First day, Third Year

On our last Physician-on-Duty (POD) duty, Racquel Bruno—Executive Officer of the Department for 2017—and I were bogged down. Many admissions for the night, many responsibilities awaiting us, and many meetings set for the next few weeks were running through our heads. We were going to be seniors when the clock struck 12.



But we started our first day as seniors with a hearty breakfast with our interns JB Besa (whom I’ve been calling President; he heads their batch), Paolo Torres (who had ample time showering and changing clothes), and Gelo Tampus (who also took up Molecular Biology in undergrad). Overworked, never-paid; they helped us take care of our numerous, critically ill patients at the ER. This was the least Racquel and I could do for them.




Wilson Turalde was able to catch up; he was about to start his research elective in Neurology.



Everyone was in high spirits. In a sense, transitions are healthy. Indeed, the prize for good work, assuming that that was what we’ve been doing, is more work.

All 21 of us arrived early, with Grace Penserga leading the helm at the Guazon Endorsements. I didn’t get to attend, but I’ve heard reports that she was firm and just, not condescending, and also a bit scary—a tidbit that surprised us. I’m sure the students learned a lot from that session.



Jay Magbojos was shocked by an 8 am rounds with a consultant. He had hardly gotten to know his ward patients (they were still faceless entities in his census), and he was being asked what their creatinine values were.

Laya Zamora had to oversee the management of some 20 plus patients at the wards. Carla Barbon headed the first admitting service.



All in all, a very eventful day.