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“What I enjoy most about working as an occupational health nurse is the sense of care and responsibility I feel for every employee." 

As we celebrate National Nurses Week and UVA Health Week, this is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.”  No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

Two decades after leaving his native country and working around the world, Antonio Lambio, Jr., RN, BSN, COHN, fondly calls UVA Health home — and serves as a mentor to other health professionals. Antonio joined UVA Health Occupational Health and Wellness in 2019, moved to the UVA Health Epic Orders Team as an Analyst from 2021 to 2023, then returned to UVA Health Occupational Health and Wellness in 2023 as the Team Lead RN. It wasn’t a direct path from the Philippines to Charlottesville, or to nursing.

‘Transformed a Career Choice Into a Calling’ 

Antonio grew up in the small town of Padre Garcia, Batangas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at Batangas State University and worked in the IT field, but struggled to find stability. With his family's encouragement, he pivoted to nursing and earned his bachelor of science degree in nursing at Lipa City Colleges. “While I initially stepped into nursing for a fresh start, my heart truly found its home once I began working directly with patients,” he recalls. “Seeing the tangible difference I could make in someone’s life transformed a career choice into a calling. My path to nursing wasn't linear, but I believe it led me exactly to where I’m meant to be!”

Antonio initially set his sights on moving to the United States. He completed his NCLEX [National Council Licensure Examination: a standardized, computerized adaptive test (CAT) that determines if a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice (RN or PN) in the U.S., Canada, and Australia], but he didn't realize the visa process would span a decade. “While the Philippines is a beautiful place, the economic reality for a nurse in a small town was harsh — earning only $150 a month — it is difficult to start a family. When the American dream began to feel out of reach, I moved to Doha, Qatar, and worked as an occupational health nurse to provide for my growing family. We built a life there, and I had nearly moved on from the idea of moving to the United States.” 

But his work-sponsored U.S. visas finally arrived in 2018 and the family moved to Staunton, Virginia, where Antonio worked as a psychiatric nurse until 2019. Then he joined UVA Health. 

‘Prevention Rather Than a Cure’ 

“What I enjoy most about working as an occupational health nurse is the sense of care and responsibility I feel for every employee — almost like being a parent who ensures their children’s safety and wellbeing. Our focus is on prevention rather than cure, and I find great satisfaction in educating employees about health and safety in the workplace,” Antonio explains. 

Trial and Error  

But the initial transition to the United States wasn’t easy. “Moving to a new country is often described as a fresh start, but in reality, it’s a monumental challenge that begins long before you step off the plane. When I first arrived in the United States, I found myself navigating a complex web of systems entirely foreign to me. Without a guide, I spent countless nights scouring online groups to decode the American way of life. From the intricacies of medical, auto, and life insurance — to transportation, interest rates, rents, and leases — every lesson was hard-earned through trial and error.” 

Once he finally felt grounded — and driven by a desire to stay connected to his roots — Antonio joined a large, online community of Filipino nurses in the United States. That’s where he met Jessie Ferrer, MSN,RN, who lived in the Philippines, but was preparing to move to Virginia to join UVA Health through Passport USA.  

“I saw my own early struggles reflected in her journey,” recalls Antonio. “I knew the ‘information overload’ that Jessie was about to face, so I decided to step in as her mentor. I shared everything I had learned: detours, warnings, and essential ‘how-to’ guides for surviving those first few months in America. Then I asked her to ‘pay it forward’ to the next wave of nurses arriving after her.” 

'Vital Lifeline' 

Jessie didn’t only pay it forward, she propelled the idea, starting the Charlottesville Filipino Community Facebook Group. “We began in 2023 as a small, humble circle of me, Jessie, and three other members — simply a few friends looking out for one another,” recalls Antonio. “Today, that circle has expanded into a massive support network of more 400 members of new immigrants, and of those who are already living and working in Charlottesville for a long time. It grows every day! What started as one-on-one mentorship has evolved into a vital lifeline!” 

“Our mission remains simple but powerful: Pay it Forward,” explains Antonio. “The group serves as a digital guide and a physical support system.” 

Open Arms 

He says when someone new arrives in Charlottesville today, they aren't met with the same confusion he initially faced. “Instead, they find a community ready to help with settling in by coordinating donations of used furniture and clothing to turn a new apartment into a home and sharing knowledge on local activities, schools, and cultural adjustments to make the transition seamless. What began as a personal struggle has become a collective strength.” 

Antonio adds that the Filipino community in Charlottesville has grown significantly — hosting vibrant holiday, sporting, cultural, food, music, karaoke, and more events throughout the year including on May 7 — Filipino Nursing Diaspora Day — marking the contributions, dedication, and global impact of millions of nurses of Filipino descent working around the world.

‘Sense of Belonging’ 

And he helps put out the welcome mat at UVA Health as well. “In my role at Employee Health, I have the privilege of welcoming new team members from all over the world,” he says enthusiastically. “I ensure that they feel an immediate sense of belonging. I’ve developed a local resource guide — covering everything from family activities to free, local perks — and I actively connect them with others living nearby or working in their same unit. My goal is to ensure they don’t just feel welcomed by UVA Health but also are truly embraced by our local community!” Other Occupational Health and Wellness nurses also joined with the idea of welcoming new employees, and helped by donating appliances and supplies. 

“I take immense pride in the global reputation of Filipinos as a happy, resilient, and deeply caring people — whether in the Philippines, the Middle East, or the United States. I feel truly fortunate that fate led me to nursing, where I cherish every opportunity to change lives for the better.” 

Open Road and Inside Scoop

And with such a full schedule, what does Antonio do to relax? “There is no therapy quite like the freedom of an open road," he describes. "Touring back roads and mountain passes on a motorcycle is the ultimate way to declutter the stresses of life. America’s beauty is best experienced from behind the handlebars.

"And on the weekends, I join my fellow UVA Health nurses to seek out new scenery and find the best local ice cream, coffee, and food trucks!”