Lavander and Mint

I miss Dr Helen Amorin.  She was my mentor, ally and biggest fan/supporter.  We would spend 30 minutes over the phone discussing strategies and she would give me advice like an older sister.

Ever since I joined VSMMC in 2013, she had been providing me with strength to DARE institute changes for reform in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

We started with changing the admission guidelines to the 12-hour obstetrician-on-duty, adopting the system from PGH with residents assigned to the OB Admitting Section, ER Gynecology, Labor Room, Delivery Room, and Operating Room. This provided additional accountability to the consultants and residents in charge.

Then we scheduled additional conferences like the staff conference, sonologic surgico-pathologic conference, mortality conference, grand rounds, pre-op/post-op conference.  We also had quarterly trophoblastic conferences, perinatal statistics, joint OBGYN-IM conference and mutli-disciplinary conferences as needed.

I was happy to know that there was somebody who was as passionate and hard-working as I am, probably even more... so that the busyness of daily operations didn't seem too overwhelming.  My main concern then was difficulty waking up early for these conferences, but mam Helen would always give me an early wake up call when I was needed for those special events.

We also had time to disconnect and have a social dinner or coffee with blueberry cheesecake.  She always knew my favorite!  When shd ventured into soap-making, she gifted me with peppermint-scented bath soap which brought me a lot of comfort.  Mam Helen preferred LAVANDER and I would remember to pick up small stuff for her when I would see Lavander.  Lavander-scented showers refresh her and make her happy.

Together, we were the dynamic duo.  When we had a series of three (3) non-puerperal uterine inversion, she would operate abdominally and I would be her vagina girl.  We were Helen A and Helen M.  She was the early one and I would be the night duty.

Yesterday, I was part of a plenary panel discussion for the POGS Organization of Government Institutions, telling the story of the Central Visayas Electronic Health Referral System.  I couldn't tell the story without starting from where it all began... and I just had to mention Dr Helen Amorin, who asked me to review the 29 maternal mortalities for the month of May in 2015.

I had to explain that most ambulances transported patients to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) which was most often the hospital of choice.  The audience laughed when I told them that to me the ambulance sirens sounded like "Sotto, Sotto, Sotto!"

More importantly, the audience seemed to be attentive to the unfolding of OUR STORY.  The realization that "no hospital can do it alone" and that it is actually the strong working relationship between hospital healthworkers that make sure THE RIGHT PATIENT is at the RIGHT FACILITY at the RIGHT TIME ALL THE TIME.

I miss mam Helen.  She was proud of me when I described the Program for Young Parents before the DOH National Staff Meeting in 2014.  I'm sure she would have been proud of OUR STORY when I narrated it to the POGS Annual Convention in 2024.

Layo pa 'ta pero layo na 'ta.

This one's for you, mam Helen!  Helen A and Helen M, lavander and mint!

The Growth Journey

I found this illustration on my facebook feed.  I realize that in order to grow, we need to get out of our comfort zone and do it.  Do it scared! Do it even if you're not sure what you're doing!

While we continue to learn as lifelong learners, we continue to face challenges by acquiring new skill sets.  The willingness to learn is one of the most important characteristics of a growing person.

Take courage!

Blind man:  Have mercy on me, I beg you!  I want to see!

Jesus:  Stand up, your faith has healed you!

Often we are preoccupied with our worries and struggles that we cannot be disturbed to help those blind people sitting along the roadside asking for help.

Kuya Gil is an example of how we can truly be instruments of God's healing despite our own poverty and handicaps.

On the anniversary and project leaders meeting of the Enfantes Du Mekong, the message of the Bamboos to the scholars are "Take courage and get up.  Jesus is calling you!"

Bartimeus was important to Jesus because he said "Call him" asking the people to bring Bartimeus instead of just ordering Bartimeus to "Come here".  In the same way, the children matter not only to EDM but also to God.  Volunteers are the instruments that God use to bring the children closer to Him and closer to restoration of their sight and the restoration of their faith in humankind.  People are gifts.  People live for other people.  That faith in humankind can save lives!

Padayon, ninong Gil!

Post-tweetchat on the Art of Negotiation

 

One of the main illustrations during the chat is from Dr Remo Aguilar @bonedoc on the Principled Negotiation.

The Art of NEGOTIATION

 

I saw this post of Dr Tony Leachon on my feed, knowing that those personalities engaging in a friendly handshake have been political opponents in the past election.  The caption tells us to never fear to negotiate.

This is an inspiring photo of how people have the capacity to agree to disagree, and to set aside their differences to cooperate towards the same goal.  I also wonder why our politicians find it difficult to negotiate for continuity of good programs.  The common practice is to stop all programs of the previous administration in favor of new projects that bear the new administration's stamp of approval and branding.

Negotiation is defined as a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.  The United Nations discuss negotiation as a way of coping with disagreement, with varying views and with different objectives.  Harvard Business School Online lists the following skills needed to negotiate professionally: (1) communication; (2) emotional intelligence; (3) planning; (4) value creation; (5) strategy and (6) reflection.  Sometimes, at work we don't need to be friends, but we need to be negotiate professionally to reach an agreed strategy or way to move forward.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss the Art of NEGOTIATION:

T1.  What is your understanding and/or definition of a good negotiation?

T2.  What factors, in your experience, contribute to a successful negotiation?

T3.  Can you tell us a story of a negotiation that you had done in the past?  What went right/wrong?

Boundaries

A lack of boundaries invite a lack of respect.  

You get what you expect.

You deserve what you tolerate.

I saw this video on my feed and it aptly illustrates that nobody can disrespect you if you do not allow it.  Maybe it's a part of our culture that we were raised to be hospitable, to be welcoming of people, to be caring even to a point where we get uncomfortable just to address the needs of others.  There should be a point where we say NO.  This is as far as I go.  Your rights should not step on my rights.  I have rights too.  I have a boundary.  I deserve respect.

FOCUS

in the hustle and bustle of everyday grind, we can take a break to breathe and pause to smell the coffee.

then i realize that life is a matter of FOCUS.  I may be sitting quietly contemplating on life with my cup of coffee, but I am still focusing on the traffic below.  time to shift my focus on my cup of coffee and me.  just for a moment.  just to pause and breathe.  just to shut out the noise outside and give myself a moment of peace.

HEALING

There are a lot of factors in healing, but definitely healing takes time, effort and understanding.  One needs to reflect on the root cause of one's suffering and trauma to directly address and cut off the triggers, no matter how painful.  Sometimes we make things complicated for ourselves, so we also need to analyze our own role in our own problems.

Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.

Para kanino ka gumigising

There are mornings when it is challenging to simply get out of bed.

EMPLOYEE MERITOCRACY

The PRAISE Awards is the rewards and recognition part of the Civil Service Commission Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource (PRIME-HR).  

We recognized employees who have served 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 years.  We also recognize employees with perfect attendance and with professional achievement, as well as those with innovations for improvement.

Writing a thank you card or an email appreciating the work of an employee and an acknowledgemenf of their professional growth shows the extra effort you put in which makes the recognition more meaningful.

Join us tonight August 31, 2024 (Saturday) at 9PM MLA to discuss employee meritocracy:

T1.  What qualities and achievements would you recognize and reward among your employees if you were an employer?

T2.  Can you share a memorable experience with an employee or co-worker that you are thankful for?

T3.  How would you celebrate small wins and rewards meritocracy and excellent performance?

Trust Your Doctors

This is an appreciation post for the doctors who are helping me take care of my health.

The weight loss part is the most difficult about getting to a healthy place.  I am noisy about it because aiming to achieve goals with a partner or with a support group is more effective than going at it alone.

Whatever the diagnosis, trust your doctors.  They have your best interests at heart.

Many of my other doctors not among these photos, but much appreciated nonetheless.

Struggling

 

100 Years of the Philippines competing in the OLYMPICS

Social media is filled with photos and videos about the 2024 Paris Olympics with images of athletes then and now.  #OlympicGames #Paris2024

The History of the Olympic Games started in 776 BC when the Greeks began measuring time in Olympiads, or the duration between each edition of the Olympic Games.  This makes the Olympic games as sort of milestones.  The Philippines first competed in the Olympic Games in 1924 in Paris, making the 2024 Paris Olympic Games a historic milestone - our centennial anniversary of competing in the Olympics.

Philippine Olympic team wore the SINAG barongs depicting the Pintados warriors for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.  Who can forget weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist? Another crowd favorite is gymnast Carlos Yulo who is aiming for a gold medal.

Join us tonight as we discuss 100 Years of the Philippines competing in the OLYMPICS:

T1.  What major changes and milestones in the past 100 years do you think have made an impact on the Olympic games?

T2.  Imagine an alternative universe where you had the strength, speed and stamina to join the 2024 Paris Olympic games, what event would you compete in?

T3.  How would you prepare to qualify for the next Olympic Games to achieve your goals?

Rejection

 

Disrespect

 

Health and Work

This was me during the Dagan para sa Kahimsugan:

Fat.

Sweaty.

Getting old.

Struggling.

Caring too much.

Still too idealistic and naive.

Still vulnerable to getting hurt.

Am I losing my spark?

Is it time to pack up and give up?

Am I a hopeless case - using work as a clutch to manage my mental and emotional health, neglecting my physical and social health, always seeking to be relevant and to be of use and helpful but always ending up as "demanding, toxic and brutal"

Kung dati ang motto ay "habang may regla, may pag-asa..." now I have to hold on to the tagline "habang may buhay, may pag-asa..."

God will help me get thru these challenges, because if He leads me to it, He will lead me thru it.

BUCAS in Primary Health Care

Last week we discussed about problems facing healthcare workers on the job.  Tonight I would like to discuss the environment that healthcare workers are in nowadays.

The DOH opened its first bagong urgent care ambulatory service, dubbed as "BUCAS" in Sto Tomas, Pampanga last March 6, 2024.  DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa shared that the goal "28 for 28 in 28" is to establish 28 primary care centers to serve the 28 million poorest Filipinos by the year 2028".

In the Visayas, the first urgent care ambulatory service was a tripartite collaboration between the Cebu Provincial government (Cebu Provincial Hospital - Carcar City), the Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH 7) and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), aptly called SugBUCAS.   

Hopefully, this innovation will improve the health service delivery at the peripheral areas to streamline admission to tertiary referral hospitals for patients who need critical and intensive care, and to decongest these facilities of patients that can be managed elsewhere.

Primary health care focuses on education, nutrition, preventive medicine and treatment of the most common diseases and injuries as practical means of delivering health care to populations of poor economies and areas with scarce resources.  According to the Primary Health Care strategy following the 1979 Alma Ata Declaration, the eight essential elements of primary health care effectively integrates the health and social development aspects of the health system: (a) safe water and sanitation, (b) food and nutrition, (c) maternal and child health, (d) immunization, (e) curative care, (f) essential drugs, (g) health education, (h) traditional medicine, and (i) community development.  How are we faring in the implementation of universal health care with these developments and directions?

With the barangay as the smallest unit of healthcare service delivery with the barangay health centers, would the BUCAS be sufficient to provide universal health care to the Filipinos?

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH as we discuss BUCAS in primary health care:

T1.  What do you think will be the impact of urgent care and ambulatory services in health care service delivery?

T2.  What else do we need to provide for these BUCAS facilities to succeed?

T3.  If you were a patient, what would be the indicators of success for urgent care ambulatory service facilities?

Heal

Learning how to accept oneself and the people who do not accept me.  It's okay.

How to Handle people who mishandled you

 

Love, Kindness and Respect

 Note to self.

You deserve what you tolerate

There is a certain behavior expected of employees attending official work functions.  Employees are expected to be on their best behavior becausd they carry the name of their institution or company.

If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like one.  

If your values are not aligned with the company you work with, then it makes sense that you are not in the right place.

Pope Francis the First

Pope Francis is pontiff, meaning a bridge to a place where everyone is welcome.  

Todos todos todos!

Bagong Pilipinas

During the flag raising ceremony this morning, we initiated the Bagong Pilipinas pledge and hymn.  The EXECOM attended in national Filipiniana costume for nationalism and inclusivity.

We care with PRIDE!

We care with PRIDE.

June is PRIDE month.

I asked different friends how PRIDE month and LGBTQIA welfare should be discussed and I received a lot of good insights.

Francis explains that "Start of that Pride Month is not just about sexuality but about the communication of LOVE." It is not the Pride as in mortal sin but the Pride of being a person as equal any other person.

Ivan suggests that "We may use Pride in Healthcare.  For instance, do members in the spectrum take pride in their work as healthcare workers? Do you think workplaces still have a long way to go for inclusivity? Do you believe that being in the spectrum makes a difference in your provision of care?"

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH ti discuss PRIDE in HEALTHCARE:

T1.  How should LGBTQIA welfare be initiated in organizations?

T2.  What are some of the best practices in advancing and upholding the welfare of LGBTQIA in the country?

T3.  How can we say that we have achieved acceptability and inclusivity of LGBTQIA in the workplace esp in healthcare accessibility?

T4.  How can we eliminate the stigma and discrimination from linking LGBTQIA and HIV/AIDS?

 

Overwhelmed

When the load given to one person exceeds his carrying capacity, that person is bound to be overwhelmed.  The best strategy for this is to attack the problem at hand one task at a time.

 

Our MOTHER is our first healthcare provider!

Mother’s Day, a holiday in honor of mothers that is celebrated in countries throughout the world. In its modern form the holiday originated in the United States, where it is observed on the second Sunday in May.  Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women’s groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother’s Day.   On May 12, 1907, she held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day, and in 1914 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

The Philippine tradition of honoring mothers started in 1921.  Mother’s Day in the Philippines is celebrated by most people on the second Sunday of May.  Mother’s Day is kind of a big day here in the Philippines. This is largely due to the large place of mothers in Filipino culture. Mum is called the “ilaw ng tahanan”, which means “the light of the home” due to the love, cheer, and brightness she brings to the family.

Mothers are our first caregivers and healthcare service providers.  In this day ang age of women empowerment, mothers juggle several hats as community leader, company worker, household manager, child educator, and family healthcare provider.  Often, motherhood is a 24/7 thankless job, often efforts taken for granted.  Mother's Day is an opportunity for husbands/fathers and children to appreciate the contribution of the mother to family life and nation building.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH tweetchat on X to discuss an appreciation of our mothers:

T1.  Tell us what you like most about your mother? 

T2.  How does your mother take care of your family?

T3.  How can you take care of your mother's health?