My Journey as a Pediatrician
When i was still in medical school, my interest was torn between becoming an adult Rheumatologist or an OBGyne and a Pediatrician. And as i was exposed to hospital settings during clerkship, i knew already in my heart that i should be a practicing pediatrician.
So, after passing the licensure board examinations, I went straight into Pediatric Residency training in Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. It was not an easy road but the beautiful smiles and the twinkle in the eyes of the innocent children inspired me to finish my training.
Twemty-seven (27) years ago, i came home to Bohol filled with enthusiasm and armed with all the knowledge and trainings imparted to me by my mentors and started my private practice.
Following the advise of my consultants in Chong Hua Hospital, i paid a courtesy call to Dr Emma Dominguez , the most senior pediatrician practicing in the city and introduced myself to her. Dr Emma was very happy to see me and to welcome me in her clinic. From then on, she became our “mother” amongst us pediatricians.
As I started my career, i also started to raise my family. Juggling between the two was not easy but it was just a matter of time management. I was also very lucky to have a supportive husband and family for me to be able to carry out my demanding duties and responsibilities.
Waking up at dawn to receive a newborn baby while my little son GM was asleep at home and making rounds in hospitals and tagging along my son and tending to sick children while leaving my sick son at home.
But i have no regrets because being with children everyday is a joy to my heart.
Their smiles , their hugs and their innocence amaze me to the fullest.
The “thank you” that they utter every after clinic visit is so natural that melts my heart away.
However, when they get sick and most mothers become worried, my heart and mind worry too. I do my best to be objective and not to be affected emotionally but it is impossible since most of these children are already mine at birth. No matter how meticulous i am in taking care of their illnesses, i am only an instrument of God, our Lord and Creator.
Severe Dengue claimed a number of children under my care and every time death came, i wanted to stop my practice as a pediatrician. What motivates me again to continue my work is the look in the eyes of the sick children.
Everyday, in my prayers, i ask God and Mother Mary to bless my hands and my mind and guide me best to care for these children the way they wanted it to be.
Fast forward to today, i have babies who are now my colleagues , some became lawyers, engineers, teachers and pilots and i couldn’t be more proud looking at how fast they have grown to be upright and competitive individuals.
Some have become parents too making me a doting grandmother to their babies.
These children go out of their ways to make “tita doc ria” happy.
They bring me gifts, cards, letters and foods.
Oh, how can i forget a little boy who gave me a small car, a black version of his red car?
And just recently, a mother of a bride to be made sure of my presence on the wedding day of her daughter because the mom considered it as her second life as she survived Dengue when she was still a child.
Oh, how i love to be a pediatrician! A passion i dont call a job. This is my calling and i will be a Pediatrician with a heart forever!