ASMPH Thanksgiving night: looking back at the dream that became reality
In March 24, 2007, the dream that the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) represented began. The school had its groundbreaking then. Now, fast forward 2012, the ASMPH now has 61 new doctors who recently passed the physician’s licensure examinations. The school placed third and was given an Award of Excellence for its board passing rate of 98.39%.
The ASMPH recently had a thanksgiving dinner for those who believed in the dream of having Atenean doctors which is now a reality.
Walking Together
ASMPH valedictorian Dr. Jose Mariano Tan II in his speech thanked the school’s administration under two Ateneo presidents—former president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ and current president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ. He also went on to thank the members of the Ateneo’s Board of Trustees, the Vice Presidents of the University, ASMPH Dean Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon and Ateneo Graduate School of Business (AGSB) Dean Mr. Albert Buenviaje.
He also expressed his gratitude to the ASMPH’s Associate Deans Dr. Maria Luz Querubin and Dr. Marife Yap, school administrators, staff members, teachers, mentors, coaches, benefactors and family and friends. He added that the group of people he thanked were the ones who “made the first leap, who dared to dream” and that they were also the ones who “led the journey” to their becoming doctors.
Heart is what sets ASMPH apart
For his part, Fr. Jett said that the “school survives on the benefaction and kindness of others.” He even added that at the ASMPH, the staff knows the meaning of ‘gift.’ Fr. Jett also emphasized his appreciation to benefactors.
As the ASMPH’s pioneer batch, he also said that in the beginning the university “collectively took a risk.” At some point Fr. Jett was even wondering “where the courage to take those leaps” came from. But he said he knew that the pioneer batch “had faith”
that is why they “took the leap.”
Dr. Bengzon emphasized the feeling of gratitude in his speech. He said “all throughout the existence of ASMPH, they will not get tired of giving thanks.”
He said that mostly he is grateful for those who were there who “took the risk and took a stand, not minding hardships for the school’s dream to become a reality.” He expressed his undying gratitude to the parents of the pioneer batch.
He likewise reminded the pioneer batch that “people (like them) who embrace the medical profession at the core (will) really want to serve.” He emphasized that in a service profession such as medicine, the “center of their life is the ones that they serve.”
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