Tomas C. Carvajal, MD (1936 - 2013)

• Main Author: Theodore M. Carvajal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. 2013-06-01
• Series: Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• Subjects: mentor
• Online Access: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/513

“My Mentor… My Inspiration… My Dad”    “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! ” Proverbs 20:7    Dr. Tomas Carvajal at 76 years old, had practiced for over 40 years as an Emeritus Consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa, Manila, where he started his Residency Training. Early on, he learned to love the ENT specialty and underwent preceptorship under the wing of Dr. Ariston Bautista. At that time, there was no training program in the Philippines.  He went abroad and was accepted to train in Berlin, Germany at the Rodolf Virchow Krankenhaus Department of Ear Nose and Throat under Professor Peffniz. After his training in Germany, to further hone his knowledge and skills, he underwent post graduate training at the Royal National Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in London, England and Wakayama Medical Center in Osaka, Japan specializing in Nasal Allergy. On returning to Manila, he was invited to be an Assistant Professor in Otorhinolaryngology at the Far Eastern University – College of Medicine and a Consultant at the FEU Hospital then in Morayta, Manila. He was also appointed Medical Specialist Examiner under the then Ministry of Health. Later, he became the first Chairman of the Department of Ear Nose Throat – Head and Neck Surgery (1986-1993) at the FEU Hospital. During the same time he was also Chairman at the Quirino Medical Center Department of Eye Ear Nose and Throat (EENT). Since then he had helped a lot of people-- including colleagues, friends and neighbors, and he was thus invited by former President Erap Estrada and Senator Jinggoy Estrada to run for city councilor in San Juan City where he served for two consecutive terms (2000-2006). My father lived a fruitful and blessed life. He was loved and praised by everyone. It was he who inspired me to become an ENT doctor, it was he who guided me, giving me pointers during my residency training, and it was he who taught me too about LIFE….  “Thank you Dad!”