25 medical grads receive degrees

August 02, 2021

By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

 

Twenty-five graduates of the Mariano Marcos State University – College of Medicine (MMSU-COM) are getting closer to becoming full-fledged physicians after receiving their degrees this year.

 

The Ilocos Norte’s lone medical school celebrated this milestone in its third clinical graduation ceremony livestreamed via the University’s official Facebook page on July 27. 

 

The Nakired Class of 2021, which means ‘strong’, is composed of 25 graduates, 19 come from Ilocos Norte, two each from Manila and Benguet, and one each from Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

 

Of the 19 graduates from Ilocos Norte, 10 are natives of Laoag City, three from the City of Batac, and one each from the towns of Bacarra, Nueva Era, Paoay, Piddig, San Nicolas, and Sarrat. 

 

Before taking up Doctor of Medicine in MMSU, the graduates first took their undergraduate degrees in biology (10), nursing (6), pharmacy (5), medical laboratory science, medical technology, physical therapy, and psychology (one each). 

 

Thirteen graduates finished their pre-medical studies at MMSU, three at the University of the Philippines (UP) - Baguio, two at the University of Santo Tomas, and one each at the Adamson University, Benguet State University, Centro Escolar University, Divine Word College of Laoag, Lorma Colleges, Northwestern University, and UP - Los Baños.

 

This year, five graduates made it to the Dean’s Lister. 

 

Leading the Class of 2021 is Aira Cassandra S. Castro from Brgy. Nalbo, Laoag City. She is also a bene meritus awardee and the most outstanding medical graduate and clinical clerk in their class.

 

Thanking their mentors for equipping them with knowledge and skills, she added their perseverance in obtaining the degree proves their ability to handle responsibilities in the future.

 

“One thing we learned from this pandemic is that we really need [medical] doctors who will champion the needs of Ilokano people,” Castro said. 

 

Castro, a summa cum laude graduate of the University’s BS in Biology program, also led the MMSU Class of 2017. 

 

Following Castro are Dinelle Laurina O. Aguilar, Class Salutatorian and meritus awardee; and Bienn Paulo A. Laforteza, First Honorable Mention. Other academic honorees are Neil Justine P. Dela Cruz and Addielou Fidelfio E. Abad, recipients of the leadership service and excellence awards from the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network (APMC – SN), respectively. 

 

Dr. Maria Lourdez K. Otayza, medical center chief II of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH-MC), was the guest of honor and speaker in the clinical graduation. 

 

Dr. Otayza encouraged the graduates to gain relevance in the practice of medicine, reminding them that health should be science-based and never be politicized. 

 

For his part, Dr. Ricardo S. Guanzon, COM dean, hopes all of them will finish their internship and hurdle the Physician Licensure Examination next year. 

 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis also commended Class Nakired for their courage in heeding the call for more medical doctors in the region. She hopes they will imbibe the MMSU’s spirit of service and social responsibility while serving the people in the grassroots. (StratCom)