I just read today that Dr. Fe del Mundo died at the age of 99. She was the first Filipina Pediatrician who was admitted to Harvard Medical School. She was born in Manila but has roots in Marinduque. She was a good friend of my late mother-in-law, Mrs. Elena Nieva Jambalos. The Katague Family are extending their heartfelt condolences to the Del Mundo Clan. I listed Dr. Fe del Mundo as one of my top ten famous Filipino-American in my blogs. The video below summarizes her life story.
From Wikipedia:
Fe del Mundo (November 27, 1911 - August 6, 2011) was a Filipino pediatrician. The first woman admitted as a student of the Harvard Medical School,she founded the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines. Her pioneering work in pediatrics in the Philippines in an active medical practice that spanned 8 decades won her international recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1977. In 1980, she was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist of the Philippines while in 2010, she was conferred the Order of Lakandula.
Del Mundo was born in Intramuros, Manila, her family home located just across the Manila Cathedral. Her father Bernardo served one term in the Philippine Assembly, representing the province of Tayabas. 3 of her 8 siblings died in infancy, while an older sister died from appendicitis at age 11. It was the death of her older sister, who had made known her desire to become a doctor for the poor, that spurred young del Mundo towards the medical profession.
Del Mundo enrolled at the University of the Philippines, Manila in 1926 and earned her medical degree in 1933, graduating as class valedictorian. She passed the medical board exam that same year, placing third among the examinees. Her exposure while in medical school to various health conditions afflicting children in the provinces, particularly in Marinduque, led her to choose pediatrics as her specialization.
For details of her biography please continue reading the Wikipedia article in the Web.
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