Synergy September 2016

A Quarterly Publication of St. Luke’s Medical Center - Resource Development GroupSY N E R GYSeptember 2016 Vol. 05 No.03 INSIDE 01 A revolutionary machine in the world of heart care 02 A mother finds hope for her daughter, Althea R03o Scholar of the Month: Rose An Alday 04 Limited edition Philippine art prints 05 The Nursing Care Group and the DSWD join our cause

EDITORIAL BOARD Edgardo R. Cortez, MD Arturo S. De La Peña, MD Jose B. Moran, MD Olivia B. Yao EDITORIAL TEAM Editor in Chief Kara Ortiga Creative Director Edric dela Rosa PhotographerS Lorenzo Joaquin Rennell Salumbre CONTRIBUTING Writer Arnie C. 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] www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph www.stlukes.com.ph For comments and suggestions, please call Niña Mirrela C. Bautista ReD – Fund Development Officer Tel. No.: (632) 789-7576

September 2016message fromthe presidentGreetings to the loyal readers of Synergy Magazine and the supporters of St. nurses to share their expertise inLuke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc.! helping address the health needs of people living in a poor barangay You may have noticed the revitalized look of Synergy Magazine! It was in Taguig City. This is a departurea conscious choice on our part to change its look and feel to reflect the from our usual medical and surgicalexciting developments in the work of the Foundation. mission outreach programs. The Nursing Group will be working in Last May, Olivia Yao, former banker of 22 years, joined St. Luke’s Medical the community for a period of timeCenter as Head of Resource Development Group. Olivia is tasked to handle to train community members on howfund generation projects to support the funding needs of the St. Luke’s to prevent illnesses, manage simpleFoundation. She will be introducing fund generation programs that will medical conditions, and to provideenable the greater public to participate in making a difference in the lives basic health care to the people in theof less fortunate patients of the hospital as well as the financially challenged community they will adopt.students of the St. Luke’s College of Medicine. We will also still continue our The St. Luke’s Foundation will also be introducing a new community other programs in social serviceprogram together with the St. Luke’s-Global City Nursing Care Group and and medical outreach, scholarship,the Department of Social Welfare and Development that will enable our and research. We are committed to inform our patrons and supporters of the activities of Resource Development and the Foundation, and how their funds are judiciously being used. More than just a cosmetic change, we want Synergy to reflect our continued commitment to improve how we serve the less fortunate sectors of Philippine society, and our renewed commitment to engage our patrons in stronger partnerships to enable them to reach out to Filipinos in need.SY N E R GY DR. EDGARDO R. CORTEZ President & CEO St. Luke’s Medical Center President, St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc. 01

September 2016f u n dra i s i n g champ i o n dr . e n r i q u e posas i s photographed at MATTERS OF Atrial Fibrillation is one of the most common the cath lab . he spearheaded the campa i g n to f i n d a do n or THE HEART causes of stroke, which is what sparked Dr. for the cryoco n sole card i ac ablat i o n system . Enrique Posas’ interest in helping bring in the The Cath Lab receives the first machine. “The issue is that the impact of this CryoConsole Cardiac disease is so significant because of the number of Ablation System. medicines you have to give to the patient. And if they develop a stroke, the impact it has on An important donation was made to the their function and families are significant. So we medical community: the CryoConsole Cardiac thought of a possible way where we can intervene Ablation System is the first machine of its kind and hopefully cure Atrial Fibrillation and in the Philippines, and only the second in the prevent strokes. With this regard, we are lucky ASEAN region. The machine is used to treat to have found a donor with a kind heart.” With patients suffering from Atrial Fibrillation—or the CryoConsole System, the normal rhythm the abnormal heart rhythm characterised by can be restored by using minimally invasive rapid and irregular beating. It has been placed procedures, utilizing a very cold temperature at the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of St. to destroy the cells that cause the irregularity. Luke’s-Global City. A thin flexible tube called a balloon catheter is used to locate and freeze the abnormal electrical conduction tissues that cause the irregularity. The procedure has become preferred among many patients because research has found it to be more effective than medication. It is faster, more efficient, and safer. Although Dr. Posas has helped in this revolutionary advancement, he is quick to point out that credit must be given to the team of electrophysiology doctors who use the machine to change lives: Dr. Edmund Ang, Dr. Douglas Bailon, Dr. Carlos De Las Llagas, Dr. Erdie Fadreguilan, Dr. Giselle Gervacio, Dr. Jay Tiongson, and Dr. Clara S. Tolentino.02 S Y N E R G Y

September 2016ma . l u i sa ba ñ ares cradles her baby althea at a pr i vate room at FOR ALTHEA Ma. Luisa arrived at the receiving area of the st . l u ke ’ s - q u e zo n c i ty . hospital, where the sickly flock to everyday. A story of the unconditional love of With Althea resting in her arms, they waited a mother for her daughter, and the with hope. Foundation’s role in helping out. At only 10 months old, Althea was diagnosed Ma. Luisa Bañares was at their home in the with Ganglioneuroblastoma—a very rare province of Quezon, when she noticed that tumor that occurs in children. The doctors had her baby Althea’s abdominal area became found a cyst near her kidney, and because of the swollen. The doting mother brought Althea urgency and obvious implications of Althea’s to the hospital of their community, and asked situation, one of her kidneys had to be removed. the doctor, “Doc, ano po problema ng anak ko?” The entire procedure would cost a total of 1.8 She recounts with sadness that all the doctors million pesos, the amount of which was covered could do was feel around, but offer no relief. by the Foundation and the hospital. “Kinapa-kapa lang siya,” she says, but they couldn’t give her a solution. Frantic, Ma. Luisa Ma. Luisa is overjoyed that the operation took her daughter to Manila, enduring the long was a success. In her arms lies Althea, with her commute to the city on the recommendation of innocent doe eyes and indelible fighting spirit. a relative who had informed her that she could go to St. Luke’s-Quezon City Social Service Her mother cradles her in her arms, her heart center and ask for help. Without hesitation, incredibly thankful for the opportunity that the Foundation and the Social Service team has given her. From the first day that she had taken Althea to the hospital, Ma. Luisa never stepped out. She was by her daughter’s side since day one. Here is an image of the unconditional love of a mother for her daughter. SY N E R GY 03

September 2016rose a n alday i s photographed at the street of her home i n mar i k i n a . i n her ho u se , all the medals she ROSE AN’S lang ako.” So instead, she took a job after college, has ach i e v ed i n her st u d i es ha n g o n the walls . thirst FOR tutoring private school kids in Ortigas. GROWTH But the work experience, she says, felt How one Foundation scholar braves hindering. “Yung naging buhay ko dun, narealize through the trials and tribulations of her ko na ayoko yung routine, gusto ko kasi may life for a bright future. continuous growth ako. Feeling ko nastuck ako doon, parang naging stagant ako. So naisip ko, Twenty-five year old Rose An Alday lives dapat i-pursue ko talaga yung medicine.” with her family in a small informal settlement community in Marikina. The area floods during Without telling her parents, Rose An reviewed the rainy season. And once, when Typhoon and took her NMAT exams. And when her score Ondoy hit Manila, it had reached the roof of came back, she reached out to big companies, their house, and she and her family had to jump asking them to sponsor her scholarship. She through neighbours roofs in order to find safety. didn’t receive any reply, until she had learned about the St. Luke’s Foundation Medical Her dad is a shoemaker, and her mom does Scholarship Program. volunteer work with a charitable organisation. Both of them are hardworking, struggling to Her first and second year at medical school make ends meet in order to sustain the family was hard, she says, because she still had to find of five. a way to cover various expenses. “Kulang ako ng resources, kasi hirap pa rin ako sa pambaon, When Rose An graduated with a BS Biology sa pamasahe. Kaya naging working student major in FEU, she had always dreamed of ako.” After classes would end, Rose An would becoming a doctor. But reality hit: becoming a commute to Ortigas to tutor students, before doctor meant years of studying, an amount of commuting back to her home in Marikina to time that she thought would be a burden for her squeeze in some time for studies. “Ayoko kasi family. “Kasi unang una, ayaw ng parents ko na maging burden sa family ko. Wala pa akong mag medicine ako. Kasi kelangan ko magwork pambili ng mga materials, and nung time na for the family. If I pursue medicine, kahit may yun, wala pa akong computer, so pupunta akong academic scholarship, parang sobrang selfish ko. internet café,” she says of the hardships, in which Kasi imbis na tutulong ako sa family, mag-aaral even her brother had to endure as he had to halt his studies in order to earn income for the family. But despite the arduous journey, Rose An became one of the top students of her batch in her first two years, and today, her parents gleam with pride at her accomplishments, as she continues down the path to achieve her dreams.04 S Y N E R G Y

September 2016 05FINE ARTA few years ago, a number ofcelebrated Filipino artists weretapped by the St. Luke’s MedicalCenter to help enliven thetypical hospital environment, byenhancing the mood into one thatsoothes anxiety and the pains ofbeing sick. This month, we arecreating a limited edition boxset of three artist’s works. It willbe printed in an exclusive run ofonly 50 pieces, each numberedand signed with a certificate ofauthenticity attached. Here, reada little about who the artists areand their work. All proceeds willgo to the St. Luke’s FoundationCollege of Medicine ScholarshipFund. (P30,000/box set) SY N E R GY

September 2016 Emmanuel Garibay Emmanuel Garibay is a Philippine painter  known for his expressionist figurative style, which often expresses a  socio-political consciousness. He likes to translate the complexities of society and the controversial issues of justice and truth in a vigorously colorful manner. “I think to make art, you have to synthesize sociology and theology, and you need to have a great grasp of history,” says Garibay. “You should know how to situate things and envelop ideas in social situations. And it will teach you a perspective where you realize art really matters.” In 1994, Garibay became the 2nd place winner for the II Bienal del Baloncesto en Balles Artes competition in Spain. The years after which, he continued to travel widely in Europe, Asia, and the United States, joining several art competitions abroad, and becoming a glistening representation of Philippine culture. In his work “Magsasayaw”, he depicts a serene scene of dancers in motion, creating a lively and invigorating piece of work for the hospital.06 S Y N E R G Y

September 2016Elmer portra i t by mm y uBorlonganElmer Borlongan’s work has become iconicin the world of contemporary Filipino art.His subjects are brought to life in a figurativeexpressionist style, and have struck many artenthusiasts. He is a recipient of the CulturalCenter of the Philippines’ Thirteen ArtistAwards in 1994, and his work has becomesought after in auctions across Southeast Asia.His work “Carousel”, which he made for theSt. Luke’s Medical Center in 2009, depicts afamiliar scene of kids in a fiesta. But Elmer isquick to point out that as with all of his work,he injects an underlying message that shedslight on some cultural issue. In this painting,he explains, “I was thinking of my concept ofhappiness, of my childhood memories. ButI made this during the time Typhoon Ondoyhappened. And it was inevitable that I removethat from my mind. Subtle lang yung painting,but sa may foreground, it’s flooded.” As apersonal advocacy, Elmer is interested in artas therapy—to present compassion in theordinary lives of Filipinos, and in effect, hopingthe work will instill hope in different peopleand encourage them to be resilient.FerdinandMontemayorThis 1994 Thirteen Artist Awardee depicts Manila’s jostling cityscape, and invites the viewer to see the places wherehe has grown. His wide-eyed view of the many little towns of Manila stems from his fascination with the way acity is built: with the after-effects of colonial influences still present in its geography. In his work “Poblacion”, hesays, you will see that the Church is at the center of the bayan. The tight, ever-busy scenes are an attempt to showthe startling reality of everyday life. But in his more recent work, Montemayor veers away from still images ofthe urban community, and instead has become interested with movement. As of now, he helps manage the PintoArt Museum with Dr. Joven Cuanang, and is continuously active in helping young artists grow, saying that he hasbecome successful in promoting around 200 artists. SY N E R GY 07

September 2016ALL SMILESHEREThe Support and ServicesGroup (SAS) spends a fun-filledafternoon with the elderly.Love and cheer was reignited for elderly residents FUNDRAISINGat the Kanlungan ni Maria home for the elderly. MILESTONESThese are residents who had been estranged andabandoned by family members. When the SAS Remarkable donations byGroup of St. Luke’s-Global City paid a visit to the Foundation.them, they wanted to make sure that the elderlyfelt all the warmth they deserved. The St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc. allocated P500,000 for the construction of Spearheaded by Vice President for Support infection control rooms to benefit the socialand Services Michaela Canlas and her staff, the service patients of St. Luke’s Medical Center-group came with enthused spirits, gifts, games, Quezon City.and even prepared a simple feast in which theyall shared together. SAS wanted the elderly to The facilities, located at the social serviceexperience a moment’s joy, most of whom suffer triage where patients are registered andfrom depression and feelings of hopelessness. assessed, are now fully operational. The rooms are used to avert patients with communicable “We wanted to make the elderly feel they have diseases such as flu or tuberculosis from comingnot been abandoned completely by people, that into contact with other people. The facilitiesthere are still those who care for and love them. use a negative air pressure to inhibit airborneIt is important to carry out projects like this to diseases, thus preventing the spread of harmfulenable us to spread the light of hope to people viruses and bacteria.who feel alone, uncared for, and unloved,” saysVP Canlas. In addition to the infection control rooms, the Foundation also funded the purchase of important equipment. The P700,000 grant was used to purchase a phoropter, a refracting chair and an Indirect Ophthalmoscope device to ensure that indigent patients are properly diagnosed. The phoropter is used to test individual lenses on each eye to determine if a patient has vision problems; the Indirect Opthalmoscope examines the inner structures of the eye, that would result to the better diagnosis of eye problems; and the Fetal Doppler machine can help determine the condition of the baby inside the mother’s womb.08 S Y N E R G Y

September 2016members of the fo u n dat i o n , the n u rs i n g care gro u p , a n d the dswd d u r i n g the REACHING Medical Center Foundation, Inc. carried out by s i g n i n g of the agreeme n t for the comm u n i ty adopt i o n project . OUT the Nursing Care Group of St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City, and in cooperation with A different kind of outreach the DSWD. program is launched in partnership with the Nursing Care Group and According to Olivia Yao, VP-Resource the Department of Social Welfare Development Group, and Martina Dimalibot, and Development (DSWD). VP-Nursing Care Global City, “We find out their actual needs through a rapid assessment Here is a new approach to outreach programs of the community, and based on its findings that hopes to be more effective. In the past, we develop appropriate programs for them. We customary outreach programs of the hospital are also able to monitor the development of engages in medical and surgical missions that the community because we are installing place send doctors to a community for a few days to monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure treat patients, and follow through is done by we are actually making a difference in the lives local partners. of our beneficiaries.” However, the St. Luke’s Medical Center The Project shall benefit the Pantawid Foundation, Inc. launched a new way of Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD reaching out. With the new Community by augmenting and complementing present Adoption Project, this small-scale health health programs that are provided to their program determines the problems first based beneficiaries who are counted among the on what the actual needs of the community are. poorest in the country. They will work with a The program is done under the social service community in Taguig City. and medical outreach program of St. Luke’s By working very closely with the community, listening to their actual needs, and proposing solutions—this outreach program aims high by wanting to make a lasting difference for the people who are most in need. SY N E R GY 09