long before I became a nurse.

What inspired you to pursue nursing, and how did your journey lead you into nursing education?

I chose nursing because I wanted a profession that combined knowledge, skill and compassion with the opportunity to make a real difference. What attracted me most was the human connection at the heart of nursing.

Early in my career, I was inspired by experienced nurses who provided excellent care while taking the time to teach and support others. Their mentorship had a lasting impact on me.

Supporting internationally educated nurses as they adapted to a new healthcare system was particularly meaningful. I recognised many of their challenges from my own professional and cultural transitions. Having someone who believes in you can make a tremendous difference.

This passion developed into a broader interest in education, workforce development and leadership. I realised that helping people learn and succeed could positively affect entire teams and patient populations.

How has your heritage or lived experience influenced your approach to leadership?

As someone who has built a career away from my country of birth, I understand the importance of feeling welcomed, supported and given opportunities to grow. I wouldn’t have achieved milestones such as working at Health Education England, RCN London Board and completing my master’s degree without people supporting me and opening doors.

I’m passionate about helping colleagues recognise their potential, particularly those who may not see themselves as future leaders. Some people I supported early in their careers have gone on to become senior practitioners and leaders themselves.

I’ve also learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening and creating the conditions in which people feel valued and can succeed.

Malasakit remains central to my leadership. Many of us reach where we are because someone believed in us and opened a door. I see it as my responsibility to do the same for others.

What does this year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity”, mean to you?

“Unity in Diversity” reflects both my personal journey and the reality of healthcare today.

I’ve had the privilege of living and working alongside people from many cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Although our backgrounds may differ, we often share values such as family, respect and kindness.

Healthcare is strengthened by people from across the world. Diverse teams bring different experiences and perspectives, challenge assumptions and help us understand the communities we serve.

For me, unity in diversity means creating workplaces where people feel safe to be themselves while being united by a common purpose: providing the best possible care.

How does embracing different backgrounds and lived experiences strengthen nursing and care?

Embracing different backgrounds broadens our understanding of people’s needs and helps us provide more personalised care.
I’ve seen how positively patients respond when they feel understood and respected – whether through language and cultural understanding or simply because a healthcare professional listens to what matters to them.

I appreciated this even more when I became a patient. While offering a hot drink early in the morning may be part of a familiar routine, what mattered most to me was being able to sleep. Person-centred care means listening rather than assuming the same approach works for everyone.

Better understanding leads to better relationships – and better relationships lead to better care.

What would you like people to take away from South Asian Heritage Month?

I’d like people to develop a deeper appreciation of the cultures, histories and contributions that make up our diverse society.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked alongside many South Asian colleagues whose expertise, compassion and leadership have enriched our profession and improved patients’ lives.

I hope people take time to listen to experiences that may differ from their own and recognise both our differences and our shared humanity.

Most importantly, I hope people recognise that diversity is a strength. When we approach one another with curiosity, kindness, respect and compassion, we create workplaces and communities where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

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