42nd PMAH Inauguration Gala
PMAH 42nd Gala - a night of inspiration, fellowship, and empowerment.
On Saturday January 18, 2020, the PMAH celebrated its 42nd Annual Gala and Installation of Officers at the Alohilani Resort.
With nearly 300 guests in attendance, this Filipino gala was filled with the usual celebration of singing and dancing, but this gala was unlike others, as there was intergenerational presence in the room, with local doctors, medical residents in training, JABSOM medical students, pre-medical students, and high school students, most of Filipino decent.
New PMAH President, surgeon Dr. Marel Ver stated, “As the healthcare needs get higher, our physician levels get smaller. The state of Hawaii is more than 20% Filipinos, but less than 5% of Hawaii doctors are Filipino, in already a doctor shortage... but there is hope. They are in this room.” JABSOM medical students presented leis to the incoming board of governors. “Your action of presenting the leis to the board were my intent to present you to our Filipino community. We are here to support you.”
She also called her colleagues to action, “We need to improve access to us as Filipino physicians – who we are and what we do for our community. The current board is working on a formal summer fellowship program for the premeds – this will improve exposure to physician careers and hopefully their applications to medical school. I encourage all of you physicians to consider being teaching faculty for the residents or JABSOM medical student preceptors for their 6L curriculum.”
In her inspirational and empowering speech, she touched on burnout and work-life balance. “When passion and purpose are in synergy, when they are aligned, then we feel good. Things make sense. “ “We need to advocate for our wellness as individuals, citizens, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, and as physicians.”
Present at the gala were representatives from Lieutenant Dr. Josh Green’s office, Representative John Mizuno who is on the Committee on Health, Representative Romy Cachola who continues to be a strong advocate for preserving physician access and autonomy, Philippine Consul Grace Anne G. Bulos, and keynote speaker Jessica Munoz, Founder of Hoola Na Pua.
