Positive Conversion

This happened long ago. When our Medical Director died of Cancer I was forced by circumstances to take over the directorship. I did not want to accept the positions because my children then, all in the elementary grades were all enrolled at he De La Salle Zobel and my wife was working. I feared that the children would be neglected if left only to the Nannies. So I accepted the position only temporarily for one year.

The first thing I did was to convert all negative posters and signs into something positive: "No littering" was changed to "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"; "No Smoking at the lobby" was changed to "Please Smoke Somewhere Else"; "No visitors allowed" was changed to "Let us help the patient rest"; "Talking at the corridor is not allowed" was changed to "Please converse at the lobby"; "Don't throw your garbage here" was changed to "Please use the garbage can" and many others like "Pain is good...it reminds you to take good care of your health" or "To those who wish to insult the Medical Staff of this Hospital, please limit yourselves to five minutes or five insults, whichever is shorter".

Those positive conversions were very effective. People started smiling and the hospital became a good place to go to. I also organized different teams among the staff and employees for sports purposes. Those who were off-duty were required to do jogging and other activities in the morning before sunrise. We also had time for bowling and swimming, etc. That way camaraderie was enhanced and everyone shared what he could for the group. A Choir was also organized to sing during Sunday Mass and other important occasions. Those who celebrated birthdays on the same month were encouraged to celebrate together, after all they mostly have common friends.
I also started the Free Clinic during Hospital Anniversary.

After one year I moved to Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila to be with my children to monitor their growth. I joined the New Alabang Village Medical Specialists until I retired. My
days at the Alfonso Doctors' Hospital in Alfonso, Cavite was very fruitful and enjoyable that somehow it gave me a lump in the throat when we sold it to La Salle.