As part of its 48th Anniversary Celebration, the Saint Louis University – Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC) honored the dedication and contributions of its partners and personnel through the inaugural “Gabi ng Pagpupugay” Awards Night held on 9 May 2025 at the Rev. Fr. Theophile Verbist Hall.
To begin the preliminaries, an opening number was performed by Ancillary Services & Medical Interns to set a lively and vibrant mood. The Awards and Recognition Committee Chair, Dr. Myrna M. Espiritu then officially commenced the program with her opening remarks. “It has been said, and rightly so, that the greatest resource of any organization is its people. And nowhere is this truer than in healthcare. Our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative teams, and support staff are the lifeline of this institution,” she said, highlighting the role of each person who has been a part of their journey.
SLU President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, also shared an inspirational message reminding the participants of their impact on the community. He underscored their compassion and efforts as the main factors that geared the hospital towards a mission-driven institution.
“Ang inyong dedikasyon, husay, at malasakit ay nagsisilbing ilaw na gumagabay sa atin tungo sa isang adhikain na magbibigay ng dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan, hindi lamang sa mga pasyente kundi pati na rin sa ating kalikasan,” Fr. Sales Stated. (Your dedication, skill, and care serve as a light that guides us towards a goal to provide quality health services, not only to patients but also to our environment.)
Moreover, Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit, the Hospital Administrator, delivered a report highlighting SLU-SHMC’s best practices and its ongoing journey towards excellence. Titled “Redefining Healthcare, From Vision to Impact,” the presentation showed the hospital’s advancements, spanning from infrastructure development to enhanced customer service.
The highlight of the event – the awarding ceremony – was led by Fr. Sales, Vice President for Administration Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced, Vice President for Academic Affairs Felina P. Espique, PhD, Vice President for Mission and Identity Rev. Fr. Emery E. Mwako, CICM, Assistant Treasurer Mr. Allan Frank Silva, Dr. Quitiquit, and SLU-SHMC Medical Director Dr. Danilo Flores.
The awarding categories consisted of the individual, team, and special awards, as well as recognitions of institutional partners.
Individual Awards:
- Excellence in Research – Dr. Allan B. Castro
- Excellence in Patient Care – Dr. Denmark P. Gayaso
- Outstanding Leadership – Sheery A. Villiarias
- Dedication and Commitment – Cathleen Joy S. Palabay
- Professionalism and Integrity – Ianne Aramis L. Orbillo
- Outstanding Service Award – Dr. Rhoda Lynn O. Fajardo
- Innovation and Improvement – Fidel T. Rusiana
- Reliability and Dependability – Dr. Maricel L. Arcellana
- Customer Service Excellence – Evangeline M. Reyes
- Mentorship and Training – Elsie C. Radam
- Adaptability and Resilience – Eleonor L. Gardose
- Environmental Stewardship – Aldren R. Remon
Team Awards:
- Outstanding Service Award – SLU-SHMC Operating Room
- Excellence in Community Service – Project Digo Community Pantry by the SLU-SHMC Hospital Chaplain
- Compassion in Action – SLU-SHMC Nursing Service Department Special Care Unit
- Innovator Award – Hospital Information Management Department
- Teamwork and Collaboration – Department of Internal Medicine
- Excellence in Compliance and Regulatory Integrity Award – Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Institution’s Awards and Recognition:
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
- Baguio City Health Services Office
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
- IIRMA International Consultancy, Inc.
- MJLac Construction and Aggregates
- KBWorld Trading Corporation
- SLU Sunflower Child and Youth Wellness Center
- Mercia Ayunon Spinks
Mosaic Award:
- Lance Tristan Choy
- Jehonah Pia Marie T. Abella
- Omar J. Qazi
- Angelo D. Pabustan
- Daryle Jessica Z. Punsalan
- Ralph Benedict C. Cuenca
- Manuelito V. Diaz
- Klowie Ezra G. Domingo
- Kim S. Abuan
- Justine Ericca Reyes
- Timothy Andrew T. Dirige
- Karl Chason Coycoyen
DAISY Award (for outstanding nurse) – Alvinthor V. Sahagun, RN
Visionary Leadership Award – Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD
Intermission numbers were held in-between the awardings by Dr. Quinn Dahilan, Dr. Luz Virginia Arenas-Duque, Dr. Eljon Soriano, Dr. Ariane Fransciso, and the Nursing Service Department to keep the participants’ spirits high and the atmosphere light.
To conclude the program, Dr. Flores gave his closing message encouraging the participants to continue their care and passion for the team and community. “Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtulong at pagmahal sa isa’t isa, ang pagiging malikhain, ang pagpapagaling, at ang pagpapahalaga. Na kahit sa pinakamahirap na araw, hindi tayo nag-iisa,” he expressed. (Let us continue to help and care for each other– with our creativity, our healing, and our appreciation. That even in tough times, we are not alone.)
SLU-SHMC’s “Gabi ng Pagpupugay” was a night that showcased not only the excellence that the hospital’s employees and partners exhibit but also the compassion and dedication that they pour into their work. The event demonstrated that their hard work was not only seen and recognized, but most importantly, appreciated. It embodied the institution’s core value of having “A heart that truly cares.”
Additionally, “Gabi ng Pagpupugay” stood as a testament to the institution’s dedication to advancing quality health and wellbeing (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3), fostering work and growth opportunities (SDG 8), and strengthening partnerships towards shared goals (SDG 17). (Article by Ydelvess Faith Morales, UIO Intern | Photos by Kyla Moreno, UIO Intern)
