The 2022 PCP Exemplars in the Peri-COVID Era

The Mentor-Educator

PCP Distinguished Teacher - Dr. Sylvia B. Yang

Dr. Sylvia B. Yang finished her Residency Training in Internal Medicine at the Mary Johnston Hospital and took her Pulmonary Fellowship Training at the UERM Memorial Medical Center. Her citation reads: In recognition of her success in spearheading residency training programs in Nueva Ecija, which were eventually recognized and accredited by the PCP, so much so that she is widely regarded as the “Mother of Internal Medicine in Nueva Ecija”; her commendable unquenched thirst for knowledge and whose commitment is to the training and education of young physicians; in her relentless pursuit to mold her medical residents into good internists by continuing to hold regular conferences, post-graduate courses, and seminars even amid the pandemic. She has reached the pinnacle of her career but has continued to impart knowledge on a daily basis to her trainees.

“My inspiration and motivation that led me to this award…

My residents are my children. It gives me pleasure and fulfillment to see my graduates know more than I do in the field of Internal Medicine, to refer to them as subspecialists, to listen to them as speakers, and to see them having good practice.”

To the young PCP members…

• Learn as much as you can during your 1,095 days of IM Residency Training.
• Don't be afraid to ask and don't commit a mistake twice!
• Consider each patient as your loved one, and you'll never go wrong in your management because you want to give your best when it's for the family;
• After graduation, never look for money, instead, look for patients because the patients whom you have served well will be the ones to bring you more patients leading to more opportunities!
• Continue to acquire new learning! Medicine is an ever-changing SCIENCE.
• Never settle for second best! ”

The Researcher

PCP Distinguished Researcher – Dr. Joven Jeremius Q. Tanchuco

Dr. Joven Jeremius Q. Tanchuco took his Residency and then Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at the UP-Philippine General Hospital. His citation reads: In recognition of his works and research that made an invaluable contribution to diagnosing and treating pulmonary diseases in the Philippine setting, specifically looking into the prevalence of general pulmonary symptoms among rural communities; his involvement in basic science research on pharmacologic properties of locally available plants that becomes the foundation of drug development and his engagement in active discussions with local FDA regulators to establish medical governance and pharmacovigilance over a broad range of global clinical trial activities conducted in the  Philippines; in his commendable involvement in mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and colleagues on the conduct of research; and in sharing with them the passion that he has long-lived; in his holding editor-in-chief positions in several journals – Acta Medica Philippina, Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine, and the Philippine Journal of Chest Diseases.

“My personal journey into Research started in High School as a student at the lone campus at that time of the Philippine Science High School. This gave me the opportunity be with some of the top Science and Humanities faculty and similarly minded classmates highly motivated to do.

My entry into clinical research started during my training at the Philippine General Hospital with IM residency batchmates like Drs Antonio Dans, Elizabeth Pacheco, Benita Padilla, – now also key drivers of local research as well.

As Chief Fellow of the Department, mainly tasked to enhance research, I also worked under Dr. Ramon Abarquez, further cementing my research mentality. This was further boosted by my Pulmonary fellowship, were working with Drs. Renato Dantes, Camilo Roa, Abundio Balgos, and Charles Yu, among others, further increased my interest in research.

Later on, working in a multinational pharmaceutical company gave me the chance to apply many research principles in drug development. I engaged with both senior and young clinicians from various medical specialties to involve them in many global clinical trials. At the same time, I remained a faculty in a dynamic Department keen on performing basic research.

As faculty, there was a significant opportunity to involve numerous young medical and graduate students and create interest in a career path that includes research.

More recently, while taking the challenge of heading an IM Department, motivating Residents to do research on top of their patient care competencies became an everyday task.

I have always felt that doing research can only justify itself if the knowledge gained is shared through a scientific publication among peers. Thus, even at the start, as Editor in Chief of the Philippine Journal of Chest Diseases, and now as Editor in Chief of the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine and Acta Medica Philippina, I hope I am closing the loop of the “research circle” and helping improve the lives of many of our countrymen.

I have always felt that doing research can only justify itself if the knowledge gained is shared through a scientific publication among peers. Thus, even at the start, as Editor in Chief of the Philippine Journal of Chest Diseases, and now as Editor in Chief of the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine and Acta Medica Philippina, I hope I am closing the loop of the “research circle” and helping improve the lives of many of our countrymen. ”–Dr. Joven Jeremius Q. Tachuco

The Internist

PCP Distinguished Internist – Dr. Frances Lina C. Lantion-Ang

Dr. Frances Lina C. Lantion-Ang finished her training in internal medicine at the University of Southern California and took her fellowship training in Endocrinology & Metabolism, as well as her Clinical Diabetes Research Education Fellowship Training, at the Birmingham Medical Center in Alabama, USA. Her citation reads: In recognition of her unparalleled professionalism, in teaching medicine through meticulous history and physical exam – a slowly disappearing art as emphasis is being focused on technological advances to diagnose a disease;  her excellence in integrating medical issues from a general internist standpoint for the residents and students; her constant and tireless presence in the classroom, wards, and clinics, despite being past the age of retirement and receiving no financial compensation, bringing with her the precious clinical pearls she has gained that no textbook of medicine can impart, which makes her students feel so fortunate to have been under her supervision. She was given the “Outstanding Educator Award” of UPMAS in 2017, awarded the Most Distinguished Teacher of the PCP in 2007, and has been recognized as the Most Distinguished Senior Service Consultant of the Department of Medicine of UP-PGH for many years.

“Thank you to the following "inspirers" who molded me to become a holistic internist:

• The Mentors who honed my knowledge, attitudes and skills (KAS) as a good clinician;
• The Patients who are my "Books of Life";
• The Mentees who joined me in my life's journey who now "Lead the Way “.

To the young ones…

• Re-value human values and craft healthy values;
• Stay connected actively with your mentors, peers, organizations (Philippine College of Physicians, Alumni Societies), and local government units (LGUs);
• Be vigilant at all times;
• Love your families ”

The Health Care Advocate

PCP Distinguished Health Care Advocate – Dr. Teofilo O. San Luis Jr.

Dr. Teofilo O. San Luis Jr. did his Fellowship training in Nuclear Medicine at the Institute for Clinical & Experimental Nuclear Medicine at the University of Bonn, Germany, finished his Research Fellowship in Thyroidology, Klinikum Steglitz at Berlin, Germany in 1991, and Research Fellowship on Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases at Gifu University, Gifu, Japan in 1993. Since 2006 he has been the National Coordinator for the country in the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. His citation reads: In recognition of his efforts in fostering optimal iodine nutrition among vulnerable segments of the population and to raising awareness on Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) among the general public, and collaborating with other stakeholders to influence official policies and conduct collaborative studies across continents; his commendable and truthful commitment in his advocacy to eliminating iodine deficiency disorder in the country; and in being able to blend academic duties and clinical practice with the more demanding task of promoting public health on top of his civic involvement.

“To the young PCP members…

Training generates talents & skills that should be used in furtherance of the general welfare of the people. When these are fused with advocacy, they open horizons for productive service. No one works for the sake of recognition or honor that may go with the job.

“Maraming pinagkaka-abalahanan, wala namang pinag-kakakitaan...” might be a philosophy counterintuitive to many... but in the end, it assures a life of happiness from a life full of service.

“Bless the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).”

The Community Developer

PCP Distinguished Community Leader – Dr. Katerina T. Leyritana

Dr. Katerina T. Leyritana took her Residency and then Clinical and Research Fellowship in Infectious Disease at the UP-PGH, and finished her Arthur Ashe HIV Fellowship at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her citation reads: In recognition of her many works on HIV in the Philippines; her contribution to empowering Filipinos living with HIV by increasing access to healthcare without barriers through the Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), a nonprofit organization of which she is the current Medical Director of, with its programs focused on capacity building, innovation, and continuum of care; her empowering of healthcare providers by enabling physicians of any and all generalities and specialties to gain confidence and competence in providing HIV care at a time of the national pandemic. She is a self-directed clinician who does not focus on the individual patient, but on the general population when she does her work. Truly, a community leader.

“My inspiration and motivation that led me to this award…

I have the privilege of enjoying the achievements of the HIV advocates who came before me-- patients, champions, and providers whose fight went beyo

nd the confines of the medical space. When I witness such passion and support from the people who themselves struggle with, or are affected by this incurable disease, it is not difficult to be inspired to contribute to the cause. It is a sentiment shared by many and is only invigorated by the scientific achievements in the few decades following Its discovery. There is so much hope for the future in what was only years before, a death sentence. The sheer determination of people living with HIV to beat the odds and to survive and achieve an accep

table quality of life in a sanctimonious society is nothing short of inspiring.

I am motivated by the need for our country to provide high-quality care despite the geographical barriers and technical limitations. I believe that our country's providers should be able to provide competent, holistic, and compassionate care at par with global standards.”

“To the young PCP members… 

You are here because at one point in your life you decided to help people. Little did you know that this decision would not only benefit your patient, but also their family, your employees, your students, trainees, and colleagues. This is your ripple effect, which you should always be proud of. Speak and act with integrity at all times, you will.

Treat your patients with compassion. Skills can be acquired, and knowledge can be gained, but with humanity, a physician can truly heal.”

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