The Pulse 2020 | T1 | Mapping our Vision

The Official Publication of Davao Doctors Hospital | T1 Issue | May 2020

Cover Story Mapping Out the Future PAGE 4

Conversations Launching Young Blood PAGE 10

Meet the Experts

Get to know our new leaders, Dr. Maria Theresa Bañes of Medical Service and Ms. Jarilyn Bastasa of Nursing Services PAGE 14

MAPPING OUR VISION

Features

Doctors Thinking Beyond PAGE 6 A Happy Story PAGE 8 The Perfect Partnership: In Sickness and In Health PAGE 9

Community Pulse Christmas Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony

PAGE 16 Outreach Mission for Earthquake Victims

PAGE 16 Golden Ball

PAGE 17

EDITOR’S NOTE

Future-Proofing, Part 2

W

hen I was little, I used to watch people in their 70’s and perceive them as ancient.

Now that I am nearing 70 myself, what used to be fact has proven to be a fallacy.

At 70, one can remain agile, energetic and full of dreams. What cannot be denied,

however, is that the world around us has changed. The Davao skyline now has peaks where once it was flat. The streets are crowded, not by people but by machines. Employees don’t need to visit each other’s offices, they just email. Patients and doctors may not even need to go to clinics.

The buzz is about Universal Healthcare, artificial intelligence, big data, automation, telemedicine, and formidable competition. The innovations in technology and ideas continuously grow exponentially.

When the environment changes, the people are moulded to adapt. DDH has future-proofed itself to breach the 50th landmark, but what worked in the environment of the past may no longer be applicable for the next 3 or 5 years. We cannot even begin to imagine the next 10 years, let alone the next 50.

Traditionalists conceived and concretized DDH, the Baby Boomers expanded the limits and the Generation X sustained the growth. The Millenials and Centennials among us, are now confronted with new dynamics that will shape the future of DDH and the leadership must help them prepare. Leadership can only help if it, too, aligns its perspective.

As we engage the year 2020, Pulse wishes to awaken our community to be cognizant of the new challenges we confront and to bring itself into a position of mapping out the future together.

CELIA C CASTILLO, MD Editor-In-Chief THE PULSE EDITORIAL BOARD PUBLISHER | Raymund CS Del Val EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Celia C. Castillo, MD, FPCP MANAGING EDITOR | Bam Basan-Anino CONTRIBUTORS

Raymund CS Del Val | Ronald Tangente, MD Caryll Bato | Jencynt Chu Mary Lois Sadiua | Katrina Sanchez Jastene Angelene Galacio

Davao Doctors Hospital. Printed in Davao City, Philippines. Distributed in Mindanao for the medical community, health enthusiasts, as well as select hotels, restaurants, cafes, fitness centers and health establishments.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

PROOFING

Edu Lopez | Katrina Sanchez

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS | Jencynt Chu PHOTOGRAPHY | Cholo Dumlao | Kenn Reginaldo THE PULSE is the official quarterly newsletter of Davao Doctors Hospital published by

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PRESIDENT’S VIEWPOINT 2020: The Perfect Vision

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perfect way for Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH) to embrace the future is to segue from its golden anniversary into a new decade. 2020 will be an exciting year for DDH. It will be a year full of positive developments as we continue to be a prime mover in the healthcare industry in Southern Philippines.

As we set our eyes on the next 50 years, we aim towards the perfect vision in 2020 engraving meaningful connections with our patients, doctors, personnel and the community and remaining relevant, trusted and most importantly, valued as a partner of all our stakeholders.

We will anchor our projects and initiatives to ensure positive patient experience through constant service improvement and facility expansion. Our satellite facilities in Mt. Apo Street, Dumoy, and Mandug offer quality and easy-to-access primary care services. Our Philhealth Z packages on Kidney Transplant, CABG, and Peritoneal Dialysis assist our patients in getting the best treatment plan at reasonable cost.

We will also strengthen our management-doctor relationship as we aim to actively collaborate with the medical community, confident that the medical service team under the new leadership of Dr. Ronald Tangente, will bring in fresh insights that will excite our senior consultants and entice young doctor specialists to join our team.

Banking on our rich legacy, we can only look forward to the next five decades with positivity and excitement as we continue to be at the forefront of the healthcare revolution.

RAYMUND CS DEL VAL President & CEO

DOCTOR’S CHART Towards a Strategic Medical Service

T

he situation in the

By being altruistic, our medical team is laying the groundwork

medical

industry

for the future generations. We need to be bold enough in

nowadays calls upon

this planting season in order for us to reap a bigger harvest.

us to be proactive. Merriam

However, these will not be made possible without the support

Webster defines proactive

and commitment of the whole medical service. A vision without

as “acting in anticipation of

action will just be merely a dream. In essence, let us band

future problems, needs, or

together and help me in this vision.

changes”. Despite the urge, it is always difficult to do the first step. After a whole lot of

Overall, the long term picture of our hospital is very promising and encouraging.

thinking, I came to realize that the first real tangible step for all of us is to gather and sit down with the same dream in mind.

We need to reorganize ourselves and work as multi-disciplinary teams. Indeed, we were able to do it together by creating a Strategic Plan for the Medical Service.

RONALD P TANGENTE, MD Medical Director THE PULSE | May 2020

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COVER STORY

Mapping out the Future by: Celia C. Castillo, MD

D

avao Doctors Hospital has crossed a landmark: the Golden Anniversary. In marriages, in individual age and even in organizations, 50 years carry with it a sense of pride, of achievement and promise of legacy and longevity. But the world has evolved astronomically over the past few years that future proofing an organization for the next 50, or even just 10 years, becomes a daunting task.

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THE PULSE | May 2020

COVER STORY As the important geopolitical, economic, and technological factors in the world have been transformed, so have generations. The traditionalists, the war time babies, those born during the Marcos era, the millennials and the zoomers, have different memories and mindsets that moulded their thinking processes and behaviors according to their world views.

In the beginning, our founders were of one generation.

Today, DDH is made up of 5, together at the threshold, plotting the course of DDH’s subsequent history.

In the past 12 years of my engagement with management, we relied heavily on digital transformation as the most critical aspect of future proofing. We streamlined our processes and digitalized them to make work more efficient. True to its vision, we ensured that the hospital was abreast with the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology and expertise. Today, every hospital does the same and we will soon confront competition that has done that, much ahead of us.

When Dr. Ronald Tangente, our new Medical Director, asked me late last year to facilitate a strategic meeting with mostly young doctors, the first thing I impressed upon them was that the founders of DDH were their age when they conceived and established the hospital.

Now is the time for them to dream and bring to fruition their own dreams. That probably excited them, because as they unfolded their dreams in the final session, they mapped them out in vivid details. As their excitement

grew linearly, my anxiety grew geometrically. Lord, with all the constraints of space, money and complacency, how can we in leadership assist in concretizing these dreams so that these young doctors will continue to be integral to the stability of DDH?

[...]our founders were of one generation. Today, DDH is made up of 5, together at the threshold, plotting the course of DDH’s subsequent history.

There needs to be something deeper and more substantial that would carry us on to the future. Perhaps we can learn from our past? What ensured the success of our founders’ endeavors? Single-minded focus, commitment, selflessness, and enduring faith on seeing a dream come true. Their dream was crystal clear, palpable and compelling.

So how do we bridge 5 generations to conceive of a dream so crystal clear, palpable and compelling?

And the answer came sooner than I thought. The master planning has begun!

______________________________________________________________ CELIA C. CASTILLO, MD is DDH’s VP for Strategy, Director for Quality Management and Accreditation and the Editor-In-Chief for The Pulse.

She is also an active consultant and holds clinic at the Medical Tower.

Dr. Castillo also served as the hospital’s Medical Director from 2008 to 2012.

THE PULSE | May 2020

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FEATURES

Doctors Thinking Beyond

by: Ronald Tangente,MD Jastene Angelene Galacio

T

he ever changing landscape of the medical industry has become a constant challenge to all stakeholders. The demand for space is unrelenting both for clinics, services and parking in order to address the evolving technology, specialties and increasing volume of patients. The coming of well-trained specialists is an opportunity for expansion but limited space hinders it.

Containing cost while at the same time providing quality stateof-the-art healthcare is a financial struggle. The purpose of the Universal Health Care initiative by the government is good but questions arise when it comes to implementation and how it impacts sustainability.

Nowadays, it is essential to be innovative and creative.

Decision-making and priorities need to adapt to the pressing needs. In order to mitigate risks and capitalize on the potential opportunities, it is necessary to plan and prepare adequately.

We need to Think Big, Start Small, Act Fast.

THE PULSE | May 2020

The strength of the Medical Service of Davao Doctors Hospital is the people. Besides having diligent and passionate doctors, we have an open-minded and participative group of intelligent human beings. In order to harness this strength, the Medical Service Department headed by Dr. Ronald Tangente, our new Medical Director, conducted a strategic planning with the doctors from different specialties last November 11, 2019 at Café Demitasse, Torres Street.

It was facilitated by Dr. Celia Castillo, our VP for strategy, who led the group into visualizing in detail their vision for the future of their different specialties and inter-related services in the light of current and future needs.

The strength of the Medical Service of Davao Doctors Hospital is the people.

Besides having diligent and passionate doctors, we have an open minded and participative group of intelligent human beings.

THINK BIG…Everybody needs to have a conscious effort to transform the organization and set up common goals. In order to create a worthwhile project, it may be wise to think big. START SMALL…..Lao Tsu has figured this out pretty well. ” A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We need to divide the big pie into smaller realistic pieces. Constantly achieving modest success creates a winning attitude. If we lump all the small wins together, we might be surprised by its gigantic size. It eventually develops into a positive culture. ACT FAST…John Boyd, a military

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strategist in the Pentagon in the late 20th century, theorized the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) loop theory. When the facts and the environment change, the key to victory is to be able to make an appropriate and quick decision to that given scenario.

Healthcare organizations are intended to serve and satisfy patients according to their needs. The experiences of the organization demonstrate that demand will always be high and the way to deliver a particular need may change over time. In order to keep pace with the rapid change, understanding the way the market works and the direction of the industry, is important in order to be ready for what may come ahead. According to Dr. Ronald Tangente, the strategic direction that he wanted DDH to pursue in the coming years is to not be complacent with the status quo. We have to scale up, we have to move up.

FEATURES A SWOT analysis from the doctors’ perspective yielded what was commonly perceived: Strengths, such as its people, the brand and the specialty services that it offers; Weaknesses, such as inefficiencies and limitation of space, services and facilities; Threats, such as competitors, unpaid bills, brain drain, and ; Opportunities, which was the main activity for the planning.

Dr. Castillo grouped the doctors according to interrelated services and instructed them to consider the inputs from a presented situationer of DDH as a guide in creating a vision/ dream close to their heart. The doctors shared their very interesting and detailed visions which excited everyone. The bottom line was the creation of Centers of Excellence and efficient multidisciplinary approach in providing services.

There was a call for re-launching the Heart Institute, expanding Cancer Center, Eye Center and Liver Center and creation of a Women’s Center, Stroke Center, Breast Center, Neurodevelopmental Center, Transplant Center, among others.

Aligning the fellowship grants to the needs of the centers was also raised. This will help the organization satisfy the needs of our community.

Teamwork in the health care is labeled as the ability of each health care professional to efficiently hold corresponding roles within a team, work willingly, share the duties responsibilities for problem-solving, and make the wise choices.

All the dreams meant prioritization and space. Fortunately, the Board of Directors together with the Executive Committee are aligned in the process of Master planning for the expansion of DDH this year.

After reflecting of what is way ahead , understanding how the doctor’s efforts to improve DDH impacts and supports the organization is simply critical so that they can appreciate the valuable role they play on the healthcare team. Teamwork in the health care is labeled as the ability of each health care professional, to efficiently hold corresponding roles within a team, work willingly, share the duties responsibilities for problem-solving, and make the wise choices. Therefore, guiding the doctors to make this powerful connection is indeed a commitment accepted under the leadership of the new medical services team.

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________________________________________________________________ RONALD P. TANGENTE, MD, FPOA is DDH’s new Medical Director. Dr. Tangente specilizes in Orthopedics and Spine Surgery and holds clinic at the Spine and Scoliosis Center.

JASTENE ANGELENE E. GALACIO is the Executive Assistant to the Medical Director.

THE PULSE | May 2020

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FEATURES

A Happy Story Patient Testimonial

29

years old ako ng ipinagbubuntis ko si Sachie Kyle a.k.a Skye.

Sachie means “Auspicious angel” Born on June 20, 2012. As a single Mother, I’m so lucky to have her as my Unica Hija and I’m very very proud of her. Grade 2 na siya ngayon. Every time may program sa school nila, sasali yan siya; mapa sayaw man o mapa kanta gustong gusto nyang mag-participate. Bago siya na hospital nanalo sila 1st place sa isang musical contest sa school nila. Very active na bata parang walang kapagoran ika nga. Very talkative, very friendly.

Skye loves watching cartoons, like LITTLE PONY, POKEMON, UPIN and IPIN, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE, TEAM TITANS and a lot more.

She loves to play, loves to make friends, loves to draw and gustong gusto nya i-drawing yong favorite cartoon character nya na POWERPUFF GIRLS. Favorite nya sa tatlo si Blossoms kasi very girly and ganun din siya. She loves color pink. Kung pupunta kami sa isang lugar o bahay ng relatives ko or friends ko, dapat may dala akong paper and pencil or color pencil or hihingi ng paper para lang magdrawing. Kaya noong na confine siya, first time nyang na confine for 7 years, yon ang kauna unahang na hospital siya. As a mother, masakit kasi hindi ko alam how to help her lalo na noong nalaman ko na dengue na pala dumapo sa kanya. Noong nasa PICU siya, lage kong sinasabi sa kanya “get well baby love, so that you can draw again and you can watch Youtube while drawing, or we can pasyal na.” Kitang kita mo sa mga mata nya na she’s not in good shape.

Thankful ako sa mga Doctors na tumingin sa kanya, sa mga Tita Nurses na nag-alaga sa kanya. Bumalik na yong pagiging palakain nya, yong sigla nya, pagiging madaldal na minsan parang makulit na kasi bawal pa nga sa kanya magkikilos pero bata eh!

nya kasi pinapakita nya lahat ng obra nya, yong paper na naka lagay sa tray ng food nya kinukuha ko and dun ko siya pinapa-drawing. Noong nakita ko sa kanya na bored na siya sa loob ng hopital and gusto ng umuwi, kaya ask ko siya “do you want to draw and color? go to Tita Nurse ask some papers, pencil and crayons” di naman nagdalawang isip go agad siya. “Mommy I want to put all of my drawings at the bulletin board Mommy,” turo nya yong nasa wall kung saan nakalagay lahat ng obra ng ibang bata. Lahat ng bed siguro sa PEDIA WARD nilalapitan nya yong mga patients just to say “Hi!”. Lalo na si Baby Emman yong katabi ng bed nya, she always encourage Baby Emman na “do not cry Baby Emman, Tita Nurse will take good care of you so that you can go home and play with your brother.” Pinapakita nya mga drawing nya sa mga pasyente kahit baby pa para daw maging happy sila.

Happy siya pag sinasabihan yong drawing nya na maganda. She always say thank you sa mga Tita Nurse na nagbibigay sa kanya ng medicine kasi daw help daw siya nila Tita Nurse to feel better para daw hindi na daw ako mag-worry kasi tired na daw ako masyado.

Promise nya never na daw ulit siya magkakasakit para hindi na daw ako mahirap maghahanap ng money to pay the bills. At her age, alam nya kung okay ba ako o hindi. Kaya thankful din ako kasi lumaban siya, di nya hinayaan na magpatalo sa virus ng dengue.

Thank you po sa lahat ng tumulong sa Unica Hija ko. Sa inyo po Ma’am Christine sa staff nyo po. Sa PICU staff thank you po ng marami.

Noong nakalabas na kami sa PICU, transfer sa PEDIA WARD, laki na ng improvement nya, lalong naging hyper friends na nya lahat ng Tita Medtech, ang tagal nilang matapos kasi magkukwentohan pa bago maka alis si Tita Medtech. Yong mga INTERN Nurse, naging friends din

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THE PULSE | May 2020

Thank you po sa lahat ng tumulong sa Unica Hija ko. Sa inyo po Ma’am Christine, sa staff nyo po. Sa PICU staff thank you po ng marami. Sad nga si Skye kasi hindi daw siya nakapagpa-picture sa lahat ng Nurses sa PEDIA WARD. She’s going to miss her Tita Nurses daw. Thank you again and God Bless po.

Faye Tolentino ________________________________________________________________ FAYE TOLENTINO is a mother to one of our pediatric patients.

FEATURES

The Perfect Partnership: In Sickness and In Health by: Mary Lois O. Sadiua

D

avao Doctors Hospital (DDH), after half a century of operation, finds itself reaching yet another milestone as the Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (MPHHI) brings in a new partner, KKR, that aims to help propel DDH towards its vision.

equity, infrastructure, real estate, and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. As of December 31, 2019, KKR & Co. has invested USD 19.9 Billion in businesses in 20 cities across 4 continents of the world, making up USD 218.4 Billion of their assets under management.

THE CLIMB DDH, indeed, began enthusiastically with its 50-bed capacity healthcare facility. It opened its doors to the public in 1969, intending to provide quality specialty health service to Davaoeños. A few years and further expansions later, the hospital had managed to build its image as the leading stateof-the-art medical institution in Mindanao, while also honing future medical leaders through its residency and fellowship programs and other healthcare providers through its school – Davao Doctors College (DDC).

KKR, for decades, has been investing globally in various healthcare sectors, and for DDH, they have tailored a 3-point strategy that aims to improve the operations of the hospital: 1) Determine Market Potential 2) Debottleneck Limitations 3) Make Hospital Group As A Whole. KKR focuses strongly on partnership with the management team which perfectly aligns with the vision of the hospital. The firm aims to help reduce the revenue leakage by leveraging on its specialties: CONNGO, which stands for Cardiology, Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, and Orthopedics. KKR also looks at optimizing the case-mix with this focus in mind. The group is keen on exploring new investments and solutions to address the hospital’s challenges, mainly involving the lack of space for parking, clinics, and patient rooms.

The firm aims to help reduce the revenue leakage by leveraging on its specialties: CONNGO, which stands for Cardiology, Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, and Orthopedics.

With a growth mindset beyond the capabilities of that time, the founders knew that the day will come when they will have to bring in new strategies, skills, and people with the same vision, to keep up with global standards and remain relevant in this fast-changing industry of care.

BETTER TOGETHER In 2008, MPIC bought 34% shareholding in the hospital and a new board of directors was inducted. Along with the entry of MPIC, came new expansions, facilities, and equipment that helped DDH maintain its growth and become esteemed in providing topnotch services and treatment.

2020 VISION During the last quarter of 2019, MPIC brought in a new player – KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) & Co., a leading global investment firm that manages multiple asset classes, including private

KKR is also strong in its corporate responsibility as it gives strong emphasis on the environment, safety, and good governance (ESG). This is fully aligned with our own emphasis on the same areas as a responsible organization.

DDH is confident that this new partnership will stimulate further developments in the care we deliver and that we will continue to be the unparalleled health institution beyond borders. ________________________________________________________________ MARY LOIS O. SADIUA is the Executive Assitant to Ancillary Services and Office of the President.

THE PULSE | May 2020

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CONVERSATIONS

Launching Young Blood by: Jencynt C. Chu and Celia C. Castillo, MD

F

ifty years ago, it was a group of budding, eager and restive doctors, nurses and technicians, who conceived and brought DDH into reality. In our midst are young Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Dietitians and other members of our organization who are equally budding, eager and restive. These are our potential leaders, pure energy, that can be tapped to propel DDH into the future. PULSE wishes to get up close and personal with a few of them in this FGD. 10

THE PULSE | May 2020

CONVERSATIONS HAS IT BEEN YOUR DREAM TO WORK IN A HOSPITAL?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) Yes, since I was a kid. Both of my parents are doctors, so I already planned for my future to become a doctor as well. It has been a dream ever since.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE) Not necessarily sa hospital, but I always wanted to work in the medical field.

DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Yes! Ever since my pre-med course. I am a nurse by profession but I took up medicine and I decided to practice in the hospital talaga.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) Yes because I want to apply all the things that I learned from school. If you are in a hospital, you will really apply this knowledge like pharmacology. Unlike in the community, you will just sell those and dispense.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) When I was a child, I really wanted to work in a hospital. Ewan ko but its within me na gusto ko mag serve people and hospital.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR - EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Honestly, no, but sa mga experience ko in pharma….. I started kasi to work in a community pharmacy. Actually isa ako sa 1st batch jan sa MedExpress way back 2013. I worked there for more than a year, then after that naging researcher ako sa UIC for 3 years. Our project was funded by DOST. Since my father is also working in a hospital, San Pedro Hospital, nakita ko talaga ang benefit nun. That’s why, after the project, I decided to come back here, not as a pharmacist but still in the hospital operation.

MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) Yes, but it is not an easy job. You need to be passionate in your job. It is hard for me because I graduated in Manila, in Our Lady of Fatima University, but I’m from Davao Oriental.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO WORK AT DDH?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) First of all, my mother graduated in this institution as a pediatrician around 15 years ago. For me, compared to other hospitals, I think Davao Doctors is well-equipped with all the skills and hold the knowledge I need to become a good practicing doctor in the future. My mother had also told me that

if I graduate in this institution, I will be more confident.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT - INTERNAL MEDICINE) Before I graduated in medical school, I decided to practice at the premier private hospital in Davao and that would be Davao Doctors. So I decided to take my internship here so that it would be easier for me to go to residency.

DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) I graduated from Davao Medical School Foundation and since 4th year clerkship, most of my rotation in a private hospital was here.

I was also rotated in other private institutions but then I realized that Davao Doctors offers much better facilities for training.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) In the past 5 years, when we do internships in different hospitals, I already saw their practices but only one hospital gave me the goosebumps, that is DDH because they have advance technology.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) When I was on my 4th year, nag hospital tour kami; actually dietary lang dito sa Davao Doc. I know that Bariatric Metabolic and Weight Management Center exist, but people were telling me na hindi daw worth it because of salary and di pa siya booming which is true since bago pa lang. But I still want to try working here because this center is first in Mindanao.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Since I already experienced working here before, nakita ko na among all hospitals here in Davao, mas maganda ang benefits na inooffer ng DDH compared to other hospitals. Even though sinasabi nga nila na maliit lang ang salary, bawing bawi naman pagdating sa benefits.

MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) I chose to work here because it is the top hospital in Mindanao because of its advanced facilities.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 5 OR 10 YEARS?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) 5 to 10 years from now, I will be a subspecialist. I’m planning to take up either neonatology or be an intensivist, and that time, maybe I will be coming back to Davao Doctors.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) 5 years from now, I hope na the diplomate exam would be over and I’ll pass. I will be looking forward to fellowship afterwards. I still want to be an associate here.

THE PULSE | May 2020

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CONVERSATIONS DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Since pathology has been far away from limelight, most of the patients don’t know us. But in the near future, I want pathology to be included in the frame. Most of our pathologists here are in general pathology. I plan to take up hemapathology.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) To be honest, I want to work abroad. Why? Because first of all, hindi pa tanggap yong clinical pharmacy here; generally speaking here in the Philippines. Dito sa DDH, some of the departments, tanggap kami kasi they really like what we’re doing, like recommending drug calculation and drug related findings. Ang ibang departments naman, to be honest, hindi nila yun gusto. Pero I was still hoping that, in the future they will appreciate the clinical pharmacists.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) I want to focus on Sports Nutrition, especially that most of the patient here na nagpapa Body Composition Analysis are athletes. They keep on asking about diet. Nahihiya ako mag share kasi kulang ako ng knowledge.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Medyo mahirap yan sagutin pero honestly, before, gusto ko talaga mag abroad. But later on, I realized na mabuti na rin siguro na dito na lang ako and spend more time with my family.

I can’t promise to stay here that long; di naman natin alam talaga what opportunities might come in the future, pero I assure na magtatagal ako dito.

DO YOU THINK DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL IS PLANNING WELL FOR THE FUTURE?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) Yeah, as I have said, it’s been my plans since the beginning to go to this institution because I believe it will equip me with all the skills and confidence that I need when it comes to dealing with my patient. Thankfully, now I’m currently at my 2nd year and it has given me a lot of confidence in dealing with pediatric patients.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) I know that the hospital is trying to plan well. You can see it sa administration, there’s a sense of community and trying to improve the organization for the patients. I know we’re getting there.

DR. ASTHER ESPORITU (RESIDENT –DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Yes. I’ve heard that they want to build better facilities and they are planning to expand the laboratory and provide better. I’m happy because they expanded the laboratory. I think Davao Doctors has a capacity to surpass even if there are new hospitals na itatayo.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) Yes. In fact they are planning well. I can see that from being manual yung work, they are now shifting to digitalization.

They are in good track parang we’re not in third world country because of its facilities.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) Yes. Our center started as Bariatic Metabolic and Weight Management Center. Now it became Healing Well Center which

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includes wound care clinic and plastic surgery. The good thing with this center it’s convenient for the patient kay it’s like a one stop shop. Na dress sila, after they have being dressed, pwede sila ma instruct by the dietitian.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Yes. Every year naman makikita natin maraming changes, not only in terms of facilities, but we also continue to improve the quality of our services and I think that’s one of the steps that the management is doing to be still a hospital leader in the city.

MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) Yes. Nag rerenovate sila, bumibili ng bagong machines, we now have new tomography machine at tayo lang ang meron dito sa Mindanao. So DDH is really planning well for the future.

FROM YOUR END WHAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) Being a pediatric resident, our main job is to treat the age group below 19 years old. On my end, I think by providing quality service and making our patent feel more comfortable, I will help them come back to Davao Doctors if ever they need help.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) The dedication I have as one of the residents, is to arrive every morning and to finish the training for myself and for the hospital, and be a leader in my future practice.

DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT –DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Recently, we conducted a survey on the number of days for biopsy results. DDH has the fastest releasing of the results. We have 3 to 5 days turn-around time and we also have the fastest Immunostain results.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) Clinical Pharmacy already has review of prescription. We do rounds in the ward with physicians. I want that, like in Manila, Clinical Pharmacist can go whenever there’s a code blue and do patient counseling. I want to highlight it kasi ang gumagawa lang niyan dito ay San Pedro Hospital. Sa 4 years namin sa school, sinasabi talaga na pharmacists should be the one conducting counseling. Sana magkaroon din ng practice dito.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) As a dietitian, I will continue to help achieve the vision, especially when it comes to patient-centered care. I want to provide the best kind of care. Hopefully I can be one of those assets that can help achieve this ambition.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Siguro as a client coordinator, I will serve our patients, not only VIP’s but all patients, regardless of their social status, fullheartedly. Whenever I see them happy or satisfied with the service that I give, masaya na rin ako.

MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) As a nurse, my role is to assist not only the patients but the doctors as well. What I contribute is by doing extra mile in everything that I do.

CONVERSATIONS WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST TO DDH IN MAPPING OUT ITS FUTURE?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) At Davao Doctors, I think we are equipped enough. Actually when patients wants quality service, they think of DDH as first choice, but then on behalf of the employees, the salary is not that high compared to other hospitals. Especially among residents, we have problem in recruiting pediatric residents because of the salary. The new generation of doctors starts to compare salary.

We, DDH residents, came for the training. But the new set of doctors is now more focus or geared towards with the salary.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) When we think about the future, I think we need to look at who our clients will be in the future and what medicine would be like ten years from now. So, we are going towards minimally invasive procedures, more molecular studies, so I’m looking forward to seeing sana more machines in terms of that, and greater capabilities so that we don’t have to send them to Manila.

Consultants are well-trained, so it would be nice for us to stand alone and not have to refer to Manila.

DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT –DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) I think I mentioned to upgrade all the facilities most especially the Laboratory Department. I think the Laboratory is an important factor in building the standards of the Davao Doctors Hospital.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) We want a bigger office. We are growing in number. Paano ko maattend yung gusto kong code blue kung maliit ang office namin, di kami makatrabaho nang maayos, kaunti lang ang computer, kailangan pa naming mag adjust. We also want to have more digital references which can help us make more drug related searches.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) Actually they are doing this naman. They are putting themselves in the shoe of the patient but in some cases, like executive check- up, they are VIPs. Hindi natin ipa feel sa kanila na they’re in a hospital. We must take care of them well because they are big asset.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Sabi ko nga kanina, every year nag iimprove na, siguro mas iimprove pa natin ang customer service.

ARE YOU HAPPY YOU HAPPY WORKING AT DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL? DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) I’m not here for the salary, I’m here for the training. That’s what my mother told me. That’s why, if you ask if I am happy, yes, I’m happy. In my 2nd year, I could now handle a lot of cases. I could say that I’m well equipped with handling patients of different ages.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) Yes. It’s nice here.

DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT –DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Yes. DDH offers a culture of professionalism and respect, at parang ito yung one of the strengths natin that’s why most of the resident doctors choose this institution.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) Yes because they train me. Actually, before, I was not confident in talking. Since this is my first job, they boost my confidence.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Yes, I’m happy and proud working here at DDH. MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) Yes. Kung sa colleagues, supportive naman ang mga kasama ko. May managers naman na nag oversee sa trabaho namin na pwede mo iaddress ang concerns mo. We are really helping each other.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL TO YOUR FRIENDS OR NEW BATCH OF DOCTORS?

DR. GERARDO GONZALES JR. (RESIDENT – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) Definitely. I will recommend Davao Doctors (to residents) but then it’s really up to them if they will go because yun nga Davao Doctors compared to other hospital’s salary grade and the set of patient are Class A patients so they get scared of that thought.

DR. BEATRIZ REYES (RESIDENT -INTERNAL MEDICINE) Yes. DR. ASTHER ESPIRITU (RESIDENT –DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY) Yes. I am currently the interns’ coordinator of our department.

During orientation, I always emphasize that DDH always has the culture of a respect for everyone and that it offers good facilities for training.

NEMESIO ANLOCOTAN III (HEAD OF CLINICAL PHARMACY) Yes, but it will depend on them because others think only of salary. Ang iba naman sa experience. Mag dedepende yan sa kanila.

ZHAM BRABANTE (DIETITIAN – HEALING WELL CENTER) Yes. They are thinking na mahal ang DDH, but it’s compensating.

I assure you everything is good.

KIMBERLY SISMAR (CLIENT COORDINATOR – EXECUTIVE CHECK-UP) Yes. Dito na sila kasi halos kumpleto na tayo dito in terms of facilities.

MARY ROSE IBANES (CANCER CENTER NURSE) Yes. Maganda naman ang facilities natin and the staff are accommodating.

________________________________________________________________ CONVERSATIONS, is a part of The Focus Group Discussion Project ( FGD) initiated by CorpComm group. The activity aims to get true narrative from DDH’s management, employees, business partners and patients.

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MEET THE EXPERTS MARIA THERESA BAÑES

Assistant Director for Medical Education Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing. -Barry Finlay

T

his appears to be true for Dr. Maria Theresa Garcia-Bañes. Starting off with a Baccalaureate Degree in Industrial Pharmacy from the University of the PhilippinesManila, she proceeded to earn a medical degree from the Davao Medical School Foundation. She experienced DDH as a Post Graduate Intern and continued on with us for her residency training in Pediatrics. Never stopping her climb, she completed her subspecialty in Nephrology from the Philippine General Hospital. Before long, she was elected as President of the Philippine Pediatric Society-Southern Mindanao Chapter.

Unperturbed by the stress of a gamut of affiliations in numerous hospitals and societies, coupled with family matters, she managed to breeze through them with quiet confidence.

In 2009, she was called upon to serve as Post Graduate Interns Coordinator in the Department of Pediatrics, a job she excellently performed. Hence, when the position of Assistant Director for Medical Education in the newly organized Medical Service Department was opened, her name was raised with no objections. She hit the road running and quickly learned the ropes.

“A small but terrible woman.” She is a bundle of talent and energy, making the Medical Service Team, a powerhouse.

JARILYN BASTASA

Assistant Director for Nursing Services

N

urses are considered the embodiment of compassion, touching people from all walks of life. Being at the frontline, it is rudimentary for nurses to be equipped with essential skills and knowledge. It requires years of experience to master the science and art of nursing and these can only be achieved when the brain and the heart are put in tandem. Ms. Jarilyn Bastasa did exactly that.

As early as 1998, she has dedicated her “nursehood” to the Davao Doctors Hospital as a novice nurse. Not long after, she was promoted as a Head Nurse, the youngest in the hospital that time. Later, she was appointed Hospital Supervisor in September 2003.

Ms. Jarilyn loved to teach and mentor other nurses, aspiring for every nurse to be excellent in serving our patients. With this trait, she was appointed Clinical Training Coordinator in 2007. Eventually, she was appointed Acting Nursing Director and Clinical Training Coordinator in 2009, then, Nursing Training and Development Manager in 2014.

To further her skill set and to meet the growing needs of our clients, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Nursing, juggling this with her employment as well as her responsibilities to her family. In 2019, management appointed her Assistant Director of Nursing Service for In-Patient Services. With an all-new and greater set of responsibilities, she is geared towards quality improvement and patient experience-related projects for the general wards and critical care units.

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ROADMAP

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COMMUNITY PULSE

Christmas Tree of Hope Li g ht in g Ce rem o ny

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he Davao Doctors Hospital’s Labor and Management Cooperation - Community Development Committee has launched a cancer awareness campaign called “Ribbon of Hope” (ROH) last February 4, 2016 as part of the hospital’s advocacy in caring for life and its continuous effort in extending support to cancer patients.

This campaign aims to raise awareness to the public about cancer by conducting “Talk on Cancer - Lay Fora”, and promoting H.O.P.E (Heart Of People who Encourage), a cancer support group that holds therapy sessions, open discussions, and Bible study for patients and their loved ones. The involvement of the employees and the public have been initiated to raise funds to establish the various programs.

As part of our initiatives in spreading cancer awareness, this yuletide season, Davao Doctors Hospital celebrated the annual Christmas Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony last December 4, 2019 at Ground floor, Dr. Villano Sr. Oncology Center. The 10 feet tall tree remained lit starting 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Employees and staff from different office departments of the hospital were gathered as a brief history of the Ribbon of Hope was shared by President and CEO of DDH, Mr. Raymond CS del Val. One of the highlights of the ceremony was a touching video of cancer survivors sharing their journey in fighting cancer.

Participants were given heart-shaped cards to write down a short inspirational message and prayer for our patients, and pinned on the wall right beside the Christmas Tree of Hope.

Mr. Del Val, together with Dr. Herminio A. Villano, Sr., Dr. Ma. Lourdes B. Lacanilao, Dr. Rosevic D. Cembrano, and Dr. Rizalina Mitra-Pangan graced the occasion. Everyone was entertained by a song number from Ms. Katrina Sanchez, our DDH talent from QMAD. The short program ended with a simple banquet shared by everyone.

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O utreach M ission fo r ear thq uake vic ti m s

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he Davao Doctors Hospital – Balik Alay Foundation Inc. in collaboration with the Labor Management Committee (LMC), spearheaded an Outreach Mission to the Municipalities of Bansalan, Brgy. Managa, and Matanao, Brgy. Asinan, Davao Del Sur to help victims of the recent earthquakes. Dr. Karis Mata of the Pediatric Department volunteered to conduct free consultations.

A total of 306 households from the two municipalities were given free check-up, vitamins, and medicines during the outreach. Responding to the Psychological well-being of the affected children, Psychological First-Aid, and Art Therapy was facilitated by the DDH Disaster responders.

COMMUNITY PULSE

G ol d e n B a ll

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FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

On Paths We’ve Crossed

Living the Dream

by Jastene Angelene Galacio

by Caryll Bato As green as grass, when you were young Beside an empty milk glass, hopes were sung Caught in awe of what was led to believe Deep in sleep, dreams were easily weaved Getting on in years, the castle in the air clears The birds flock in spheres, the reality appears With knots in mind, you try to find The golden twine you can unwind Meandering through the maze, you create a trail Of delays and dismay, the tales of fail Left or right, seems nowhere an end Yet those dreams once in sight, you unknowingly mend It’s a darkened path only you can tread For it’s your olden vision that must head Look inside your heart, see how it gets clearer Look back from the start, see how you’ve come further Though now time stands still if you don’t seek your will And on things left to say, may you find your way

Once you hide behind the curtain Silent tears filled with heavy burden Chaos, wreck, so disheartened Is this the end, and is it forgotten?

Please awaken to see what is Life is deadly no more what ifs Struggles of fine lines not bliss How is now complicated and kills Confused of where is to and fro How to reach the hand of rightly known?

Imagine the skies peeking down below A light clear path from not long ago Will it work out as to what another saw?

Perspire, inspire, a future should be known Hand in hand we dream and fully grow Hold on and commit is what I count to draw Half an eye opened, a path designed Fears and demons are merely combined We will not fail and fall, don’t care, don’t mind Keep believing, aspire you are true and divine All together fight, rise, conquer All together accomplish with great honor Live by our vision which we will all prosper Heart strong will, chin up, reflect and ponder

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FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

________________________________________________________________ ANSWERS: 1.

ULTRASOUND 2.

OSTEOPOROSIS 3.

HEARTS 4.

HANDS 5.

CHANGE 6.

HEALS 7.

CORONAVIRUS 8.

CABG 9.

ECHOCARDIOGRAM 10.

ULTRASOUND

Answers: Answers: 1. Ultrasound 1. Ultrasound 2. Osteoporosis 2. Osteoporosis 3. Hearts 3. Hearts 4. hands 4. hands 5. change 5. change

THE PULSE | May 2020

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