A medical professional from the Cepedoza clan passed the oral diplomate examination of the Philippine Board of Surgical Oncology (PBSO), according to reports.
Dr. Florence Cepedoza, the younger brother of Dr. Bryan Cepedoza, a regular columnist of The Bohol Tribune, learned that he )Dr. Florence) passed the said examination on Feb. 22, 2022.
After passing the said examination, Dr. Florence is now a full member of the PBSO, the doctor told The Bohol Tribune in an email on Feb. 25, 2022.
The examination is the last step before getting admitted to the PBSO. The PBSO is an organization of surgeons specializing in cancer patients who need surgical intervention.
Dr. Florence finished his medical proper studies at the Cebu Institute of Medicine and had his post-graduate internship at the Visayas Community Medical Center.
Dr. Florence is also a fellow of the Philippine Board of General Surgery.
As he practiced general surgery, he saw the need for a professional specializing in surgical intervention and care for cancer patients.
He went on to undergo subspecialty training on Surgical Oncology at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), in Cebu City.
He said that currently, he is the only physician specializing in Surgical Oncology in Bohol.
Dr. Florence quipped that he did not cut corners just to reach his latest achievement. He has been taking a lot of exams and his wife, Dr. Apple Cepedoza, said the latest one should be his last exam.
Dr. Florence is expressing his gratitude and thanks to his family, particularly his mother, Flaviana, for his success.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today if not for the support of my family. Mama Flaviana was a mere housewife who was forced to work hard to feed her 10 children. I was just 6 months old when I lost my father,” Dr. Florence told The Bohol Tribune.
” Yes, I was just 6 months old when I lost my father. He was hospitalized at GCGMH [Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital] because we could not afford private hospital admissions at that time. He died from a motor vehicle accident (MVA). My siblings became working students and I can’t forget how hard it was to go to school without money. But Ate Flor and Ate Poyet never gave up to support me in my dream to become a doctor like my Kuya Bryan who is a pulmonologist,” Dr. Florence said.
“I was able to train in Surgical Oncology at VSMMC because our Medical Center Chief in GCGMH, Dr. Mutya Kismet T. Macuno, was very supportive of subspecialty training. I am truly grateful for her vision. I also want to thank the Department of Surgery in GCGMH for giving me this opportunity to be trained in another institution in the subspecialty I like. I owe my success in this field because of my greatest mentor in life, love, and work- Dr. Mark Denver Yray, the Chairman of Surgical Oncology Section in VSMMC,” Dr. Florence said.
Of course, Dr. Florence has great words for his wife.
“An old phrase is very true to me: Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman. My number 1 fan, my number 1 OBGYN [Obstetrician-Gynecologist] Dr. Apple Dueñas-Cepedoza. I thank you for your sacrifices, prayers, love, understanding, patience and trust. We have been through a lot, but you have always been my constant,” he quipped.
Dr. Florence is guided by a Bible passage which reads: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” which is found in Philippians 4:13”. He is also thanking St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of cancer patients.
Currently, Dr. Florence is the head of the Surgical Oncology Section at GCGMH and at the Ramiro Community Hospital.
He is also the vice-chairperson in the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board and currently employed as Medical Officer IV at GCGMH.
Dr. Florence holds his private clinic at theTagbilaran Community Hospital, Ramiro Community Hospital and Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center, Bohol and accepts consultation of patients by appointment.
He is also affiliated with Holy Name University Hospital Inc, Borja Family Hospital and Bohol Doctors Hospital.
With the support he is getting from GCGMH, his future plans include being part of the hospital’s vision to establish a Cancer Center at the Cortes campus, Dr. Florence told The Bohol Tribune.