Thursday, October 05, 2006 Magsaysay: Perfect choice for medical director By Jo Magsaysay Whatever
OPINIONATED and aggressive, quick-witted and funny, self-confident, articulate, gutsy and feisty. To all that, add compassionate. Exceptional qualifications. Absolutely!
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It is only incidental that Dr. Pureza T. Oñate is also a psychiatrist. On second thought, however, it is perhaps a person such as Dr. Oñate who has a keen insight and deep perception of human behavior and character along with her other attributes that make her a perfect choice for such a formidable position as medical director of the Perpetual Succour Hospital…”Not in any way…: Dr. Oñate hastened to assure all those listening to her acceptance speech “reflective of the state of mind of the people here especially that of the medical staff.” Installed as assistant medical director, Dr. Ruben Maguad jokingly referred to as a ‘man of few words’ for actually gushing a stream of verbiage – he is funny too – and also forewarned his new chief with references about “intrigues, maneuvers and politics”. Not that it should faze Purie Oñate who had the honor of an unprecedented re-election as president of the Philippine Psychiatric Association who was asked to serve, again, to reunite the fighting factions within the organization…"it took a Cebuano to put that house in order." Bruised egos, insecurities, rivalries, piracy can be soothed, smoothed, resolved and who better than a psychiatrist can iron out these kinks for in Purie’s words "the psychiatrist goes beyond the body we treat, we consider the mind and the environmental stressors. This expertise I hope to bring with me."
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Simple ceremonies marked the installation into office of Dr. Pureza Oñate as medical director and Dr. Ruben Maguad as assistant medical director of Perpetual Succour Hospital. Rev. Fr. Joseph de Aquino gave the invocation and Sr. Santanina Marie Bernaldez SPC, hospital administrator delivered the welcome address and presented a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Maria Delfa Zanoria "in recognition of her significant and humanitarian contribution to PSH having selflessly served as medical director from June 2004 to June 2006. Dr. Henrietta Esmer SPC, vice-provincial for Health Care, read the formal appointments and 2-year contracts of both Dr. Oñate and Dr. Maguad. The plaque as well as the appointment contracts were duly signed by Dr. Santanina Maria Bernaldez, SPC, PSH Administrator and Dr. Zeta Rivero, provincial superior of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres.
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A high school classmate and best friend of the new medical director and "still best friends now", Sr. Zeta is herself a woman of outstanding qualities whose far-reaching vision combined with a sophisticated mind and nitty-gritty practicalities has successfully restructured, reorganized, reinforced and reinvigorated the various facilities like the Cardiovascular Institute, Cancer Institute, Physical Rehabilitation, Medicine Department, Clinical and Pathological Laboratory, Diagnostic and Nuclear Radiology Department and the latest addition to the existing specialty branches, the Skin Plus Surgical Center to make Perpetual Succour Hospital one of the best, if not the finest medical center in the Visayas and Mindanao Regions, not to mention that "this hospital (being) the only hospital run by a religious organization."
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Quick to point out to the medical staff, Dr. Oñate exhorted to “let us not lose sight that we are not here to give everything pro bono. The public oftentimes misperceive that since it is still run by nuns, it is all charity.” Respect for human life is our primary goal but we must be watchful of the abuses of a few who expect the hospital and the doctors services to be on the house, gratis. Such tags as…’Dili ta dinha kay mahal…Dili ta dinha kay maot ang doctors…Dili ta dinha kay hugaw…Dili ta dinha kay dili kahibalo ang doctor’, should be erased from the mind of the public.
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Nodding in smiling approval and looking oh-so-proud no doubt, thinking ‘that’s my girl!’ Dr. Jorge Oñate actually bloomed when Purie referred to him as ‘my beloved husband who has allowed me to reach the peak of my potentials and was, and will always be my anchor in my ventures…may they be adventures and misadventures." Certainly a venture that should meet with a hearty endorsement from those of us who have been subjected to the indifference, the discourtesy, the arrogance of some members of the medical community, the PSH or any other hospital facility in the city is Dr. Oñate’s first little step, a venture to change what is sadly become reflective of our ‘who cares?’ culture.
Noting the PSH security guards always have a respectful salutation, ‘Peace be with you’ to anyone passing by, Dr. Oñate was dismayed that ‘our doctors, residents and interns without as much as a nod, not even a friendly smile or greeting to our patients’ visitors, relatives, consultants and even one another.
Some things have to change --- a small step towards a great new beginning.
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To a masterful emcee, Dr. Romeo Letigio with the commanding voice, I attribute this quote: "Yesterday’s dewdrops are tomorrow’s rainbows." Beautiful!
