June 30, 2019 — In its 49th Annual Convention entitled “Optimizing Value in Healthcare” held on May 5-8, 2019, the Philippine College of Physicians awarded this year’s line-up of Exemplars, physicians who continually push the frontiers serving as beacons of inspiration by upholding the mission of leading the advancement of internal medicine in the country that is grounded on service, integrity, leadership with compassion and professional excellence.
Rontgene M. Solante, MD, FPCP, FPSMID
2019 Distinguished Healthcare Advocate
This award recognizes the awardee’s national or global impact on preventive medicine, public health and policies addressing socioeconomic healthcare inequity. Dr. Solante is currently a practicing internist and infectious disease specialist at the Adventist Medical Center. He served as past president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Disease (PSMID), Chairman of Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Section, San Lazaro Hospital, and member of MEDSCAPE Steering Committee on Global Pneumococcal Disease Education. His advocacies include antimicrobial stewardship and vaccination. Under his leadership, PSMID subcommittees have been created to battle with influenza, invasive fungal disease, HIV, tetanus and typhoid fever and helped formulate clinical practice guidelines on these.
Gloria R. Lahoz, MD, FPCP
2019 Distinguished Community Leader
This award honors the member’s impact in public health or preventive medicine in the grassroots level that empowers the community, especially the medically underserved. Dr. Lahoz was awarded with the Presidential Citation from the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) in 2008. She served as the past president of the PHA Northern Luzon Chapter; Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Disease Inc. – Ilocos Sur; and Philippine Society of Echocardiography. Her notable commitments include the promotion of the healthy lifestyle (PHA 52100 daily campaign) and CPR-Ready Philippines campaign, and hypertension awareness and management. She is a practicing cardiologist and an active health advocate in promoting CPR, healthy lifestyle and hypertension
awareness in the far-flung communities of Ilocos.
Nenita Avena-Collantes, MD, FPCP
2019 Distinguished Teacher
This award represents peer recognition of the member’s effectiveness as a teacher in the transfer of information, evaluation, role modeling, her depth and breadth of knowledge, and dedication to teach and nurture students and peers.
Dr. Collantes is a practicing nephrologist and member of the Educational Council Committee of Adult Nephrology at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and Chief of Renal and Metabolic Division at the Philippine Heart Center and NKTI. She was the past President of the Philippine College of Physicians, past Chair of the Philippine Specialty Board of Internal Medicine, past President of the Philippine Society of Nephrology, and Secretary of the Philippine College of Physicians. She is also an associate professor at the MCU College of Medicine.
Regina Pascua-Berba, MD, FPCP
2019 Distinguished Researcher
This award is conferred on those with impeccable ethical reputation in the field of research; active research and/or directing research work in an institution/organization; with published work over a 5-year period as an author, co-author, in a local and/or international publication; and research works that have been accepted for presentation – as author or co-author in local or international meetings.
Dr. Berba was honored due to her research in the field of HIV and infection control. She is the National Chair of the Philippine Coalition against Tuberculosis and Head of the PGH Hospital infectious Control Unit since 2005. Her admirable work in HIV medicine and AIDS advocacy as the Director of the I-REACT (I Am Responsible thru Early Assessment, Consultation and Treatment) Clinic at the Medical City has created a safe and nurturing space for its clients. Apart from the medical services, this support group also addresses issues faced by HIV patients holistically through education, group dynamics, health events (art, yoga, faith-therapy), and community outreach.
Joselito R. Chavez, MD, FPCP, FPCCP, FACCP, CESE
2019 Distinguished Internist
This award signifies peer recognition of the awardee’s clinical excellence and ethical practice of Internal Medicine, marked by the demonstration of versatility and holistic approach as the patient’s personal doctor and healthcare manager.
Dr. Chavez is a practicing pulmonary medicine specialist at the Philippine Heart Center and Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services at NKTI. He specializes in lung infections in the immunocompromised host and transplantation medicine.
