Inheriting the stethoscope

MANILA, Philippines - Certain illnesses, they say are hereditary. Sure enough, there are many ways to prevent a certain illness from recurring––healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups top the list.

But here is a father and son who both chose the stethoscope and become diabetologists, at the backdrop having diabetes in the family.

Dr. Ricardo Fernando, 80, is one of the country’s most established diabetologists, and is the founder and chairman of the University of the East Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation (ISDF) and Philippine Society of Diabetologists. His Son, Dr. Richard Elwyn Fernando, 49, is also a diabetologist.

Both are committed teachers of ISDF, educating fellow doctors and other healthcare professionals in advances in diabetes care.

Ricardo obtained his medical degree from the University of the Philippines and his residency from Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo. He qualified for a grant to take a postgraduate course in neurology at Harvard University in Boston. But he realized that there were already plenty of neurologists in the Philippines at the time, so he transferred to the Joslin diabetes center instead.

“When I got home, many people asked me, ‘Why diabetes?’ Back in 1958, people thought that there was no diabetes in the Philippines. However, I learned in Harvard that incidents of diabetes were rising around the world, so I decided to take a chance on it. I set up a diabetes screening in Tondo back then, and found that many of the residents already had diabetes,” Ricardo narrates.

He adds that there is now an estimated 9 million diabetics in the Philippines and almost 20 percent of the adult population may be diabetic. “One cause of this is the lack of appreciation that diabetes is a family affair. If either or both your parents have been diagnosed with diabetes, chances are the children will have it too. But since they don’t realize this, most don’t take the necessary precautions.”

Elwyn notes that he was encouraged to take up medicine and follow his father’s footsteps but there was no pressure. “After high school, I took up entrance exams for both pre-medicine and engineering, hoping that God will lead me to the choice of course that accepts me first. My passing results for pre-medicine came out first, and all succeeding years led to the practice of clinical medicine,” he shares.

For the younger doctor, the road to diabetology was an easier choice. “I had 24/7 access to knowledge and gained experience from a pioneer. The intense exposure to the specialty has made me comfortable not only with issues in diabetes but also with colleagues who share the same interests.”

Since its establishment in 1989, the ISDF has produced over 300 graduates in advanced diabetes studies. The ISDF also holds service clinics for lower-income diabetes patients, and makes diabetes medication available to them at heavily-discounted prices with the help of pharmaceutical partners.

To the father and son doctors, the profession does not only empower them to heal people physically but spiritually, as well.

Ricardo who was supposed to be a pastor says medicine keeps him close to people. And in a way, he sees his patients and their loved ones as part of his family. “My job is not just about people’s physical health, but there’s a spiritual aspect to it as well. Physicians are not confined to managing their patients’ purely physical ailments. In my experience, I’ve had patients who come to my clinic with family members, and I can see that there are conflicts among them. I often have to counsel them along with treating their illness. I really believe that almost 50 percent of ailments can be attributed in some way to psychosocial problems. People heal better when they feel good.”

Ricardo also has a daughter Elizabeth Anne who specializes in diabetes care and another daughter Virginia Ruth who has a PhD in Mathematics.

As a father, Ricardo encourages his children to be the best in what they do. “I told all my children, when they choose to do something to earn your keep in this world, no matter what it is, be the best. Even if you’re just selling kangkong in a market, you should be an excellent kangkong salesman. As for disciplining their behavior, I think that leading by example and living a decent, disciplined life is the best way to instill character in your children,” he says.

Further, Ricardo attributes the success of his family to his partnership with wife Elizabeth. “She is a wonderful woman who really raised our children well. Her being a teacher made her a formidable mother. My job did not let me stay at home as often as I would have liked, so it was a comfort to know that my wife was there for my children when I could not be. A good and loving wife is irreplaceable in a home.”

For his part, Elwyn says that there is personal fulfillment upon seeing patients relieved of symptoms and achieving normal laboratory tests. “We await a greater fulfillment when the actual count of diabetes starts to diminish. We know we can get do it with research, education, and service.” 

He knew early on that his family had a predisposition to diabetes with his father being a diabetic. In 1989, Elwyn had himself tested and found out that he has the pre-diabetic condition of impaired glucose intolerance.

In addition to falling in love with the medical profession, Elwyn shares he fell in love with a classmate in medicine school, Evelyn who is now a pediatrician. The doctor-couple has a 20-year-old son Patrick Earl who is now a senior student of BS Biology in UP Diliman.

“My parents disciplined us by being models. The home is sanctuary, the source of strength when weak and refuge in times of trouble. It can only be if God is in the center of the home. That is how we grew up, and I pray it will be a legacy,” Elwyn says.
“I have always considered my family role as a father, a special privilege, never just a duty. In such light, there is joy every day. And fulfillment is seeing the family grow in the guidance of Christ,” he adds.