Arrividerci

I can finally see the end to all the paperworks. Hopefully. It's been frustrating to not be able to get a signature to clear me from the Records Section of SUMC. I'm going through everybody else's charts to find if they've been hoarding my files. And once I'm done, I'm going through all the files they've returned, this way they would have no other excuses to put that scribble over the records section on that quadruple-copy clearance form.

I want to start studying already. I am starting to get scared facing the board exams so unprepared. But I'm relying on the fact that experience tells me, one can never be truly prepared for an exam of that magnitude.

So some parting words as I bid you until we meet again.

PEDIATRICS

I have no doubt that Pediatrics is not my strongest suit. Yet, when I rotated at Silliman Pediatrics, well, it seemed so easy. Despite my pedestrian scores in the final exams, I think I learned much and had fun at the same time during my rotation, after all, how can you not like working with kids?

The Residents


I'll remember Dr. Ang's brooding and penetrating gaze, teachy, firm, and fair at the same time. Oh and he smiles, jokes, and laughs way way way often that the first time I was under him at his former training hospital; Dr. Bonghanoy's smile, laughter, jokes, lessons and an IV helping hand; Dr. Sinda's IV misadventures, "'matic" pose, and how to report heart rates x 4; Dr. Calumpang's laughter and coaching as well as sharing my annoyance at nonsensical late night to early morning consults; Dr. Bondad's TMZ moments at the library and advice; Dr. Singco's food and laughter; Dr. Alo's wisdom, telegraphy and, late night rounds throughout the whole hospital.

The Consultants

I can't possibly write a post that long to include all of them but I will remember revalidas and computing feeding for preterms with the institution that is Dr EBOracion; "keeping my distance" and answering 4 am queries from Dr GFGAscano; assignments from Dr BYPFlores; marvelling at the patience of Dr GNNuico; endorsements and lessons with Dr RTOngkingko, among others, all of whom added to my knowledge of pediatrics.

The 4th Floor

Thank you for all the help and trust you gave me. I will remember how you gave me the benefit of the doubt when I ordered Diazepam per rectum in a seizing patient, I had to say it twice to clearly-puzzled faces but you trusted me nonetheless. I will also easily recall the way the milk for feeding was always ready everytime "Gatas" was mentioned. I will defer from mentioning all your names 'cause I might leave somebody out, hehe. Thanks for co-managing IV's and telling me.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

I grew to love IM here. I was intent on pursuing my dream field of Neurosurgery before I came to rotate at IM-SMC. Thanks to all of you, I am officially at a loss of where to go next. I loved the late night rounds, the collection of people during codes, and ultimately, I guess the challenge of diagnosing, and treating patients here appealed to the nerd in me. Haha. Me and my challenges.

The Residents

I'll remember Dr. Sat Paciencia's nosebleed ECG interpretations and slashes to the basket, but I'll let him take that 3 point shot any day; Dr. Ryan Cruz's rendition of September and videoke nights, and outings; Dr Gayle Opada's census; Dr. Charo Amasula's laughter, respect, and easy-to-get-along, we're-learning-together attitude, Dr. Dehuel Cuyacot's one-liners, impressions, petroleum jelly and of course, a venerable source of wisdom and enlightenment, Dr Jasmin Lubguban's work ethic, commander-in-chief attitude, rolled cotton and lessons; Dr Joel Borromeo's busy nights, trusting me in the ward, and learning at the ER; and last but not the least, my elder "sister" 'Nang Dr Venus Saceda, having known her before, I look to her as a model and listen to her advice, and I'll remember her for the kindness she showed all of us, work ethic and her green blue book and bright notebook.

The Consultants

Again, too many of you to mention but I thoroughly enjoyed having had a peak into the genius of Dr EGHMoleta and Dr MFUdarbe, who also happens to share a passion for sports like I do; I'll remember the suave Dr JGMagbanua, the cool Dr BGSy, the intimidating and imposing figure of Dr KTCoo, the dazzling beauty and brains of Dr SORosario and SODenura, the fanning of slides with Dr MDUy, the sharp mind of Dr JCCredo, the wisdom of Dr GBRosario, the cool Dr GNGarcia, among others whose contributions made IM fun for me.

The 3rd floor

Believe me, chaos was a mild way to put it. But yet, we made it work. Charts everywhere, sheets of paper anywhere, phones ringing off the hook, medications to be given and hallway admissions are a norm. Yet we made it work. Thank you for those who didn't get my charts when I laid them out in order, or those who got them and returned them so that I wouldn't know.

OB-GYNE / SURGERY

OB-Gyne here wasn't as stressful as in my previous life as an intern, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Surgery was great as I often found myself being entrusted with suturing, incisions, assessing trauma patients which I loved doing.

The Residents

I will remember Dr. Bernadas' late night quizzes, rounds and fast OR times; Dr Sibul's patented chika endorsements, taray tirades and a really cute AJ, and Dr Badon's motherly and friendly companionship and especially deciding on dinner. For Surgery, Dr Sanico's last duty and my first, as the busiest it could possibly get with me alone outside with an anisocoric admission while he was in the OR; Dr Rebaya's captain-of-the-ship personality with questions, quizzes, and battlefriends; Dr. Jabines' laid-back personality, entrusting me with responsibility at the ER and amazing me with how sturdy a Nissan Sentra can be; Dr Guinto's do-it-all attitude and quick trigger to answering questions; Dr. Casamayor, the new guy on the block, well I got to know him before, and he has no air about him and carries his weight as a young aspiring surgeon.

The Consultants

Still too many, yet the mastery and the brains of Dr LSSerillo will not be forgotten and his revalidas during morning endorsements will be treasured; the institution that is Dr RVJandoc, steady, true, still in his "prime;" the orthopod encyclopedia and my PT anatomy teacher, Dr EPKatada; the smooth Dr MSBaviera; the brains and humor of Dr MTOzoa; the megaphone and the man in charge Dr CBRana; the fast hands of Dr MASingco; the sports enthusiasm and encouragement of Dr KLGubantes; the cool Dr STFlores; the prince of the province Dr PPAbsin, and the petite yet all-around Dr MCVera Cruz, and the bachelor Dr JAOccena. I will also not forget the never-rattled, always smiling, calm Dr VTreyes, the cool Dr GCAustria, the frantic pace and fast hands of Dr CDUy, the institution that is Dr MSKho, the young smiling Dr FPVasquez, among others.

The 2nd Floor

Dressing and late night food trips. Things were made easier in the 2nd floor from dressing to rushing to the DR and OR calls, thanks to all the nurses, aides and staff.





FAMILY / COMMUNITY MEDICINE

The Residents

I will not forget the advice, the head-bobbing, the late-night talks, the understanding, the making-children-cry, the signature of Dr Mona Ducay-Alota, Doc thank you. The voice, the gentle smile, and slow to anger, owner of the LTB Bar Dr Teng, the helpful Drs Mana and Sadjail, who has two really cute kids; the fiesty take-no-prisoners Dr Tulang, and a former resident, her coolness herself Dr Abam(b)onga.

The Consultants

Who can forget marathon rounds with sphygmomanometer in tow with Dr LTBandoy? The simple, quiet, effective Dr ELJuan; the voice of reason, and driven Dr MLUrsos, and the friendly, jolly, suave Dr RSArco.

The ER

Codes. Admissions. Toxic patients. Truly one of the best learning places in the entire hospital. I know I had my male aide moments but I thoroughly enjoyed the ER experience.

The Interns

Lost is putting it mildly. Piece of advice, listen to your superiors, know your place and check your attitude at the entrance. We may have come from different styles of training, but there is no place where you can teach humility, hard work, discipline but within yourself.


The People

From the admin, to the HR, to the dietary, to the Surebright, to the laundry, I cannot express enough how thankful I am with how great this year has turned out to be.

Until we all meet again we hope we all have your prayers.

Thank You.

I'm off to study now.