When I assumed the Presidency of the Society of the Philippine Surgeons in America last August 2017 during the Society’s 45th Anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, I was under the impression that my term would only be for a year like most of my predecessors. Now I find that it would be at least for two years. While I have been a fellow of the Society most of its existence and had been an officer in various capacities, I did not aspire to be your president except for the arm twisting of my wife and many members of the Society.

I have found that you and me and the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America face the new challenges that needed to be addressed. First and foremost is the ACCME accreditation that we just discontinued last December after many years of re-accreditation. Our CME Chairman after many years at the helm of our yearly surgical seminar with the approval of the Board did not continue further due to the cost involved and the work necessary to be re-accredited. Plus the fact that members can obtain category 1 credits from different organizations. It has been suggested that I would look into the matter and a secondary sponsor to have a category 1 CME unit should the Society hold another July surgical seminar. I am looking into this problem and if there is any way to resolve it. Meanwhile, we remain the 501-c3 organization whose newly revised constitution requires us to have an Spring Board meeting and another in conjunction with the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, This year it would be in Boston, Massachussetts.

The yearly surgical mission is another undertaking that I think would demand closer attention especially with the Philippine Government bent on imposing stringent requirements for foreign surgical and medical missions and the use of Department of Health Hospitals. The continuing efforts on both the FSMM and the Philippine health authorities have not resulted in satisfactory agreements between the two sides. While the Society never lacks those that want it to conduct surgical missions in underserved areas in the country, it is a year long logistical arrangement imposed on the Society, its memberships and volunteers and the Hosts . This demands resources that are becoming scarce. For as long as the Society exists, I will support the missions and will work so that it continues this charitable event.

The financial health of the Society is precarious, especially that its dwindling membership have to be goaded twice, sometimes thrice for its annual membership dues. It would be great if dues are paid, donations are made and the continued existence of an organization such as SPSA remains a foregone conclusion.

I will try and make it so.