PHA Western Visayas-Panay Chapter
Media links, social services tops
Besanes-Almeñana’s agenda
ILOILO CITY, August 6, 2016 -- The Philippine Heart Association Western Visayas Panay Chapter is coming in strong with its leader – Dr. Rhodelyn Besanes-Almeñana, at the helm from 2016-2018.
Almeñana took her oath before PHA President Dr. Raul Lapitan who flew from Manila to grace this significant occasion which was witnessed by PHA past President Dr. Joel Abanilla, a native of Iloilo and past chapter presidents and members, some PHA staff and guests from Servier Pharmaceuticals and Abbott Laboratories. The oath-taking rites were held at the Richmonde Hotel, Megaworld Blvd. corner Enterprise Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo.
Likening her new mission to President Rodrigo Duterte’s continuance of the accomplishments of past administrations in her inaugural speech, the very articulate Besanes-Almeñana called on her fellow Ilonggos’ “very active participation” because “the success and future of our chapter does not solely lie on me” as she added Peter Parker’s all too familiar line, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
She emphasized the need to network with media in achieving objectives and prolific results. “I think it’s time to be more involved in our cardio newspaper, social media and make TV exposures on local channels even just during Sundays of the Heart Month,” which will be her term’s primary goal.
Almeñana also described the prospect for broadening the reach of the Chapter’s missions outside of the clinic through social services. Looking back, she said the Chapter did it during the Yolanda aftermath. Moreover, she described how past chapter Christmas Parties had the Don Bosco Foundation as beneficiaries. She hopes “to do more of this social services advocacy by being enthusiastic in these real life rewarding activities.”
In relation to internal operations, she aspires to “initiate discussion and brainstorm the ideas presented for the benefit of our patients” with regards to administrative and medical updates and guidelines among cardiologists and other colleagues.
“When I joined the PHA strategic planning, the idea that was inculcated in my mind is to be ambitious, in a way of dreaming to be the best chapter once again after several years from the time of Dr. Palmes, but realistic,” Almeñana said. “One of my driving forces to be a cardiologist, aside from idolizing my mentors plus the FPCP (and) FPCC, are the happy memories during my training years,” the Chapter President cited, referring to her residency training years in internal medicine and fellowship training years in cardiology.
With a brief background into her small town beginnings as an achieving medical aspirant and, now, as a mother, Almeñana took pride over the legacy left by past chapter presidents endowed upon her induction which she strives to continue.
A few in particular is the Best Chapter recognition awarded to the PHA-WV Panay Chapter steered by Dr. Patricio Palmes. Prior, Dr. Louie Tirador introduced the memorable Lakad Puso event held annually each February, and even the nightly chapter intermissions and dancing competitions which Almeñana herself excelled in.
Quoting once again the words of the Duterte administration, Besanes-Almañana said of her new lead in the PHA-WV Panay Chapter that “the ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest,” and reminded the crowd to “dream, learn and achieve the good and hearty things together.”
