Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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In 2026, medical shows like "The Pitt" and "St. Denis Medical" made waves for their accurate inclusion of Filipino healthcare workers in TV storylines. Filipinos account for about 1% of the population in the U.S.—but 4% of nurses in the country and 33% of all foreign-born registered nurses. Why are Filipino nurses so overrepresented in the field?

We visited Chicago’s International Museum of Surgical Science to check out the exhibit "Unheard Voices of Care" and learn more about the history of Filipino nurses and medical professionals in the United States.

Learn more from Britannica:
How the Philippines Became Independent from Spain: britannica.com/topic/Independence-Day-Philippines
The Philippine Revolution: britannica.com/event/Philippine-Revolution
More About Immigration Quotas: britannica.com/topic/Immigration-Act-United-States-1924

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