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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Ilokana medical board topnotcher prefers to teach while serving in government hospital

Ilokana medical board topnotcher prefers to teach while serving in government hospital

Published Mar 22, 2023 10:31 am
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – Aira Cassanda S. Castro, who topped the recent March 2023 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) with a grade of 89 percent, preferred to teach the medical students of the Mariano Marcos State University - College of Medicine (MMSU-COM) while serving in the government hospital. Dr. Castro, a scholar of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte's (PGIN) Doctor of Medicine Scholarship Program, made history by becoming the first medicine graduate from the MMSU-COM to rank first in the board examination. “I want to teach at the MMSU – COM to train the younger generation of Ilocano doctors,” said Dr. Castro in a local press interview upon the release of PLE results. According to Dr. Castro, her intention to teach at MMSU-COM is also a way for her to repay MMSU and the PGIN for giving her a scholarship during her time in medical school. She aspires to work at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), a notable government hospital based in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. She cited that the shortage of doctors in Ilocos Norte was her key motivation for pursuing her career. “I always want to serve Ilocos Norte. So, MMMHMC po ang choice ko,” she said. In a report from the Communications and Media Office (CMO) of Ilocos Norte capitol, it stated that Dr. Castro has been a consistent academic achiever in her schooling from the primary level until medical school. She was the valedictorian during high school and grade school. In 2017, she graduated summa cum laude from the MMSU College of Arts and Sciences BS Biology program. She promptly enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program at MMSU, where she graduated cum laude and valedictorian in 2021. Along with Dr. Castro, Dr. Christian Alvin Arca, Dr. Marianne Shem Caraang, Dr. Neil Justine dela Cruz, and Dr. Mida Dorothy Manayon also passed the PLE and achieved a 100% passing rate, giving the university its seventh straight perfect record in the board exam for medical doctors since it began fielding examinees in 2020. The Doctor of Medicine Scholarship was an initiative of Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and it aims to provide and produce Ilokano doctors who will ensure the delivery of healthcare service in the province, particularly in far-flung areas.

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