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| The pioneer batch of Ilocos Norte's first medical school incorporated the abel Iloko in their graduation gown signifying their commitment to becoming as Doctors for Ilocanos. (Photo courtesy of Jhey-ar Mangati) |
BATAC CITY—Embracing their culture, the 14 pioneering members of the
graduating class of the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Medicine
(MMSU-COM) incorporated abel Iloko (traditional Ilocano textile) in their
graduation gown.
The graduation of MMSU-COM’s pioneer batch was held last June 24, 2019 at
Teatro Ilocandia here.
In an interview, Dr. Gretchen Ranada, associate professor of MMSU-COM and
consultant of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center
(MMMH&MC), explained that the incorporation of the abel Iloko “represents
the significant role of culture in health care.”
Known for its superior quality, the abel Iloko has been a part of the
Ilocano’s life cycle covering one’s birth, adulthood up to death.
“We have always known the abel cloth to be intrinsic to Ilocano culture and
Dr. Ricardo Guanzon, the dean of MMSU-COM, saw that it was fitting to
incorporate this textile in celebration of this momentous event for the
pioneering batch,” highlighted Dr. Ranada.
She further mentioned that the placing of the abel Iloko on the graduation
gown signifies the commitment of the graduates to becoming as “Doctors for
Ilocanos”.
“The medical students of MMSU are scholars of the state, hence, we have
instilled to them the value of becoming Doctors for Ilocanos by training them
to become subservient healthcare providers to the Ilocanos most specially the
less fortunate and the needy,” upheld Dr. Ranada.
Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, Medical Center Chief of MMMH&MC, echoed
during her inspirational message at MMSU-COM’s commencement exercises the
importance of having more Doctors for Ilocanos.
“In the past years, we did not have enough doctors in MMMH&MC to cater
to the growing number of patients, thus, we tried to invite resident doctors
from big hospitals in Metro Manila to fill the gap but this was only a
temporary solution to our problems back then,” Dr. Otayza lamented.
She, however, expressed gladness over how the partnership and efforts of
various people and government agencies led by MMMH&MC and MMSU produced
fruitful results leading to MMSU-COM’s establishment in 2015 and the graduation
of its pioneer batch this year.
“Establishing MMSU-COM was our solution to the scarcity of doctors in
Ilocos Norte and we wanted to have Ilocano doctors who shall commit to stay
here in the province and we are assured that they have the energy, love, and
compassion for their fellow Ilocanos,” emphasized Dr. Otayza.
Dr. Otayza further revealed that through the establishment of MMSU-COM,
various doctors currently working in MMMH&MC expressed their intention to
give-back to the community through teaching.
As MMMH&MC is now gearing up for its increase to 700-bed capacity, Dr. Otayza
challenges the graduates of Ilocos Norte’s first medical school to “set high
standards and refuse mediocrity in serving the people.”
The MMMH&MC also serves as a based hospital for internship and training
site for the medical students of MMSU-COM. (John Michael Mugas)
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