After reaping the rewards of an education that served as their own vehicle for success in the United States, a group of medical alumni of the Far Eastern University’s Institute of Medicine decided to give back to their Alma Mater and establish the Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes School of Medicine Alumni Foundation.
In the last three decades, the Alumni Foundation has become a formidable partner of the FEU Medical School in its pursuit of excellence in medical education, quality healthcare service, and medical research.
In 1982, it responded to the call of the FEU-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation and donated the sum of P10 million for the purchase of its own site and building.
When the Medical Foundation acquired its own physical plants for the school and hospital, the Alumni Foundation mobilized its efforts, and through the fledgling years of the Medical Foundation, donated thousands of dollars worth of life-saving machines and medical equipment such as an x-ray machine, a hemo dialyzer, an ambulance, an electrocardiograph, and various other hospital and school equipment. Through the support of its 21 chapters in the United States, the association was able to donate a total of P5.3 million in supplies and equipment to the Medical Foundation from 1985-2003.
The support of the Alumni Foundation has extended to both the faculty and students of the FEU Medical School. They have, for more than 15 years, established a fund in the form of additional faculty allowance amounting to P30,000.00 per annum as incentive for regular and part time faculty members of FEU. They have also made possible the exposure of some faculty members to further studies in the United States through fellowships, which have strengthened teaching capabilities. The Alumni Foundation’s donation of books, LCD projectors, computers, audio visual materials, and other school improvements have not only benefited students but also further enhanced and modernized the teaching methods of faculty members.
The Alumni Foundation’s scholarship project has made it possible for deserving but economically disadvantaged students to pursue medical studies with the understanding that they will eventually serve their town and province of origin. At present, this program supports 21 students in different years of medical education.
The members of the Foundation, in their patriotism, have in their hearts the willingness to assist not only their beloved Alma Mater but also their home country, by strengthening the medical services available to the nation, especially its indigent patient population. The Alumni Foundation has been regularly conducting medical missions in different provinces involving and taking along students to add to their exposure to community service. In December 1993, the first medical mission sponsored by the Alumni Foundation performed surgery for free on indigent patients at FEU Hospital in Manila. The succeeding medical missions were conducted in San Marcelino, Zambales; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Calumpit, Bulacan; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Payatas, Quezon City. Aside from its medical missions, the Alumni Foundation has also been donating medicines and infant formula to the Pediatric Department of the FEU-NRMF since 1999. Individual donations made by different chapters of the Alumni Foundation have also benefited other medical institutions. Last year, its Texas chapter’s donation of almost $1 million benefited as well the charity patients of the Vigan Provincial Hospital and Philippine General Hospital.
In conferring the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award to Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes School of Medicine Alumni Foundation, the President recognizes its exemplary dedication to our country through its immeasurable contributions to the faculty, students, and medical school of the Far Eastern University, as well as its charitable missions that have benefited indigent patients in the Philippines.
