ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE PRACTICING PHYSICIANS OF ARIZONA

Historical Overview by Vicente O. Enciso, M.D.

The formation of the Association of Philippine Practicing Physicians of Arizona was conceived in 1975 during the casual meeting at Dr. Efren Hufana’s residence. There were at least ten physicians present who felt the need of forming an association composed of Philippine practicing physicians in Arizona and the vicinity, like Mesa and Tempe. It was also the consensus that enough interest can be generated among physicians to bind themselves with an organization such as the APPPA. A slate of officers was then immediately formed and were elected before the meeting was adjourned on the eventful occasion . Dr. Efren Hufana was elected as the first president of the association. Subsequent meetings were held directed towards membership drive and the creation of tentative Constitution and By –Laws. The following year, a formal constitution and By-Laws was ratified. The first directory of the APPPA which came out in 1977 consisted of 36 members. The last directory was published in the year 2000 which listed 150 potential members, where more than half are paid members. It was in 1979, during the presidency of Dr. Conrado Ballecer, that the idea of incorporating the association for tax exemption purposes came about. Those responsible for incorporating the association were Dr .Vicente Enciso, Chairman; Dr. Marcial Ebalo, Dr. Cecil Janolo and Dr. Herminio Mendoza as member of the committee. In 1999, the association was granted its tax deductible status through the efforts of Dr. Luis Tan. The association continued to grow, became more diverse and flourished and never stagnated.

In 1980, the APPPA Auxiliary was formed in order to help the physicians with APPPA activities. The main force in the formation of the medical auxiliary was Mrs. Florita Campbell, who appropriately became its first president. The medical auxiliary has its own yearly activities such as the Honoring of Graduates, cultural programs and hospitality night which is designated to promote closer relationship among the members of the APPPA.

One of the main objectives of the association is to encourage its members in attaining a better and more desirable professional, cultural and social status. Taking this into consideration, it has been instrumental in providing its members with means of continuing medical education. The members of the APPPA realized that the quality of medical care depends in a great deal upon the knowledge and skills of the physician. In order to help preserve this goal and for the APPPA to have any noble purpose at all, it must insist and demand of its members to comply with their obligation for continuing medical education and to strictly adhere to the established norms of the practice of medicine. While the members take the responsibility of improving themselves, it will also result ultimately to an improved image of the Filipino physician in general. During the past 25 years, the APPPA has been successful in organizing more and more CME programs. There has been a restructuring of the association so that greater learning can take place. A popular and well supported program that is put up by the APPPA annually is the-out-town CME. This was started by Dr. Reynaldo Vito during his presidency in 1986, and has been carried out by succeeding presidents each year. Generally, the association has not really changed a lot since its birth in 1975. Its social structure , which is collegial; as well as its style and purpose, are still the same. The set of values and ideas that were espoused by the founders of the association 25 years ago, as to the function and goals of the association are very much upheld up to now.  A unified platform for all Filipino physicians in Arizona is needed to  harness it's resources, manpower, talents and finances in order to accomplish it's goals to benefit it's members.  The APPPA has provided its members with a means of continuing medical education for professional growth. It is also involved with community projects and sponsors cultural programs. It will continue to support and will help when help is needed on certain causes involving Filipino physicians and nurses both locally and nationally. It will continue to fund its scholarship program in order to help needy and deserving students either from here or in the Philippines. During the past 5 years the association has been successful in carrying out medical missions to the Philippines, including one in cooperation with the Phil-AM Lions Club ( Baguio City ), another one in cooperation of the Filipino Club of Arizona ( Naga, Bicol ) and the last one in Cagayan De Oro in cooperation with the Barangay Lions Club.

Twelve years ago marked the creation of a new section for the International Medical Graduates as part of the Arizona Medical Association. This was made possible through the lobbying efforts of Dr. Neopito Robles, a past president of the Arizona Medical Association, and a member of the APPPA . For the association to justify its role as a medical organization, it has to increase not only its membership, but also be an active participant in other medical organizations locally, regionally and nationally. Growth in membership is vital if the APPPA is to achieve its ambition to enhance further its stature as a recognized organization in the medical community. The association should urge all members to be active in seeking out all potential members for the APPPA. The member should consider it their responsibility to invite the other Filipino practicing physicians to share the fellowship of the organization. The Constitution and By-Laws of the association was revised in 1999 for the purpose of expanding the membership categories into: active, associates, affiliate, honorary and lifetime members. The amendment to the article on membership was done for the purpose of accommodating more qualified members to the association. The future of the association following twenty five year of its existence is clearer, brighter and secure. There is an overall sense of unity and flow of vibrant energy. There is also an atmosphere of adventure and fun within the association. With the collective effort and determination of its members, the APPPA can hope to continue to exert its rightful role as one of the legitimate medical organizations in Arizona.