Third “National Pediatrician Award” was handed out

Third “National Pediatrician Award” was handed out
Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic, 07/21/2011

The award was handed out in the spirit that acknowledging one who is deserving is pleasant and motivating, because it allows us to highlight values and qualities that differentiate certain person and make him/her a role model.

For a third consecutive year, the office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Health, the Dominican Society of Pediatrics and the Dominican Medical School handed out the National Pediatrician Award, …

For a third consecutive year, the office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Health, the Dominican Society of Pediatrics and the Dominican Medical School handed out the National Pediatrician Award, which seeks to acknowledge the work, dedication and professionalism of the medical doctors who decided to dedicate their careers to the preservation of the health of Dominican children and contribute to the improvement of their quality of life.

The National Pediatrician Award 2011, is an initiative of First Lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández. It takes into account the effort and work of these medical doctors and awards the following categories: Humanism and Solidarity, Innovation and Incorporation of Technology in the Practice of Pediatrics, Teaching and Research and Contributions to the Service and Development of Pediatrics.

Speaking to the guests, Mrs. Cedeño de Fernández referred to pediatricians as men and women dedicated to the healthcare of human beings when they are at the most vulnerable stage of their lives: Childhood.

“I am very pleased to meet here for the third time to celebrate and hand out this award, by means of which we acknowledge and pay tribute to the most outstanding pediatricians in the nation, who, through their work, studies, research, humanitarism and solidarity, apply human, ethical and civic values, and thereby contribute to building a better future for Dominican boys and girls”.

She described pediatricians as the drivers of change that Dominicans need to achieve progress and social peace, because with their hard work they have left unquestionable transcendental marks in medicine and society. She mentioned that, according to data gathered by the Ministry of Public Health, the Dominican Republic has made strides in its goal to reduce infant mortality rates, with a reduction for this year of 42%, in comparison to the same period last year.

The Minister of Public Health, Bautista Rojas Gómez, highlighted the work and sacrifice of Dominican pediatricians in helping neighboring Haiti boys and girls, after the devastating earthquake of January, 2010. He added that in his condition as a pediatrician, as well as Minister of Public Health, he feels represented and acknowledged by the quality of the pediatricians selected for the third installment of the National Pediatricians Award, which has extended to other areas of the country.

The president of the Dominican Society of Pediatrics, Doctor José Brea, expressed his deep gratitude towards Mrs. Cedeño de Fernández, on behalf of his field and all Dominican pediatricians and said it was an honor that his specialty was the only one that was taken into consideration for an award such as this.

The president of the Dominican Society of Pediatrics, Doctor José Brea, expressed his deep gratitude towards Mrs. Cedeño de Fernández, on behalf of his field and all Dominican pediatricians and said it was an honor that his specialty was the only one that was taken into consideration for an award such as this.

He emphasized that pediatricians are the true family doctors, as they share a relationship and exchange with grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, etc.

In the category of Humanism and Solidarity awards went out to doctors Deysi Feliz and Rosa Fabián, while in the category Innovation and Incorporation of Technology in the Practice of Pediatrics, they went to pediatricians Ramón Camejo and Santiago Soto.

In the category of Teaching and Research, the recipients were doctors Elbi Morla and Ángel Garabot Morel and in Contributions to the Service and Development of Pediatrics, the award went to doctor Rosa María Nieves Paulino.

Doctor Rosa Maria Nieves Paulino, subdirector of the Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital, said a few words of appreciation on behalf of all the awardees.
This third installment of the National Pediatrician Award featured a posthumous acknowledgement for Doctor Thelma Rosario, ex director of the Arturo Grullón Children’s Hospital, in Santiago.

The Office of the First Lady’s boys and girls choir opened the event with their rendition of the National Anthem. Alicia Lora, a young girl, sang the pediatrician’s anthem. Soprano Alicia Chabebe also participated in the artistic component of the event, joined by Juan Ml. Polanco.

The awardees were selected by votes casted by mother’s and father’s of patients, fellow pediatricians and all other persons who deposited their votes in urns located in public hospitals in Santo Domingo, as well as other locations inland. This award was created by Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández, by Decree Number 502-09.

It took place in the Presidential Palace, in the Las Cariátides Room.