“Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for – because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” – Peter Marshall
The words of Dr. Calleja, the father of PSE and the Chairman of the Steering Committee which crafted the competency guidelines of the society provided the starting point for the Mission-Vision Workshop that was conducted for the Philippine Society of Echocardiography (PSE) last July 17, 2010 at the Therapharma Training Room in Bonaventure Plaza. According to Dr. Calleja, “Quality patient care is our business.” may not encompass all that PSE is but this is certainly an eloquent statement of who PSE aspires to be.
Dr. Inge Edler, hailed to be as the Father of Echocardiography, was described to be a person who has an “ardent interest for the patient.” It is therefore not surprising that in describing who they are and why do they exist, the PSE Mission statement read: “We are an organization of dedicated, like-minded professionals with a passion for excellence in the knowledge and the application of quality echocardiography.” Like-minded professionals sharing a passion for excellence—this is a tribute to what Dr. Edler has started and fought for all these years. After all, to create and evaluate a new and revolutionary diagnostic method demands a person with extraordinary qualities – one who possess an interdisciplinary creative thinking and extreme accuracy coupled with infinite patience. Every member of the PSE is described as such as well.
The day started with a spread of delicious adobo, itlog na maalat salad, fruits and flowing coffee. Much to the chagrin of dieters like me, no amount of self-control is sufficient for one not to give in to the temptation of over-eating this delicious fare. Amidst small talk of golf and mundane concerns, the day started in high spirits as Dr. Lopez welcomed everyone to the workshop. It did not matter that the group was small because the core people who has a stake in the Mission-Vision of PSE was fully present and giving it their all.
There was much debate, albeit healthy exchanges between the two group of doctors when they started crafting the vision statement. Inundated by laughter and occasional banter, the participants had to reflect whether they want to be “internationally recognized” or are they simply concerned with establishing standards for the “protection” of the profession and the patient? The initial statement made by Dr. Calleja made sense to all when he finally had a chance to speak, “We do what we believe is right, we serve the patient and look after his welfare. If we get recognized along the way, well and good; but that is not the reason why we do it. We do it because we care.” So it goes, that the vision statement of PSE echoes these very same principles: “ Quality echocardiography by competent professionals for every patient.”
There were many commitments made to achieve the vision. Embodied in the acronym We “ECHO” are the very statements that will ensure that PSE will live up to its mission of quality echocardiography for all. From its members to its patients, from its fellows and technologists to its diagnostic laboratories, PSE commits to assure the delivery of quality echocardiography through the society’s many advocacies and programs.
How did the day end? Much like how it started—in high spirits. Everyone was finally looking at a common roadmap for the Society. It is now up to its members to “kick the tires” and give the statements their “thoughts”. What’s next? PSE now has to sit down and create the strategic plans that will measure the progress of PSE in achieving their Mission. One thing is for sure — nothing is impossible with these like-minded professionals. Their quest for excellence will continue and the ultimate beneficiary will be ordinary people like you and me.
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