Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Dr. Dennis L. Sta. Ana, President and CEO of Makati Life Medical Center, has been named “Hospital CEO of the Year” at the prestigious Hospital Management Asia (HMA) 2025 Awards for his leadership in the Philippines’ first large-scale healthcare Public–Private Partnership (PPP) between the City Government of Makati and Life Nurture Inc. This landmark collaboration transformed a dormant city-owned facility into a world-class, digital-first hospital that now stands as a benchmark for inclusive, human-centered care.
The City Government of Makati provided the public infrastructure and its flagship Makati Health Plus/Yellow Card program, while Life Nurture Inc. brought private-sector expertise, technology, and investment. Under Dr. Sta. Ana’s leadership, Makati Life has emerged as a flagship project of the city, demonstrating how municipal governments and private partners can deliver modern, sustainable, and accessible healthcare. Speaking at the HMA 2025 Conference, he said, “Makati Life is living proof that a public–private partnership in healthcare can go beyond service delivery. It can build capacity, harness private expertise, and create incentives that drive national growth.”
Since opening, Makati Life has launched the Philippines’ first 24/7 outpatient department and rapidly expanded inpatient, emergency, and diagnostic services, becoming a trusted access point for care across Makati and beyond. By leveraging underutilized government funds and integrating public health programs into private operations, the hospital was able to shorten the typical start-up loss period and achieve strong early performance. Its inpatient, emergency, and diagnostic services continue to expand, supported by growing patient demand and new service lines, while maintaining socialized rates and prioritizing inclusivity.
Beyond its operational milestones, Makati Life embedded a pioneering Human Experience framework that places empathy, dignity, and compassion at the core of its operations. This approach shapes every touchpoint, from patient journey to internal leadership development, and has given nurses, doctors, and staff a renewed sense of purpose. Employees describe feeling heard and supported during difficult times, and patients consistently cite dignified treatment and personalized follow-ups, even delivery of medicines to their homes, as hallmarks of their care experience.
Makati Life’s success is reflected in its strong partnerships with national health agencies and accreditation by nearly all major HMOs. International awards such as “Public–Private Partnership of the Year” and “Integrated Healthcare Provider of the Year” underscore its role as a model for PPP-driven healthcare delivery, and as a signature achievement of the City Government of Makati’s progressive health agenda.
Dr. Sta. Ana’s recognition as CEO of the Year is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the bold partnership between the City Government of Makati and Life Nurture Inc. Together, they are reshaping the future of healthcare in the Philippines, showing that public and private sectors can collaborate to deliver innovation, access, and human-centered care at scale. As Makati Life Medical Center continues to grow, its model stands as a blueprint for other local governments and private players across the country, proving that when cities and private partners work hand in hand, hospitals aren’t just built, they transform entire healthcare systems for the better.
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