Brods Enrique Ona and Eric Talens, Among the Ten Outstanding Filipino Physicians of 2007
Thursday, 22 April 2010 03:35
by JR Ong, PHI ‘08B
A reason to celebrate Phi's excellence.
Two Phi brods, Dr. Enrique Ona and Dr. Enrique Talens, are among the five doctors who were recognized last October 18, 2007 at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel as The Outstanding Filipino Physicians for the year. The distinction was given for the first time by the Jaycee International Senate Philippines, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to pay tribute and honor to outstanding physicians who serve their countrymen well amidst the lucrative and tempting opportunities abroad.
The other awardees are Dr. Charlotte Chiong, Dr. Carmencita Padilla, and Dr. Willie Ong, who are also alumni of the UP College of Medicine. The awarding was held at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel.
Dr. ENRIQUE ONA
He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (B.S. 1957, Doctor of Medicine 1962). At present, he serves as the Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
He has consistently shown leadership qualities even as a young surgeon. His outstanding achievements in the field of vascular and transplant surgery earned him “The Outstanding Young Men (T.O.Y.M.)” Award in medicine for 1979.
His peers, both here and abroad, acknowledge him as one of the top surgeons in the field of vascular surgery and organ implantation, as well as being a dedicated advocate for preventive nephrology in the Philippines.
His corporate leadership is attested by his transforming a government hospital ravaged by fire in 1998, just before he took over as Executive Director of the NKTI, to becoming the first ISO-Certified government hospital in the Philippines in 2002.
Under his leadership, NKTI boasted of having the most modern hemodialysis center in Southeast Asia. Through a Strategic Planning Process and, following the Vision-Mission statement of NKTI, he harnessed teamwork between the Medical and Administrative Staff, such that the institution’s income and profits increased yearly.
He also addressed the effect of “brain drain” by supporting the development of high potential surgeons and establishing the Institute of Advanced Nursing and Allied Healthcare Professionals, graduates of which immediately fill up vacancies created by frequent migration of healthcare professionals.
He also championed many projects of the Department of Health, such as the Preventive Nephrology Program and the Renal Disease Control Program.
These undertakings involved free urinalysis for 10.7 million school children aged 11 to 14, in the fourteen regions of the Philippines.
Moreover, he is at the forefront of the establishment of the Philippine Organ Association Program for the evaluation of Living Non-Related Kidney Donors, based on moral and ethical guidelines acceptable to the Philippine public and the international transplant community.
Together with his classmates from the U.P. Class of 1962, where he is the president, he recently led a medical mission in Maramag, Bukidnon and conducted surgeries to about 3,000 to 5,000 rural folks free of charge.
DR. ERIC TALENS
He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (B.S. Zoology1981, Doctor of Medicine 1985, Master in Clinical Epidemiology 1996). At present, he is a member of the faculty and staff of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and Consultant of the Philippine General Hospital. He is distinguished as the first fellow in Trauma Surgery in the country. Practicing General and Trauma Surgery, he had consistently shown interest and outstanding aptitude in both teaching and research. He has won several faculty awards as well as recognition for his research activities, from local and international fora.
With his prolific research output, he has published numerous scientific papers in peer-reviewed national, as well as international journals. Because of this, he has been invited as editor in various national and international journals, and has also been asked to judge various research paper contests in the Philippines and abroad.
In recognition of his status as a credible and effective lecturer, he lists numerous speaking engagements, both local and international, on various subjects in Trauma Surgery, Disaster Management, Surgical and Medical Research, Ultrasonography, Volunteerism, and lately, Alternatives to Cancer Surgery. Despite his very hectic schedule, he always made time for service to the underserved.
Joining his first surgical mission in 1994, he continued to participate in various medical missions all over the Philippines, all for free. He headed the Committee on Medical Missions of the “Ugnayan ng Pahinungod,” the volunteer arm of the University of the Philippines, from 2000 to 2006. In recognition of his volunteer work, the University awarded him the “Natatanging Boluntir” Award in 2003. Likewise, the Philippine College of Surgeons conferred him the “Most Outstanding Fellow in Community Service” and the prestigious “Dr. Solita Camara-Besa Academic Distinction Award,” both in 2006, for his work as physician, teacher, and for his tireless efforts in promoting volunteerism.
Finally, for his distinct contribution in developing the health cares of the Island of Lubang, he was conferred the “Outstanding Achievement Award for Medical Services” by the Municipality of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro.