Nuvance Health In Danbury Launches Health Partnership In Philippines

DANBURY, CT — Nuvance Health has announced a $1.1 million gift to launch a new global health partnership in the Philippines, marking the nonprofit health system’s ninth international collaboration and its first in Southeast Asia.

The partnership will include a mobile health care initiative known as The Floating Clinic, developed to serve remote island provinces in the Bicol Region. Outfitted boats will deliver primary care, minor surgeries, diagnostic services, and health education programs to communities with limited access to medical care. The initiative will also support local infrastructure with anchor stations to maintain regular operations.

The gift was made by an anonymous donor family from Ridgefield with ties to the Philippines and a history of supporting Danbury Hospital’s global health efforts.

“This generous gift is more than financial support — it’s a powerful symbol of our shared humanity,” said John M. Murphy, MD, president and CEO of Nuvance Health. “It enables us to bring essential healthcare and education to some of the world’s most underserved regions, while also investing in capacity building at Bicol University and enriching the learning journey of our future health care leaders.”

The effort is a collaboration between Nuvance Health, Bicol University, and The Floating Clinic, founded by Dr. German Agravante. It is supported by Nuvance’s Global Health Program, which has active partnerships in Armenia, Botswana, and six other countries.

Officials say the program will serve both as a health care delivery system and as a platform for global medical education.