Filipino American History Month Spotlight: Marites Bautista Almachar

Dr. Marites Bautista Almachar's parents were both born and raised in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States in the 1970s in search of better opportunities and a better life.

In his 40s, her father became ill with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which led to complications including end-stage renal disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

On June 18, 2000—Father’s Day—he passed away at the age of 52. Only 11 years old at the time, Marites was still grateful to have vivid memories of him, both joyful and painful. She recalls moments of him advising her to go to college to become a nurse or doctor, hoping she would be close by to care for him. His story and the course of his illness had a lasting impact on their family.

Deeply influenced by her father's passing, Marites watched her mother step into the role of caregiver and, later, become a single parent to three children. Her mother made tremendous sacrifices, working tirelessly to send them to private schools and provide a life far beyond what she herself had growing up.

Through the love and dedication of her parents, Marites was committed to carrying out her father’s legacy and making a meaningful impact through her career in healthcare. In 2013, she became a cardiac ICU nurse—an intentional choice inspired by her father. Looking back, she realizes it was also a way to feel closer to him.

As a cardiac ICU nurse, Marites cared for patients whose conditions mirrored her father's. Each time she treated someone, she saw glimpses of him. When she dialyzed a patient, she thought of the times he underwent hemodialysis in their home. When a patient passed away, she remembered what it felt like to be in the shoes of their grieving families. Her nursing journey has been a path of service and healing, helping her process childhood trauma.

Recalling the sadness and trauma of watching her father suffer—and the pain of learning to navigate life without him—Marites found comfort in her profession by caring for patients and their families. In fulfilling her father’s wishes, she discovered a sense of purpose and healing, realizing how powerfully life can come full circle.

In 2022, Marites fulfilled another part of her father’s dream—one that had also become her own. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Washington to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP). She chose to pursue a DNP degree to advance her nursing career and gain the clinical expertise needed to assess, diagnose, and treat medical conditions.

Marites also holds a graduate certificate in palliative care and is a strong advocate for the early integration of palliative care in managing chronic and progressive diseases—an approach inspired by her father’s healthcare journey.

Marites's initial purpose to become an NP was to lead and drive meaningful change within the nursing profession. Her goals also include improving patient outcomes, preventing illness, and advancing health equity by addressing health disparities. She is committed to a holistic, evidence-based approach that integrates research into practice—ensuring care that is not only effective, but also compassionate and inclusive.

After graduating, Marites became an ANCC board certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC), further validating her knowledge and skills while specializing in a patient population she is deeply passionate about. Achieving ANCC certification reflects her dedication to the highest standards of clinical practice, a commitment to quality patient care and outcomes, and a lifelong pursuit of learning and professional growth. Obtaining certification has opened countless opportunities to advance her career.

Marites began her nursing career in 2013 at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) and is proud to have remained there ever since. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in shared governance at UWMC—the first ANCC Magnet-designated organization.

UWMC has achieved the remarkable milestone of seven consecutive Magnet designations. As she evolved into an expert in her field, Marites participated in various unit-based and hospital-wide practice councils, contributing to the revision of policies and procedures, engaging in quality improvement initiatives, and integrating evidence-based research into clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes and ensure high-quality care.

She has presented the results of these initiatives through both poster and podium presentations at local and national conferences. Additionally, she co-authored an article in American Nurse Journal, the official journal of the American Nurses Association (ANA), titled "Shared Governance: Prepare Nurses to Lead."

Marites currently serves as a Teaching Associate and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the Division of Cardiology at UWMC in Seattle, WA. She is also a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at the UW School of Medicine.

Marites cares for a complex and diverse population, including patients with heart failure, transplants, interventional and electrophysiology needs, and those requiring mechanical circulatory support.

To contribute to the future of nursing, Marites had the honor of serving as a volunteer with ANCC—an experience she considers both meaningful and rewarding. She chose to volunteer to take an active role in shaping the future of NPs and to give back to the profession that has profoundly shaped her identity and enabled a fulfilling career.

Marites views volunteering as a valuable opportunity for professional growth and encourages other certified nurses to consider giving back through service within their certification specialty. This accomplishment has the power to inspire any nurse to strive for excellence and go beyond expectations.

Marites credits her parents’ immigration from the Philippines to the United States as the foundation for the opportunities she and her siblings have had.

Their decision not only created a better life for themselves but also opened doors for their children. When her father became ill, living in the U.S. gave him access to advanced medical care and resources—such as at-home hemodialysis—that would not have been available to him in the Philippines.

Her father has always been Marites’s greatest motivator in pursuing a nursing career and obtaining an advanced degree. His journey continues to fuel her passion for making a meaningful impact.

She hopes she has made him proud—and continues to do so—by honoring his legacy through her work.

Marites acknowledges that none of her accomplishments would have been possible without her parents’ ambition, sacrifices, and determination to build a new life in a new country. For that, she remains deeply and eternally grateful.