Ciencia y Virtud Graduation Supplement Addendum 19-20

CIENCIA Y VIRTUD

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY www.ceu.edu.ph

Graduation Supplement Addendum 2019-2020

Doctor of Medicine Class 2020

EDUARD KARL M. ASENJO

LIZBETH AURA D. CEBRIAN

JASON B. DELA CRUZ

Mandaluyong City Bachelor of Science in Biology Centro Escolar University - Manila Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Imus, Cavite Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy University of Santo Tomas Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center Outstanding Graduate in Community Rotation

Bacoor, Cavite Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Saint Louis University, Baguio City Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

JUDY ANNE I. ECLARINO

KISSETTE P. FERRER

CARLO R. FLORES

Olongapo City, Zambales Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Our Lady of Fatima University Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center Outstanding Graduate in Academics Outstanding Graduate in Clinical Rotation Outstanding Graduate in Leadership

Calamba City, Laguna Bachelor of Science in Nursing Calamba Doctors’ College Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

Makati City Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Centro Escolar University - Makati Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

CHRISTOPHER D. FUSIERAN

EIVERENE CALLEEN C. JAVALERA

MICHAEL E. LABUTONG

Makati City Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology Centro Escolar University - Makati Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Mandaluyong City Bachelor of Science in Psychology Centro Escolar University - Makati Cardinal Santos Medical Center

Camiling, Tarlac Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Centro Escolar University - Manila Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center Best Performance in the Comprehensive Examination

THEY ALWAYS SAY THAT CLERKSHIP IS HARD AND TIRING BUT ONE TENDS TO FIND IT TO BE THE MOST MEMORABLE AND EXCITING YEAR IN MEDICAL SCHOOL. IT MAY SOUND CLICHÉ, BUT HOW CAN SOMEONE NOT FEEL HAPPY WHEN WHAT USED TO BE A DREAM IS NOW TURNING INTO A REALITY? DURING THIS TIME, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE REFLECTED IN OUR HANDS THE LIFE THAT WE CHOOSE TO HAVE – A LIFE LIVED BY SAVING OTHERS.

AT JOSE REYES MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER – ANNEX. OUR FIRSTEVER HOSPITAL VISIT AND CLINICAL PATIENT ENCOUNTER DURING OUR 2ND YEAR AS MEDICAL STUDENTS, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DR. EDEN SARMIENTO, A PULMONOLOGIST.

WE HAD OUR CLINICAL ROTATIONS AT THE AMANG RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER IN MARIKINA CITY, OUR BASE HOSPITAL. HERE WAS THE START OF OUR DEALING WITH ACTUAL PATIENTS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL. WE DID HISTORY-TAKING, PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS, PRESCRIPTION WRITING AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO SOME PROCEDURES LIKE THORACENTESIS AND LUMBAR PUNCTURE WITH THE GUIDANCE OF OUR AMAZING RESIDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF PEDIATRICS AND INTERNAL MEDICINE.

IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY, WE WERE ABLE TO HELP MANAGE TRAUMA PATIENTS INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ACCIDENTS, DO WOUND SUTURING AND ASSIST IN SOME SURGICAL PROCEDURES LIKE CRANIOTOMY, MASTECTOMY, LAPAROTOMY, AND THYROIDECTOMY, AMONG MANY OTHERS. IN MEDICAL SCHOOL, WE LEARNED THAT A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT – ONE CANNOT GO THROUGH THE RIGORS OF MEDICAL SCHOOL ALONE. MEDICINE IS SUCH A HARD COURSE. IT TESTED US, RIGHT TO OUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL LIMITS. WITH THAT, THE INTREPID MEDICAL STUDENT NEEDS TO FIND THEIR PEOPLE, FRIENDS TO RELY ON, TO SUPPORT AND BE SUPPORTED BY, AND STAY WITH DURING THE HARD TIMES AS WELL AS THE GOOD. SINCE OUR CLASS IS JUST A SMALL GROUP, WE ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE EACH OTHER WHEN WE FEEL LIKE GIVING UP. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WITHOUT HAVING EACH OTHER’S BACKS. WE CANNOT UNDERSTATE, AS WELL, THE INDISPENSABLE SUPPORT WE GOT FROM OUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES.

IN THE DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, WE WERE ABLE TO WITNESS THE MIRACLE OF CHILDBIRTH. WE INTERACTED WITH WOMEN FROM ALL STAGES OF LIFE, FROM ADOLESCENCE THROUGH BEYOND MENOPAUSE. THERE, WE WERE ABLE TO DO LABOR WATCH AND EXPERIENCED DELIVERING THE PLACENTA AND THE BABY. WE REPAIRED AN EPISIOTOMY WITH THE SUPERVISION OF OUR RESIDENTS AND ASSISTED IN A CESAREAN SECTION DELIVERY.

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT OUR COUNTRYMEN ARE FACING, ESPECIALLY THE POOREST OF THE POOR. DURING OUR 2 MONTHS ROTATION IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND HEALTH TEACHINGS TO DIFFERENT FAMILIES LIVING IN BRGY. 839, ZONE 91, PANDACAN, MANILA, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DR. FLORINDA CANUTO, A FAMILY MEDICINE CONSULTANT. IN COOPERATION WITH THE DIFFERENT COLLEGES UNDER THE CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, A MEDICAL MISSION WAS HELD LAST DECEMBER 9, 2017, AT BRGY. 836, ZONE 91, PANDACAN, MANILA. THE PIONEER BATCH OF CEU-SOM PROVIDED HEALTH CONSULTATIONS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF OUR PROFESSORS, DR. ROSARIO SOSA (INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST), DR. ELIZA MIA DEJORAS (INTERNAL MEDICINE – RHEUMATOLOGY), AND DR. EDEN SARMIENTO (INTERNAL MEDICINE – PULMONOLOGIST).

SOME OF US WERE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER AT CHILD LIFE FOUNDATION, UP-PGH SECTION OF HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY AS PART OF OUR NONCLINICAL ROTATION. WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS. THE EXPERIENCE HAS MOLDED US TO BE MORE COMPASSIONATE TO OUR FUTURE PATIENTS, AND UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS.

RESPONSE FROM THE GRADUATES

by Dr. Judy Anne I. Eclarino

(The following piece was delivered during the Recognition Ceremonies for the pioneer graduates of the School of Medicine, July 2020)

T

oday marks another milestone in our lives. It may be small compared to what others have achieved, but who would have thought that we would come this far. Although we are still at the beginning of our medical careers, the past 4 years in Medical School were one of the toughest yet fun-filled years of our lives. We chose this path, the road less traveled, because this is where we are destined to be.

I am very honored to deliver this speech on behalf of my batchmates. We may have different stories to tell, but we share a common goal, that is, to become Doctors. Doctors, who do not only care for the sick but are also individuals who want to become instruments of change.

We all know that our health care system isn’t perfect like the others, but we can work together to make things better.

Most of us dreamt to become doctors when we were young. When I

was asked what my reason is, as most kids would reply, I’d proudly say that I want to help the sick. It sounded like a cliché. But now, as we are trying to survive this deadly virus, Covid-19, I realized that there is something more than this world needs. The biopsychosocial model taught us that the interplay of different factors greatly affect health. In a country like ours, where a shortage of medical facilities and personnel is a problem, it is sad that we lost a lot of healthcare workers in this battle. At some point, it made me think twice about whether I made the right decision to enter Medicine.

But becoming a doctor is not just a profession that will set us high up on a pedestal.

It is both a passion and a calling. We need to set aside our selfcenteredness to serve our patients.

To our Almighty God, thank you for allowing us to serve other people, for choosing the right persons that we need to help us get through all of these, for your love and grace that give us the strength to fulfill your will. May your healing hands be with us always as we take care of our patients.

We dedicate this to our families and loved ones, for all the love and support that energized us to keep going. We hope to always make you proud. We know that you are always with us in every step that we take.

To my fellow graduates, who served as my pillar of support, thank you. I found a new family in all of you. There were times when we lose faith in ourselves, and it feels good to have someone to cheer you up. A little encouragement now and then helps.

Thank you for having each other’s back.

We still have more challenges to face, like Internship and the Licensure exam.

One of our preceptors told us that we

are a “promising batch”, let’s keep that in mind, and let’s always strive for excellence in whatever fields we will choose. I envision us to be pursuing different specializations but would still be collaborating to give patients quality health care.

To our beloved Alma Mater, Centro Escolar University, it is our greatest pride to be carrying your name wherever we go. Our university has proven its excellence in different courses, and I do not regret being part of the pioneer batch. Thank you very much for your generosity, for providing scholarship programs to aspiring physicians like me, for choosing the best mentors, from our Dean, Dr. Tinio, and to all the members of the faculty, who do not only possess expertise in their fields but also able to impart positive values that are instrumental to our growth and development. We will try our best to always uphold our university’s motto, Ciencia y Virtud, to be our guiding principle in every decision that we make.

To the people of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, from the doctors, nurses, fellow clerks, and other health professionals, to the IWs, guards, and janitors, thank you for making our clerkship fun and bearable. Thank you for being our allies in providing our best to the patients.

Last but not the least, we will never forget the cadavers that we dissected and the patients that we handled. Thank you for allowing us to touch your lives and for trusting us. You are our best teachers, and we learned a lot from you.

In return, we vow to give our best in our future practice.

To everyone, thank you. I am praying that this pandemic comes to an end so that we can celebrate our little victories together, physically. Stay healthy and COVID negative!