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Doctors' Recognition Night
A Tribute to Service and Partnership
By Noli Garcia
What makes the eagle soar like a triumphant monarch across the sky? It is the wind beneath its wings.
What has made DMMC what it is today? The people and medical practitioners, sharing the same passion for service and excellence, have all made DMMC a leading provider of affordable quality health care and one of the best hospitals in Calabarzon. Through the years it has been that way---everybody working hand-in-hand, a partnership molded by an enduring commitment to make a difference in the lives of patients.
As a way of expressing gratitude to all DMMC doctors for their continuing support, the Board of Directors and Management, hosted a gala dinner called the Doctors’ Recognition Night on November 21, 2008 at the Bellevue Hotel in Alabang City. Spearheaded by Chairman Zosimo C. Malabanan and President & CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, the DMMC family formally honored all the doctors who have chosen partnership with the hospital. It was not only a night of tribute but also an evening of celebration, entertainment, and fun. Ms. Giselle
Sanchez , DMMC’s special guest, spiced-up the event with her unique brand of humor and wit.
The highlight of the evening was the “Kabisig Awards”, a special recognition accorded to the pioneer doctors, the founding incorporators of DMMC in 1996 which
was then known as the Mercado General Hospital. Some of the Kabisig awardees have been with DMMC as early as 1976. More than the plaques and gold pens, it was the esteem and respect of their peers that made the Kabisig Award truly meaningful.
As part of the program, DMMC also gave special awards to five doctors whose sterling achievements made the DMMC family proud. They were Dr. Larry Montano, Dr. Gina Nazareth, Dr. Felix Punzalan, Dr. Leonora Hernandez, and Dr. Edwin Gonzaga.
It was a night of surprises with a capital “ S “. Dr. Edwin M. Mercado , with his resonating voice, sang “ After All These Years” by the Journey and nostalgically transported everybody down memory lane, back to the fledgling years of DMMC. The voice, the lyrics ,and the old pictures flashing on the screen reminded everybody about the common thread that they all shared--- the legacy of service and partnership sculpted through the years. It was a mesmerizing climax to an enthralling evening.
With the “ On-Call” band playing songs of the eighties and nineties, everybody danced the night away. The event, like a pleasant dream, would be hard to forget. Like the lingering melody of a song, it would always engender a smile on one’s face.
Kabisig Awardees
Teresita A. Hernandez (1976*/1985)
Dennis M. Mercado (1982*/1991)
Fe C. Buño(1985*/1991)
Ernesto C. Lat (1985*/1991)
Antonino P. Hidalgo (1988*/1991)
Pedro J. Castillo (1991*/1997)
Gilbert G. Guillermo (1990*/1997)
Luis O. Buño, Jr. (1991)
Celeste C. Encarnacion (1992)
Ruzena D. Opulencia (1992)
Restita C. Moncayo (1992)
Diosdado C. Baja (1993)
*as resident physician
Anita A. Baja (1993)
Teodoro C. Cabiscuelas (1994)
Rommel B. Lojo (1995)
Asis S. Encarnacion (1996)
Edwin M. Gonzaga(1996)
Edith M. Cadiz (1996)
Silverio V. Gayod (1996)
Zenaida O. Gayod (1996)
Edwin C. Mendoza (1996)
Rebecca T. Serrano (1996)
Meluz F. Trinidad (1996)
Alice D. Amorado (1996)
Blesilda L. Cuadra (1996)
Edgardo J. Cuadra (1996)
Oscar B. Fernandez (1996)
Mary Ann A. Hidalgo (1996)
Jesusa A. Lirio (1996)
Simon M. Malijan (1996)
Josephine C. Magsino (1996)
Felix R. Punzalan (1996)
Sylvia P. Ramilo (1996)
Anacleta P. Valdez (1996)
Danilo B. Vergara (1996)
Menandro A. Villadelgado (1996)
REFLECTIONS
Speech Delivered During the Doctors' Recognition Night by Dr. Edwin Mercado
Looking back at the 51-year history of the hospital, I was trying to figure out the most important event that changed the course of our institution for the better. Yes we have lots of milestones along our journey, some tumultuous and a lot inspiring, but one thing has stood out consistently through the years and that is the commitment of our doctors to our stated vision of delivering quality health care.
I therefore consider our incorporation and the commitment of our doctors to invest their resources and talents in the initial growth pains of a young corporation as the most pivotal event in our history.
Tonight, we are giving due recognition to these pioneering doctors. The first practitioners and incorporators of the Mercado General Hospital. No, this is not a senior citizen award but more like a forefather award. I personally
have to beg the doctors’ indulgence because their recognition is long overdue and should have been given importance during our Golden Anniversary. I also strongly believe that this is not going to be the first and last time that a distinguished group of our colleagues will be honored because with our dynamic organization, there will be lots of reasons and opportunities to acknowledge the contributions of our doctors in years to come. So for our more junior physicians you will have the opportunity to show your mettle and it will duly be recognized in due time. These forefathers laid down the ground work and most of the benefits you are getting are from their hard work.
We have grown tremendously from an
initial group of 36 or so doctors to a present compliment of 77 Active Consultants, 30 Visiting Consultants with Clinical Privileges and 77 Visiting Consultants without Clinic. As is common with any organization, the bigger it gets the lesser the chance of personal interacions and more alienated one gets with another. Do you know that even before the Bikers began their regular off road treks, there were pioneering doctors using old heavy bikes we call Honda Hagibis, biking down to Talisay? Yun nga
lang we have to get Arnold to pick us up going back kasi hindi naming kaya umakyat with the HH. There were even mountain climbing trips, with Dr. Asis bearing the trails. Baka raw may ATM sa tuktok ng Makiling. Who can forget Tita Bong, Andy and myself manning the ER kung walang residente? One time nga Yobs and Andy were drinking beer in Ate Brenda’s house and we have to see multiple patients from a VA reeking with alcohol. Buti na lang lasing din yung mga pasyente.
This feeling of being part of a big family, somehow got diluted as we got bigger and just like any family, we had our share
of misunderstandings and tampuhan...
Tonight however, the Board has agreed to host an event to remind us of those days when A Tertiary, Medical Center status was just a dream. How our Doctors have contributed to make it a reality and how with a shared vision and purpose we can steer our ship to the challenges ahead. I personally hope that we work for the common good in the spirit of shared responsibilities and accountabilities. We owe it to our Creator, our patients and our community. One Hospital, One Family. As my late father, Dr. Daniel Mercado would always say. There is more than enough for everybody and God will provide. Thank you!
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