Atenean Doctors: Driven to serve others
When Rodelia Pascua was younger, she lived near a rural hospital in Pangasinan where the parking lot became her playground. Growing up in such an environment, she admits, has influenced her to become a doctor.
“I dreamt to be a doctor, but not just the traditional one who stays in the hospital and cure. Rather, a doctor who goes out beyond the four corners of the hospital, learn of if necessary, live with the people she needs to serve, and effect change eventually,” she says.
Like Pascua, Raymonde Uy aspired to be a catalyst of social change. Medicine, he says, is a profession that has a leverage to effect change.
“It is from this stimulation that we achieve greater fulfillment from the practice of medicine as being servant to others,” he says.
To help them achieve their dreams of becoming outstanding clinicians, dynamic leaders and social catalysts, the two enrolled at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH). Opened in 2007, ASMPH is guided by its mission to “form, educate, train and field physician-leaders who will actively catalyze and take charge of the process of affecting and effecting systemic changes in society through the health sectors.”
“It is in ASMPH where I spent years of hard work and sleepless nights, built precious friendships and lasting memories; trained by the great clinicians and dynamic managers; mentored by those who are of kindred spirits and nation builders,” says Pascua.
Adds Uy,” ASMPH has succeeded in ingraining us with a mindset of always having a public health and management perspective of the healthcare system in the country.”
ASMPH pioneered an innovative curriculum that offer a joint MD-MBA degree, which Pascua and Uy both regard as a huge advantage. The solid foundation in medicine and management puts ASMPH graduates at the forefront of truly making a difference in the society. The combined medical training and business degree creates more opportunities for its graduates to contribute and lead.
Uy and Pascua have since graduated- Uy in 2012 (as part of the pioneer batch) and Pascua in 2014. With the “Dr” title officially attached to their names, they are rising up to the challenge of making an impact.
Pascua currently works as a Research Associate in the Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in UP Manila. NIH envisions being the key mover in the health research and development of the country.
Uy initially taught at ASMPH but is now in the United States completing a postdoctoral research fellowship position at the U.S. National Library of Medicine in the NIH campus in Maryland. Eventually, he hopes to parlay his experience in accelerating modern health information management and medical research in the Philippines.
“Every time I see the bricks that make up the façade of our building in Ortigas, I am reminded that I am but a piece of clay that is continuously molded and refined under the fire. ASMPH has molded me to be a compassionate, integrated and relevant doctor, to us my passion to serve others,” says Pascua.
