in memoriam (part 2)

the world has lost a beautiful person. (PART 2)

last week was particularly devastating for the medical community, especially the small community of infectious disease specialists. we lost 2 prominent figures in our field. i am priveleged to have known them both.

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I'm sure when dr. Vilma sees me writing a blog about her, she'll tell me to make her look beautiful.

Dr. Vilma Co, or as she wants me to call her, ate vi, was one of my mentors when i was a hospital epidemiologist in makati medical center. I remember that time when she interviewed me first. i was actually scared coz i heard stories about how strict and obsessive-compulsive she was. but after a failed stint in residency, i had to find a good paying job with maximal learning. And just my luck to have such an opening in one of the biggest hospitals in metro manila.

unfortunately, my biases were broken fast. i was not interviewed by a strict boss (that was a different person :-)), but i found myself having a conversation with a colleague.  i did not expect her to treat me as an equal, but dr. vilma treated me as such. She gave me responsibilities that i never expected a boss to give a newly hired employee. but all of these, under her meticulous eyes (which i hopefully passed with flying colors!).

She was a techie senior ID consultant, with the latest macbook air and latest phone. She didn't want anything printed. everything was reviewed online (i think, i strained my eyes several times coz of this). whenever we'd find ourselves going overtime, here comes the food delivery. she knows i'm always hungry :-).

Everyday, especially after her clinic hours, I'd find myself in her clinic making chismis. Oh goodness! i remember all our chismisan- from our previous work <wink, wink>, to the poeple we previously worked with, to beauty tips, and even our love lives. As always, i got the sisterly advice of "it will come" (i wonder when???).

Then came the time i had to leave my job for residency. it was with her blessing. and dr. vilma knows i'll follow her steps as an ID specialist. But even with a different affiliation, everytime i find myself in makati med, i'd visit her if i can, even just to say hi. and often, i'd find myself texting her, especially when i'm worn out. she never failed to lift me up.

sadly, the past 2 years had been difficult for dr. vilma. she wasn't well. and i can feel her sufferring through her text messages. Then last week, the world lost Dr. Vilma Co to breast cancer.

I never got to see dr. vilma before she passed away. as one of my mentors (dr. dorothy agdamag, who is also my ate) told me, "alam mo naman yan si vilma, gusto parati maganda sya sa paningin ng tao. ayaw nya na makita syang pangit". I guess that's why she didn't want to be seen suffering.

I just realized, i can never make dr. vilma ugly in words. such soul will always be remembered beautiful.

And now, God has rewarded one of the best ate's in the world with the gift of eternal happiness. I'm sure, Dr. Vilma Co is enjoying paradise.

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