Diamonds in the Rough - They're Out There

Too often we have heard of the problem of health care in our country, phrased and rephrased in terms of the exodus of doctors and nurses, the substandard allocation of the national budget for health, and even legal matters concerning medical practitioners. It would seem that the Filipino doctor is enmeshed in troubled times, and nothing more.

Now more than ever, an uplifting message about the Filipino doctor is needed, one that shows he is also capable of heroism and selflessness for his countrymen.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH is the Nationwide Search for Outstanding Young Doctors in the Community Setting. It is a search for unsung heroes in the medical field today: those who choose to serve the ones who need it most, by immersing themselves in the depressed, neglected, under-served communities in the country.

The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine and the Rotary Club of Paco, along with our partners: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), ABS-CBN, The Philippine Star, and Cebu Pacific Air, are now calling for nominations for this very momentous search.

If you know a doctor who:

• Is a Filipino citizen 40 years old and below

• Is a duly licensed medical practitioner under the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines

• Have actively served in the under-served community for which he or she is nominated for at least five (5) years
  

• Is currently practicin

  g in the said community

• Have not been recognized by any award-giving body with similar objectives
  

• Have not been charged with any misconduct involving moral turpitude
  

• And not be related to any members of the Phi Kappa Mu or its partner agencies up to the 2nd degree

Then NOMINATE him/her by going to http://diamondsintherough.ph to download the application form! (Or see attached file or click here)

The Diamonds in the Rough (DITR) has three Major Award Categories: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. One physician will win for each region, each receiving PhP 100,000 worth of total prizes. The community of each DITR winner will also receive PhP 100,000 worth of prizes, to go to any sustainable projects supported by the DITR winner. Awarding will be held on December of 2008.

Deadline for nominations is on November 15.

All nominations shall be addressed to the DITR Secretariat and can be submitted or mailed to the following addresses:

Diamonds in the Rough
P.O. Box 778
Manila, Philippines, 1099

Salamat Dok: Current Affairs and News Office

Ground Floor, ABS-CBN Sgt. Esguerra Corner,
Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City

Nominations can also be directly sent to info@diamondsintherough.ph or

diamondsintheroughsearch@gmail.com, with all pertinent documents scanned.

Again, all entries must be received by Phi Kappa Mu in the UP College of Medicine or any of our partner agencies on or before November 15, 2008.

Criteria for judging are available at the DITR Website http://diamondsintherough.ph.

For more information, email info@diamondsintherough.ph or diamondsintherough@gmail.com.

Let us work hand-in-hand in finding these diamonds in the rough as finding them would be a feat truly worth celebrating!

They're out there.

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Photos from the Diamonds in the Rough Launching Program at the Century Park Hotel:
http://rald03.multiply.com/photos/album/153/Diamonds_in_the_Rough_Launch