By Cyrus A. Natividad
The CMLS Interns during the First White Coat and Pinning Ceremony at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
A symbol of integrity and professionalism–The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) of Central Philippine University held its 1st White Coat and Pinning Ceremony on June 6, 2023 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. This celebration for the interns of CMLS class of 2024, named “Class Athalia,” is a formal rite of passage to their initial practice as Medical Laboratory Technicians.
In wearing the white coat, the 4th year students of CMLS are ushered into the internship; a start of their becoming professionals. “They will be working with licensed medical technologists, pathologists and allied healthcare practitioners. The white coat is the uniform of the team that saves lives.”
The ceremony began with a prelude by Ed Vindel Saul Lemery, BSMLS-2A and a procession of class 2024 interns, faculty and program participants followed. The invocation was led by Rev. Franz Hestia Love Joy Q. Leysa.
University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, in his message, acknowledged the participants and thanked the parents for the support they had for their sons and daughters who will soon become medical professionals; the faculty for providing appropriate education to the students. He reminded the graduating students of their “commitment to professionalism and integrity as future Centralian Medical Technologists.”
CMLS Dean Dr. Ma. Corazon P. Porras introduced the Inspirational Speaker, Elmer Q. Pedregoza, MD, MPH, MHA, FPCA. Pedregosa is currently the Hospital Administrator of Iloilo Mission Hospital, a tertiary general hospital with more than 500 personnel and 716 medical staff, who are actively supervised and managed in providing quality healthcare needs of the community.
He finished his High School and B.S. Biology at Central Philippine University and his Doctor of Medicine from West Visayas State University. He earned his Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Pedregosa is currently Chairman of the CPU Board of Trustees and a member of the Iloilo City Local Health Board. In his message to the interns, Pedregosa recalled the height of the pandemic, and said that “the MedTech Doctors were really the frontliners.”
He shared his 3 Cs of Life’s Values. “First is Care – to console the patient; two is Compassion – to understand the patient’s situation; and three is Commitment – to always do full service to the patient.” He challenged the interns to love their future profession, and to even serve at Iloilo Mission Hospital where they had once worked with him on patients.
The CMLS History was read by Anna Maria Diana S. Salazar, RMT. Arje S. Tabares, RMT, read the significance of the gown and pin while Rodolph C. Lagarto, RMT led the candidates in taking their Intern’s Oath, after the gowning and pinning Proper. Mitzi Ruth Delector delivered the response on behalf of the students.
Madelle O. Estaya, RMT and Jimsson Landoy, RMT served as Masters of Ceremony.
[WATCH the ceremony here: https://www.facebook.com/CentralPhilippineUniversityTV/videos/974730280375405]