President's Corner

Gregorio P. Ocampo, FPCCP, PCCP President, 2021-2022

Gregorio P. Ocampo, MD, FPCCP
PCCP President, 2021-2022

Inaugural Speech - Gregorio P. Ocampo, MD, FPCCP
51st PCCP President

It has been a challenging year for all of us and everyday has been action-packed. Most people imagine disasters as something that only happens in the movies. It’s like superheroes battling villains. After almost a year in quarantine and not going to cinemas, people think that what we doctors do everyday is what constitutes an action-packed life — – dealing with emergencies at the hospital, taking care of our patients and working tirelessly as the pandemic goes on especially those of us who are members of the PCCP. The commitment and hard work of everyone here rival or exceed the heroism that we see in films. Your dedication and perseverance will serve as my inspiration, as well as those of the colleagues we lost, as I serve as president of the PCCP.

Let me express how truly grateful and humbled I am to accept this, as this honor comes from you, my distinguished peers. I am aware that I do not fit the usual mold. I am not particularly accomplished in the field of research and academe and I have not extensively participated in gatherings both local and international. I have spent most of my professional life as a clinician with some training and administrative functions. Like most of us, I am an enthusiastic specialist, eager to learn more and keep abreast in my field. I promise that with my experiences and with inspiration drawn from my colleagues, I will do my best as we continue to fight the good fight.

I was initially anxious but, after much thought and prayerful consideration, I began to see the situation much clearer and I was able to draw a path moving forward. The unique and challenging context of the Covid pandemic demands a response of heroic proportions. A heroic response means not only bringing out the best in ourselves but going beyond ourselves and accomplishing more than we are able. We need to approach these challenges with a spirit of ADVENTURE for an adventurous spirit will always be open and will always ensure creative responses to the needs and concerns related to the pandemic. Conditions may become vague and seemingly insurmountable, but with all us working together, we will be sure to overcome all our challenges.

Called to service during a uniquely problematic time, I want my term to be characterized by a spirit of enthusiastic collaboration with all of us working, serving and learning side by side. Our committed service will facilitate our drive to learn as scientists during this pandemic. I propose that we embark on this year with an adventurous outlook , one that will reap fruits of generous service and valuable learning.

Before I end, allow me this opportunity to thank my family for the wonderful love and support that they have shown me through the years. I would not have accomplished any of my dreams without their inspiration.

With that, I thank you all for this honor and look forward to working with all of you. Stay safe and God bless.

-end-

Dr. Greg Ocampo delivers his inaugural address after the
annual business meeting of the PCCP.

Dr. Gregorio Ocampo, President of the PCCP for the year 2021-22, accepts the gavel, symbol of authority. It is the president’s covenant to wield the gavel unflinchingly but righteously; with courage but with humility and finally with determination but with compassion and undertakings.

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