A short narrative interview
How does your personal vision, mission and goals align with that of the CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine, and that indicated in the CMO 18 series of 2016?
Ever since I was a child, I have always envisioned myself to wear something fashion forward beneath a pristine white coat that doctors wear when they traverse the hospital halls and ward to look and check into patients. It was a sight to behold. This vision, mission, and goal of mine was deeply rooted in pursuing medical excellence to be of help to others and to be that light at the end of a tunnel. This is my dream, to uphold ethical practices through an unwavering service to the people – my Kababayans, the Filipino people.
My very mission as I journey in this educational pursuit is to continuously refine and learn my medical knowledge and skills. As a licensed Physical Therapist, I have come to realize that there is more in the medical world that I would want to learn and be humbled upon. This is a dedication of a lifelong learning and unending service towards those in need of my skills and knowledge.
It is my ultimate goal to continually seek for greatness in the practice of medicine for the Filipino people. With this, I would dedicate myself in seeking to understand the unique health narratives and culture embedded in the healing ways of the different regions here in our country, the Philippines. I will integrate the lessons I have learned into modern clinical practice for me to be able to bridge and fill-in gaps in the delivery of our healthcare, and to make sure to foster harmonious dynamic relationship between traditional and innovative medicine. In the hopes that they could coexist for the betterment of patient care.
How do you think the CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine can help you achieve the program outcomes for the Doctor of Medicine program?
After more than a month in medical school to become a medical doctor, I have learned that to become a better one, it is not merely about diagnosing the right ailments nor prescribing medications. It encompasses the understanding of the human as a whole, exhibiting compassion, and maintaining unfazed ethics. In my metamorphosis in becoming one, CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine (CNU-VSMMC CM) plays an indispensable role. This school made me fall in love with medicine all over again. I guess now, I believe that it is sweeter the second time around.
The school offered a diverse curriculum and environment that made me broaden my perspective and widened my horizons. The blend of rigorous theoretical and practical classes, laboratory activities and exams, and mentorships have laid a solid foundation. Aside from that, it offered research opportunities that have fueled my innate curiosity to allow me to delve deeper into the medical conundrums and thereby enhance what I have already learned.
Beyond the four walls of the enormous classroom, CNU-VSMMC CM emphasized how important soft skills are. They have organized numerous workshops and camaraderie events on social skills for interpersonal relationship and interprofessional communication. These avenues for learning underscore the fact that medicine is as much about humanity as it is about the scientific world. By cultivating empathy and ethical reasoning, they have instilled to us that it is not just about treating the disease, but to give care for the patients.
In short, CNU-VSMMC does not just aim to produce doctors; it’s very vision, mission, and goal is to create compassionate healers and responsible citizens. The myriad opportunities provided, both academic and extracurricular, ensure that I am not just medically competent but also emotionally intelligent, ethically sound, and socially aware. As I stride forward in my journey, I am confident that the values, skills, and knowledge imbibed from my school will guide me in becoming not just a better doctor, but a better human being.