SYNERGY DECEMBER 2019

September 2019 SY N E R GY Vol. 08 No.03 Rite of Passage The first graduates of St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc.’s Medical Scholarship Program A Quarterly Publication of St. Luke’s Medical Center - Resource Development Group SY N E R GY

EDITORIAL BOARD Arturo S. De La Peña, MD Benjamin S.A. Campomanes, Jr., MD Olivia B. Yao EDITORIAL TEAM EXECUTIVE EDITOR Janica Balasolla CREATIVE DIRECTOR Edric dela Rosa ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niña Bautista PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeeb Baldonado EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jude Trinidad THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY YOU MAY CONTACT US FOR YOUR DONATIONS: ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER - RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP 5/F, St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City 32nd Street and 5th Avenue (+632) 789-7700 extension 5076 and 5077 8/F St Luke’s College of Medicine - William H. Quasha Memorial 279 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City Website: www.stlukesfoundation.org.ph E-mail: [email protected] For comments and suggestions, please call Niña Mirrela C. Bautista ReD – Fund Development Officer Tel. No.: (632) 789-7576

September 2019 BEACONS OF HOPE On July 22, the latest batch of what others have done, but to gratitude to everyone who made St. Luke’s College of Medicine find better ways to treat and the medical mission possible. graduates joined thousands of prevent disease. proud alumni who are forever With these, I continue to grateful for the outstanding This issue includes a feature on urge our readers and donors to medical education received in a vital part in fulfilling our mission channel our energies in a positive the years they stayed in the of treating and preventing direction and continue giving our medical school. Among these diseases: the Medical Social patients quality and easy access graduates are five students Service Department of SLMC to health care. Thank you and making up the pioneer batch has evolved and engaged with may God continue to bless you! of the St. Luke’s Foundation’s various organizations to provide scholarship program, who are patients with the highest level of DR. ARTURO S. DE LA PEÑA featured in this quarter’s issue care. This charity arm enabled President & CEO as our main highlight. From the the hospital to reach out towards St. Luke’s Medical Center bottom of my heart, I would like thousands of impoverished President, St. Luke’s Medical to congratulate the graduates for Filipinos and provide them with Center Foundation, Inc. making it through! Being a doctor quality health care, expertise, is not only a great privilege but and facilities. also a great responsibility in today’s times. You are privileged We also feature our latest to become an important part of medical mission to Mindoro the lives of your patients and where we successfully their families. And essential accommodated over 100 major to that is the responsibility of and minor surgical cases from being a lifelong learner, eager the indigent communities. I’d like to consume new knowledge to express my utmost thanks and about the body and mind, which technology has made available today at an unprecedented pace. As you leave the four walls of the college, I sincerely hope that you will be a lifelong contributor to that knowledge as well, using your many gifts to not just repeat SY N E R GY 01

September 2019 HANDS OF HOPE ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER BRINGS ITS FREE SURGICAL MISSION TO MINDORO As part of the efforts in extending its medical expertise to indigent communities in the country, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) conducted a surgical mission at Oriental Mindoro Southern District Hospital in Roxas, Mindoro Oriental last Aug. 8-11, 2019. 28 physicians and associates, under the supervision of SLMC President and CEO Dr. Arturo S. De La Peña and SLMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Benjamin Campomanes, provided their clinical expertise to 118 surgical cases in the area. The cases were incision and drainage and excision and biopsies, modified radical masectomy, total thyroidectomy, cholecystectomy, tonsillectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, appendectomy, herniotomy, parotidectomy, cystectomy, herniorrhaphy, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy, vaginal hysterectomy and bladder repair, thyroid lobectomy, myomectomy, and marsupialization. The people of these communities in Mindoro expressed their gratitude for this rare opportunity. Through the joint efforts of SLMC and SLMC Foundation Inc., the Manalo, Talens, and Goco families; RBGM, and Medtronic Philippines Inc., the free surgical mission was deemed a success with hopes of more medical missions to carry out in the future. 02 S Y N E R G Y

September 2019 SY N E R GY 03

September 2019 THE COMMUNITY IN ADVOCATING PATIENT SAFETY THE QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY (QPS) OF SLMC JOINS HAND WITH FOUNDATION TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES OF DEPRESSED AREA IN TAGUIG In celebration of the 4th Patient Safety Awareness Quality Officer, gave a talk on International Week, the Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Group Patient Safety Goals, highlighting the important of both SLMC-QC and SLMC-GC, in partnership with measures that patient safety advocates should St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc., Nursing always remember: providing accurate and correct Care Group’s (NCG) Clinical Advancement and information, communicating concerns to healthcare Informatics (CAI - GC) and Support Services Group’s providers, taking medications only as prescribed, (SSG) Food and Nutrition Department, Taguig City ensuring that they receive the right and appropriate Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) procedures, preventing the spread of infections and representatives from the Department of Social through proper hand hygiene, and ensuring the Welfare and Development (DSWD) organized an environment is safe in preventing fall accidents. outreach project at Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig last July 5. About a hundred residents attended St. Luke’s Nutritionist-Dieticians Ruby Grace the activity, where family representatives in the Reyes, Maria Rosas Rances, Edward John Licarte, community were oriented about their roles and and Dennis Betito from the Food and Nutrition responsibilities as patient safety advocates. They Department of Global City taught Food Safety and were also taught how to prepare economical and preparing affordable and nutritious meals to the nutritious meals for their family members. All residents in conjunction with the celebration of the participants and mentors were welcomed by Dr. Nutrition Month. Simultaneously, the Community Alejandro C. Dizon, VP & Head, Quality and Patient Rapid Profile Assessment result was provided by Safety Group & Chief Quality Officer. the Nursing Care Group represented by Dr. Manuel M. Canlas, AVP - Nursing Care Group and a team Dr. Helen N. Ong-Garcia, AVP and Asst. Chief from CAI to the barangay representatives. 04 S Y N E R G Y

September 2019 CHEERS TO THE PIONEERS GRADUATION DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED FOR THE FIRST BATCH OF ST. LUKE’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARS SY N E R GY 05

September 2019 July 22, 2019. A date that will remain in the hearts and minds of St. Luke’s College of Medicine’s fifth year students as they complete their studies and earn their Doctor of Medicine. Particularly, it is a remarkable day for five students included in the roster for they become the first graduates of St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation’s Medical Scholarship Program. In the founding year of the program, five students were selected as beneficiaries: Rose An Alday, Kristian Rei Castillo, Ma. Carmela Runas, Johnlehi Surio, and Tracy Velasco. Hailing from different family situations and provinces in the country, they had to make great sacrifices and endured challenges in order to get to the finish line. A PERFECT CHOICE health. “I spent five years of my life here in Manila For Rose An Alday, the Foundation’s scholarship and away from my parents in Batangas. I do what program was exactly what she was looking for. I do because of them, but eventually I lost them.” “Medyo mas mataas ‘yung pressure sa academic Reeling from the loss, Castillo again questioned [scholarship.] That time, naghahanap ako ng his choice, but decided to push through and finish scholarship na hindi lang naka-focus sa academic Medicine for a greater purpose. “Plan na talaga status ng tao pero tinitingnan din ‘yung socio- ito ni God. In the beginning it was never about economic status.” Becoming a doctor was her what I want, but what I need. I lost my parents, priority, but she had to postpone and work in a unfortunately. But I’ll just devote my efforts to my review center for two years before going to medical relatives and to the poor.” school. “Hindi ko nakita doon ‘yung purpose ko and hindi ko nakitang nag-grow ako as a person. So I FANTASY TO REALITY thought if I pursued Medicine, magiging malaki ang Ma. Carmela Runas did not see a realistic path impact nun sa ibang tao. Hindi lang sa akin.” Having towards getting into medical school until she found the Foundation at her back, Alday was able to fully out about the Foundation’s scholarship program. “I experience the best and worst parts of being a really wanted to be a doctor, but there isn’t a school medical student. “Mahirap ‘yung academics, pero or organization that gives generous benefits like St. sa awa ng Diyos ay nakapasa naman. Mamimiss ko Luke’s Foundation. I applied because I needed a long ‘yung patient encounters sa medical school. Ngayon term scholarship since hindi naman po namin kayang ko lang na-realize na masaya pala kapag nagwo- magbayad.” As her fantasy became a reality, Runas work ka sa hospital. Marami kang nakakausap na engraved in her heart that she will give it her best doctors and patients lalo na kapag sobrang thankful as a way to give back. “I am looking forward to join nila at na-aappreciate nila ‘yung ginagawa mo.” the Doctors to the Barrios Program with my fellow scholars. I also plan to get affiliated with St. Luke’s NOT A WANT, BUT A NEED Meanwhile, Kristian Rei Castillo did not set his sights on becoming a doctor in the first place. He was already enrolled as an engineering scholar in his province when he shifted. “My mom suffered a stroke before, so I accepted my aunt’s offer of enrolling into medical school.” Furthermore, his concern about the poor access of healthcare in the country prompted him to rethink his first choice. “If I’m an engineer how can I reach the poor? When you’re a doctor, you can do medical outreach. And I noticed that families always sacrifice their health over other needs, because it is quite expensive.” Castillo sees healthcare as an important aspect in prolonging lives and keeping families together. Just last year, he lost both his parents due to poor 06 S Y N E R G Y

September 2019 pagkain. So iniisip ko nalang ‘yung pamilya ko. Plus, I wouldn’t want to waste the money na dinodonate ng Foundation para mapaaral ‘yung mga katulad ko.” She plans to take residency as an OB-GYN in SLMC or whatever hospital comes up someday. Medical Center as a resident. I will miss the staff AN ANSWERED PRAYER members of the College of Medicine, but working Johnlehi Surio took it as a blessing and an in SLMC will help me carry over the approach that I opportunity when he first found out about becoming experienced with the College’s staff.” one of the first St. Luke’s Foundation scholars. “Somehow, it was a relief for me knowing na meron LIFE SAVER akong backup kung sakaling mangailangan ako ng Tracy Velasco was quite doubtful when she applied tulong dito sa dream kong maging doctor.” Like to SLCM’s academic scholarship until she found Castillo, he also initially planned on becoming an out about the Foundation’s scholarship program. engineer. But a family situation urged him to take a “There were times na naisip ko baka hindi ko different path. “My father died in 2012. At that time, ma-maintain ‘yung grades ko so paano na yung I was praying that there will be someone who could pagme-Medicine ko. So answered prayer talaga ito help my father para mapahaba ang buhay niya. So I ni God for me.” It was a passenger jeep accident also wanted to be an answer to someone’s prayer.” that prompted Velasco to pursue medical studies. Surio did more than just finish medical school; he “The accident occurred in a faraway place in graduated medical school as a Dean’s Lister and an Laguna so walang doctor na available. Doon ko Outstanding Intern in Preventive and Community na-realize na kung meron lang kaming nakuhang Medicine. “I really did not look forward to bagging doctor agad, nakaligtas pa sana siya ng buhay. awards. Personally, I have learned na there’s a lot ‘Yun ang naging inspiration ko to take Medicine.” more people na mas matalino at mas magaling pa Velasco knows that being a medical student takes sa akin. So knowing that, I figured that I’ll just do my a lot of patience and perseverance in finishing the best tapos bahala na. Ang importante makatapos craft, yet her family and the Foundation remain her ako ng medical school and fulfill my dream na motivation for making sacrifices. “Wala kang tulog, maging doctor.” In everything he did, Surio kept in wala kang sahod. Kapag wala kang pera, wala kang mind to be diligent, to do his best, and go the extra mile. “Without the Foundation scholarship,hindi ko talaga kayang ipagpatuloy ‘yung Medicine.” Like the rest of the scholars, Surio will join the Doctors to the Barrios Program and hope to obtain a master’s degree in Public Health. He is also planning to earn a residency in Emergency Medicine at SLMC. All this gratification makes him hope to achieve a bigger dream in the future someday. Graduation from medical school is a rite of passage that invites one to become the doctor they want to become. The appellation of “doctor” is both a reward for the hard work they have done and a reminder of the even harder work that lies ahead. As one of the best medical schools in the country, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine- William H. Quasha Memorial maintains a reputation of producing competent and compassionate healing professionals in the workforce. With the Foundation’s assistance, gifted individuals are able to achieve their dreams of being a medical professional despite their status, and they are able to ease the poor’s access to quality healthcare in the country. Congratulations to this year’s graduates! Now raise that well-deserved bubbly and plunge into the future with humility and resolve. SY N E R GY 07

September 2019 TOWARDS surgeries, renal transplants, cardiac surgeries, etc. A CAUSE The department is fully staffed by licensed social workers and medical staff working together under OVER THE YEARS, THE MEDICAL a Social Service Management Board to assure that SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT the best quality health care standards are met. OF ST. LUKE’S HAS BECOME THE CHAMPION OF POOR PATIENTS At the helm of the MSSD staff is Khim Urmatam, IN THEIR QUEST FOR QUALITY, who is the shared department manager in both COMPASSIONATE CARE hospitals (SLMC-QC and SLMC-GC.) Urmatam started out as a social worker in St. Luke’s back in St. Luke’s Medical Center’s charity efforts started 1996 and eventually took on the role of department out in 2003 as a dispensary catering to the manager in 2012. His primary responsibility is to needs of the indigent residents of Tondo, Manila. monitor the operations and budgeting of the MSSD In 1947, the Medical Social Service Department in both hospitals. To ensure continuous support for (MSSD) was established to serve as the official their beneficiaries, Urmatam works closely with the charity arm of the hospital. Guided by its mission St. Luke’s Foundation, St. Luke’s Women’s Board, to “provide comprehensive medical care leading and other social welfare agencies. towards the treatment, rehabilitation and uplift the quality of indigent patients,” the hospital was What is the role of the St. Luke’s Foundation and able to reach out to thousands of impoverished Filipinos and provide them with quality health other social welfare agencies in providing support care, expertise, and facilities. The MSSD gives full or partial services for free, from simple medical to the MSSD? cases to comprehensive procedures like brain URMATAM: The Foundation provides free cataract operations, chemotherapeutic drugs, and various financial assistance to indigent patients. The Foundation also finances surgical medical missions in far flung areas and during the hospital’s anniversary celebration in Taguig City and Quezon City. The social welfare agencies are also with 08 S Y N E R G Y

September 2019 us on behalf of patients who need health related function. Halimbawa ikaw ang breadwinner ng services that are not covered by the program such pamilya, kapag nagkasakit ka, affected ang role as temporary shelter to minimize travel while on mo as breadwinner. Gusto namin matulungan mga treatment, particularly for those residing outside pasyente namin to regain their respective social Metro Manila. roles as an individual. Challenging part is balancing the expenses and allotment for patients with So far, what is the biggest achievement of the regards to the current census. MSSD and the Foundation together? So far I’d say our collaboration for the Cataract How’s the dynamic between you and your staff, and Cancer patients proves to be a big help to our patients. Minsan kasi may mga pasyente na hindi and with the Foundation? na kaya ‘yung medical treatments and procedures Close kami ng staff ko. Kapag trabaho, trabaho so tumitigil na sila. With the Foundation’s help, lang. But sometimes we get to share our personal they’re able to complete the treatments so they’re aspects to each other and we go out for bondings able to recover. too. I make sure na kahit wala ako sa Global CIty, alam ko ‘yung nangyayari sa office. We always As department manager, what’s the best and most give feedback to each other. Ako dapat on top challenging part of your responsibility? of everything. With the Foundation naman, we Best part of my job is being able to help our always coordinate with Jude (Trinidad) and with patients recover and gain back their social Ms. Olivia (Yao) diretso. We always provide reports to Foundation.  SY N E R GY 09