National Federation of Filipino American Associations

Fellow Philippine Medical Schools Physicians and All:

USTMAAA is offering to host under NAFFAA, a Meeting or Council of all Philippine Medical School Alumni Associations, Philippine Medical Societies, Philippine Nurses Assn in America, other interested Philippine Groups :

2:00 to 5:00 PM, Saturday, November 10, 2007
Florentine Meeting Room, Caesar’s Palace
Las Vegas , Nevada.

RSVP: So we might prepare enough seats for everyone.

Please pass on to respective PMA or Phil Med Sch Alum assn.

Jon Melegrito’s effort was done in good will and the arrangement is good. However, the agreement between Jon M and ABC is between them, without the mandate of the Philippine physicians and the Filipinos as a whole. It has no bearing with the Philippine physicians’ issue.

We were all shocked and angered by the insensitive, irresponsible and unfair statement made in US national and international television by Terri Hatcher playing Susan in ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” on September 30, 2007.

The repercussions and damage to our persons and our reputation are deep and serious:

We feel the discomfort of the Philippine Medical Graduates who persevered to provide healthcare in rural America where very few went. They have earned the respects and love of patients and their families. Now their credentials are questionable(?) We feel the pains of the Philippine Medical Graduates who provide quality medical care to the elderly and the abandoned, the handicap in nursing and care homes, when very few cared and bothered to.

We feel the insecurity of Philippine Medical Graduates who treat serious and critical patients, people with cancer and life-threatening illnesses, deal with their families who have now been injected with negative influences about their physicians.

We feel the fear of our young graduates from Philippine Medical Schools who now face probable discrimination against them in applying for, and those that are already in, residency and fellowship training programs. Their futures may have been already permanently altered.

We feel the anxiety of Philippine Medical School Graduates who have worked very hard for recognition, faculty and teaching, administrative or head of department, leadership positions in US medical schools, hospital and health organizations. Those who are in US Military Services.

Their chances may already be compromised.

For those who are already in position, re-appointments may now be in jeopardy.

We feel the stress and unnecessary worry of patients and families who have been, are, and may (if they would even consider to) be, cared for by graduates of Philippine Medical Schools. We feel the suppressed indignation of those who have “made it”, though they feel “unaffected”.

The clear, malicious message of ABC’s episode was: Philippine medical schools, and therefore their graduates, are inferior and not trustworthy.

As patient(s):

Are we, or our loved one(s), getting the right, let alone best, medical care? Should we switch doctors? Should we even bother to see a PMG?
We had a bad outcome, was the right treatment given? Maybe we should sue.

As employer, hospital, clinic or institution:

It is best that we do not admit them for residency or fellowship training, Or they should not get responsible positions, not be admitted to the
group practice. Or if one is already in place, perhaps re-appointment should be withheld. We could end up liable. They are no good anyway.

These are real consequences.

We laud those who are secure in themselves, and think they are unaffected. They too are nevertheless graduates of Philippine medical schools and hang their Philippine medical school diplomas in their homes or offices.

We laud those who passed more stringent requirements for licensure and admission to residency and fellowship programs, and to medical practice groups.

Everything equal, between the US and the foreign medical graduates, who usually get the short stick? Not blindly drawn, but outright given.

We laud those who have endured discrimination, subtle or substantial, in the past. They have transcended their indignations and unfair treatments, surpassed expectations and proved they are just as good as, if not better than, their US medical school colleagues.

We laud those who have chosen to take a stand against this unfounded insult that has not only freshen old wounds, but also created new ones.

We laud patients and families for whom we have given our best care, for standing by us and what we have endured.

After all these, we are not unreasonable, vengeful people.

All we ask is fair and proper apology and restitution for the wrong done.

A sincere and genuine apology to the Filipino Physicians and their Philippine Medical Schools, the Filipino people and the Philippines, by ABC/Walt Disney Co. would naturally trigger proper restitutions that would rectify damage done.

A 30-60 minute documentary of the history, significant contributions and achievements of Philippine Medical Graduates in US Medicine and Medical Care in America, shown in national and international ABC venues might repair the damage and injury to Philippine Medical Schools and their graduates, and the Filipino people in general.

Otherwise, Legal Action , Boycott and others remain viable options.

Regardless, It is most important, that we all come together to unite, agree on a mandate acceptable to all; then work on one Plan of Action.

We must derive and develop something positive and constructive from this negative slur. An even more important struggle for our motherland awaits our collective efforts.

Please stand, and be counted. We will see you there.

Thank you and God Bless!

Boy
Eustaquio O Abay II, MD, FACS