Maria Nikki Cruz, MD
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City (SLMC-QC), Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism celebrated its 25th founding anniversary at the Unilab Bayanihan Hall last November 22, 2023.
It was in 1998 that Dr. Joselynna Quimpo founded the endocrinology fellowship training program in SLMC-QC. With her was the first training officer, Dr. Guillermo Manalo, Jr. After a one-year probationary period, the section was given full accreditation by the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, known at that time by its former name, the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. What followed was 25 years of excellence, since the section has trained and graduated 60 Endocrinologists who have a 100% passing rate in the specialty board exams of the PCEDM.
The 25th anniversary ball was a celebration of all the successes and accomplishments of the section and the alumni association, the St. Luke’s Endocrine Graduates Association (SEGA). Furthermore, it was also a thanksgiving for all our mentors who continued to give us guidance and support even after we graduated from the fellowship program.
Dr. Gabriel Jasul, Jr., the current Chief of Section, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed everyone to this very momentous occasion.
All the past, as well as the current, section chiefs and training officers were recognized for their role as pillars in upholding the section and molding all their successful trainees. Shown below are the “mini-me” figurines that were especially commissioned for this purpose.
The night was made more special as we reminisced on all those years of learning and camaraderie that occurred not just within the walls of SLMC-QC but beyond as well. Memories abounded of the brilliant performances during the PCEDM fellowship nights, as well as the superlative presentations by both trainees and alumni during local and international conventions.
The stars that shone that night became even brighter due to the amazing performances of our consultants, alumni and fellows.
Everyone was given coffee table books that highlighted the journey and triumphs of the section. Parkas that were curated with the SEGA logo were also handed out. Every aspect of the celebrations was excellently prepared by the committee members, headed by Dr. Danivic Ramirez.
The past Section Chairs, Dr. Joselynna Quimpo, Dr. Michael Villa, Dr. Roberto Mirasol along with the current Section Chair, Dr. Gabriel Jasul, proposed the ceremonial toast celebrating those 25 years of shared memories and milestones.
The closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Reynaldo Rosales, one of the first two endocrinology fellows-in-training. He is an active consultant at St. Luke’s Medical Center – QC and Global City and still plays an important role in the training of the fellows-in-training.
It was indeed a wonderful night for all of us who call SLMC-QC Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism our home away from home. It was an incomparable evening when we reunited to reforge the bonds that hold us together as one family.
