Featured Lucenahin: Angelito S. Abadilla, M.D.
This week’s featured Lucenahin is a Medical Doctor in Lucena City, Dr. Angelito S. Abadilla. He’s an Anesthesiologist and also the President and Chairman of the Board of Alpha Centauri Educational System, Inc. (ACES).
Dr. Abadilla performing Spinal Anesthesia
What do you do as an Anesthesiologist?
In simplest terms, Anesthesiologists are doctors that are trained in handling Anesthesia which generally helps patients undergo painless operations. We usually talk to patients and evaluate them before their scheduled operation. We’re there during and after the operation as well.
When did you decide to become a doctor? And why did you choose Anesthesiology?
It was my childhood dream to become a doctor. I later chose Anesthesiology because I’ve always appreciated the role of Anesthesiologists in the operating room.
What would you say is the most challenging thing for Anesthesiologists?
Whether it is a minor or a major operation, I always find it challenging whenever we encounter a problem with our patients. We can never be too relaxed during operations because we’re dealing with another person’s life.
You’re also the President of ACES, Inc., the only school in the Philippines offering the program Anesthesia Care Nurse that is recognized by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) and Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists (PAMS). Being one of the pioneers of the program, how did the idea come about?
It started with the need to cope with the ever increasing number of operations when I was still with Quezon Medical Center (QMC). With the help of the school’s R&D, we found the need for providing a continuing professional development program for our nurses here. ACES is the first to offer a program of this kind in the Philippines and we are honored to be recognized by both IFNA and PAMS.
Dr. Abadilla (far-right) with ACES students
How do they (Anesthesia Care Nurses) help Anesthesiologists such as yourself?
They often assist during the pre-operative assessment of patients who will undergo surgery and also in monitoring of vital signs of patients inside the operating room among others. They always handle patients under close supervision of Anesthesiologists.
Are all your students from Lucena or nearby towns?
No, we have students from all over the Philippines. We had a graduate from Mountain Province and currently, we have one from Zamboanga. ACES will help students look for places to stay, so it’s not usually a problem.
Your school already has graduates of this program, what advice can you offer other nurses interested in this career?
Most graduates of our program are already doing well abroad, some earning six-figure salaries per month. Aside from the financial rewards, they reportedly are very happy that they were able to apply the theoretical and practical aspects of the program in their current work.
As for my advice to interested nurses, I would suggest that they start reading a lot of books about Anesthesia Nursing and Introduction to Anesthesia to get an idea of what the job entails. Brushing up on Anatomy and Physiology can help too.
Also, look at the current job opening requirements abroad so you can evaluate the different Anesthesia Care Nurse programs currently offered in the Philippines. See if their requirements actually match what the school is offering. At ACES, we always review and update our curriculum.
Can they find work here in the Philippines?
At the moment, unfortunately, no. But things are picking up, with DOH starting to recognize and develop the Nurse Anesthesia Care specialty for their Nurse Certification Program. Hopefully, there will be job openings in the Philippines for the graduates soon.
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