News and Events
Dr. Joven R. Cuanang Graces SLCM Graduation
Dr. Joven R. Cuanang, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Medical Director of St. Luke's Medical Center was the invited Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker for the Graduation of St. Luke's College of Medicine at the CHBC Auditorium I last December 18, 2006. Below is the full text of Dr. Cuanang's highly inspiring address.
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First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Carandang, the Dean of our beloved medical school for inviting me to be the Commencement Speaker on your graduation day.
In fact, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation as your Commencement Speaker for a singular reason: This is the first time in my career as a medical educator and a participating physician for the last 44 years to be invited to a graduation ceremony that is held in December. This is very unique. All other graduation ceremonies, as you all know, are held in the summer.
My enthusiasm to be here with you today is heightened by the realization that there is much to be learned from the circumstances that led to the decision of holding two graduation ceremonies for your class. The lessons must be expressed here in this auspicious occasion, because it is at the time of ceremonies like this, that we are afforded the opportunity to stop to look back at the past, for us to be wiser as we move forward to the future.
Indeed, the lessons are multitude. This is true for you young graduates who are my future colleagues. This is true for your dear parents who supported you in the last 5 years. This is true for all of us in the faculty and to those of us in the administration, and it is true for all who are responsible for the direction of education in our country today.
Let me then take the liberty of expounding what I think the significance is of this Graduation Ceremony in December, for which reason, we are all gathered here today. Let me first discourse on the significance of this event to the decision makers in the administration and to the faculty.
The Trustees of this medical school are guardians of a Vision. This vision; anointed by no less than St. Luke, the Physician, is to build a venerable school where its graduates are no less than the best that our country can nurture. The Trustees are guided by the fundamental principle that the formation of medical doctors must be rigorous because this is a career that is so demanding. It is the noblest of all professions. Taking care of the lives of others demands a life of sacrifice. To be true to this profession, one must have a genuine love for learning. There is a vast pool of knowledge accumulated by learned men and women and a set of rigorous skills. One must learn to tame the heart to be tender to those who are suffering. One must learn to be in constant search for that elusive new knowledge thru research that will make a difference in taking care of others in the future. The Trustees are the zealous guardians of this process of becoming and demands that the faculty are loyal advocates to this ideal, guarding the gates, so to speak, to make sure that every person who goes thru its halls will be faithful products of that noble mold.
Unfortunately, the integrity of this profession in this country has been diminished and tainted by institutions whose intentions has been less than true to its spirit and nobility. Let it be said here, that St. Luke's shall ever be faithful to the standards innate to the profession. It shall insist that when one student gets past its gates and bids him well to serve any one in this world he will bear the mark of confidence that indeed the graduate is ready to face the bigger world, with his calling. In this country, we can no longer afford to be lax. We have lost the luster of education in the Philippines which was the envy of countries in the Asian region in the 50s and 60s, our golden age in medical education.
To the graduates, let me tell you that the anguish you have experienced in the past six months is worth it. Like diamonds in the rough, one needed a little more time to burnish you to shine. You stumbled, but what matters is, you stood up and rallied to march today for all of us to witness. We are here to celebrate your determination to succeed in the pursuit of your ambition to be a doctor.
Let me say a little bit more on the lessons learned on this December graduation.
I have been teaching medical students since 1962 when I graduated at the age of 21. I was advised by my mother, a battalion of aunts and uncles, who are all teachers, that if one wants to grow in one's profession, you have to teach. I must say that this was indeed a great advise, because aside from growing and maturing in the profession while teaching, I have had the rare opportunity of having a battalion of friends from a lot of the students whom I have taught. To date, I count 11,000 doctors who are all over the world whom I have taught for all these years.
When I attend alumni homecomings or when I visit a city, there would always be somebody who would come up to me, who will introduce himself as my former student.
But there is one exceptional doctor who stood taller than all the rest. He is now a big time practitioner in Los Angeles, and insists that when I visit L.A., I must stay with his wonderful family.
The story of this doctor is remarkable. It so happened that in medical school, he stumbled in every promotions board, so that every year in medical school, he had to take it for 2 years always missing the mark by a breadth. He finally finished medical school after 8 years, but when he took the medical board exam, he landed in the top 20, and went on to take his MLE and passed it, and now has a very lucrative practice in Family Medicine in L.A.
The big thing that he told me in front of his wife and children is that, he is successful because his medical school has prepared him well for his career. There were no shortcuts, no lowering down of standards, in fact, his class finished 100% in the board exam. He honors his school by donating yearly. He is very happy attending class reunions, and when he is asked what class he belongs, he now proudly says, Class 82,83,84,85.... to the applause of his class.
By the way, his two children are now in medical school-one in Princeton and the other in UCLA. This he had to say to them... "You want to excel son? Aim for the highest, and you will be better than the rest!"
My future colleagues let this unique graduation day in December be your inspiration as you go forward in the pursuit of your career. I want to assure you that there will be more challenges that will await you in this very arduous task of becoming. You may stumble again, but I assure you it will not be as hard and as painful as it is now.
My advise for all of you as you pursue your career is something that I consciously do. I am one person who doesn't leave anything to chance. I believe in the motto: "Success is planned".
To the parents, who are here today, let me salute you for the sacrifice you have showered to these young graduates. You are wonderful people and I congratulate all of you for being an inspiration to them. This celebration, this afternoon is for you! It is the best Christmas gift that you will ever receive in this Season of Grace. Be proud of your children on this very special day.
Last April, when I learned that more than 40 students would not be able to graduate on time, I asked Dr. Carandang, what was the most difficult time he had as a young Dean. He told me about parents shedding a bucketful of tears. As a parent himself, I know this was doubly difficult for him. I consoled him that this is expected. I was Dean myself for 6 years, and I had more than a measure of these. Today, let your tears be tears of joy for the milestone your children have reached.
My dear graduates, as you go on to take the board exam, I admonish you to prepare for it. Take it only when you truly think that you have prepared well for it. Remember, success is planned. Aim high. When you choose your residency, again think about your options very well. Where you were happiest in the service of others during internship, that will be your guide. Don't be shy to work for the residency that is meant for you. Hitch your wagon where you want to be. You deserve no less. When you practice, think of all the lessons learned from medical school, your Alma Mater, you owe a lot to Her. She nurtured you and will continue to nurture you well as you practice your profession.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!
