Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 5:00 pm EST
Presiding: Hernan M. Reyes, MD, FACS, Chairman
MINUTES
- Roll Call:
Attendees: Drs. H.Reyes, Bayani Ignacio, Philip Chua, Danny Fabito, Francisca Velcek,
Domingo Alvear, Ed Barcelona, Honorio Cruz, Ed Gamboa and Aimee Mabini, Rolly Mendiola
Excused: Drs. Ed Quiros, Carl Calica and Jay Seldera. - Meeting was called to other with brief remarks by the Chairman. He thanked all
members attending the virtual meeting. A special thanks was given to Drs. Chua,
Fabito and Cruz for the magnificent Golden Anniversary celebration of SPSA held last
Fall at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, NV. A major part of the program was the
distribution of the Golden Anniversary book, “UNCHARTED JOURNEY”, The inspiring
saga of the Fil-Am surgeon in North America, 1972 – 2022, to each member present. - Executive Directors Report: Dr. Fabito
22 of Past Presidents and 3 appointees confirmed their willingness to serve as
members of COPP. - Treasurers Report: Dr. Barcelona
Wells Fargo. CA —————— $28,464
Time acct. ———— $31,072
Balance as of 3/21/2023 ———- $59,535
Tax Year: 2023
Total Income: ————————- $22,661
Total Expenses ————————-$28,698
Detailed report will be made available per request to our Treasurer. - Membership: Dr. Gamboa
An official list of the membership which includes address and important information
was developed and previously submitted to the Executive Director. - Constitution and By=Laws: Drs. Ignacio, Fabito and Chua
A proposal was made by Drs. Fabito and Chua to establish the position of a President
for the Society to serve as Chief Executive Officer with a term of two years with an
option to be elected to a 2 nd two year term. Dr. Ignacio proposed that the term of
office should be 1 year with an option for a 2 nd 1 year term. A motion was made by Dr.
Fabito and seconded by Dr. Chua to amend our CBL to include the above proposal for
a term of office for 1 year with an option for a 2 nd 1 year term as suggested by Dr.
Ignacio. The motion was unanimously approved. A formal document will be sent to all
members of the COPP for ratification.
- Surgical Mission: Dr. Barcelona
The original plan to hold the SPSA Surgical Mission to Dumaguete City for 2024 is on
hold pending resolution of an unforeseen event.
A spirited discussion ensued regarding the continuing difficulties with establishing a
surgical mission in the Philippines which boils down to the following issues: Logistics,
Financial requirements, resistance from local practitioners including local Medical
Associations to foreign medical missions, roadblocks by various government agencies,
lack of collaboration and coordination of mission activities with other Fil-Am groups
conducting medical missions where a large number of participants are SPSA members,
the role of non members who are in active practice who wish to participate in a SPSA
sponsored mission in an effort to recruit younger members and the role of SPSA
members during missions who are retired and are no longer active in practice in this
country.
Scheduled surgical missions to the Philippines in 2024 by other organizations where a
significant number of active participants are SPSA members: Philippine American
Association of Nevada in Munoz, Nueva Ecija and the Canadian Medical Missions in
Bataan.
Dr. Ed Barcelona has done a great job setting up our Society’s missions during the last
decade as Chair of the SPSA Surgical Mission Committee as it has always been the case
since these program started in 1985 led by Mel Simon, Danny Fabito, Pacing Dorado,
the late Manny Cacdac and Ed Quiros. Our current Chairman need our continued
support and input from the membership giving assistance to resolve problems
encountered.
Dr. Doming Alvear suggested that more collaboration with local practitioners and
coordination with Philippine Medical organizations are necessary to achieve success in
delivering medical and surgical care to underserved communities in the Philippines.
Consider fund raising through social media.
Dr. Ed Gamboa proposed that SPSA organize a cadre of Surgeons who are willing to
volunteer to join other International organizations involved in Disaster relief
programs throughout the World. This may in fact attract younger surgeons to join the
Society and likewise enhance the prestige of our organization. - Convention Committee: Dr. Chua
Dr. Chua suggested that sometime in the not too distant future, a Society meeting
(Convention) should be held in Las Vegas, NV. - Website: Dr. Cruz
Dr. Cruz is soliciting newsworthy events involving any of our members for inclusion on
our website. - Old Business:
Dr. Reyes reported that the SPSA-PCS SURE Commission Rural Surgery Outreach pilot
program for a period of three months started last March 1, 2023 at the Gubat District
Hospital, Gubat, Sorsogon. SPSA provided funding for a full time General Surgeon for
the duration of the program in addition to a budgeted amount to the Hospital to cover
OR supplies. World Surgical Foundation is funding the salary of a full time
Anesthesiologist. The program has so far been well received by the community and
the initial report is promising. Gubat District Hospital is one of 8 such hospitals in the
Province. This newly built 90+ bed Hospital currently has no surgical care provided
except for an occasional volunteer from the staff of the Provincial Hospital in Sorsogon
City. Dr. Reyes will send a copy of the partnership program and initial report by the
Director of Surgery at the Provincial Hospital to all members of COPP. - New Business:
Dr. Aimee Mabini from Canada, a new member of SPSA COPP was introduced to the
group and gave a short remark including an announcement regarding a
Medical/Surgical Mission to be conducted by the Canadian Mission group to be held in
Bataan in 2024 where a number of SPSA members will be active participants. - Adjournment:
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made, duly seconded and
approved by the membership. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.