By Mitchell Jared Cruz De Silva Φ2021 and Karl Gerard Reyes Crisosotomo Φ2019Β
Equipped with excellence that shaped the field of Philippine Medicine, along with an unwavering dedication to serve, Brod Jose Jonas Diño Del Rosario Φ1986 continues to uphold the standard of an ideal physician. With a long history of impressive work and contributions, he has earned himself numerous accolades, such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award in the field of Medicine in 2004, the Philippine Heart Association Outstanding Scientist award in 2008, and the Dangal ng Bayan award in 2021. On top of these accomplishments, he further extends himself in the service of others by serving as a clinical associate professor at the University of the Philippine College of Medicine along with being the spokesperson of the Philippine General Hospital. Brod Jonas holds years of experience that many can certainly learn from. From his training to his eventual journey as a medical practitioner, he openly shared stories and the lessons he had picked up along the way.
On Medical School and His Life as a Brod
Before venturing into the field he would be known best for, Brod Jonas initially wanted to pursue a different track, almost taking a double degree in Management and Computer Science in the Ateneo de Manila University. Instead, his mother was able to convince him to give Medicine a try. After completing his studies at UP Diliman as a B.S Biology Major, he took a leap of faith and pursued his medical education in the UP College of Medicine (UPCM).
Upon his admission to the College of Medicine, he then joined the Most Venerable Fold of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity. Among his many early experiences, he considers Bakbakan, an annual university-wide sports tournament, as one of the most memorable. An avid basketball player, Brod Jonas recalled forming a team with his batchmates as well as other brods at the time. Short on time, their jerseys consisted of Phi shirts with their respective numbers affixed to the back through tape. Regardless the team proved to be strong enough to reach the finals and, with grit, effort, and excellence befitting of a Phi, clinched the first championship for the Phi Kappa Mu in the competition. His love for the sport would extend past his time in the college, returning soon after his medical training in the United States to coach the team towards another championship berth
Another eventful time during his medical school years was from his Tao Rin Pala (TRP) experience, a university-wide annual variety show, where he, along with Brods Iggy Agbayani Φ1986 and Jojo Jocson Φ1986, served as hosts every year. Brod Jonas fondly remembered how the three of them would often entertain the class with their jokes and antics. Their playful acts did not go unnoticed for long, as they were eventually tapped as emcees for TRP. Soon, the trio was given the name Anim na Itlog. They went on to host and perform for different departments, becoming a staple for many events. One of these occasions includes Only the Phinest where brods and sisses gather in the PGH Quadrangle to entertain patients during the Christmas season. Brod Jonas recalled the festive season, as he would serve as an emcee to performances and featured appearances from celebrity actors and singers. Also held in the same month was the annual Phi Caroling. Going to the different homes of the brods and sisses to sing Christmas carols gave them the opportunity to interact with one another. It was an experience among many that truly embodied the spirit of fellowship.
On his Career Journey
After graduating from UPCM in 1991, Brod Jonas decided to take the United States board exams for physicians. Even in foreign lands, he experienced firsthand the warmth of brotherhood through tips from various other brods who came before him and the warm welcome that he received when he eventually traveled to the USA. Whether it involved lending him a ride for an interview or hosting a dinner on his behalf, they always ensured that his needs were met at all times. “Doon ko naramdaman na totoo pala in whatever lands we meet!” he said, smiling, remembering every gesture with gratitude. When it was his turn to provide assistance, Brod Jonas made every effort to do so, considering it a privilege to help out brods who themselves ventured into the US to explore the plethora of opportunities offered to them.
Upon completion of his Pediatric Cardiology fellowship, he originally planned to return to the Philippines to establish a clinical practice. However, Brod Egay Ortiz Φ1972, a practicing pediatric cardiologist then, encouraged him to stay for one more year to pursue the interventional cardiology program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In his interview, he was asked why he should be offered the slot. Brod Jonas retorted with conviction by stating, “If you accept me, you will not just be helping a city, you will not just be helping a state, you will probably be helping out a country.”
Despite receiving multiple lucrative job opportunities in the US, Brod Jonas opted to return to the Philippines, acknowledging the call to service through the establishment of local practice. . As an interventional pediatric cardiologist, he hoped to offer a new approach as to how congenital heart defects were being treated. Equipped with his training overseas, he introduced innovations such as the use of cardiac catheterization as the standard of care for pediatric heart defects without the need to surgically open the chest. Brod Jonas also delved into teaching, becoming part of the academe of the UP-PGH. He revealed that he always wanted to educate and train students, most especially involving himself in training pediatricians to become pediatric cardiologists. He happily shared how their department was able to deploy several pediatric cardiologists across the country already, with the hopes that it would help in treating more patients suffering from congenital heart diseases.
On Operation Braveheart
His yearning to treat as many children with congenital heart defects prompted Brod Jonas to volunteer his talents by spearheading Operation Braveheart. From its inception in 2016, Operation Braveheart aims to offer surgeries free of charge to children suffering from congenital heart defects. The project was conceptualized by Brod Jonas as well as Brod Jess Socrates Φ1969Β, who actively sought for ways to help out patients in the country. Brod Jonas introduced the idea of performing cardiac catheterization to patients, highlighting the potential of treating heart defects through a minimally invasive procedure. With the commitment of Brod Jonas to perform the surgeries for free and the promising concept behind the project, Brod Jess agreed and generously donated the occluders that will be used to patch the hole in the heart or plug a blood vessel.
As of to date, Operation Braveheart continues to offer services to pediatric patients in need of assistance. “[A] One to two-hour procedure to change a life is a no-brainer for me,” Brod Jonas explained as he stressed on the importance of the project. Treating the patient not only tackles the condition but also guarantees a secured future for the child and greatly offers relief to the family. In the future, Brod Jonas only hopes that it continues on to become the legacy project of the Phi Kappa Mu.
On his Experience as the UP-PGH Spokesperson
In 2016, Brod Jonas became the coordinator of Public Affairs in The Philippine General Hospital under its Director,, Brod Gap Legaspi Φ1983B. When presented with the opportunity, Brod Jonas did not hesitate to accept the role, as he was aware of the vision Brod Gap had in mind and wanted to help him achieve it in every way he could. The job entailed becoming the voice of PGH, being able to communicate and deliver a message that can easily be understood by the public. Ever since, Brod Jonas believed in the importance of communication with his patients. He affirmed how being an excellent physician is as equally important as being a genuinely empathetic healthcare provider. He held this principle as he accepted and carried out his duty as the spokesperson of PGH. Given the status of PGH as a primary referral center with policies that affected treatment in different institutions, several instances necessitated Brod Jonas to address the public through announcements and to address concerns, most especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to actively seek correct information by attending seminars and consulting experts was also emphasized by Brod Jonas, noting that the position holds a great amount of responsibility and recognizing the importance of carefully constructing each statement provided on behalf of the PGH. Being the Coordinator of Public Affairs meant speaking for PGH as a whole, representing the director and sharing the sentiments of healthcare workers and patients alike.
On his Hopes for the Future
With many years of experience under his belt, Brod Jonas always considers the profession as a lifelong vocation where learning never stops. For all aspiring and starting physicians, he advised to keep seeking for new information for the sake of self-growth and ultimately for the care of patients. Brod Jonas mentioned how it is best to not just be an excellent doctor, but to be a genuinely compassionate one as well. Lastly, he noted how the pandemic highlighted the Filipino value of bayanihan or communal unity, Emphasizing how one can only go as far working alone, but collaborating will provide an opportunity to reach greater heights.. He drove this point further by recalling the saying in PGH that goes, “Nasa iisang bangka lang tayo, kaya bayanihan na!”
In the future, Brod Jonas hopes that the UP College of Medicine continues to be a trailblazer in the fields of research and medicine. He also wishes that the college will be able to open its doors to more students, and for more faculty members to receive the right and just compensation as academicians. For PGH, he wishes for it to become a modern hospital that will be fully equipped and computerized with numerous multi-specialty centers, including a children’s hospital. Despite these advancements, he hopes that the hospital remains true to its purpose of serving all Filipinos, maintaining its accessibility to all patients. At the same time, he also envisions that more hospitals be built all over the country, building networks with each other, and having the principal objective of providing aid to the FIlipino people.
Finally, to the Most Venerable Fold, he foresees that the Fraternity will be as strong as ever in the years to come. With its Four Pillars at its helm and with its ever-growing roster of brods, he is certain that it will remain as the standard for all organizations in the entire country. He mentioned how the Phi Kappa Mu has always been a step above the rest, as trailblazers in various fields, even saying, “Hindi lang tayo nakikisabay, humihigit pa tayo doon.”
From leading the use of cardiac catheterization in the Philippines to eventually serving as the spokesperson for the Philippine General Hospital, the countless achievements of Brod Jonas over the years serve as a testament to his unwavering dedication to embodying the core values of the Fraternity. Bearing in mind the concept of paying it forward, he never fails to impart his vast knowledge and expertise to all the Brods of the Most Venerable Fold. With an outstanding history of excellence, leadership, service, and brotherhood, Brod Jonas certainly serves as an example of what a Phi ultimately strives to be.
