The Adventist University of the Philippines’ College of Dentistry started the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year on January 19 with its first white coat ceremony. It was held at the Philippine International Church of the Seventh-day Adventists, in Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, with the theme "Poiema."
Poiema is a Greek word that means "workmanship" or "something made" in the context of God as the creator.
Dr. Herminiano Subido Jr., the college dean, stated that the COD Clinician's Club, under the leadership of Precious Mindac, Beatrix Castillo, Andrea Dandoy, Nathania Dominguez, Jeperson Rada, and Jen Esteves, initiated, planned, organized, and supported the event from the start until the day of celebration. He praised the physicians for acting on their desires to mark the beginning of history, saying, "I respect students who have big dreams."
Dr. Subido added, "The present is history. The Adventist University of the Philippines' College of Dentistry is today holding its inaugural white coat ceremony. It serves as a visible declaration of everyone's readiness to answer the call to devote their time to meeting the dental needs of others. May everyone's day be blessed today.”
Dr. Lalaine Alfonso, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Health Ministries director, emphasized the importance of workmanship as she went through the program. She served as an example of how Michaelangelo transformed an apparently useless slab of stone into David, his famed piece of art. She continued by drawing comparisons between how clinicians can transform patients' lives from something undesirable to something beautiful by practicing craftsmanship and using all their strength.
Dr. Alfonso also stated, "The most fulfilling thing in life for a Christian missionary dentist is to serve as a witness for Christ by being God's poiema. Every person has a masterpiece inside of them, even those with scars."
As the course came to a close, Dr. Gracel Ann Saban, vice president for academics at AUP, urged the doctors to infuse love into everything they do. She urged them to constantly enjoy what they were doing because everything would help them become ready for the route they had chosen.
After the physicians' pledge, Dr. Verallel Caplis, the department chair for D5 and D6, articulated a note to the parents, thanking them and requesting their ongoing support for the clinicians. "Let us [the parents] give them [the clinicians] that additional pat on the back, that extra lambing, hugs, and tell them you love them as we celebrate this milestone." She added that the most reassuring thing to say is that parents and guardians would be with their children the entire way, not just at the end of their schooling.
The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.
