ORNAP-ILOILO JOINS PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SURGEONS 42ND MIDYEAR CONVENTION

The Philippine College of Surgeons held their 42^nd Midyear Convention at Iloilo Convention Center last May 13, 2016 with this year’s theme: Harmonizing Urban and Rural Surgical Practice. This was a big event as the PCS also celebrates its 80^th year.

Surgeons from all over the country, and nurses from different institution all over the city graced the said event. Dr. Guadalupe Matejka, President of PCS Panay Chapter extended her invitation to the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter, recognizing the partnership that both organizations have shared in the past activities.

The convention started with a program led by the current President of the PCS, Gabriel S. Martinez, MD, FPCS. The attendees were warmly welcomed by the city Mayor himself, Hon. Jed Patrick Mabilog – who invited them to enjoy the city – the sceneries, the food and most especially the Ilonngo Hospitality at its finest. Their keynote speaker was no less than the Senate President himself, and a proud Ilonggo, Sen. Franklin Drilon. The opening of booths followed, and a series of interesting lectures started in the different halls of the convention center.

Serving the Community on Valentine’s Day

 

         

   Valentine’s Day is an annual occasion celebrated every 14^th day of February. For Christians it is a feast day honoring St. Valentine, but in modern times it evolved into a special occasion where lovers expressed their love for each other through giving of romantic gifts and showing affections to each other.

            At Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, one of the most prestigious school here in Iloilo City, they see Valentine’s Day as a time for sharing love to family and the less fortunate members of the community. As they celebrated their annual Family Day, the energetic and enthusiastic Parent Teacher’s Association of the said school headed by their president Ms. Thelma Servidad organized a Medical-Dental Mission and Blood Letting Activity. ORNAP Iloilo Chapter was very pleased to be invited on the said activity. The mission offers free medical consultations for adult and pedia patients, Cervical Cancer Screening, laboratory check-ups for cholesterol and blood sugar level, electrocardiogram, eye check-up, blood letting activity, and dental check-up which includes dental extraction and distribution of free dental care products such as toothpaste and toothbrush to patients. Free medicines were also given to all qualified beneficiaries of the mission.

            We have arrived earlier on that morning witnessing how busy the preparation was. The ORNAP Volunteers helped in the organizing and preparing of rooms, instruments, and other equipments to be used for the mission. At around 8 o’clock in the morning, patients from different walks of life started to come and patiently waits to avail of the free services offered for that day. They were family members of students from that school, teachers, school staff, and student from their adopted school, the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School.

            The ORNAP Volunteers headed to the Grade School area where we are tasked to assist in the Dental consultation and tooth extraction. Instrument disinfection and sterilization, and provision of some sterile supplies were our primary responsibility. ORNAP volunteers also take turns in lending their helping hands on assisting dentists. We served as OR lights, restraints to those uncooperative patients and entertainer to anxious children. After every procedure, ORNAP volunteers never failed to do health teachings. I think it’s already in our system because we nurses do this in our daily job. We feel that it is our responsibility to share the knowledge that we have for the welfare of others. With great teamwork from other health practitioners, we can use our talent and skills not only to make the difference in our lives, but most importantly in the lives of others.

            In collaboration with the Parent Teachers Association of Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, the Student Council, Philippine Red Cross, West Visayas State University Dental Department, volunteer doctors, optometrist, medical technologists, and other supportive members of the team, the activity’s goal of sharing love to others was a success.

Article by: Joy Murcia 

Setting the Blueprint for ORNAP-Iloilo 2016

The Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. – Iloilo Chapter together with the past presidents: Mr. Alex Gatmaitan, Mr. Miguel Angelo Labayen and Ms. Demelen Gancero and adviser Sr. Marvelyn Aquino, SPC held it’s 2^nd Strategic Planning last February 9, 2016 at the 5^th Floor Conference Room of West Visayas State University Medical Center. The purpose of the said event was to establish clear goals, objectives and strategies as to which direction the organization is presently heading.

This year’s president, Ms. Charlene Mae Delfin presented her thrust: ORNAP Iloilo 2016: Going Beyond Borders – Exceeding Expectations, Making Changes. She stressed that despite the fact that in five years, the organization has a much younger set of officers – it would be to a great advantage as well as a challenge for the chapter. She expects this year’s batch of BODs to have fresh ideas, more enthusiastic and more energetic when it comes to participating in the activities. She also wanted that this year, the ORNAP-Iloilo Chapter will go beyond the usual activities such as surgical mission and do something that is able to make changes in the lives of the members of organization and to the people we help.

Vice President, Ms. Karen Joy Margallo, presented this year’s set of activities which include Fun Run, Movie Project, the much awaited Interhospital Sportsfest, livelihood lecture and gift-giving project.

Sr. Marvelyn Aquino, SPC welcomed the new set of officers and reminded them about the commitment to the organization. She threw the challenge to the new set of BODs of being able to include members from other hospitals without existing BODs in the activities, and not just during the annual convention. Finally, she commended everyone for a job well done in organizing a successful Strategic Planning.

The Strategic Planning ended with an inspiring closing remarks from the secretary, Ms. Concepcion Joy Murcia, thanking everyone for attending and participating in the event. Indeed, ORNAP-Iloilo Chapter is off to a great and promising start this 2016!

Article by: Cha Delfin