By Arvin John Sumalabe Malapo Φ2023
With an unwavering dedication to a goal-driven life and a passion for the academe, Brod Nicky stands as an exemplar of the pursuit of knowledge and excellence. Even before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Brod Nicky knew he wanted to become a medical doctor. He decided to apply to the UP College of Medicine and as fate would have it, he was accepted into the esteemed medical school. Presently, Brod Nicky is a highly regarded ophthalmologist and serves as the current Dean of the San Beda University-College of Medicine (SBU-CM) and the Chairman of the Scientific Review Committee of St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City.
Seeking Brotherhood in Medicine
During his undergraduate years, Brod Nicky became friends with Cesar Gerardo Katigbak Katigbak Φ1977 and Guillermo Jose Gil Katigbak Katigbak Φ1978, both of whom became brothers in the Most Venerable Fold. His family doctor, Martin Jalon Dela Rosa II Φ1963 SE 1966-1967 is also a Phi. Considering all these, he started his first year as a medical student already committed to joining the Fraternity. He took the leap of faith and answered the call to become a Loyal Son of the Phi Kappa Mu.
He talks about the simple days of medical school, staying in an apartment along Pedro Gil. He lived with other Phi brods with whom he navigated medical school, from the rigors of academics to the excitement of student nightlife. He retold stories of solidarity shared among him and his batchmates. They always looked out for each other, especially in academics, ensuring no one was left behind. Every brod would come to the aid of their brothers who encountered difficulties in any subject, teaching them and providing brotherly attention that was as sincere as a familial bond.
Brod Nicky also fondly recalls the brotherhood he experienced, unhindered by age or stature. He shared how PGH residents back then were close friends with the Phi brods that were still medical students – a facet of the Fraternity that remains unchanged. He remembers socializing with Albert Songco Lapid Φ1971, Ramon Salva Guerra Φ1977, and Marvin Relato Balaan Φ1975 SE 1978-1979, who was his biochemistry professor at the time and whom he idolizes as a very effective teacher.
Fraternal Guidance after Medical School
Brod Nicky has always been interested in ophthalmology in his years as a medical student. He attributes his fascination to the specialty’s detailed nature, which translated well into his exam scores as he was one of the students who consistently received the highest scores. However, he was not completely closed off from the possibility of pursuing other specializations after graduating from UPCM. In the pivotal phase of transitioning from medical school to medical residency, Brod Nicky grappled with the weighty decision of choosing which path to embark upon. Aside from ophthalmology, he initially considered going into surgery. During this critical juncture, a guiding light emerged in the form of his trusted friend, Teodoro Kintanar Gonzales Φ1978. Brod Ted’s tips, drawn from his own experiences and wisdom, provided a compass that guided Brod Nicky in making his decision. Eventually, Brod Nicky found the program that suits his aspirations the most and resolved to take the residency program in ophthalmology at the Philippine General Hospital. Today, we witness the harmonious blend of his talents and chosen path, evident in his highly accomplished practice as an ophthalmologist.
A Physician in the Academe
After practicing as a physician from 1988 to 1994 in Alabang, Muntinlupa and Biñan, Laguna, Brod Nicky knew he wanted to pursue an academic career. In 2003, he took a Master’s Degree in Clinical Epidemiology from UP Manila (UPM) to further his academic career. Starting in 2004, he began teaching research and clinical epidemiology at the San Beda University–College of Medicine (SBU-CM). He eventually became the head of ophthalmology and research until he was appointed as the Vice Dean of the college in 2016. Finally, in 2022, he became the Dean of SBU-CM. He owes his smooth transition from being a professor to an administrator to the supportive faculty members of the college. Some of the faculty he cherishes are also Phi brods, including Enrico Pamintuan Ragaza Φ1978, the Head of the Department of Surgery at the time. Brod Nicky shares with us one of his successful projects as dean – a partnership with the UPM to bring elective classes in Herbal Medicine to the SBU-CM with two other electives to come in the following year.
Alongside his deanship at SBU-CM, Brod Nicky is also involved with St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine. Prior to becoming a full-time faculty at SBU-CM, he used to teach part-time at St. Luke’s. Today, he no longer teaches at the institution. He has been the Chair of the Institutional Scientific Review Board at St. Luke’s Med Center since 2018. His role as chairman is no easy task, as his team is responsible for reviewing the protocols of residents, fellows, and consultants. Considering the wide range of possible studies that can be conceptualized by the researchers, one can only imagine the breadth of medical knowledge he possesses to be able to understand the complexities of each research topic. Brod Nicky emphasized that he has no plans of retiring any time soon, further underlining his dedication to the academe.
Returning to the program that started his dive into the academe, Brod Nicky has also been teaching master’s students in clinical epidemiology at the UPM College of Public Health as a guest lecturer. He specifically teaches Critical Appraisal of Diagnostic Studies, an area in which he has developed a profound understanding and expertise, even dating back to his undergraduate years when he pursued it as the subject of his thesis.
Advice to Those Who Come After
Brod Nicky has a few pieces of advice for the younger brods of the Fraternity. To the brods still in the UPCM, he advises them to maintain good academic standing. Their family, friends, and future colleagues and patients will place high expectations on them as UP students. The work environment after medical school, especially residency programs, is highly competitive. It is up to them to build their future careers based on their efforts as medical students.
To the young alumni brods, he urges them not to abandon the practice of medicine. Even if one wishes to pursue other things after graduation, he tells them never to entirely let go of the profession, as clinical work can bring one a sense of fulfillment. For those looking to diverge from the clinician’s path, there are many opportunities in the field of the academe.
To all the Loyal Sons of the Phi Kappa Mu, he encourages them to seize the opportunity to forge stronger bonds with each other. The connections built in the brotherhood will extend far beyond the years of medical school. After graduation, wherever you may go, you will always encounter a familiar face. These are the brothers you gained when you entered the Most Venerable Fold.
As Brod Nicky proudly boasts how his batch remains “all accounted for” to this day, he wishes to remind each one that their brothers in the Fraternity will always be around and are always willing to help along the way.
