" A Man for All Seasons"
by Alma M. Ramirez
Aesculapian, November 1968

At 47, one may either be labeled a success or a failure: to the former belongs the dean. His history presents a litany of achievements that to mention only its highlights make one commit sins of omission, For the information of the students and in fairness to whom it is due, focus is directed to Dr. Jose Cuyegkeng, the man behind the Medical Center for the last 5 years.

At a glance, the dean presents a personality so strong and dignified that it is easily mistaken for aloofness and presence of an invisible wall that seems to separate him from the rest.  When he speaks, he has the eloquence of an orator, enough to keep his audience silent without falling asleep.  And when he gives out a piece of his mind, the very fatherly nature in him always comes out. This is the dean as known to students.  But those who know him well, he stands out prominently as the personification of a model physician, ideal family man, a tireless student and researcher, a civic leader, and above all, a successful educator.

Born of Filipino-Chinese ancestry, he is the 7^th among 8 children in the family.  He obtained his primary education from the Chinese National School.  Four years after he graduated from the Ateneo de Manila at the top of his class.  His next two years were spent in Preparatory Medicine at the University of the Philippines, his first education in public school.  In 1940, he enrolled at the UP College of Medicine, where after 5 years of diligent efforts and intensive studies, he graduated among the top 10 in an original class of 99.  In the same year, he took the government medical board examinations and come out 14^th placer among more than 150 successful candidates.  With his registration as a physician, the dean immediately plunged himself into a career dedicated to medical service and education. Five years after his graduation, he was given a fellowship in the School of Public Health in the University of Michigan where he received his M.P.H. degree with a general average of "A" qualifying him to be a member of Delta Omega, the National Honor Society of Public Health in the United States.

"A man for all seasons", he had practiced his profession both in times of war and peace.  From 1945-46, he worked in the Armed Forces of the United States Medical General Laboratory, first as a technician later as a junior bacteriologist and a civilian chief of the Serology Section.  With the end of the war, Dr. Cuyegkeng returned to UP, and for 3 years trained as a resident-instructor in Medicine and Pathology.  From a resident, he rose to become an assistant professor in Pathology, the acting head of the department.  With his resignation from UP in 1956, he carried with him the position of associate professor of Pathology of the UP College of Medicine and professional lecturer of Pathology and Microbiology departments of the Postgraduate School of Medicine in UP.  And thus ended his 18 years of medical education, training and service to his alma mater.

Twelve years ago when UERMMMC was established, Dr. Cuyegkeng became the one of its pillars, holding the position of professor of Pathology and Microbiology and head of the department up to the present.  In addition to this, he later became the acting head of the department of Anatomy for 1 year.  Before he assumed his present position, he was adequately prepared for the job of Dean of the College of Medicine by occupying previously the following positions: acting dean 1956-57; secretary of the College of Medicine, 1956-60; vice dean, 1959-60; again acting dean 1962-63.  Capable as he has always been, he was appointed head of laboratories and chief pathologist of the  UERM Memorial Hospital from 1960 to present.  His works became more complex in 1966, when he was chosen as acting director of the UE Research Center for Sciences, Humanities, and Culture.  Not only were his activities limited locally, he went abroad t observe advances in medical education, administration and research programs.  A much traveled educator he had attended and participated in various medical conferences held in the United States, Europe and Asian countries in trying to keep with the strides of science and technology.  His accomplishments for the Medical Center are indisputably unsurpassed, his pioneering spirit for the improvement of this institution has yet to be equaled.  When asked about the students' training he says, "Peso for peso, the student get their money's worth with the strong faculty supervision and training they get from the Center."  Although there is still much room for improvement, the undaunted dean is optimistic about the Center's future progress.

Aside from possessing a long list of memberships in professional organizations, he had the distinction of being the president of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges from 1967-68.  He was once a consultant in General Pathology in the Medical Service of the AFP from 1956-58, a corresponding member or the Association of Clinical Scientist, and honorary editorial adviser of the Far East Medical Journal since 1965.  As a student writer, and researcher, he participated in various medical studies.

His medical career is not all that takes his attention.  The dean has his own home to turn to after a busy day.  He got married 1 year after graduation to the former Dra. Elena Ines, a classmate at the UP College of Medicine and presently the head of the UERMMMC Department of Pharmacology.  They now have 8 children that make up a big, busy, and altogether happy group that would not seem strange to see in such closely-knit, religious family.  Although his medical activities are more than enough to keep him busy all the time, his religious activities merit just as much time and importance.  He is at present the president of parish council.

These so far are the highlights in the life and medical career of Dr. Jose Cuyegkeng, the man behind the Medical Center for the last 5 years.  A man of principles and goals, he once said, "I would like also to think of one's entire life span on earth from birth to death as entirely an undertaking in learning to live, a journey along the avenue of knowledge with crossroads and byroads along the way at various points in our lives, all leading ultimately to an end which is entirely our choice."  Now, at 47, the dean has succeeded in the path he once took.  Dr. Jose Cuyegkeng has now to his name an enviable academic record and contributions to the medical education which win him the praise and admiration of his profession. 

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