Lourdes Dimaano Floro, M.D. President, USTMAAM

By: Ryan Tejero

 

In 1977, the University of Sto. Tomas Medical Association of the Midwest (USTMAAM) was formed through the pioneering efforts of US-based Thomasians in Chicago. The desire to help the homeland and their Alma Mater – UST, was the primary reason for a few alumni to formalize their group. In a simple gathering, USTMAAM inducted its first president, Dr. Andres Botuyan, and the following year, the first alumni reunion was held in Sheraton Oakbrook Hotel. This was the beginning of the annual tradition of holding grand reunions by the Thomasians that invites their VIPs from the Philippines.

Inspired by the success of USTMAAM, other alumni groups follow through in establishing their organization. Currently, the following medical alumni associations have been established: Tristate (PA, NJ, DE), New York, Michigan, Southern California, Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii. In 1987, under the leadership of Dr. Jose Evangelista, Thomasian leaders of various alumni groups all over the US forged into a unified UST Medical Alumni Association in America (USTMAAA). This unified alumni group became stronger and its contributions to the homeland and their Alma Mater became more intense. In 1991, the USTMAAA Foundation was established to be the financial arm of the unified organization. With the generous contributions and big fundraising events organized by the alumni groups through the years, the Foundation is funding its on-going projects from the interest alone of their current fund amounting to about $5.4M.

Recently inducted as the President of USTMAAM is Dr. Lourdes Floro, who has one of the most unparalleled academic and professional accomplishments in the field of medical profession. Dr. Floro graduated from the UST College of Medicine and Surgery in 1964, Magna Cum Laude. She joined the UST academic community by teaching at the Department of Physiology, prior to migrating to the US.

In 1967, Dr. Floro came to the US. She did her internship at the Cook County Hospital, a pediatric residency at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s in 1968-1970, a Fellowship in Allergy and Clinical Immunology Rush- Presbyterian St Luke’s 1970-1972. She started her own private medical practice in1972, which is the Pediatrics and Allergy Southwest Area of Chicago in Oak Lawn.

With her Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Floro found her way to become the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen, IL. In 1987, she founded a Care Depot, which is an 8-bed unit in the Pediatrics Unit for sick children of working parents. This initiative gave the hospital and Dr. Floro a recognition from the Catholic Health Association of the United States in 1988, as a true public service and caring image project.

Dr. Floro also pioneered the continuing medical education program of the hospital. Dr. Floro’s involvement in medical research has gained her top recognition and awards. She was selected to be one of the four clinical researchers in the US for the study of Cromolyn Sodium in chronic asthmatic children in conjunction with the allergy program at the Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital with John Hyde, MD. She was First Prize in a Biochemistry Research Contest (with another MD), and a recipient of the Mead Johnson Pediatric Research Award.

Dr. Floro is a lecturer and speaker for both state and national medical societies. She has authored numerous research and scientific articles that were published in various medical journals in the United States.

In 1985, she was appointed in the Asian American Advisory Council under US Senator Paul Simon. She became the first woman President of the UST Medical Association of the Midwest in 1987, and also in that same year, she became the first Secretary of the UST Medical Association in America.

This year, in her induction as President of the USTMAAM, she inspired everyone by her speech: “It is through gratitude that life becomes more meaningful to all of us. The need to effectively deliver healthcare and health education to our countrymen is tremendous. It is for this reason that my main goal during my tenure of office is to be able to raise funds to enable our UST Hospital Clinical Division accomplish their aim of helping the less fortunate. We are also working cooperatively with Hospital On Wheels in the Philippines, a brainchild of Dr. Jim Sanchez, who is a UST Alumnus. This will help us reach out to more people in need of medical care.” She left everyone with a learning in life – “to be grateful for all the little things, and then you will be able to give thanks for great things as well.”

Dr. Lourdes Floro was married to the late Dr. Rodrigo Floro, who became the first president of the USTMAAA and happened to be the first Medical Director of the Asian Hospital in Ayala Alabang, Philippines.

Dr. Lourdes and the late Dr. Rodrigo Floro are blessed with the following children and grandchildren: Twin daughters – Dr. Cristjna Floro Ohara DMD, she graduated from Tufts University Dental School in Boston, married to John Ohara MBA and Dr. Clarissa Floro Rhode, MD, she is a radiologist and graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine with Fellowship in Radiology at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Hospital, married to Dr Patrick Rhode, MD Ophthalmologist University of Illinois (Summa Cum Laude); Atty. Rodrigo D. Floro, graduated from Northwestern Law School, now Legal Director for World Fuel Services based in Singapore.

Dr. Lourdes D. Floro, newlyinducted President of USTMAAM.

Some newly-inducted officers of 2016-2017 USTMAAM officers withPresident Dr. Lourdes Floro (extreme right). The inducting officer was Dr. Jose Evangelista from Michigan.

The UST Choir singing the National Anthems.

USTMAAM officers & guests at the induction inaugural gala at Hyatt Regency O’Hare.

Dr. Greg Tolentino,serving as emcee, with USTMAAM VP Dr. Zita Yorro at the podium, in the background.