From the President's Desk
Our Honorable Hernan Reyes, past President and founder of SPSA, Officers, Advisers, Fellow members and Guests.
First of all my thanks to everyone who considered me as a viable nominee for SPSA presidency. It is an honor and a privilege to be your president. When Rey Castillo asked me to consider this position I didn't know it would be his last request to me. Along with Ben, Enrico, Ferdie and others, thanks for your words of encouragement.
At first I was somewhat unsure whether I could lead such a talented group of individuals. Individuals, whose goals was to improve the well being of the Filipinos, improve and update the expertise of its members, foster good relations with its colleagues across the pond and maintain social camaraderie.
But then I thought, these individuals are quite self-motivated, selfless in its endeavor to help others even to the point of lacking in funds or affordability to schedule the projects it yearns as a society. I am proud and so should we all be proud to belong to a humanitarian Society, to people who put others first, to people who are tireless, indefatigable in assisting and conducting its affairs as a Society.
Yes, we have a history of checking, counter-checking and balancing our actions being careful not to misrepresent each other and as we are guided by its principles. In our every little move I wondered what makes us so like or similar minded that way? Is it that little brown pigment that some of us try to erase every morning, is it those little islands separate yet trying to get closer in ties because we all know where we are coming from? Or, is it that remark that we were the cause of the so called "brain drain" as we left our Motherland to further our studies, a remark so ingrained in our minds that we were determined to prove them wrong? Or is it that DNA that makes us yearn that we may finally have a place in the sun?
Well, whatever it is or a combination of any of these reasons, we trusted our fate as people in this foreign nation to bind and forge the principles of our forefathers toward a common goal of "giving back!"
In this tough, tumultuous and unsure times we are given the task to answer that same age old question: who can we and do we trust ? Can we trust anyone out there? It seems in all corners of society, agencies of government, pillars of business and community fail to earn or continue to earn that trust deservingly. What's wrong with this picture? Is it because we stop putting others as priority before self or is it that when we serve others we eventually think of ourselves in the process?
I know our organization can be trusted to look at a situation squarely in the eye and give an honest opinion because it will serve the majority rather than a few. It is when the majority of us is in the wrong side of the curve that we fail to give the ultimate benefit to others. Life is a process of folding and unfolding what God has promised (I came that you might live life more abundantly) Let us therefore bring to the table what we are most willing to share (our level best) until we reach that final "aha" moment.
In the words of Covey's Life purpose we find that in life, we learn, we learn so much that we learn how to live, and along the way we learn how to love, and when we love, we learn to leave a legacy. When we love, we leave little footprints of us in a space of time.
Thank you and May God Bless each and every one of us as we continue to give our self and leave a lasting legacy!
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SPSA President BERNIE PALOMARES, MD
SPSA Convention, Sea Palms St Simon's Island, Georgia
July 15-18, 2009
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I Bid You Goodbye!
As the page of the book of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America is turned into the new, I bid you farewell with a feeling of nostalgia like one who walks into the sunset of ones life. I finally found a home in this Society where one is accepted with open arms and with a deep sense of brotherhood. I cherish every moment of that experience which I shall always carry with me for the rest of my mortal life. This is not my own eulogy for I do not expect, as yet “to lie down to pleasant dreams to join the innumerable caravan that moves to that mysterious realm” of Fate, to borrow the words of William Cullen Bryan.
Business meetings are never a turmoil but a happening and a jubilee. Opinion varies among reasonable men. Debate does happen but nothing is personal. Rather there is respect for the dignity and the sensitivity of each person during each discussion. Every issue debated is directed for the common good of the Society, therefore, the members of the organization. Before I forget, the meeting in spring is a cruise meeting. It is a happening and a jubilee. I want you to pause and ponder why it is so and you will get its meaning.
I am proud to say that the Society of Philippine Surgeons in American has its golden medallions. Without intending to miss anything, at this moment, I can think of a few items of signal importance. Our CME is one we can be proud of. It is accredited Category I till 2011. This July in St Simon’s Island the highlight is “Standards of Surgical Practice in 2009”. Our surgical missions have attracted the attention of the American College of Surgeons and the College has launched its own “Operation Giving Back” because it likes what we do. The Philippine Surgeons Charity while it is an independent not-for-profit organization functions as the charitable arm of the SPSA and funds our CME and surgical missions. If you give to charity think first of the Philippine Surgeons Charity rather than to other institutions. The Philippine Surgeon, the magazine of the SPSA and our web site: SPSA today.com can give you information regarding our society. Lastly, as I mention last year, we have amended our Constitution and By-Laws to allow other Specialists and nurses & technicians whose specialty directly impact on surgery as a specialty. This I believe can not be over emphasized. We invite all who qualify to become members of our society.
I bid you goodbye, till the next meeting.
REYNALDO L. LEE-LLACER, MD, FACS, FSPSA
President
May 15,2009
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Seminar at Saint Simon
Spring is here and summer is not far behind. As Spring is the season of renewal and growth Summer is the season to rump and play. It is that time also to bask under the stimulating warmth of the Georgia sun.
The Society of Philippine Surgeons in American will hold its annual convention in St Simon's Island, Georgia in a resort called Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort. For those of you who enjoy golf or tennis it is the place to go. But it is much more than that! It is a place to bring ones family and experience the scintillating warmth of emotion that emanates from one heart to another heart within the circle of the family and also within the circle of friends.
As you walk beneath those ancient live oak trees your mind will travel back into the history of this nation, when the first six frigates were commissioned by the third president of this great country, Thomas Jefferson, to fight the Barbary pirates. One of those frigates is still on active service under the United States Navy, the USS Constitution otherwise known as " Old Ironside". Her body was made of live oak and in a naval battle against the HMS Guerriere, a 44- gun frigate, one of the 18-pounder balls bounced harmlessly back into the sea. A member of the Constitution's crew exclaimed: " Her sides are made of iron!" That remark was widely reported in the press, and the nickname stuck: " Old Ironsides." As Paul Harvey would say, " Now you have the rest of the story."
If history bores you then just the feel of the coolness of the ocean air which mingles with the soft sweet marsh breeze as it caress your cheeks would be enough to give you the pleasure that only the summertime in the seashores of Georgia can bring. What more can you ask of nature! Bring your family to share with you what pleasure this place will offer.
For those of you who wants to listen to the dissertation regarding " the Standards of Surgical Practice in 2009" Dr. Benjamin O. Zamora, Program Director of the SPSA has crafted a course that will be of interest not only to the surgeons but also to nurses, technicians & physicians from a number of specialties that directly impact on surgery as a specialty, such as: Critical Care, Anesthesiology, Gastroenterology, perhaps Pediatrics and Cardiology to name a few. If you are one of these professionals then he has got you covered and you will certainly enjoy your summer in St. Simon's Island. Not only that, the talks will not deprive you from enjoying all the things that abound and surround you. You might even be interested in applying for membership.
Our Constitution and By-Laws had been amended to make our society become more inclusive to grow into the current trend of practice. We invite you to apply for membership. It will be worth your membership fee.
REYNALDO L. LEE-LLACER, MD, FACS, FSPSA
President
April 24,2009
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Fellows of the Society of the Philippine Surgeons in America, Members of the Auxillary, Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen:
Rey Castillo’s accomplishments are frozen in time and will forever be remembered by those who knew him; and so shall he live.
Over three decades ago the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America was established to provide a forum in continuing medical education and to share in the experience in the field of surgery as well as to foster camaraderie among its members and to enable its members to render voluntary charitable service to needy people in this country, the Philippines, & other countries.
We have a continuing medical education program that is second to none in its timeliness, scope & quality. Through the aid of the Philippine Surgeons Charity, our Convention Chairman, and avid volunteers we have completed & have been successful in all our surgical missions.
Despite all of these successes we are still faced with a number of issues; issues which were there during the lifetime of this Society. Among them are the following:
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Our IRS status
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Financial growth
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Membership growth & retention
We have to confront all of them and hopefully, together, accomplish correction of these issues.
These issues have been compounded by our dwindling membership as age caught up with us. Additionally, we have come to realize that surgery is not an island unto itself but one that is surrounded by others allied specialists whose expertise are necessary for our growth & stability.
Cognizant with this reality, the Board of the SPSA, in its wisdom, has crafted a way in which to correct the problem of membership by amending the Constitution & By-laws to accept into our Fellowship Medical Specialists & Technologists (Nurses and Technicians) whose work directly impacts on Surgery as a specialty.
But the Society needs your help to make these words which are planted into your consciousness tonight become a reality; not just a dream.
I know that I am preaching to the choir but the SPSA needs the choir to carry its song beyond this hall to all the towns & cities of every State of the Union wherever there are qualified people to be found; then and only then can we hope to succeed.
The IRS determination will be accomplished by written application to the Internal Revenue Service but our financial growth is not easy to promote. It requires our ability to attract qualified professionals to become members. Toward that end, I am appointing Dr. Sarie Laserna as the Chair of our Membership Committee and with her customary enthusiasm I have no doubt that she will succeed. It is not going to be easy. No! Nothing is ever easy but with the help of each one of us it can & it must be done. Nothing that is worthwhile is done so easily & smoothly but everything that is so important can only be accomplished by the sweat of your brows and the aches & pains of every sinew of your bodies.
Let me close by paraphrasing Jeff Shaara author of To The Last Man: Do we have the kind of strength we can draw upon when the cause is right and when the challenge is set before us?
I hope & pray that we do.
July 28, 2007
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It is quite uncommon that an organization has members that are given the skill and gift dedicated to the service of the poor.It is laso uncommon that these men and women will strive themselves to maintain quality and high standard of care even though many have reached their prime or past it.They continue to passionately perform year after year without hesitation or reservations.
Such is the SPSA today. A collection of highly motivated individuals, moved by passion to continue the work started decades ago. The SPSA for many years have touched so many lives, affected and changed so many people and have created smiles in the faces of men,women and children.No gift, or trophy nor medals can express the appreciaton of these healed patients. Their appreciation is written deep in thier hearts.It is quite surprising that as we have touched people and changed them, we find ourselves also touched and changed.We find ourselves wanting to continue and do more. We do not see the difficulty of yearly stuggle to obtain funding for our missions and it does not seem to matter that we are now fewer in numbers. We openly discuss these things and worry at times that we do not have the luxury of numbers and funding. In the end however the will to continue is never fazed.
The SPSA today enjoys the benefit of having such men and women among its ranks. It is never self serving nor self aggrendizing. It does not seek popularity nor competition among other charitable organizations. It seeks only to serve and to continue delivering its work of serving the poorest of the poor.
Rey Castillo, M.D.
President
Presidential Letter April-May 2007
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Oscal Lacerna, M.D., FACS
Immediate Past President
From inception, my administration always considered communication and delegation of responsibilities as SPSA’s best tools for success. To start the ball rolling, Dr. Philip S. Chua (SPSA past president and editor emeritus) was appointed as SPSA’s website director. Being time, action, people, and issue-oriented, Philip delivered. Our website, www.SPSAtoday.com, is a tacit testimonial to Philip’s dedication and excellent work.
SPSA International partnership with the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) was undertaken by SPSA’s two previous administrations. Nurturing such beginnings, the fruits of such patience and “political diplomacy” have now blossomed! SPSA currently has a Liaison Coordinating Committee to PCS, co-chaired by Dr. Enrico Garcia and Dr. Dan Fabito. In addendum, I recently appointed Philip S. Chua as SPSA’s CME Coordinator to the PCS. As of January 2007, Philip was already approached by the PCS to prepare speakers for their December 2007 CME Philippine Convention.
As recommended, global alliance with Physicians for Peace (PFP) and World Surgical Foundation (WSF) was also approved by SPSA’s Executive Council last July 2006. Appointed as permanent Liaison Coordinators to PFP are Dr. Johnny Montero and Dr. Sarie Laserna. Liaison Coordinators for WSF are Dr. Domeng Alviar and Dr. Ed Barcelona.
In 2006, I also initiated the formation of SPSA Past President’s Coordinating Council and appointed Dr. Dan Fabito as its initial Coordinating Chair. The main objective in its formation is to attract other non-active past presidents to “come back” to the SPSA fold and get their input.
SPSA’s Gawad Kalinga cooperative leadership with Taguig Mayor Sigfred Tinga symbolizes in palpable terms SPSA’s slogan of “Reaching Out and Giving Back!” I have appointed Dr. Fe Cacdac and Dr. Sarie Laserna as SPSA permanent project coordinators of this worthy endeavor. SPSA is sponsoring a village of 100 homes in cooperation with other PMAs. Articles about GK are included in SPSA’s journal.
During our July 2006 convention in Long Beach, California, the SPSA had a very successful Raffle Fundraiser grossing $50,000 thanks to the spirit of cooperation and generosity within the SPSA hierarchy!
I also approved our Fundraiser Chair’s request to solicit pledges for the SPSA’s Bicol disaster relief Fund. Sarie informs me that we have pledges up to $4,200 so far. I agreed with Dr. Manny Cacdac’s suggestion that we wait sending monies to Bicol victims to coincide with our forthcoming December 2007 planned Surgical Mission. To complement our Mission, we are asking each member of SPSA’s executive board to fill up ONE balikbayan box with clothes, shoes, multivitamins, canned food, etc. that we can send anytime to two holding areas in Manila available for our use c/o Dr. Johnny Montero.
Our Surgical Mission to Calbayog, Samar last December 7-14, 2006 was a tremendous success (Read Dr. Manny Cacdac’s enclosed report, also on our website) with a total of 540 operations. The January 2006 Mission totaled 548 surgeries. Grand total surgeries for 2006 = 1,088 operations.
As icing on the cake, SPSA garnered the Linkapil AWARD from Philippine President GMA last December 7, 2006 held at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang. This was made possible through the coordinated efforts of our surgical team leaders, Dr. Manny Cacdac and Dr. Pacifico Dorado (in providing statistics with projected financial data) and past president Dr. Ed Barcelona. Receiving the Award for SPSA were Drs. Oscar and Sarie Laserna and Dr. Philip Chua.
This year (2007), SPSA will be marking its 35th Founding Coral Jubilee with a gala dinner dance on July 28, 2007 in Norfolk, Virginia. This coincides with the State of Virginia’s quadricentennial Founding Celebration. SPSA past presidents will receive gold medallions as a memento of their dedicated service to the SPSA. But exceeding all expectations, July 28, 2007 may augur the beginning of the BEST that has yet to COME in FilAm Historical EVENTS in America. On this landmark – Red Letter Day, the SPSA stands Tall, serving as FACILITATOR of the much awaited and long overdue unification of Fil-AM physician and Civic leaders in America. On July 28, 2007, we will inaugurate the birth of the Global Federation of Fil-Am Leaders in America, the flagship of GK-Taguig & FilAm Expats Unity crusade for a NEW Philippines!
To all those who continue to serve the health, education and humanitarian needs of the underserved in the Philippines without financial remuneration or VESTED interest go our eternal gratitude and high esteem!
Thank you, fellow officers and members, for keeping the work and spirit of SPSA alive and on track. Together, SPSA can make use of its collective talents and skills to propagate international medical partnership for healthcare, peace and progress. Part of our “all inclusive agenda” is to recruit more members to the society particularly our young 2nd generation Filipino-American physicians and surgeons. These “young guns” will be carrying on the TORCH of FilAm physician leadership and humanitarian legacy that we are bequeathing to America, the Philippines and the World!
Presidential Letter January-February 2007
The year 2006 proved to be a banner year for the SPSA.
Thank you, SPSA leaders, members and supporters for helping SPSA forge ahead with our VISION of forming global alliances and international networking with organizations that address the challenges of the New Millennium!
Thus far, we have partnered with Physicians for Peace (PFP) co-chaired by Dr. Johnny Montero and Dr. Sarie Laserna, World Surgical Foundation (WSF) co-chaired by Dr. Domeng Alvear and Dr. Ed Barcelona and the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) chaired by Dr. Enrico Garcia and Dr. Daniel Fabito. A recent addition to the SPSA-PCS liaison committee is Dr. Philip Chua, who serves as SPSA’s CME Coordinator to the PCS. Last year, we also assigned Dr. Sarie Laserna and Dr. Fe Cacdac as coordinators for SPSA’s partnership with Gawad Kalinga (a global GIANT) focusing on a holistic approach to Home Construction for the Philippines’ poor.
True to our promise, SPSA donated 20% of its net proceeds to Gawad Kalinga from our 2006 Raffle Fundraiser which grossed $50,000. Our profound gratitude to all those who supported this campaign! Currently, all the above committees are Ad Hoc committees which I hope SPSA will embrace and vote upon as Standing Committees of this great Society!
To me, these partnerships allow our Society to broaden our outreach programs and engage in inter-cooperative networking on healthcare, education and humanitarian projects geared towards Philippine Nation Rebuilding!
Last December 7, 2007, SPSA was a recipient of the Linkapil Award from Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo. This is the highest award accorded to any overseas organization that has served the Filipino people in extraordinary manner. SPSA’s annual Medical Surgical Missions since 1986 up to the present serves as a testimonial of this great humanitarian service we have provided and continue to provide to indigent people in the Philippines. (Statistics since 1993-2006 are tacit proof of SPSA’s charity services of great health and socio-economic impact to our native land.)
To greet 2007, preparations are now underway for a spectacular SPSA 35th Foundation Coral Jubilee Gala Celebration slated on July 25-28, 2007 (Wed-Sat). Venue is Norfolk, Virginia at the Marriott Waterside Hotel. Our honorees are all the past presidents and their spouses (1972-2006). Everyone is invited to this Wonderful Event that FOCUSES on Fil-Am Expat physicians unification for Philippine Nation Reconstruction!
Be a part of this historical and monumental celebration of Life! Witness the emergence of our NEW 2nd generation of Fil-Am physician surgeons, our “young guns” who will be participating in our 3-day CME Category I lecture series chaired by SPSA CME Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Ben Zamora.
Details about our forthcoming Convention are on this, our SPSAtoday.com website. Click on CME/CONVENTION on the MENU.
Happy surfing!
Oscar M. Laserna, M.D., FACS, FACOG
Presidential Letter November 2006
Greetings to the SPSA leaders, members, colleagues, supporters and viewers.
Today, as the SPSA continues to FOCUS on the latest worldwide medical surgical advances, our leaders are aggressively pursuing global networking with Physicians for Peace, World Surgical Foundation, and Philippine College of Surgeons.
Our reason is obvious! With a radically changing millennium continually threatened by global terrorism and geopolitical crises, ONE of the MOST pragmatic, effective and mitigating prescription is to spread America’s goodwill to the World through a well organized and well orchestrated global alliances on healthcare, education and humanitarian endeavors in 3rd World countries.
It is a FACT that in World History, there is no other ethnic medical minority leadership from the East or the West that can surpass or even parallel the tremendous medical-surgical humanitarian achievements of great Filipino-American physicians in the past 25 years based all over America.
Last year alone, SPSA’s surgical mission led by Dr Manuel Cacdac and Dr. Pacifico Dorado performed 548 successful surgeries on indigent patients in Calbayog, Samar, Philippines. This year, one of our past SPSA presidents, Dr. Johnny Montero (from VA), serving as Pacific Coordinator of PFP, was able to coordinate and establish 16 sustainable healthcare projects all over the Philippines through inter-cooperative ventures with Philippine based physicians. (For details see website article on Dr. Montero). For the past several years another past SPSA president and renowned pediatric surgeon, Dr. Domingo Alvear, led medical-surgical missions not only in the Philippines but also in India, Honduras, Thailand, etc. This year, he is slated to go to Palawan and Bohol in the Philippines and in February 2007 will be heading to Africa. Fil-Am surgeon, Dr. Pete Obregon, FEU ’60, is head of an international medical mission that serves various parts of the world from Africa, to Europe to Asia, where he and his team travel to, doing surgeries every month, for several years now since his retirement.
I could go on and on relating numerous missions to the Philippines led by other Fil--American physician organizations based in the 50 states in America. Suffice for me to say that such exemplary voluntary and altruistic deeds deserve to be known to the world. Through the Media, other ethnic minority physicians and mainstream American colleagues can participate actively in such “heroic ventures” in the near future.
This, my dear colleagues and friends, is the primordial reason why SPSA’s expanded scope of its Mission and Vision based on collaborative integration needs media exposure.
This is likewise the reason why SPSA is behooved to inform the World (particularly America’s people and politicians) about this ongoing healthcare, education and humanitarian endeavors not only in the Philippines but also in other 3rd World countries through effective networking and alliances.
Thanks to the multi-faceted talent, hard work, and tenacity of SPSA’s past president, Philip S. Chua, our fabulousSPSAtoday.com website is now in the world wide web galaxy, for the world to view.
Only through worldwide communication, international networking, global alliances, and most importantly, our individual commitment and contribution, can our physicians and paramedics continue this universal Christian charity that serves humanity’s poor and brings lasting peace, stability and progress to the World!
Yours for a bigger and better SPSA,
Oscar M. Laserna, M.D.
Presidential Letter October 2006
During this information age of hi-tech global communications, SPSA will utilize the Internet to help promote and engender its healthcare, educational and socio-economic progress. To accomplish this end, I have appointed Philip S. Chua, M. D., an international cardiovascular surgeon, SPSA past president and Editor Emeritus, to serve as SPSA's permanent Website Director.
To meet the challenges of the new millennium my administration has pragmatically enlarged the scope of SPSA's mission statement by forming alliances with other established global medical organizations: Physicians for Peace (PFP), World Surgical Foundation (WSP) and the Philippines College of Surgeons (PCS)
Our predecessors and past presidents, Dr. Juan Montero of Virginia (PFP Pacific Coordinator), Dr. Ralph Zaragosa, SPSA Past President, and Dr. Domingo Alvear of Pennsylvania (Founding President of WSF) were awardees of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for Excellence in Volunteerism worldwide, in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
Working side by side for the past several years, Dr. Pacifico Dorado of Ohio and Dr. Manuel Cacdac of Indiana certainly deserve the highest Presidential commendations. Both have served and continue to serve, unselfishly, as coordinators of SPSA's annual surgical missions to the Philippines. Photos and stories depicting numerous life-saving annual surgical sojourns of our "Fellows and Heroes" in various depressed Philippine provinces best epitomize SPSA's slogan of "REACHING OUT AND GIVING BACK."
With the journalistic prowess and commitment of another SPSA past president, Dr. Edward Quiros of Texas, all these surgical "Labor of Love" memories are documented in the Philippine Surgeons magazine for our future archives.
Today and in the years to come, we will always be indebted to the leadership, foresight and contribution of Dr. Hernan Reyes as Founding President of SPSA. The dedication and tenacity of Dr. Ben Zamora as SPSA's formidable CME Director for the past few decades will be remembered and cherished by SPSA's appreciative "fellows". Dr. Ben Zamora has been awarded the title of SPSA "President Emeritus" last July 20, 2006 during our Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.
Thank you, fellow officers and members, for keeping the work and spirit of SPSA alive and on track. Together, the SPSA can make use of its collective talents and skills to propagate international medical partnership for healthcare, peace and progress. Part of our "all inclusive agenda" is to recruit more members to the society particularly our young 2nd generation Filipino-American physicians and surgeons.
At this point in time, when global terrorism abounds, I dare say that all physicians joining our World Medical-Surgical Missions will be serving as America's ambassadors of goodwill to 3rd world countries and help balance the equation a little bit..
Yours for a peaceful and healthier world,
Oscar M. Laserna, M.D., FACS
President